2015 NFL Draft: 1st-Round Order and Pre-Combine Stock Predictions

The floodgates of the pro football stock market are about to open at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Barring a ridiculous revelation, TMZ-esque story, injury or something else, all is quiet on the 2015 NFL draft stock front for now.

But the top names in the 2015 class will soon hit Indianapolis in gym shorts and cleats and compete against one another and themselves in a controlled environment some say is taken too seriously and others not seriously enough.

A strong performance in the measureables department will go a long way for a prospect in need of a boost. The performance needs to translate to what scouts see on film and in future live workouts, but the combine is the best way to begin a long climb to the top.

As things stand now and with a little digging, the draft order and prospects who will use the combine as a launching pad can be viewed in plain sight.

2015 NFL Draft 1st-Round Order and Predictions

Pick	Team	Selection
1	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
2	Tennessee Titans	Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
3	Jacksonville Jaguars	Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska
4	Oakland Raiders	Leonard Williams, DL, USC
5	Washington Redskins	Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
6	New York Jets	Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
7	Chicago Bears	Shane Ray, DE, Missouri
8	Atlanta Falcons	Alvin Dupree, DE/OLB, Kentucky
9	New York Giants	Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
10	St. Louis Rams	Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
11	Minnesota Vikings	Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma
12	Cleveland Browns	DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
13	New Orleans Saints	Dante Fowler Jr., DE, Florida
14	Miami Dolphins	Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington
15	San Francisco 49ers	Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
16	Houston Texans	Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami
17	San Diego Chargers	A.J. Cann, OG, South Carolina
18	Kansas City Chiefs	Breshad Perriman, WR, UCF
19	Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo)	Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
20	Philadelphia Eagles	Landon Collins, SS, Alabama
21	Cincinnati Bengals	Malcom Brown, DT, Texas
22	Pittsburgh Steelers	Arik Armstead, DE/OLB, Oregon
23	Detroit Lions	Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
24	Arizona Cardinals	Owamagbe Odighizuwa, OLB, UCLA
25	Carolina Panthers	Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
26	Baltimore Ravens	Jalen Collins, CB, LSU
27	Dallas Cowboys	Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State
28	Denver Broncos	La'el Collins, OL, LSU
29	Indianapolis Colts	Nate Orchard, DE, Utah
30	Green Bay Packers	Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
31	Seattle Seahawks	Carl Davis, DL, Iowa
32	New England Patriots	Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota

Predicting Scouting Combine Stock Jumps

Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn

So far, Sammie Coates is a proverbial flash in the pan.

The Auburn product put on a show at the Senior Bowl. According to NFLDraftScout.com's Dane Brugler, Coates weighed in 12 pounds heavier than his listed weight in college and measured an arm length better than a number of high-profile offensive tackles.  

Considering Auburn lists the Leroy, Alabama, native at 6'2" and 201 pounds, it proved a successful outing.

The problem is that  Julio Jones comparisons due to his size-speed combo will only get him so far. As more scouts dig, the more holes they find (which is the case with any prospect), as Bleacher Report's Matt Miller illustrates:

Coates is a work in progress when it comes to his hands. In the meantime, scouts continue to unearth other gems at the position, an example being UCF's Breshad Perriman.

The good news for Coates is that he will undoubtedly turn heads with his measurements once again in Indianapolis. From there, the key is to show an improvement in drills and live competition to keep his stock at a high level this time.

If it all comes together, Coates may again find himself in the first-round conversation. It starts in Indianapolis.

Jalen Collins, CB, LSU

USA TODAY Sports

When it comes to cornerbacks in the 2015 class, LSU's Jalen Collins is low on the totem pole.

Usual suspects like Marcus Peters, Trae Waynes and others first come to mind. This has more to do with Collins' surprise decision to enter the fray and the slow spread of information on what is a "weak class" more than his lack of first-round ability, though.

Plenty of that talent will be on display in Indianapolis.

"Rare" does Collins a disservice. He's a cornerback alright, one who comes in at 6'2" and 198 pounds with perhaps the best burst of any player who will attend the combine. A recent note by NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah puts it best: 

Explosive and fluid, Collins' athleticism on its own is proof that he will find success at the pro level. He can stand at the line of scrimmage or play off and run with some of the best athletes in the world right now.

Collins resembles a player who always blows up at the combine, especially since the information mill seems a bit slow concerning what he brings to the table.

Expect to see his name on plenty of "Top Performer" lists.

Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma

One doesn't need a time machine go back and watch Calvin Johnson at the scouting combine.

Just watch Dorial Green-Beckham this year. DGB comes in at 6'6" and 225 pounds, a ridiculous size for a wideout.

The comparison goes beyond simple measurements, though, as DGB touts a downright rare catch radius, which he combines with an elite second burst and smooth routes to form a complete package. 

Each prospect has a major flaw, though. DGB's is his off-field drama that resulted in a move from Missouri to Oklahoma. Bleacher Report's Ian Kenyon describes the dynamic best:

There may not be a prospect with more sheer upside at any position in the draft than DGB.

He's by far a lock to measure well at the combine and boost his stock, although at this point, the interview process will weigh more heavily than anything else. 

Still, expect to hear a ton about DGB on the field after his performance in Indianapolis—so much so, in fact, that a few whispers about his being the first wideout off the board on draft day are sure to come to light. 

Note: Stats courtesy of NFL.com as of Feb. 14 at 9 p.m. ET. All advanced metrics via Pro Football Focus.