Montez Sweat, Greedy Williams among five NFL draft prospects who could fall in first round

If the 15 minutes between every pick in the first round of the NFL draft feel excruciating, just imagine what the experience is like for top prospects waiting to hear their names called.

Whether it's a byproduct of outsized hype in the pre-draft process, off-field concerns or simply an absence of the right fit, a fall into the latter half of the first round or into the second day can prove taxing for players, both emotionally and financially. And while a tumble can be difficult to determine before it's underway, several marquee names this year could be available much later than many anticipated.

Here are five NFL draft prospects who could fall on Thursday:

Montez Sweat, DE, Mississippi State

After standing out at the Senior Bowl and recording a 4.41-second 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine, a record for defensive linemen at the event, the two-time all-Southeastern Conference selection looked poised to be a top-10 selection. A heart condition flagged at the combine, however, could turn his night upside-down if teams are not comfortable with his outlook.

Sweat said his decision not to attend the draft was unrelated to his stock, and there's still a chance he lands in the middle-to-late first round. But with his medical clearance unknown, his status is uncertain.

Rashan Gary, DE, Michigan

Maybe this would be more of a return to earth than a true slide. After dazzling at the combine with his 4.58-second 40 and 38-inch vertical at 6-4 and 277 pounds, Gary seemed to be in the running to join the class' top tier of defensive linemen. Unlike his peers, however, the former No. 1 overall recruit was short on production in college, posting just 10 1/2 sacks and 24 tackles for loss in three years.

Gary has countered criticisms by pinning some of the blame for his statistical shortcomings on Michigan's defense, telling NFL Network in March it "wasn't the right scheme for me." But his play still highlighted that he's not a traditional speed rusher, and he could land in the teens or 20s rather than join the likes of Ohio State's Nick Bosa and Alabama's Quinnen Williams as one of the first defensive linemen off the board.

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Drew Lock, QB, Missouri

Ohio State's Dwayne Haskins and Duke's Daniel Jones also could be subject to a longer wait than anticipated, as this could be the rare instance in which teams exhibit restraint on pursuing passers in the draft. But while Haskins and Jones might find their floor in the mid-teens with the Redskins (No. 15) and Giants (No. 17), Lock could be in for a more dramatic fall if he makes it past the first half of Thursday night's order.

Standing at 6-4 and 228 pounds and boasting the arm strength to make throws into tight windows, Lock still lets his erratic accuracy and overconfident, turnover-prone approach stand in the way of his considerable physical tools. Teams that place a premium on precision in their aerial attacks might look elsewhere, and Lock could end up tumbling as a result.

Greedy Williams, CB, LSU

The Tigers have a rich history of producing prized defensive backs in the draft, and Williams was touted as next in line for the program. Though he still has a chance to be the third member of the Tigers secondary to crack the first round in three years, the consensus All-American might be the one player invited to Thursday's festivities in Nashville most at risk for a fall into Day 2.

Williams' slight build (6-2, 187 pounds) could be significant cause for concern among NFL teams that ask their cornerbacks to tussle with receivers in press-man coverage and at the catch point. He also might not be as complete of a defender as Washington's Byron Murphy, who looks to have an edge in the race to be the first player at the position to be taken. If he isn't selected somewhere between the Steelers' pick at No. 20 and the Raiders' final first-round pick at 27, he likely will need to return Friday to hear his name called.

Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia

The Thorpe Award winner was a pest for receivers and quarterbacks alike, as he routinely disrupted the timing of routes with his physical play. That same approach, however, might similarly frustrate his next NFL coach, as Baker's grabby tendencies likely will yield a significant number of penalties.

The more pressing issue for Baker is how he fits at the next level. At 5-10 and 193 pounds with so-so speed, he will have to use his instincts and route recognition to keep receivers at close quarters. Those traits, particularly for a player who hasn't show the versatility to play in the slot, could be a tough sell for a team looking to maximize its first-round investment.

Follow Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz on Twitter @MikeMSchwartz.

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