The 2015 NFL draft was, if nothing else, exciting with some great picks by teams not known for picking well and we had several head scratching picks, not that the players they picked will be awful, but there were far more talented players still on the board. Let’s take a look at all that happened and break down each pick that was made in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – QB Jameis Winston Florida State
There was slight intrigue before the pick as rumors flew of teams trying to trade up to #1 with a blockbuster trade, but it ended up being what we thought all along. Jameis was the best quarterback and they needed to find a face of the franchise.
2. Tennessee Titans – QB Marcus Mariota Oregon
The Tennessee Titans didn’t get any offers that knocked their socks off so they stood pat and drafted a quarterback of the future in Marcus Mariota. Can Ken Whisenhunt incorporate some of what Oregon did to make Marcus successful or will he try and fit a square peg into a round hole? Also Titans quarterback Zach Mettenberger will be a nice backup and possibly good trade bait down the road.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars – DE Dante Fowler Jr. Florida
Another kid who played his college ball in Florida and staying in state to join his NFL team. He has a crazy fast first step and plays with such intensity and passion. His motor won’t quit and the Jaguars needed a rush to get after Andrew Luck and now Marcus Mariota as well.
4. Oakland Raiders – WR Amari Cooper Alabama
The Raiders finally made an amazing draft pick instead of reaching for someone with incredible measurables only. Amari Cooper is the best route runner and will team up with a talented young quarterback in Derek Carr. If the Raiders could find a way to trade for Adrian Peterson they could make things interesting in the AFC West. As of right now, they just become a nuisance, but are moving in the right direction for the first time in over a decade.
5. Washington – T Brandon Scherff Iowa
What a god awful pick with Leonard Williams still on the board. You never know and maybe it works for them, but to take a stinky Iowa lineman over a versatile “best player in the draft” in Williams; it’s just mind boggling.
6. New York Jets – DE Leonard Williams USC
The best player in the draft fell into the lap of the New York Jets after Washington blew it and picked a fatty. The Jets already have Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson, but you can’t pass up on the best player in the draft and the Jets made the smart pick instead of reaching for more of a need.
7. Chicago Bears – WR Kevin White WVU
The Bears had the 30th ranked defense last season, but Kevin White was too good to pass up and now they might have the best young wide receiver tandem in the NFL with White and Alshon Jeffrey.
8. Atlanta Falcons – LB Vic Beasley Clemson
Vic is very active with a high motor, but he may start out as a situational pass rusher until he learns to set the edge. He adds a pass rush to Atlanta who is desperately needing one. This was a no-brainer with Shane Ray and Randy Gregory having character concerns.
9. New York Giants – T Ereck Flowers Miami
A massive man who doesn’t have great feet, but is big, strong, mean, and powerful which is just what Eli Manning and the Giants need so they can get the ball to Victor Cruz and Odell Beckham Jr.
10. St. Louis Rams – RB Todd Gurley Georgia
Even with the torn ACL, Todd Gurley was the first back taken and high in the first round which is rare nowadays for running backs. There is no question he is explosive, powerful, and has been compared to Marshawn Lynch who he will now be playing against as they are in the same division. Let’s hope the Rams aren’t getting another Sam Bradford as far as the ACL injuries go.
11. Minnesota Vikings – CB Trae Waynes Michigan State
A talented press corner to go with Xavier Rhodes and the Vikings are competing against Aaron Rodgers, Calvin Johnson, Alshon Jeffrey, and now Kevin White as well so corners are in high demand in the NFC North. The Vikings just got the best one in the draft.
12. Cleveland Browns – DT Danny Shelton Washington
There are a lot of comparisons here with Chiefs NT Dontari Poe and if the Browns can get anything close to that kind of production or even more then they hit a home-run with this pick and all the experts expect just that.
13. New Orleans Saints – T Andrus Peat Stanford
The Saints need to give Drew Brees more time to be able to make plays and sit in the pocket to process the defense and scan the field. Peat needs more work on getting down and bending, but he’s young and has a very good kick and transition from speed to power.
14. Miami Dolphins – WR DeVante Parker Louisville
After trading Mike Wallace to the Minnesota Vikings the Dolphins needed a play-maker for Ryan Tannehill other than Jarvis Landry, Jordan Cameron, Kenny Stills, and Greg Jennings. The Dolphins are doing everything they can to make Tannehill successful and this big receiver with great leaping ability just makes this offense that much more dynamic.
15. San Diego Chargers (from San Francisco) – RB Melvin Gordon Wisconsin
Melvin Gordon has a lot of comparisons to Jamaal Charles and the Chargers lost Ryan Mathews to the Eagles in free agency leaving them without a starting quality back. Now, the Chargers get a younger version of Jamaal Charles to go up against the real Jamaal Charles in the AFC West. The Chargers just got back into the conversation for AFC West contenders.
16. Houston Texans – CB Kevin Johnson Wake
Great feet and quickness for Houston who struggles in the secondary. They have to contend with Andrew Luck and this is a good move in that direction toward challenging for the division.
17. San Francisco 49ers (from San Diego) – DE Arik Armstead Oregon
He’s very young and inexperienced, but when he gets leverage he is dominant. The 49ers coaching staff need to get him to stay low and get him up to speed as he’s very raw, but he has all the potential as a dominant 5-technique to someday take the spot of the aging Justin Smith.
18. Kansas City Chiefs – CB Marcus Peters Washington
Supremely talented corner, but was kicked off Washington after an argument with a coach. The Chiefs are taking a chance on that talent and need a corner with a possible suspension looming for corner Sean Smith who pleaded guilty to a DUI. The Chiefs viewed Peters as the most complete corner in the draft despite experts giving all the praise to Trae Waynes.
19. Cleveland Browns – G Cameron Erving Florida State
Cleveland has Alex Mack at center, but has the ability to get out of his contract after this season. Cameron has the ability to play all positions on the offensive line which makes him a premium commodity.
20. Philadelphia Eagles – WR Nelson Agholor USC
Reminds people of Jeremy Maclin who ironically he replaces in Philadelphia. Nelson can play in the slot and outside while also being able to make plays in the return game.
21. Cincinnati Bengals – T Cedric Ogbuehi Texas A&M
He has a knee injury and needs to get healthy and can do that with Andrew Whitworth and Andre Smith at the tackle spots. Cedric can take his time and step in at LT when Andrew Whitworth moves on. He has great feet and pro bowl potential at the position.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers – DE Bud Dupree Kentucky
Jarvis Jones hasn’t lived up to his hype and Bud Dupree is a big, strong, fast athlete who will provide explosion off the edge that the Steelers have been lacking. Bud led his team with sacks and tackles for the last 3 years.
23. Denver Broncos (from Detroit) – DE Shane Ray Mizzou
Might have the quickest first step in the draft and even though he got pulled over with possession of marijuana the Broncos wanted him all along. DeMarcus Ware is 33 years old and this will be an amazing compliment to Von Miller not only for next season, but in the future.
24. Arizona Cardinals – T D.J. Humphries Florida
The Cardinals need to keep their quarterback upright to take that next step and start winning playoff games. DJ Humphries might have the best feet of the linemen in the draft and will need to use those to keep the statuesque Carson Palmer upright.
25. Carolina Panthers – LB Shaq Thompson Washington
A big surprise here who may have trouble covering tight ends, but if he can learn the technique and develop then the Panthers may have come away with a steal.
26. Baltimore Ravens – WR Breshad Perriman UCF
Comparisons to Andre Johnson as Perriman has the size, leaping ability and the kid can absolutely fly with a quarterback in Joe Flacco who throws a beautiful deep ball. Seems like a perfect fit and he will be able to learn the tricks of the trade from Steve Smith.
27. Dallas Cowboys – CB Byron Jones UCONN
Jumped further in the broad jump than anyone in combine history at 12’3″ He needs to bend more which is a common problem for taller corners, but still a great pick for Dallas and should compliment Brandon Carr and that defense nicely.
28. Detroit Lions (from Denver) – G Laken Tomlinson Duke
He’s not going to finesse you or impress you with his feet, but he will throw you around against your will and move you off the spot. This will give more time for Matt Stafford to find Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate down the field.
29. Indianapolis Colts – WR Phillip Dorsett Miami
Fast, fast, and fast! Reggie Wayne is gone and replaced with Andre Johnson who is another receiver from Miami. Did Andre Johnson and Frank Gore make this pick or did the Colts promise to draft him if Andre and Frank would sign with the Colts? Lol.
30. Green Bay Packers – S Damarious Randall ASU
Best coverage safety in the draft by far. Flips his hips, locates the ball, and attacks with the best of them. He will join Ha Ha Clinton Dix in the back end of that secondary.
31. New Orleans Saints (from Seattle) – LB Stephone Anthony Clemson
A big inside linebacker that didn’t show athleticism in the pass game on tape, but showed that he can learn it at the combine where he did display great athleticism.
32. New England Patriots – DT Malcom Brown Texas
Creates a good push on the pocket and is dominant against the run. He developed a little more in the pass game this past season. The Patriots were looking for a Vince Wilfork replacement, but this may be a more versatile player who will be shifted up and down on the line.
