NFL Draft 2015: 1st-Round Order and Top Prospects to Watch

For many football fans whose favorite teams have been eliminated from playoff contention, the focus has shifted to the 2015 NFL draft and where the top prospects will be selected.

The NFL postseason is still several weeks from a conclusion, but many franchises already know when they will be picking in the first round of the draft. Fans of those teams can’t wait to see which potential game changers their favorite organization will land.

Here is the full first-round draft order and a breakdown of the top prospects to watch.

Selection	Team
1	Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2	Tennessee Titans
3	Jacksonville Jaguars
4	Oakland Raiders
5	Washington Redskins
6	New York Jets
7	Chicago Bears
8	Atlanta Falcons
9	New York Giants
10	St. Louis Rams
11	Minnesota Vikings
12	Cleveland Browns
13	New Orleans Saints
14	Miami Dolphins
15	San Francisco 49ers
16	Houston Texans
17	San Diego Chargers
18	Kansas City Chiefs
19	Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo)
20	Philadelphia Eagles
21	Cincinnati Bengals
22	Pittsburgh Steelers
23	Detroit Lions
24	Arizona Cardinals
25	Carolina Panthers*
26	Baltimore Ravens*
27	Indianapolis Colts*
28	Dallas Cowboys*
29	Denver Broncos*
30	Green Bay Packers*
31	Seattle Seahawks*
32	New England Patriots*

Top Prospects to Watch

Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon Ducks

The most talented player coming out in the 2015 NFL draft is Oregon Ducks quarterback and defending Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota.

There is no doubt that he will be selected early in the first round, possibly even No. 1 overall, but with the desire to add top-notch quarterbacks across the NFL, there is a distinct possibility of a blockbuster trade up to get him.

Regardless of which team makes the selection, Mariota will be one of the most talked-about names leading up to the draft. When asked whether the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would select Mariota with the No. 1 overall pick, NFL insider Sal Paolantonio told 97.5 FM The Fanatic in Philadelphia, via Matt Lombardo of NJ.com:

"

The Glazers have made bold moves in the past. They've traded two first round picks for Jon Gruden. They're going to draft Marcus Mariota. You can book it right now. They will draft him. Then they will go out and find a coach who can do that. Lovie Smith can't do that. Their offensive coordinator can't do that. They will find a coach who can run that offense.

"

Mariota deserves all the attention he is getting after one of the most dominant statistical seasons in recent memory. In 14 games this season, the junior quarterback racked up 4,121 yards and 40 touchdowns passing with only three interceptions all year.

Add in the 731 yards and 15 touchdowns rushing (he also amassed one receiving touchdown), and there is no doubt that Mariota deserves to be one of the first players selected in the draft and the cornerstone of an NFL franchise.

Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State Seminoles

While Mariota has been praised by almost every scout for his play on the field and his clean record away from the team, there is another player with almost as much pure talent who has been at the center of several controversial moments during his college career.

There is no questioning the elite abilities of Florida State Seminoles sophomore quarterback Jameis Winston, but the off-field issues that surrounded him throughout his stay in college could hurt his draft stock.

Regardless of the impact his issues could have on where he is drafted, Winston will declare for the NFL draft, according to David M. Hale of ESPN.com, and be one of the top prospects in the selection process.

The official NFL on ESPN Twitter account shared draft expert Todd McShay’s comments regarding Winston’s unquestionable talent on the field:

NFL franchises have investigative teams designed to gather as much information as possible on potential picks, and Winston’s past will be scrutinized heavily over the coming months. With legitimate raw talent on the field, though, there should be several franchises willing to look past his shortcomings.

In 13 games this season, Winston racked up 3,907 yards, 25 touchdowns and 18 interceptions, all of which were less impressive than his Heisman campaign stats last season. With the size and escapability needed for the NFL, a franchise in desperate need of a quarterback will take the educated risk.

*Stats via NFL.com.