2015 NFL Draft: Selection Order, Predictions and Unheralded Prospects to Watch

Everyone wants to know which NFL prospects will be selected in the first round, which is why the entire order of the draft and predictions for how the first round will unfold are below.

However, the key to building depth and a prolonged winner in the league is selecting quality players throughout the entire draft and not just the first round. After all, there are far more players on a football field at one time than a basketball court, which is why a single player selected in the first round doesn’t have the same type of impact on the gridiron.

With that in mind, here are some unheralded prospects to watch who will be selected after the first round but still make an impact at the next level.

Pick	Team	Selection
1	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
2	Tennessee Titans	Leonard Williams, DT, USC
3	Jacksonville Jaguars	Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska
4	Oakland Raiders	Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
5	Washington	Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
6	New York Jets	Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
7	Chicago Bears	Dante Fowler, DE/OLB, Florida
8	Atlanta Falcons	Vic Beasley, DE/OLB, Clemson
9	New York Giants	Landon Collins, SS, Alabama
10	St. Louis Rams	Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
11	Minnesota Vikings	Shane Ray, DE/OLB, Missouri
12	Cleveland Browns	Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
13	New Orleans Saints	La'el Collins, OT, LSU
14	Miami Dolphins	T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh
15	San Francisco 49ers	Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
16	Houston Texans	DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
17	San Diego Chargers	Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington
18	Kansas City Chiefs	Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
19	Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo)	Arik Armstead, DE, Oregon
20	Philadelphia Eagles	Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
21	Cincinnati Bengals	Alvin Dupree, DE, Kentucky
22	Pittsburgh Steelers	Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
23	Detroit Lions	Michael Bennett, DT, Ohio State
24	Arizona Cardinals	Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State
25	Carolina Panthers	Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami
26	Baltimore Ravens	Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
27	Dallas Cowboys	Malcom Brown, DT, Texas
28	Denver Broncos	Devin Smith, WR, Ohio State
29	Indianapolis Colts	Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
30	Green Bay Packers	Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
31	Seattle Seahawks	Devin Funchess, WR/TE, Michigan
32	New England Patriots	Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma

Doran Grant, Cornerback, Ohio State 

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

The Ohio State defense finished 114th in the country in passing yards allowed per game during the 2013 season, and the Buckeyes fell one victory in the Big Ten Championship Game short of making the national championship game. The Ohio State pass defense finished 17th in the country in the same stat in 2014, and the Buckeyes won the national title.

Cornerback Doran Grant had a lot to do with that.

Grant was the senior leader in the Ohio State secondary and often guarded the opponent’s best receiver on an island. He held Michigan State’s Tony Lippett to a mere 64 yards and zero scores in Ohio State’s most important regular-season win, and he also helped limit Alabama’s Amari Cooper to 71 receiving yards in the Sugar Bowl.

You would be hard-pressed to find a cornerback who helped his draft stock more than Grant at the NFL Scouting Combine as well.

He tied for third in his position group with a 4.44 time in the 40-yard dash and finished in second with 21 reps on the bench press. He flashed a speed-strength combination that is almost mandatory to play against the physical specimens who line up at wide receiver every Sunday in the NFL.

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Grant also proved he can be a leader this season, as he told Patrick Maks of Eleven Warriors:

"

I feel like verbally, my last two years — junior and senior year — is when I really stepped out of my shell. I always led by example. I always did everything right. But leading more verbally and being that standout guy, my last two years, I think…I know NFL teams want leadership, they want grown men on their team, and I think I can provide that also ... I've won everywhere I've been. I feel I can contribute and help another team win. 

"

When the draft rolls around, one NFL team will land a national champion at cornerback who has experience against elite competition and dazzled at the combine. The fact that Grant will be drafted later than the first round makes him all the more appealing as a potential gem to be uncovered for next season and beyond.

Tevin Coleman, Running Back, Indiana

Grant isn’t the only Big Ten player teams should have their eyes on beyond the first round.

While Melvin Gordon and Todd Gurley could hear their names called early in the draft, Indiana’s Tevin Coleman is a potentially explosive playmaker who will be available beyond the first round. Had he played for a bigger football program than the one he did, he would be a household name among fans.

Coleman gashed defenses this season to the tune of 2,036 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. He even put up 228 yards and three touchdowns against the eventual champion Buckeyes and topped the 300-yard barrier against Rutgers the week before. It was an incredible two-game stretch that underscored just how dominant he can be with the ball in his hands.

Alex Goodlett/Getty Images

Gregg Doyel of The Indianapolis Star was certainly impressed:

Raw stats are one thing, but NFL scouts care more about potential at the next level. You decide whether Coleman’s NFL.com scouting report sounds like someone who can make an impact as a pro:

"

Decisive north-south runner. Outstanding three-step burst into second level. Fearless between the tackles. Has dangerous jump-cut to instantly change gaps and ruin the plans of linebackers. Power in legs to slice through arm tackles and uses free hand as quality stiff-arm. Violent run finisher. Will duck shoulder and throw heavy forearm into tackler to prove a point. Not a content runner -- keeps feet moving after contact and won't give in. 

"

Some team will get an absolute steal in the third round or beyond with a running back like that. The best part is, Coleman will come at a cheaper price than any running back taken in the first round and has the talent to produce right away.

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