NFL Draft 2015: Order and Predictions for Emerging Storylines

In hindsight, this period might be one in which the general public knows very little about the 2015 NFL draft.

Truthfully, it's an awkward time.

NFL free agency has yet to alter draft boards in dramatic fashion. Pro days have yet to commence. The combine is over, sure, but there is a big difference between how the public feels about a prospect and how 32 different sets of scouts and decision-makers feel, musings and feelings that are never really made public until names are called to the podium.

With that in mind, things continue to change. Right now, the order is set in stone, the first-round candidates seem plausible, and team needs are obvious.

The latest emerging storylines, though, already hint at bigger changes in the pipelines.

2015 NFL Draft Order and Predictions

Pick	Team	Selection
1	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
2	Tennessee Titans	Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
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	Dante Fowler Jr., DE, Florida
8	Atlanta Falcons	Alvin Dupree, DE/OLB, Kentucky
9	New York Giants	La'el Collins, OL, LSU
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	Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
14	Miami Dolphins	Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington
15	San Francisco 49ers	Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
16	Houston Texans	Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
17	San Diego Chargers	A.J. Cann, OG, South Carolina
18	Kansas City Chiefs	Breshad Perriman, WR, UCF
19	Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo)	Shane Ray, DE, Missouri
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	Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami
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

Emerging Storylines 

1st-Round Wideouts

Think the 2014 wideout class was great?

This year's class would like a word. There are a ridiculous number of candidates for the first round alone, including but perhaps not limited to:

• Amari Cooper
• Kevin White
• DeVante Parker
• Jaelen Strong
• Dorial Green-Beckham
• Breshad Perriman
• Sammie Coates
• Devin Smith
• Nelson Agholor

Some of those names are fringe players, sure, but is the NFL really going to skimp on the position after last year, when Kelvin Benjamin exploded beyond perceived weaknesses, Odell Beckham Jr. morphed into one of the league's top targets and other wideouts seamlessly made the transition? 

Of course not.

However, even the fringe players have an allure. Of course, one of three Heisman Trophy finalists (Amari Cooper) will come off the board. Of course, a guy who looks like Calvin Johnson (Dorial Green-Beckham) will find his way to the first round.

Look at UCF's Breshad Perriman. He's a massive receiver with deceptive speed who can burn defenses deep. He's a rare breed even if a pro comparison such as Dwayne Bowe has left a sour taste as of late.

Or look at USC's Nelson Agholor, who checked in at the combine at 6'0" and 198 pounds with 4.42 40-yard dash speed. Known for crisp routes and sure hands, there's a reason the league's Twitter account made a certain comparison:

The point is, it is quite clear that there is no shortage of viable first-round wideouts who could surprise on draft day. A few of the names are interchangeable, as teams may prefer one prospect to another.

At a very bare minimum, the 2015 first round will at least match last year's number of wideouts selected.

Prediction: Five wideouts come off the board in the first round.

Squashing Weaknesses

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

While overrated in a ton of areas, the most useful thing the combine does—other than feed the football-starving—is crush misconceptions.

Marcus Mariota is the perfect example of this. Do a brief Google search, and there are plenty of nuggets suggesting that the Oregon Ducks signal-caller is not a traditional pro quarterback and that he needs the right system at the next level to excel (who doesn't?).

Feel free to throw all of that out the window, though, as Mariota looked great in drills at the combine and every bit a "pro-ready quarterback." One scout told Robert Klemko of The MMQB, "He did much better on the board than expected and his football IQ was surprisingly good."

As Klemko astutely points out, Mariota was not the only player to squash silly rumors.

Clemson's Vic Beasley came in at 6'3" and 246 pounds, much heavier than his college days, and literally performed among the top players at his position in every single drill, highlighted by a 4.53 40-yard dash and 35 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press.

His skill set truly is unbelievable, as Rotoworld's Josh Norris illustrates:

Alabama safety Landon Collins faced other ridiculous misconceptions, as most seemed concerned he is too slow to play a center fielder-type role to counter the passing game.

Coming in at 6'0" and 228 pounds with 4.53 40-yard dash speed has a way of changing that outlook.

Prospects working hard to alter misconceptions is nothing new, but it'll be a defining trait on the path to the draft this year as the divide between public perception and how NFL teams truly feel is as deceptive as ever.

For now, two high-profile names lead the charge in this area, with more sure to come.

Prediction: Beasley and Collins secure top-20 spots on draft day by reinforcing "new" strengths.

Trade Ideas

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

Each year, there is that fairy-tale-esque trade idea that only a video game would allow. 

Sometimes, it happens, sure. Just ask Washington if it was worth it.

Most times, it doesn't, but if there is a scenario in which it will come to light once again, it figures to be this year. Say former Oregon coach Chip Kelly wants to get his hands on Mariota, then the Philadelphia Eagles surely have the resources to make a deal.

It's an interesting concept that to date has no real verified traction—although Jimmy Kempski of PhillyVoice.com has an interesting take on the matter:

As ESPN.com's Phil Sheridan encompasses, a Philadelphia pursuit of Mariota is something that increasingly continues to pop up.

It's certainly something to keep an eye on moving forward.

After all, Kelly and Co. can't be sure that Nick Foles is the answer under center, nor can they realistically endure another season in which Mark Sanchez takes the majority of the snaps.

Compounding the issue and making the hypothetical more realistic is the state of the 2015 class. After Mariota and Winston, the latter of whom seems at this point a lock for No. 1 overall, there are no sound options who can start as a rookie. UCLA's Brett Hundley is the third quarterback but more of a long-term project.

Right now, it is hard to imagine a reality in which the teams that hold the top four picks are willing to move down so drastically, but things change if Mariota takes an unexpected free fall out of the top five.

Regardless, keep a close eye on the Eagles as the wild card that can change the draft in the most dramatic fashion.

Prediction: Eagles stay at No. 20 and address defense.

Note: Stats courtesy of NFL.com as of Feb. 26 at 9 a.m. ET. All advanced metrics via Pro Football Focus.