2015 NFL Draft: First-Round Order and Prospects on the Rise After Pro Days

The long leadup to the NFL draft provides organizations ample time to over-think their initial reads on a prospect, a process that undoubtedly leads to draft-day mistakes.  Pro days embody this flaw in the system, as evaluating players in shorts working in familiar environments is hardly an accurate depiction of how they'll handle the professional pressure cooker.

Nevertheless, that hasn't stopped prospects like Teddy Bridgewater from seeing their stocks disproportionately affected by pro days.  While numerous quarterback-needy teams may be ruing passing over Bridgewater, that doesn't necessarily mean that pro days are an entirely silly exercise.  Injured players who missed the scouting combine need to provide reassurance to teams, while scouting departments may want a second look at a divisive prospect before making a final conclusion.

Not all pro days are concluded—as this handy pro-day tracker from Jaguars.com illustrates, plenty of premier prospects have yet to work out—but based on the numerous workouts held so far, a few players have ostensibly seen their stocks change.  Our latest first-round mock draft attempts to reflect the fluidity inherent in the predraft process:

So which of the 32 players were most affected in the post-combine stage?  Honing in on players who reassured teams with recent workouts, let's take a look at potential fits for a trio of Day 1 hopefuls.

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

Devin Funchess, WR/TE, Michigan

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As a 6’4”, 232-pound tight end with virtually no blocking capacity or in-line experience, Funchess enters the NFL as a classic tweener. Today’s era of specialization means that such a designation isn’t as problematic as it once was, but after a painfully slow 4.70 40-yard dash time at the combine, Funchess’ chances of sticking at receiver appeared slim.

However, the ex-Wolverine subsequently ran a 4.48 40-time at his pro day, per Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press, a jaw-dropping improvement from his Indy showing. With concerns about his functional speed alleviated, teams appear more apt to focus on his catch radius and agility, where he certainly appears to represent a viable wide receiver: 

Consequently, Funchess has vaulted himself back into late Day 1 consideration after slipping out of that picture following the combine. The Ravens look like the most logical landing spot, having lost Torrey Smith and Owen Daniels from the passing attack. Moreover, Baltimore doesn’t really possess any young cost-controlled pass-catching talent apart from Michael Campanaro, a slot receiver who is essentially the antithesis of what Funchess could provide for Joe Flacco.

Funchess is still probably more likely to see his name called Day 2 because of his raw route running and inconsistent hands, but these are traits that reps can improve. Conversely, Funchess’ size is something that can’t be replicated, so now that he has flashed NFL-caliber speed, the Michigan product shouldn’t last too long in the draft.

Randy Gregory, OLB, Nebraska

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In a class full of uber-athletic long edge-rushers, Gregory may stand above them all. The Nebraska edge-rusher weighed in at 238 pounds, per ESPN’s Mitch Sherman, which will likely limit him to the 3-4 outside linebacker spot. But considering that five of the top seven picks belong to teams employing 3-4 schemes, Gregory figures to come off the board within that range.

The real value in Gregory’s pro day came from the position drills, as he allowed his impressive 40-time, vertical leap and bench-press marks from the combine to stand up. According to Sherman’s review, though, Gregory tested out exclusively as a linebacker in position drills. Considering the movement toward smaller, faster linebackers to combat spacing-based offenses, Gregory’s receiver-like testing numbers should enthrall pro scouts: 

That’s not to suggest that Gregory is a perfect prospect, for his pass-rushing arsenal essentially consists of the same club move, as Football Outsiders’ Matt Waldman articulates in his must-read scouting report. That move helped Gregory compile 17.5 sacks over two seasons at Lincoln, but the ability to progress smoothly from move-to-move is indispensable against NFL tackles.

In terms of team fit, Washington at pick No. 5 looks like a strong bet after Brian Orakpo’s departure. Additionally, if the Jets don’t fall for Marcus Mariota, Gang Green represents a strong bet to select one of the top edge-rushers to round out their suddenly formidable defense. Right now, Gregory’s floor looks like Atlanta at No. 8, which could use a Leo rusher to feature in Dan Quinn’s defense.

Eric Kendricks, ILB, UCLA

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In the early predraft process, the dearth at inside linebacker was glaring, with only Bernardrick McKinney and Denzel Perryman looking like potential late first-rounders. But UCLA’s Eric Kendricks has since become a scout’s crush, and while this current projection may be a tad ambitious, it’s not inconceivable to imagine him working his way up to the mid-first round by draft day.

A tweaked hamstring prevented Kendricks from finishing the combine, and while he refrained from running the 40 at his pro day, the vibe was generally positive after he went through other position drills. For what it’s worth, his 4.17-second short-shuttle time would have finished in the top 10 among combine linebackers, while his 7.16-second three-cone drill time would have placed in the top 15.

Those drills highlight Kendricks’ change-of-direction ability and burst, traits that made him one of the nation’s most productive linebackers. With sideline-to-sideline range as well as adequate coverage ability, Kendricks’ ceiling could be reminiscent of a former Defensive Player of the Year: 

For now, Kendricks isn’t a household name due to a relative lack of disruptive plays at Westwood. In four years, Kendricks had just 10 sacks, though he did see a big uptick in tackles for loss his senior season, compiling 11.5 after making just 14.5 such plays over his first three years.

But that’s also partially a byproduct of his role at UCLA, and with his ideal measurables for the position (6’0”, 232 lbs), it’s not hard to envision Kendricks becoming one of the league’s more well-rounded inside backers in due time. Teams seeking to augment the middle of their defense, like Miami and San Francisco, could make Kendricks a first-round prospect by the end of the predraft process.

*All measurables and combine numbers via NFL.com.