Five Bold Predictions For the 2015 NFL Draft's First Round

Nov 8, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Brett Hundley (17) passes against the Washington Huskies during the third quarter at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Every year the draft offers surprises and never fails to make a lot of people look wrong after months of predictions and perceived “locks.” This year I have no doubt we will see several surprises once again and the NFL will orchestrate an event made for prime time. Projections and speculation all go out the window once Tampa Bay officially goes on the clock, so here are my five bold predication about the 2015 NFL Draft.

1. TRADES: Prediction 1- Five Trades Within the Top 15 picks

Once again, I believe there will be several trades in the first round, but the top 15 is where I think it will fire up as the top 2-5 picks all seem to be up for grabs. There are few ways that I think it could go down. The Jets trade with the Titans, send the sixth pick, a three next year, and DE Muhammad Wilkerson to the Titans for the second overall pick. Jets take Marcus Mariota.

The Washington Redskins send the fifth pick to Cleveland for the Browns two first rounders, and the Browns select WR Kevin White or WR Amari Cooper.

The Atlanta Falcons send the eigth pick and a second rounder to the Jaguars for the third overall pick. The Falcons select Dante Fowler, Jr.

2. CHARACTER RISKS: Prediction 2 – Three Character Risks Fall Out Of The First Round

This one might not be as bold, but I predict that Shane Ray, Randy Gregory, and Dorial Green-Beckham all fall our to the first round. With the NFL’s new conduct policy, teams will be thinking much harder about the possible risks of one of these guys, for example Shane Ray, before he is even drafted, will be in “the program” outlined in the new policy.

3. TACKLE MANIA: Prediction 3 – Seven Offensive Tackles Are Selected in the First Round

There may not be any top five tackles in this draft, but there are a whole bunch of guys that will go in the first round. The list includes, Brandon Scherff, La’el Collins, Andrus Peat, D.J. Humphries, Jake Fisher, Ereck Flowers, and Cedric Ogbuehi. All of these players have loads of talent, but also some flaws as well.

4. QUARTERBACK 3: Prediction 4 – Three Quarterbacks Come Off the Board in the First Round

Really this prediction is just one additional quarterback will come off the board after Winston and Mariota. It’s not hard to believe though when you start looking at depth charts and quarterback-needy teams at the start of the second round. How about Brett Hundley to the Broncos in the first round? Hundley would have one or two years to sit behind one of the greatest ever and learn how to be a pocket passer. I just don’t buy all the negative pub on Hundley, and feel that for most of his college career he was running for his life behind a terrible offensive line.

5. GETTING OUT: Prediction 5 – Three Teams in the Last 11 Picks Trade out of the First round

This draft is said to only have 15 true first-round talents, so some of these teams might be looking to move back and acquire future picks and/or more Day Two picks. I start with the Cincinnati Bengals who could move back into the top five of the second round and still get a player they are targeting. The same could be said for teams like Dallas, Baltimore, and Green Bay.

There they are, be sure to check StripeHype.com for a live chat during the draft.

Next: Bengals' Draft 'Catch Up Information

Five Bold Predictions For the 2015 NFL Draft’s First Round

By Dustin Meritt | Apr 30, 2015

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