NFL: 2015 Draft Review

[Big Poppa Puck]

You know the deal.

I'll try to get 2016 and 2017 up before the actual draft unless you guys think I should wait til the Summer so we have something to talk about.

Vikings in post #2.

Click to read more...

 

[Big Poppa Puck]

The Vikings class below is as good as they come.

1 (11) CB Trae Waynes, Michigan St
-Never lived up to the lockdown CB you expect to get at 11th overall, but still a starting caliber player. Very good tackler. Left for more money than he's worth this offseason in FA.
B

2 (45) LB Eric Kendricks, UCLA
-stud. Was a starter from day 1 and got progressively better as the years went on. Became an All-Pro this past season.
A+

3 (88) DE Danielle Hunter, LSU
-seen as a project with loads of talent that just needed to be molded. And molded he was. Elite DE and still only 25 years old. Set the record for most career sacks before that age.
A+

4 (110) T TJ Clemmings, PITT
-Seen as a steal at the time as some analysts had him as a 1st round pick. But now we see why he lasted until the 4th. Was a turnstile for two years and then went on to be a swing tackle in WSH and OAK and is now out of the league.
D-

5 (143) TE MyCole Pruitt, So. Illinois
-One of those camp darlings who never amounted to much. Still hanging around as a backup. Spent last year with the Titans.
C-

5 (146) WR Stefon Diggs, Maryland
-Loved this pick at the time and turned into an absolute steal. Was one of those guys highly recruited out of HS but stayed home in Maryland and got hurt a lot causing his stock to fall. Elite route runner and great at catching contested balls. Probable a Top 15 WR in the league. Was at odds with Zimmer/Kubiak and forced his way out this offseason but the Vikings were able to get the 22nd overall pick a 4th, 5th and 6th for him.
A+

6 (185) OL Tyrus Thompson, Oklahoma
-PS fodder for a few teams for a few years.
F

6 (193) DT BJ Dubose, Louisville
-PSquad for a 2 years and then out of the league.
F

7 (228) OL Austin Shepherd, Alabama
-backup for a year then gone.
D-

7 (232) LB Edmond Robinson, Newberry
-Special Teamer for 2 years then cut and claimed by Jets. Was out of football after that but I just saw that he signed with the Falcons in March. Still in the league so can't give him a failing grade.
C-

They also got S Anthony Harris as a UDFA this year. He was a great backup/ST for the first few years but has developed into a top Safety the last two and just got the franchise tag.


This was an A+ draft for the Vikings. 3 Pro Bowlers and even though Waynes didn't live up to Top 11 expectations, he's still a starting caliber player. Swap him and Kendricks' rounds and not a sole complains.

 

[Kel Varnson]

Fun looking back at the drafts and thinking what might have been with the benefit of hindsight.
Anyways here's the Chargers.

Round 1 (pick 15): Melvin Gordon, RB - Wisconsin
Traded up 2 spots to make sure they got their guy and what a rollercoaster ride this pick has been. Starting with his terrible rookie year where he failed to get a single touchdown in 14 starts. To his credit he seemed to actually put in the work to get better and the next 3 seasons would top 1000 yards from scrimmage and double digit TDs. You know the rest of the story, held out for big money which the team would not meet, came back in week 4 and went on to have his worst season since his rookie year. Signed with division rival Denver as a way of getting back at the team.
B-

Round 2 (pick 48): Denzel Perryman, LB - Miami
The hammer in the middle of the defense as our coaches like to say, Perryman has been an inconsistent starter who's battled his fair share of injuries. Has never played a full season and more of a liability in coverage these days he's essentially an old school run stuffer. Re-signed on 1 year prove it deals each of the last two seasons the coaching staff clearly value him as a leader.
C+

Round 3 (pick 83): Craig Mager, CB - Texas State
One thing GM Telesco has become known for during the draft is consistently reaching in round 3 and this might be the biggest of them all. Leading up to the draft most analysts had this guy as a late day 3 pick - UDFA. The reason might be because he was raw as raw can be. An absolute liability in coverage the best I can say for this guy is he was an okay special teams contributor for the 2.5 years he stuck on the roster.
F

Round 5 (pick 153): Kyle Emmanuel, LB North Dakota State
About what you'd want from a 5th round pick. Was decent as a designated blitzer and against the run but a complete liability in coverage. Had some special teams value as well. Decided to retire last offseason but I believe he was trying to come back and play again this year.
B

Round 6 (pick 192): Darius Philon, DT - Arkansas
Good value in the 6th played well as a rotational guy early and developed into a plus starter. Was viewed as a mistake by fans when the team elected to not extend him at the end of his rookie deal. He subsequently went to Arizona, pulled a gun on a stripper and had his contract voided...
B+

Not a bad draft considering we only had 5 picks. Four of the five became contributors to the team for multiple years and one got a few pro bowl appearances along the way (although I'm still not a fan of taking an RB round 1).
C+

 

[Pestilence]

1 (3) DE Dante Fowler, Florida
- Physically talented guy and had 8 sacks in his best season, but still a bit of a disappointment picked this high.

2 (36) RB T. J. Yeldon, Alabama
- Was a starting RB but saw his role diminish a bit especially after Fournette arrived, was gone after the rookie contract. Is a good RB, but still a bit of a disappointment picked this high.

3 (67) OG A. J. Cann, South Carolina
- Been a starter for Jaguars for a long time, good pick for a 3rd rounder.

4 (104) S James Sample, Louisville
- Hang around for a few years and plays in CFL these days.

5 (139) WR Rashad Greene, Florida State
- Hang around for a few years and plays in CFL these days.

6 (180) DT Michael Bennett, Ohio State
- Hang around for a few years, partially in the practice squad.

7 (220) WR Neal Sterling, Monmouth
-Hang around for a few years, partially in the practice squad.

7 (229) TE Ben Koyack, Notre Dame
- Been mostly on practice squad for past 4 years.

Not a good draft

 

[NYSPORTS]

The headlines read “the Giants add power”

They should have read “building college roster to be kicked around an NFL field”

Round 1 9th Ereck Flowers - a true road grader? Shows up at rookie camp and it’s discovered he doesn’t speak to anybody but his mouth does work for eating cookies. Can’t bend, can’t move, couldn’t learn, won’t speak and couldn’t play so that’s good enough for 9th overall in the NFL draft b/c he can bench press

Round 2 33rd Landon Collins - nice in the box yet spoke as if he wore multiple rings. He still speaks more often than he covers anybody.

Round 3 74th Owamagbe Odighizuwa - he wasn’t sure if he wanted to play football and we couldn’t figure out how to pronounce his name. By 2 months we realized he couldn’t play football and within 2 years he was done.

Round 5 144th Mykkele Thompson - with what letters were left over from the alphabet soup making up our 3rd round pick’s name “mykkelel” the Giants put together the name of this winner. He couldn’t play either

Round 6 186th Geremy Davis - UConn Basketball, where men are men and women are champions. Known for basketball the Giants drafted a football player from UConn and he gained 21 yards.

Round 7 245 OG Bobby Hart - ate cookies with top pick Ereck Flowers and claimed he was the top offensive lineman in football despite not blocking anybody.

 

[Avs_19]

The Vikings class below is as good as they come.

1 (11) CB Trae Waynes, Michigan St
-Never lived up to the lockdown CB you expect to get at 11th overall, but still a starting caliber player. Very good tackler. Left for more money than he's worth this offseason in FA.
B

2 (45) LB Eric Kendricks, UCLA
-stud. Was a starter from day 1 and got progressively better as the years went on. Became an All-Pro this past season.
A+

3 (88) DE Danielle Hunter, LSU
-seen as a project with loads of talent that just needed to be molded. And molded he was. Elite DE and still only 25 years old. Set the record for most career sacks before that age.
A+

4 (110) T TJ Clemmings, PITT
-Seen as a steal at the time as some analysts had him as a 1st round pick. But now we see why he lasted until the 4th. Was a turnstile for two years and then went on to be a swing tackle in WSH and OAK and is now out of the league.
D-

5 (143) TE MyCole Pruitt, So. Illinois
-One of those camp darlings who never amounted to much. Still hanging around as a backup. Spent last year with the Titans.
C-

5 (146) WR Stefon Diggs, Maryland
-Loved this pick at the time and turned into an absolute steal. Was one of those guys highly recruited out of HS but stayed home in Maryland and got hurt a lot causing his stock to fall. Elite route runner and great at catching contested balls. Probable a Top 15 WR in the league. Was at odds with Zimmer/Kubiak and forced his way out this offseason but the Vikings were able to get the 22nd overall pick a 4th, 5th and 6th for him.
A+

6 (185) OL Tyrus Thompson, Oklahoma
-PS fodder for a few teams for a few years.
F

6 (193) DT BJ Dubose, Louisville
-PSquad for a 2 years and then out of the league.
F

7 (228) OL Austin Shepherd, Alabama
-backup for a year then gone.
D-

7 (232) LB Edmond Robinson, Newberry
-Special Teamer for 2 years then cut and claimed by Jets. Was out of football after that but I just saw that he signed with the Falcons in March. Still in the league so can't give him a failing grade.
C-

They also got S Anthony Harris as a UDFA this year. He was a great backup/ST for the first few years but has developed into a top Safety the last two and just got the franchise tag.


This was an A+ draft for the Vikings. 3 Pro Bowlers and even though Waynes didn't live up to Top 11 expectations, he's still a starting caliber player. Swap him and Kendricks' rounds and not a sole complains.

This might've been Spielman and the entire staff's finest work. They absolutely killed it in this draft with two core All-Pro defensive players (Hunter and Kendricks) and they'll get value from a few of the departures as well. We already saw the haul they got for Diggs and they'll also get a third round comp pick for Waynes because of the absurd contract the Bengals gave him. Harris is in limbo right now but all of the options are positive, especially when you consider how they got him. They'll either sign him long-term, trade him for a solid pick (likely a 3rd), or have him play on the franchise tag and get a comp pick in 2022.

 

[HisIceness]

1(25) LB Shaq Thompson, Washington
Serviceable player with some flashes of brillance. Had his best year last season which led to him getting a 4 yr/$52 million contract that the Panthers may or may not end up regretting.

2(41) WR Devin Funchess, Michigan
Up and down player. Decent rookie season with a 15-1 team and had a couple of really good games but never showed that #1 ability. Had a breakout 2017 where it looked like he was developing into something worth holding onto and then like the rest of the team, reverted back to mediocrity the next year. Couldn't make it in Indianapolis and is now in Green Bay.

4(102) OT Daryl Williams, Oklahoma
Like Funchess, up and down. Okay rookie season where he started 2 of 10 games and saw action in all 3 playoff games in 2016, but then got injured the next season. Bounced back in 2017 and started every game and then got injured in training camp. Is now in Buffalo.

5(169) LB David Mayo, Texas State
Okay linebacker. Started 4 games in 4 seasons here and had a breakout year with the Giants in 2019.

5(174) RB Cameron Artis-Payne, Auburn
He was 25 when drafted so not really someone to hitch your wagon to full-time but he had a decent year in 2016, so there's that. Serviceable player for where he was drafted I guess. I don't think expectations were high for a 25 year old back who was going to be behind Jonathan Stewart and Mike Tolbert. Was in the XFL this Spring.

For what would end up being the Panthers best season ever, this draft was nothing special and probably contributes to the franchises short-coming since. No one here is a Pro-Bowler. The guys drafted weren't terrible but they weren't anything special either, and the only one who is still with the team (Thompson) just got signed to a contract that looks iffy going forward. Kind of a typical Panthers draft to be honest.

 

[Didalee Hed]

That vikings haul, sheeeeeit

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

Chicago Bears 2015 Draft

1st Round (7th overall) - WR Kevin White
- An absolute bust who couldn't stay healhty and when healhty couldn't catch a cold nor understand what a route is

2nd round (39th overall) - DT Eddie Goldman
- Has been decent player starting at NT for Bears since being drafted. Leaves you wanting more though

3rd round (71st overall) - C Hroniss Grasu
- Did nothing with Bears as primary C backup and was cut after 2 years. Ended up with Ravens for multiple stints and bounced around camps with other teams

4th Round (106th overall) - RB Jeremy Langford
- Showed alot of potential in year 1 with 500+ yds and 6 TD's but failed to build off of that losing job to
Jordan Howard and was gone from Bears after 2 years. Breifly played for Falcons and bounced around camps in recent years

5th round (142nd overall) - FS Adrian Amos
- Was starter with Bears who's performance was inconsistant. Departed Bears in FA for Green Bay

6th Round (183rd overall) - T Tayo Fabuluje
- Was suspended for PED's in rookie year and did nothing more then dress for 4 games as reserve. Gone from NFL after 1 year bouncing around AFL , AAF and then was drafted but did not make roster of XFL team

Both Goldman and Amos became starters but White busting needed something great to salvage draft

 

[snowkiddin]

Cowboys

1(27) Byron Jones, CB
I kinda thought he was overrated honestly, but he was the best player in a below-average secondary. Absolute athletic freak, but his coverage skills were only slightly above average. Very good value pick for 27th though. Grade B

2(60) Randy Gregory, DE
Supposedly a first-round talent, Gregory fell because of drug issues. These problems have been recurring in his professional career. I've honestly lost count of how many times he's been suspended. He's still on the Cowboys roster, and some folks STILL have high hopes for him, but I've given up. Grade C

3 (91) Chaz Green, T
Man, this guy was brutal. I think he was drafted to replace Doug Free (the weak link on the Cowboys line) but when he struggled over there, they moved him to guard where he still sucked. Was given every opportunity to succeed (and was even moved to LT when Tyron Smith got hurt, boy was that dumb) but was ultimately consistently replaced by journeymen. Was cut during training camp two years ago and has bounced around practice rosters since. Grade F

4(127) Damien Wilson, LB
Very good special teamer who played well enough as a backup to force his way into the starting lineup a few times. Nothing spectacular, but again, very good value from where he was picked. He's a special teams player for the Chiefs now. Grade B

5(163) Ryan Russell, DE
Barely remember this dude. Struggled in his first pre-season with Dallas and was cut. Was on the Bills practice roster a few years ago and was cut. Hasn't played since. Grade F

7(236) Mark Nzeocha, LB
Was a bit older when he was drafted, believe he was 25. Had a great motor but just couldn't stay healthy. Fairly decent on special teams and he still plays ST for the 49ers. Grade B-

7(243) Laurence Gibson, T
Had a good combine, but got hurt at the beginning of training camp. Missed all of pre-season and declined a spot on the practice squad. Spent time on the practice roster of SEVEN other teams before calling it a career. Grade F

7(246) Geoff Swaim, TE
Drafted to replace Witten, Swaim was given plenty of opportunities. Quickly went from fourth to first on the Cowboys TE depth chart in his third season, after the retirements of Witten and James Hanna and the departure of Gavin Escobar in free agency. Had issues with drops and lost his spot to an undrafted rookie (Blake Jarwin) in 2017. Played for Jacksonville last year but is currently a free agent. Grade D

Pretty meh draft for the Cowboys. The only real decent player they got was Jones, but he's gone now.

 

[davemess]

Steelers

•1st Round - Bud Dupree, EDGE.
•2nd Round - Senquez Golson, CB.
•3rd Round - Sammie Coates, WR.
•4th Round - Doran Grant, DB.
•5th Round - Jesse James, TE.
•6th Round - L.T. Walton, DL.
•6th Round - Anthony Chickillo, EDGE/OLB.
•7th Round - Gerod Holliman, S.

Pretty awful draft from the Steelers, Dupree has been serviceable at best. Jesse James & Anthony Chickillo have been solid depth guys but neither are still with the team. By the start of the 2021 season nobody from this draft is likely to still be with the team.

 

[nameless1]

Seahawks had a really good draft that year.

Round 2, #63- Frank Clark

He got 3 sacks in year 1, and then 32 sacks in the next 3 years. After he was franchised, he and a 2019 3rd got flipped for a 2019 1st and 3rd, and a 2020 2nd. That is some really good value for a late second round pick.

A+

Round 3, #69- Tyler Lockett

Pro-Bowl to All-Pro level kick returner, and now he has added 1000 yard receiver to his resume. It has to be considered a huge win when a third round pick turns into a #1 receiver, even when it took a third rounder and 3 extra late round picks to get him. It helps that those Washington picks did nothing significant in the NFL, and never lasted more than 3 seasons.

A+

Round 4, #130- Tyler Poole

Dud, can only stick on practice squads, and never played a game in the NFL. It especially hurts that Shaq Mason was the next pick.

F

Round 4, #135- Mark Glowinski

He started 19 games out of 36 games played for the Seahawks in 3 years, and he is still in the league, and a starter too. He has regressed from 2018, but he should still keep his spot.

C on Seahawks, B- overall

Round 5, #170- Tye Smith

He only played 4 games for the team before he was released, but after a year on the practice squad for Washington, he is on the Titans now. He is a rotational player at best.

F on Seahawks, C overall

Round 6, # 209- Obum Gwacham

Released before season, played 15 games over 3 seasons and had 2.5 sacks, 2 of which was in his first season.

F on Seahwaks, D overall

Round 6, #214- Kristjan Sokoli

1 game in the NFL. Dud.

F

Round 7, #248- Ryan Murphy

Waived before season, got a Superbowl ring with Denver on the practice squad, 3 games overall.

F on Seahawks, D- overall

UDFA
Thomas Rawls

He filled in great in the first season, with over 800 yards and a 5.6 yards average in 13 games, and looked like a bonafide starter, but he was never the same after his injuries.

C

Verdict:
Without a first rounder, the team still obtained 2 Pro-Bowl level players, a bounty of high picks in future drafts, a starting running back for about 2 years, an OL starter and a rotational defensive back. That has to be considered a success, even if the latter two contributed more for other teams. It is not as good as the 2012 draft, when the Seahawks got 2 All-Pro players and a couple of solid contributors, but it is not that far off.

Final grade, A

 

[StreetHawk]

I generally bad my assessments in a draft grade on the following:
1st - should be a starter in year 1. Filling an area of need with that pick
2nd - for non playoff teams a starter, for playoff teams a situational player who gets in 1/3 of the snaps or more. But a starter in year 2.
3rd - situational player in year 1 or backup if it’s an OL for example. Ideally a starter in either year 2 or 3 or a rotational player in sub packages.
Ideally would be great to get 5 years worth of starts from your 2nd and 3rd combined

4-7 rounds. If 2 of these guys can remain with the team throughout l their rookie contracts that’s good. Any of them becomes a starter and you have found gold.

 

[N o o d l e s]

The Patriots entire draft class ins't really worth mentioning because it was fairly lite in terms of the hits they had, however:

G Shaq Mason, Georgia Tech
DE Trey Flowers, Arkansas
C David Andrews, Georgia - Undrafted free agent

This draft produced 2/5 of an offensive line that has won 2 Super Bowls and dominated in 2018 vs the Rams and also Flowers who has produced some massive moments in both the regular season and the playoffs. It's a much lighter but much more accomplished draft class than many other teams

 

[AdmiralsFan24]

Packers

Round 1, #30 - Damarious Randall
Round 2, #62 - Quinton Rollins
Round 3, #94 - Ty Montgomery
Round 4, #129 - Jake Ryan
Round 5, #147 - Brett Hundley
Round 6, #206 - Aaron Ripkowski
Round 6, #210 - Christian Ringo
Round 6, #213 - Kennard Backman

In conclusion: Shut the hell up and leave me alone.