NFL Mock Draft 2015: Projections for Top Prospects Heading into Combine

The NFL Scouting Combine isn't the be-all and end-all of evaluations for NFL teams when it comes to prospects. Game film is far more important, for one thing, and teams can learn a lot from events like the Senior Bowl and pro days.

Still, the combine is where teams can get the answers to some important questions.

Does a player have the strength and athleticism needed to thrive at the next level? Do his measurables suggest he has a high ceiling at the next level, or did he likely peak in college? How does he interview and handle scrutiny? What position does he project to play at the next level? Where could he improve physically and mentally?

It's always folly putting too much stock in the combine, but it's just as silly to take nothing away from the event. Stocks justifiably rise or fall based on what happens in Indianapolis. 

My mock draft is no different. While I haven't changed my projections just yet given that the combine has days of drills yet to complete, I did focus on a few players whose stock will be most affected by the event. From guys who need to crush the interviews to players who must test well, I took a closer look at a few players with everything to gain or lose in Indianapolis.

Pick	Team	Player
1	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
2	Tennessee Titans	Leonard Williams, DT, USC
3	Jacksonville Jaguars	Randy Gregory, DE/OLB, Nebraska
4	Oakland Raiders	Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
5	Washington	Vic Beasley, DE, Clemson
6	New York Jets	Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon Ducks
7	Chicago Bears	Shane Ray, DE, Missouri
8	Atlanta Falcons	Dante Fowler Jr., DE, Florida
9	New York Giants	Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
10	St. Louis Rams	Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
11	Minnesota Vikings	La'el Collins, OT, LSU
12	Cleveland Browns	DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
13	New Orleans Saints	Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
14	Miami Dolphins	Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
15	San Francisco 49ers	Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
16	Houston Texans	T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh
17	San Diego Chargers	Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami
18	Kansas City Chiefs	Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
19	Cleveland Browns	Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
20	Philadelphia Eagles	Landon Collins, S, Alabama
21	Cincinnati Bengals	Bud Dupree, OLB, Kentucky
22	Pittsburgh Steelers	Gerod Holliman, S, Louisville
23	Detroit Lions	Malcom Brown, DT, Texas
24	Arizona Cardinals	Eli Harold, DE, Virginia
25	Carolina Panthers	Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Missouri/Oklahoma
26	Baltimore Ravens	Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
27	Dallas Cowboys	Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest
28	Denver Broncos	Cameron Erving, OT, Florida State
29	Indianapolis Colts	Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington
30	Green Bay Packers	Benardrick McKinney, MLB, Mississippi State
31	Seattle Seahawks	Devin Funchess, WR/TE, Michigan
32	New England Patriots	Devin Smith, WR, Ohio State

Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Missouri/Oklahoma

No player has more to prove at this year's NFL Scouting Combine than Dorial Beckham-Green, who has had multiple off-field incidents and hasn't played a game in well over a year. Physically, he's a freak, and folks were already buzzing about his measurables at the combine.

Matt Bowen of Bleacher Report has more:

Dane Brugler of NFL.com thinks that weight is just fine for the receiver:

Receivers who stand 6'5" and weigh 237 pounds and are expected to run in the 4.3-second range in the 40-yard dash, well, don't exactly grow on trees. If Green-Beckham indeed runs well, impresses in the drills and, most importantly, impresses in the interviews, he'll likely be a first-round pick. 

His talent is impressive, even if he's raw and needs to expand his route tree. If Green-Beckham wins the combine, he's going to be very tough for teams to pass on, even with his off-field concerns.

Kevin White, WR, West Virginia

Stacy Revere/Getty Images

Kevin White exploded this past season, catching 109 catches for 1,447 yards and 10 touchdowns. He has excellent size, adjusts well to the ball in the air, can make guys miss after the catch and is a threat down the field. 

But NFL teams will be curious as to how well he runs, and it very well could be the difference between White being selected in the 13-17 range in the first round and within the top five picks. If he runs well, at his size, he could very well be the first receiver taken. 

Marcus Peters, CB, Washington

Like Green-Beckham, Marcus Peters has a ton to prove in his interviews after being kicked off Washington's football team for multiple incidents, including confrontations with teammates and coaches. To his credit, however, Peters hasn't passed the buck in recent interviews.

"I don't blame [Washington head coach Chris Petersen, who dismissed him from the team] for anything," Peters told Tom Pelissero of USA Today. "All I can blame is myself, because I made those decisions and I have to live with them. Now I'll have to man up and I've got to answer these questions in interviews, and all I can do is sit there and answer truthfully and honestly."

Peters has the talent, size and physicality to be a top-10 player and an excellent pro if teams are convinced he can get his act together. If enough teams are unsure, however, Peters will likely be losing some money, though it's hard to see him dropping out of the first round.

Eli Harold, DE, Virginia

Keith Srakocic/Associated Press

Eli Harold was productive at Virginia, accumulating 15.5 sacks in the past two years, but where does he fit? Is he athletic enough to play as a 3-4 outside linebacker, or will he be able to bulk up and play as a 4-3 end? Will he be as effective with his hand on the ground? 

For Harold, teams will be carefully looking at his body type and how he handles himself in various drills as they try to determine his fit at the next level. If a team falls in love with him, he certainly has first-round ability.