NFL Draft 2015: Latest 1st-Round Mock for Top Prospects Following Combine

The NFL Scouting Combine often takes what were once understood conclusions about the upcoming 2015 draft and turns them on their heads, and this year's edition proved to follow suit.

Whether it's a freakish athlete flying under the radar or one who simply puts his doubts to rest on the field, some big conclusions are to be drawn from what unfolded at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis over the past several days. From the on-field training and practice reps to behind-closed-doors interviews and conversations, the combine can be a turning point for teams atop the draft—and mock drafts.

With all of that in mind, let's take a look at how the latest first-round mock draft should shake out on the heels of another telling combine.

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

2. Tennessee Titans: Leonard Williams, DT, USC

The two trendy picks atop mock drafts are quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota, with the struggles of top-two pickers Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tennessee Titans under center only amplifying that. But doing so blatantly ignores the following report, via Rotoworld's Evan Silva:

Quarterback isn't a position you gamble on without being entirely sure of the prospect, and it's safe to say if Tampa Bay goes with Winston at No. 1, the Titans will be far from sure. Mariota just doesn't fit into QB whisperer Ken Whisenhunt's system.

But you know who does? Zach Mettenberger.

Whether or not he's a long-term starter is to be determined, but that doesn't change the fact that the Titans can lock down the best player in the draft in Leonard Williams. The dominating USC defensive tackle put his talents on display at the combine, per ESPN's Adam Schefter:

The Titans are so far from contention that the best player available—no matter his position—would likely fit a big need. But the intrigue in Williams heading to the Music City is the potential of his joining forces with All-Pro tackle Jurrell Casey on Tennessee's front. 

With J.J. Watt in Houston and an increasingly stingy Jaguars defensive front, the Titans need to keep pace in the trenches of the AFC South.

7. Chicago Bears: Danny Shelton, DT, Washington

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Danny Shelton may not be able to do anything to catch up to Williams as the top interior defensive lineman in the draft class, but he doesn't really have to. He's already established himself as the most immovable player in the draft and an absolute beast in the trenches. 

The former Washington standout posted eye-popping numbers on the weight scale. He might be slow, but he more than makes up for it with his daunting physical presence, as NFL showed:

Shelton won't have to be fast in order to validate a place in the top 10 of this draft. With elite size and the ability to throw offensive linemen around, NFL Network's Andrew Siciliano sees a lot of potential in the big man:

The Chicago Bears could use reinforcements across the board defensively, which will spur John Fox and crew to get the player who can make the biggest impact rather than address the biggest position of need. They would do well to add a game-changing safety, but it's hard to tell at this point whether Landon Collins or Shaq Thompson has the skill set to be that player.

What is certain, however, is that Shelton is going to be a stalwart nose tackle in this league for a very long time. And if the Bears want to turn around their defense, they will need just that.

10. St. Louis Rams: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia

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The momentum atop the receiver position in this draft class already seemed like it was swaying toward West Virginia receiver Kevin White in the days and weeks leading up to the combine. He didn't do anything in Indianapolis to change that.

In fact, White just put on an even clearer case for why he could be the No. 1 receiver in the draft ahead of Amari Cooper. NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah thinks so:

It's hard to make the case for White over Cooper, if only because of the Alabama product's insane skill set and high floor. But when it comes to the highest ceiling, White undoubtedly has the edge.

Cooper may have more of the tools necessary to be a shoo-in No. 1 receiver, but White possesses the potential to reach the next level. His reliability in the short passing game was already on display, and now scouts will take note of his top-notch speed.

The Rams are all too familiar with targeting overhyped receivers early in Round 1, having gambled on Tavon Austin rather unsuccessfully. But the more they dissect White's game and his potential impact, the more they will be comfortable going with another speedy wideout.

Only, this one looks and feels like a much safer pick.