NFL Draft 2016: 1st-Round Order and Prospects Who Can Shake Up Draft Outlook

We can make predictions for months, but the NFL draft never seems to go as planned.

Even after countless evaluations and mock drafts, plenty of drama always seems to fill the actual event. This is because no one can predict what 32 different organizations are thinking, which causes problems for the rest of the teams trying to plan a strategy.

This year's draft could be even more unpredictable thanks to the presence of a few players who could really cause major swings in the first round. Depending on where these men are drafted, the following teams could end up with some difficult decisions to make. Even with a big board in front of them, it will be hard to account for what could happen on April 28.

Here is a refresher for the Round 1 draft order as well as a breakdown of the prospects who might be the most important on the first night.

No.	Team
1	Los Angeles Rams (via Titans)
2	Cleveland Browns
3	San Diego Chargers
4	Dallas Cowboys
5	Jacksonville Jaguars
6	Baltimore Ravens
7	San Francisco 49ers
8	Philadelphia Eagles (via Dolphins)
9	Tampa Bay Buccaneers
10	New York Giants
11	Chicago Bears
12	New Orleans Saints
13	Miami Dolphins (via Eagles)
14	Oakland Raiders
15	Tennessee Titans (via Rams)
16	Detroit Lions
17	Atlanta Falcons
18	Indianapolis Colts
19	Buffalo Bills
20	New York Jets
21	Washington Redskins
22	Houston Texans
23	Minnesota Vikings
24	Cincinnati Bengals
25	Pittsburgh Steelers
26	Seattle Seahawks
27	Green Bay Packers
28	Kansas City Chiefs
29	Arizona Cardinals
30	Carolina Panthers
31	Denver Broncos

Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

The Los Angeles Rams traded up to the No. 1 pick, presumably to take a quarterback. The Cleveland Browns are sitting at No. 2 and also need a quarterback. Whether Jared Goff or Carson Wentz goes No. 1, there remains a solid chance the other one goes No. 2.

If the Browns do go in a different direction, teams like the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles and even the Dallas Cowboys could consider taking one of the top two quarterbacks. It's unlikely either Goff or Wentz gets out of the top 10 no matter what.

However, the real mystery is where Paxton Lynch will end up as the consensus No. 3 quarterback in the class.

The Memphis star has tons of upside with a strong arm to go with a 6'7" frame and plenty of athleticism. After the Rams deal, Bleacher Report's Matt Miller noted the possibility he could end up being a top-10 pick:

Lynch's agent, Leigh Steinberg, was excited about the deal, telling Lindsay H. Jones of USA Today: "This almost certainly triggers a quarterback run, and it’s all good news for Paxton."

If Goff and Wentz are off the board, teams will start to panic and do whatever it takes to get the last quarterback from the top tier. There is a clear drop-off to Connor Cook, Christian Hackenberg and others, which raises the pressure even more. Teams could also reach for one of these players in the first round if Lynch does come off the board early.

On the other hand, Bucky Brooks of NFL.com explained that there is still a wide range for Lynch's draft position:

The New York Jets at No. 20 and the Denver Broncos at No. 31 are two teams that clearly need a quarterback, although it is unknown if another team will swoop in and take the young player. No matter where he lands, the ensuing moves will be extremely interesting.

Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

Compared to the past couple of seasons, this is a weak class for receivers. However, that doesn't mean there won't be a handful of players taken in Round 1. Even without complete skill sets, there are prospects with plenty of talent as well as teams that always need to add playmakers down the field.

Laquon Treadwell is arguably the best of the bunch. He's a 6'2" leaper with the skills to win just about any one-on-one battle for the ball. The only question is a lack of speed, which included a 4.63 40-yard dash at his pro day. This relatively slow time will be enough for teams to move him down their draft boards, although the receiver is still not concerned.

"That’s not my game, I guess," Treadwell said of his lack of speed, per Lorenzo Reyes of USA Today. "I don’t have to run a 4.2 to win on deep balls. I just play ball. I work on technique and try to beat you on different points and attack the ball and make a play for the team. Everybody has their wants and needs. You just have to do what you do."

If he does end up falling to the middle of the first round or later, those drafting in the 20s can wait on other targets they covet at the position, like Will Fuller, Josh Doctson or Corey Coleman.

Then again, there aren't a whole lot of players in the draft this year or even in recent years who can make the type of catches Treadwell can make:

Even without elite height or speed, his hands and strength could allow him to be a game-changing player at the next level. This could force a team to draft him within the top 10 picks, as many expected before the slow 40-yard dash time. As a result, every team that needs a receiver could have to look at the next option, and we could see a run at the position earlier than expected.

Everyone seems to have different evaluations for the receivers in this class, but no one wants to be the one left without their top choice when they are on the clock.

Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Inside linebackers have been devalued in the draft in recent years with only a handful of players taken early in the first round. C.J. Mosley (No. 17 overall in 2014) and Luke Kuechly (No. 9 overall in 2012) were worth the price, but teams generally wait until later to fill this spot on the roster.

This could be a mistake this season, mostly due to the difference between Reggie Ragland and the rest of the class.

Ragland led Alabama with 102 tackles this year and showcased the ability to cover a lot of ground for the top team in college football. He doesn't have elite speed, but he makes up for it with the instincts to get a jump on plays as well as the tackling ability to make sure nothing gets past him.

ESPN's Louis Riddick has no doubts about the All-American's ability to excel in the NFL:

He could help a lot of teams that need a defensive leader and stopper in the middle of the field. The problem for those who don't get him is the fact there are no more sure things at the position in the entire draft.

Players like Kentrell Brothers, Joshua Perry and Scooby Wright all have their strengths, but there is no consensus about where they should be taken or even if they can stick with a team.

ESPN's Todd McShay graded Ragland as a 92 but listed Perry as his No. 2 player at the position with a score of 78. For comparison's sake, there is a smaller difference between the No. 1 defensive tackle (Jarran Reed at 91) and No. 10 defensive tackle (Sheldon Day at 84). 

There might be better overall players in the class than Ragland, but there could be somewhat of a bidding war for teams hoping to get the one safe pick at the position. It wouldn't be surprising if a team is forced to trade up to get the Alabama star before it's too late.

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