2015 NFL Draft: 1st-Round Order and Top-Tier Prospect Projections

Here's the funny thing about the NFL draft's selection order: It's almost guaranteed to change on April 30.

Each year, we see multiple trades within the first round—there were five in 2014 alone. Why do so many deals go down on draft day? Well, not every team is fortunate enough to be in a position to select its most coveted prospect. Those with the ammo to move into a better position don't hesitate to do so if they feel the gamble will pay off.

This year's draft class features many game-changing prospects worthy of such trades. In fact, Kristian Dyer of Metro.us reported an early rumor of a potential move:

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If Marcus Mariota is available at No. 6 in next month's NFL Draft, he likely will be taken. But a league source said the Jets, in desperate need for a quarterback, won't be selecting the former Oregon QB there and that the Eagles and Jets would make a trade if the scenario plays out. …

The source said with "100 percent certainty" that if Mariota is available at No. 6 it will be the Eagles, and not the Jets, who will be picking at that spot.

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So, here's the burning question: Will Marcus Mariota still be available at No. 6 overall? If he is and this trade does come to fruition, the draft will be shaken up in dramatic fashion. That said, let's take an updated look at how the first round is likely to unfold, followed by some examples of teams with trade opportunities.

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	Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
19	Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo)	T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh
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	Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Miss St
28	Denver Broncos	Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota
29	Indianapolis Colts	Todd Gurley, RB,Georgia
30	Green Bay Packers	Eric Kendricks, ILB, UCLA
31	Seattle Seahawks	Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma
32	New England Patriots	Cameron Erving, C, Florida State

Analyzing Teams with Trade Opportunities

Oftentimes a team will trade a pick away instead of selecting an available player that would significantly upgrade its roster. Franchises in this situation make this move in an effort to acquire more draft picks and move back to grab another prospect—possibly at a different position—who fills a need. This happens every year, and 2015 should be no different.

Starting with the aforementioned Mariota, here's a glance at some examples of players likely to be the driving force behind first-round trades and teams that may be interested in striking a deal.

6. New York Jets: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon

In this mock draft, Mariota fell to No. 6 overall. According to the above rumor, that would signify a trade between the Jets and the Philadelphia Eagles. New York is still a team in need of a quarterback; however, if it feels Mariota isn't a fit, this trade makes plenty of sense. After all, Oregon runs a very unorthodox offense, and the Eagles have the NFL's only comparable system.

At the combine, Mariota proved to be this year's most athletic quarterback by a long shot. The 6'4", 222-pound signal-caller ran an impressive 4.52-second 40-yard dash—the fastest at his position—and was a top performer in every other workout. He also displayed a smooth throwing motion, nice touch and good accuracy during positional drills.

Potential trade partner: Philadelphia Eagles

11. Minnesota Vikings: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville

With Kevin White and Amari Cooper likely gone within the first 10 selections, Louisville's DeVante Parker may become a sought-after option for remaining wide receiver-needy teams. He has NFL size at 6'3" and 209 pounds, and his length gives him an enormous catch radius. Parker is capable of hauling in contested catches and has good vision that allows him to generate yards after the catch.

The Vikings are in need of a wide receiver, and reuniting Parker with quarterback Teddy Bridgewater should certainly be appealing. However, Minnesota is in need of help along the offensive line and may opt to trade this pick at the right price. It may all depend on how much faith the team has in its young pass-catchers and if it likes any other receiver later in the draft.

Potential trade partners: Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks

12. Cleveland Browns: Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

Clemson's Vic Beasley was an absolute workout warrior at the combine. The 6'3", 246-pound linebacker ran a blazing 4.53-second 40-yard dash and ripped off 35 reps on the bench press to finish first at his position in both workouts—he was a top performer in all others. He also displayed some great agility, fluidity and athleticism during positional drills.

While Beasley is still raw, defensive coordinators would love to mold such a high-ceiling prospect. The Browns have a need for a pass-rusher, but they could also opt to look at a wide receiver or offensive lineman instead. This could leave Cleveland open to trade this pick and accumulate more prospects to fill the many holes currently residing on its roster.

Potential trade partners: New Orleans Saints, Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, Dallas Cowboys

17. San Diego Chargers: Malcom Brown, DT, Texas

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

After Leonard Williams and Danny Shelton—two top-10 players—Texas' Malcom Brown is the next defensive tackle teams will be eyeing. At 6'2" and 319 pounds, Brown has great size, and due to his solid technique and versatility, he could excel in either a 3-4 or 4-3 base defense. His ability to stuff the run and penetrate the backfield would make him a welcome addition in the middle of San Diego's talented defensive line.

The Chargers may look for help on the interior of the offensive line, at cornerback or even at running back with the 17th selection, and if they feel a coveted prospect may be available several picks later, trading this pick away may be the right move. Looking at the above mock draft, there are still plenty of options available for San Diego.

Potential trade partners: Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Arizona Cardinals, Green Bay Packers

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