2015 NFL Mock Draft: Updated 1st-Round Predictions for Top Prospects

Job interviews are inherently stressful. Just imagine if part of your interview was throwing on shorts and a T-shirt and running 40 yards in front of hundreds of scouts depicting your every move.

That is the reality of the NFL Scouting Combine for the top prospects in the upcoming draft. It is the most important job interview of their lives, and one slip in the 40-yard dash or a few less reps on the bench press than expected could cost millions of dollars in draft positioning.

Fortunately for the highly regarded prospects who are considered future first-round picks, the combine isn’t quite as make-or-break. Between college film, physical measurables and the opinions of scouts and front offices, there is more to fall back on for players like Marcus Mariota than just a combine performance.

Here is a look at some of those players who will hear their names called on the first day of the NFL draft and don’t necessarily have as much pressure on their shoulders at the combine.

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

Picks to Watch

No. 27 Dallas Cowboys: Malcom Brown, DT, Texas

Eric Gay/Associated Press

The Dallas Cowboys may have reached the playoffs last season, but they were 19th in the NFL in total yards allowed, 15th in points allowed per game, 28th in sacks and 26th against the pass.

Even with those disappointing numbers, the Dallas defense actually outperformed many expectations last season because many thought it would be the unit that held it out of the postseason altogether while Tony Romo and company put up big numbers.

Still, the Cowboys need to improve on that side of the ball. 

Brett Deering/Getty Images

A strong presence in the middle of the line can mask other weaknesses across the roster because it frees up linebackers to make plays in space, lets the defensive ends face single coverage along the line on passing plays and forces the secondary to stay with the receivers for less time with a push up the middle in the quarterback’s face.

That is the hope with drafting someone like Malcom Brown from Texas. 

NFL.com offered a scouting report on the potential first-round pick:

"

Showed great improvement during 2014 season and is considered a "riser" on draft boards by league scouts. Good bend in his hips to play low off the snap. Athletic big man who improved his quickness this year. Began to impose his will more frequently late in the season.

"

Just like teams can win championships by getting hot at the right time, draft prospects can earn millions by seeing their stock rise right before the draft. Brown has seen that happen because he is explosive off the snap with his athleticism and solid in run pursuit and will provide much-needed depth along the defensive line for Dallas.

If nothing else, Longhorns fans will be thrilled to see their top prospect stay in state.

No. 19 Cleveland Browns: Arik Armstead, DE, Oregon

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

Much like the Cowboys, the Cleveland Browns struggled in a number of defensive areas and finished 23rd in total yards allowed, 27th in sacks and 32nd against the run.

The Browns have the luxury of two first-round picks in this draft and could address an offensive need like wide receiver with their first pick and then focus on the defensive side of the ball with the second one.

The secondary was impressive at times last year with Joe Haden and Donte Whitner and finished eighth in the league against the pass, but it could be even better if the Browns improve on their dismal sack numbers and establish a pass rush. Enter Oregon’s Arik Armstead as a physical presence who has the chance to start right away at the next level.

Armstead’s ridiculous size at 6’8” and 290 pounds is the first thing that jumps out when watching him play, and he brings a terrifying combination of speed and size to the table that makes him almost impossible to consistently block for four quarters. Even when he doesn’t get to the quarterback, all he has to do is put his hands up to swat plenty of passes.

He was the one Oregon defender who made a handful of plays in the loss in the national championship game. 

Armstead was also solid in run pursuit, which is an area the Browns desperately need to improve considering they finished dead last against the run last season.

No. 10 St. Louis Rams: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

Defensive linemen won’t be the only front-line players taken during the first round of the draft.

The St. Louis Rams finished last season 21st in scoring offense, 23rd in passing yards and 20th in rushing yards last season, which was disappointing considering they boasted one of the best defensive lines in football and an overall defensive unit that was at least talented enough to compete for a playoff spot. Now they need to improve the offense, and they will turn to the draft to do just that.

It all starts with keeping quarterback Sam Bradford healthy for a change, and the only way to do that is by keeping him upright with a formidable offensive line.

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

Stanford’s Andrus Peat started for more than two seasons for the Cardinal and appears to only be improving if NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock’s word is any indication, via Kyle Odegard of AZCardinals.com: “Two years from now he’s going to be a completely different kid.”

There is nothing wrong with taking a potential impact player early in the draft who may take an extra year or two to reach his potential, especially if it is at a position as important as tackle.

Peat is a 6’7” monster who also brings plenty of quickness to the table off the snap. Between that and his overall physicality and strength, there are few defensive linemen who can gain an advantage on him. He can counter bull-rushers with his size and speed-rushers with his lateral quickness and impressive footwork, and he can also open up lanes on the second level for running backs. 

Adding someone like that would certainly improve the St. Louis offense.

Follow me on Twitter:

Follow @ScottPolacek