NFL Mock Draft 2015: Projections for 1st-Round Prospects After Free Agency Day 1

Time and time again, you'll hear that the process leading up to the NFL draft is extremely fluid. Well, a frenzied first day of the free-agency period sure solidified that notion.

While prospect workouts can send them up and down big boards, potentially altering a team's selection strategy, nothing changes the outlook of the draft quite like fulfilling a team need by signing—or trading for—a big-ticket veteran. We saw plenty of that Tuesday.

Not only did several NFL squads make such moves, but one in particular will immediately affect the first round. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport tweeted the details:

"

It’s done. Jimmy Graham and 4th to the #Seahawks for Max Unger and 31st pick to the #Saints.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 10, 2015"

That's right. Tight end Jimmy Graham is now a member of the Seattle Seahawks, and the New Orleans Saints upgraded at center and have an additional first-round pick. With the draft order now updated, let's take a look at how the first round is likely to shake out.

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	Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
7	Chicago Bears	Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
8	Atlanta Falcons	Shane Ray, DE, Missouri
9	New York Giants	Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
10	St. Louis Rams	Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
11	Minnesota Vikings	DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
12	Cleveland Browns	Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
13	New Orleans Saints	Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
14	Miami Dolphins	La'el Collins, OT, LSU
15	San Francisco 49ers	Jalen Collins, CB, LSU
16	Houston Texans	Landon Collins, S, Alabama
17	San Diego Chargers	Malcom Brown, DT, Texas
18	Kansas City Chiefs	T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh
19	Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo)	Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
20	Philadelphia Eagles	Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
21	Cincinnati Bengals	Bud Dupree, DE, Kentucky
22	Pittsburgh Steelers	Jordan Phillips, DT, Oklahoma
23	Detroit Lions	Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
24	Arizona Cardinals	Arik Armstead, DT, Oregon
25	Carolina Panthers	Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
26	Baltimore Ravens	Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
27	Dallas Cowboys	Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
28	Denver Broncos	Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota
29	Indianapolis Colts	Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Miss St
30	Green Bay Packers	Eric Kendricks, ILB, UCLA
31	New Orleans Saints (via Seattle)	Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma
32	New England Patriots	Cameron Erving, C, Florida State

Analyzing Changes Due to Free Agency

The aforementioned trade for Graham is only one of the many moves that went down on the first day of free agency that will have a big impact on the draft. Rest assured, mock drafts will be looking very different in the near future after analysts have time to reassess team needs.

That said, here's an early look at some selections that have been altered following the early whirlwind of offseason activity.

18. Kansas City Chiefs: T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh

Keith Srakocic/Associated Press

Leading up to the free-agency period, wide receiver was the Chiefs' most obvious need. Well, the team rectified the situation by agreeing to terms with former Philadelphia Eagle Jeremy Maclin, reuniting him with Andy Reid, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter:

With a legitimate wide receiver in the fold, Kansas City can now turn its attention to another position of need in the draft. The 6'5", 309-pound T.J. Clemmings has a tremendously high ceiling and can be the cornerstone of the Chiefs offensive line for years to come. Adding a new wide receiver is great, but Clemmings will afford quarterback Alex Smith enough time to actually get the ball out of his hands.

19. Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo Bills): Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State

Thanks to Kansas City's switch to an offensive tackle, Arizona State wide receiver Jaelen Strong is ripe for the picking at No. 19 overall. The Browns need a replacement for the troubled Josh Gordon, and the 6'2", 217-pound Strong makes perfect sense. A physical receiver who can come down with contested jump balls and make catches in traffic, Strong has a well-rounded skill set and will be able to contribute immediately.

28. Denver Broncos: Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota

Peyton Manning is all set to return for another season in an effort to lead the Broncos to the Super Bowl once again. However, the future Hall of Famer will be without a huge weapon in tight end Julius Thomas, as he signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to Rapoport:

The Broncos would be wise to upgrade at tight end for the coming season, and the 6'4", 249-pound Williams appears to be a solid answer. He's been phenomenal during offseason workouts, showing great athleticism, fluid movement and very soft hands. His ability to catch anything thrown in his direction should help him win the favor of Manning rather quickly.

31. New Orleans Saints (via Seattle Seahawks): Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma

The Saints made a very bold move to unload their prolific pass-catching tight end. With an aging Marques Colston in the fold, New Orleans is almost out of big targets for quarterback Drew Brees. Here's what New Orleans gave up, via NFL Stats:

This team needs a big playmaker in a hurry, and gambling on Dorial Green-Beckham here could pay dividends. Sure, the wide receiver has a checkered past, but he's also a 6'5", 237-pound target with great vertical ability, a huge catch radius and big-time athleticism. With a little bit of polish, Green-Beckham could become elite.

All prospect measurements courtesy of NFL.com's results tracker.