NFL mock draft database 2015: Underclassmen declaring will impact 49ers mock draft picks

The beginning of the 2015 NFL playoffs means we know the first 20 picks of the 2015 NFL draft. We will learn more as each week progresses, but for our purposes, the San Francisco 49ers are locked in at No. 15 in the first round. That means mock drafts can at least sort of attempt to begin figuring out who the 49ers might pick. And with that in mind, I am back with the 8th annual Niners Nation mock draft database. Bookmark THIS PAGE to track our updates each week until the draft.

Update: Read our NFL Draft 2015 positional rankings.

The database currently consists of 22 mock drafts, and that number will grow as more sites get current with their mock drafts. As I have said in the past, I look at mock drafts by what position they project to the 49ers, as opposed to what player. Mocks cannot really accurately project trades, and figuring out names is not the easiest project in the world.

That is even more the case right now because we don't even know every single player that will be available. Underclassmen have until January 15 to declare for the draft. If you go through the database below, you'll see names of players that either have not yet declared, or have said they will return to college. Mocking the Draft has this underclassmen tracker going though the 15th.

One example of this is Baylor defensive end Shawn Oakman. He has has said he will return to college, which negates three of the mock drafts.  Bleeding Green Nation put together a mock draft on Saturday, just as news broke about Oakman. They changed the pick to an outside linebacker.

Even with the changes, we can still consider the position mocked, and what that might mean. Defensive line is an area of need with Ray McDonald out the door, and Justin Smith considering retirement. Wide receiver is a position of need with a lack of a significant deep threat, and questions about Michael Crabtree and Brandon Lloyd's respective futures. There are plenty of needs, and they will continue to adjust as free agency arrives.

For now, here is a rundown of some of these mocks. I'll likely post on the database at least once a week, but feel free to track the database HERE.