NFC West Draft Recap

Continuing my 2015 NFL Draft recap series, I dive into the NFC West. The Seattle Seahawks have been at the helm for two years, and parlayed that into a Super Bowl victory in 2013, and a trip to the big game in 2014. The rest of the division has been up in the air for years. The 49ers seemed poised for a big year, but flopped in a big way. After key injuries on the offense, the Cardinals found themselves losers in the Wild Card round, and the Rams have been stuck in a rebuilding phase for what seems like a century. With all that said, all four teams turned to the 2015 Draft to try and turn things around.


Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals posted an impressive record of 11-5, with some tough wins in the division. Key injuries to Carson Palmer, Andre Ellington, and other key offensive players ultimately led to their demise. The Cardinals had a very busy offseason, hauling in some big names. They signed Mike Iupati and AQ Shipley to give their offensive line some help, and signed defensive players LaMarr Woodley, Cory Redding, Corey Peters, and Sean Witherspoon. All these players will be impactful in 2015, but the draft was still an important part of how the Cardinals' roster will shape out this season.

Best Pick- DJ Humphries (OL, Florida)

Humphries has a mean streak when on the field, and uses it to his advantage. It will never become an issue, and the chip on his shoulder should earn him immediate playing time. He excels as a run blocker, and uses his body well for a player his size. He shows great footwork, and shuffles side to side with speed, perfect for pass protection. If Humphries isn't a starter from day one, he will be used as a utility lineman, and likely an extra tackle in short-down and goal line situations.


Underrated Pick- David Johnson (RB, Northern Iowa)

Johnson was one of my favorite running backs coming into the draft, and landed in a spot where he will be in legitimate contention for playing time. Andre Ellington proved that he can't be relied on as an every-down back when he was oft-injured last season. Johnson has the size you want for a starting running back, and showed in college that he can be relied on to catch the ball (He posted 141 catches for 1734 yards and 14 receiving touchdowns in his 4 years at UNI). While he could use more power in his game, I believe it is an underrated part of his game that he wasn't able to showcase in college. If Johnson has a good showing in the offseason, he could be the early-downs back and potentially steal Ellington's job permanently.

Final Thought

Arizona has a very talented roster, but has been unable to stay healthy as a team. They didn't need much improvement at any specific position, which gave them the luxury of drafting guys they wanted. Humphries has a chance to be a starter early in his career, and could be one of the best picks in the draft. Second round defensive end Markus Golden will likely be a rotational player, and has some skills rushing the passer. David Johnson will likely overtake Andre Ellington at one point, and has the potential to be a star in the Cardinals' offense. The real sleeper from the Arizona class however, could be JJ Nelson. Even though he is a bit undersized, he has blazing speed (his 4.25 forty-yard time was best among receivers at the NFL Combine), and has shown pretty good hands. If some of the other receivers aren't playing to potential, Nelson could steal some time.


St. Louis Rams

Another year of struggle in St. Louis led to another disappointing season where the Rams finished 6-10. Sam Bradford tore his other ACL, and missed the entire season. The offense struggled for the majority of the season, led by a combination of Shaun Hill and Austin Davis. The bright spots were the emergence of arguably the best defensive line in football, including Rookie of the Year Aaron Donald (37 total tackles and 9 sacks). The running game got a new face when Tre Mason took over the starting role (765 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns), and while the Rams lost the improving Brian Quick, they had impressive spurts from Kenny Britt (48 receptions for 748 yards and 3 touchdowns). During the offseason, Bradford was traded for Nick Foles, they re-signed Lance Kendricks, and Britt. They signed defensive players Akeem Ayers and Nick Fairley, who will play into the key improvements on defense.


Best Pick- Todd Gurley (RB, Georgia)

To outsiders, it may have seemed like a terrible pick, but the Rams are looking at a bigger picture. They could potentially have one of the best running back tandems in the league in Gurley and Mason. They know the teams identity as a smash-mouth style of play, and wanted to compliment that by bringing Gurley in. The Rams know that in order to compete in the NFC West, they must be able to run the ball, since the other three teams have impressive secondaries (IE Legion of Boom, Patrick Peterson and the talented secondary in Arizona). Gurley may not be ready to start the season, while fully recovering from ACL surgery, but they have the insurance policy of Mason until then.

Underrated Pick- Jamon Brown (OL, Louisville)

The Rams needed to address the gaps ion their offensive line during the draft. Adding second round pick Joe Haventstein was a good start, but beefing the line up with Brown could be a great move. Jamon Brown is a huge man, coming into the league at 6'4" and weighing 320+ lbs. He is going to compete for the starting spot at right guard, and should win it. Brown is an excellent run blocker, and will be hard for anyone to push around in the passing game. If he transitions well to guard from tackle, we could be looking at one of the best guards in the future of the NFL.

Final Thoughts

St. Louis knew they didn't need to make any changes of the defensive side, allowing them to focus on improving the offense. The additions of Havenstein, Brown and Andrew Donnal give them talented bodies and depth along the offensive line. Selecting quarterback Sean Mannion allows the Rams some insurance in the scenario that Nick Foles doesn't return next year. The impact Todd Gurley could have on the offense might not be seen this year, or at least until he's fully healthy, but Gurley is one of the best running back prospects to come out of college in recent history. NFL Analyst and future Hall of Fame running back Ladanian Tomlinson said,"I'll tell you what, he is the best prospect we've probably had (at running back) since Adrian Peterson." For a former player of Tomlinson's caliber to endorse Gurley as such should put things into perspective. Unfortunately, 6th round pick Bud Sasser didn't pass a physical due to a heart condition and won't play in the NFL. As I previously stated, the Rams needed to address the holes in their offense, and although they may not be household names, they did a good job doing that. If they want to cement their identity as a run oriented offense, this was a good start.


San Fransisco 49ers

The Niners didn't meet expectations set by themselves after making it to the NFC Championship game in 2013. They completed the 2014 season 8-8 (3rd in the NFC West), which conclusively led to the exodus of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh. The Niners replaced Harbaugh with Defensive Line Coach Jim Tomsula, a popular choice among players. Then an unseen event took place. Linebacker Patrick Willis retired after 8 seasons with the 49ers, due to a reoccurring toe ailment. That was followed by the unforeseen retirement of linebacker Chris Borland, who was only 24 years old, and had just assembled a remarkable rookie season. They also lost a multitude of key players to free-agnecy, including Frank Gore (Indianapolis), Mike Iupati (Arizona), and Michael Crabtree (Oakland). With such a devastating roster turnover, San Francisco needed to make a commotion in the NFL Draft if they want to stay aggressive in the NFC West.


Best Pick

Eli Harold- (OLB, Virginia)

The Niners got a steal when Harold dropped into the third round. He may have been overlooked due to the fact that there was some high profile pass rushers in the first round, but he could wind up being the steal of the draft. He is the perfect size for an NFL "edge" rusher, and has astonishing strength for a player his size. He sets the edge well and has a variety of moves in his repertoire. Harold shows relentless pursuit when going after the passer, which will inevitably lead to a few extra sacks and knock-downs. With a depleted linebacking corps, the Niners needed a player of Harold's caliber, and he should be a passing downs specialist while Ahmad Brooks starts alongside Aldon Smith. Harold has a skill set very similar to Miami's Oliver Vernon, a player who flew under the radar during the draft, and wound up to be a star pass rusher (21.5 sacks since 2012).


Underrated Pick- Mike Davis (RB, South Carolina)

Although it is assumed that Carlos Hyde will replace the 49ers all-time leading rusher Frank Gore (signed with Indianapolis), there is still some carries that will be unaccounted for. There will definitely be a competition for the remaining carries, and Davis will be in the mix, along with Reggie Bush and Kendall Hunter. With Bush likely inheriting the third-down and passing downs duties, there should be some room for Hunter and Davis to compete some touches. Davis has a wrecking ball style of running, and makes defenders pay when hitting holes. He also attains top speed quickly, getting to the second level of the defense surprisingly fast. With a lot of mouths to feed, Davis has a lot to prove in the offseason, but I wouldn't be delirious to think that he could beat out the unimpressive Hunter for a backup job. Davis' style of play reminds me a lot of Brandon Jacobs, in the sense that he isn't afraid to initiate contact, and he can be relied on as a pass catcher. Be on the lookout for him to make a splash during the offseason.


Final Thoughts

The Niners lost a ton of key players during the offseason, so nailing the draft was crucial to the teams success in 2015. I believe that first round pick Arik Armstead is going to be a bust. He doesn't necessarily have the size that a prototype defensive tackle has, and his productivity in college wasn't there (2.5 sacs and 4.5 tackles for loss). Head Coach Jim Tomsula has a lot of work to do if he wants Armstead to reach full potential. Second round safety Jaquiski Tartt might be a serviceable starter somewhere down the line, but he'll need to be coached up as well. Playing college ball at small school Samford, he likely hasn't seen anything comparable to NFL level talent. Eli Harold might be the only player that I could consider a great pick. The Niners selected Blake Bell in the 4th round, but he has very little experience at tight end, having played quarterback at Oklahoma for much of his collegiate career. Mike Davis could find himself buried at the bottom of a log jam of running backs, and receiver DeAndre Smelter is going to have to compete with Quentin Patton and Bruce Ellington for snaps in the slot. The only way this draft could be considered a triumph, is if Arik Armstead winds up being a Pro-Bowl type talent.


Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks are considered one of the top teams in the league by anyone who watches football. Two trips to the Super Bowl over the last two seasons should prove that. In 2014, the Seahawks capped their season by losing in the Championship game to the New England Patriots by a few feet and a bad play call. Seattle started the offseason with a transaction that sent the football world into pandemonium, trading center Max Unger and a first-round selection to New Orleans in exchange for tight end and superstar Jimmy Graham. Although they lost key defensive players Byron Maxwell and Malcolm Smith, along with guard James Carpenter, they made some key additions by bringing in Carey Williams and Will Blackmon. The Seahawks have a deep, young talented roster which they've amassed mostly through their previous drafts, and looked to do so with the 2015 class as well.


Best Pick- Tyler Lockett (WR, Kansas State)

By saying that Lockett was the 'Hawks best pick ion the draft, not only am I saying that Lockett could be a gem, but I am also saying that Seattle had a terrible draft, which will be talked about a little later. Lockett is undersized for a typical NFL receiver, but he has good hands and posted the best 40-yard dash among receivers at the combine (4.40). He'll likely be involved in a competition for playing time with the rest of the mediocre receivers in Seattle, probably with Ricardo Lockette for reps in the slot.


Underrated Pick- ???

Seattle left a lot to be desired during the 2015 draft. Like I stated earlier, the Seahawks have a very talented roster top to bottom, and usually do a great job in scouting potential draft picks. I'm not going to question the picks they made later in the draft, primarily because I have no idea who a majority of the players they selected are. I think with the class that Seattle brought in, it is still too early for any of them to be considered "underrated."

Final Thoughts

Seattle whiffed the 2015 Draft in a colossal way. Aside from spending their first round pick acquiring Jimmy Graham, the class they produced was atrocious. Second round pick Frank Clark has a laundry list of off-field issues, including hitting his girlfriend and threatening to hit a hotel manager as well. He may start the season suspended, and his personal problems could be a huge burden to the 'Hawks. Tyler Lockett might not even find his way into the starting lineup in Seattle, and the rest of the players seem to be developmental type players who would be lucky to find a roster spot come week one. If the Seahawks start to descend from their winning ways, this draft class could be a huge reason why.

NFC South Draft Recap

In the next part of the NFL Draft Recap series, I investigate the drafts of the NFC South. In 2014, the division did not have a winning team, and sent a team into the playoffs with a losing record for just the second time in NFL history. The NFC South is a very disappointing division, especially since there is a bevy of talent within the four teams. The 2015 NFL Draft will be especially important, since all all the teams have either overhauled their rosters, or made significant changes during the offseason.

Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons are one of the more disappointing teams in the NFC. With a roster loaded with talent from front to back, they are vastly underachieving while wasting years of their talented young players' career. Matt Ryan needs to lead his offense in the right direction, but had little help from his running game last season. The defense needs to vastly improve if they want to be back on top of the division again.


Best Pick- Tevin Coleman (RB, Indiana)

The Falcons finished last season ranked 24th in rushing, and since then parted ways with their leading rusher Steven Jackson. DeVonta Freeman likely wasn't the answer to their running woes, so they selected Coleman in the third round. Coleman does a lot of things very well, he excels at creating his own lanes, has quick feet and can lose defenders with his jukes, but also possesses the power to run through players and can carry the ball between the tackles. It is very likely that her will open the season splitting carries with Freeman, but should eventually surpass him as the primary runner with Freeman coming in to spell him and be a third-down receiving back.


Underrated Pick- Grady Jarrett (NT, Clemson)

I have spoken a lot about players slipping due to the lack of defensive tackles not being drafted early, and Jarrett was one of them. He doesn't have the ideal size for a pro nose tackle (6'1", 304 lbs.) but he is a great football player. He is very quick for an interior lineman, and uses his body well when engaging blockers. He has a high motor and doesn't give up on plays, which should help him compensate for his lack of size. I think Jarrett comes in and makes an immediate impact, if not as a starter, as a pass rushing nose for Atlanta.


Final Thoughts

The Falcons had one of my favorite drafts in the entire league. They addressed their need for an outside pass-rusher in the first round, selecting Vic Beasley from Clemson. He will be an immediate starter, and brings a relentless style of play with him into the league. Second round pick Jalen Collins has a chance to play right away, potentially as either the second corner or nickel back. Coleman and Jarrett will both have more then a fair share of opportunities to make an impact as well. Receiver Justin Hardy could play himself into Harry Douglas' old spot as the third receiver behind Julio Jones and Roddy White, but I think he needs to progress at a fast rate during mini-camp and OTAs. The Falcons knew they needed to upgrade specific spots in the draft, and did just that while bringing in players that should be on the field come week one.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

There was little question about how the Bucs would use their first overall pick, especially since they had such a glaring hole at quarterback. The thing I had questioned the most about Tampa Bay, is what they would do in the draft to support Jameis Winston. They have a barrage of weapons for the rookie, but also own one of the leagues worst offensive lines. The Bucs went all-in on offense in the 2015 Draft, and assured themselves they were doing everything they could to help Winston succeed from day one.


Best Pick- Jameis Winston (QB, FSU)

Aside from a few good starts out of Josh Freeman, you have to turn the dial all the way back to the 2003 season to find an above average starter at quarterback in Tampa Bay. The Josh McCown/Mike Glennon project failed miserably, and the team let both players walk. Winston inherits a potentially lethal offense led by big targets Mike Evans, Vincent Jackson and Austin Sefarian-Jenkins. The receiving corps could bail Winston out while he learns the offense. He will definitely take his share of bumps, but if the Bucs continue to help him by putting good players around him, he could be their answer at quarterback for a long time.


Underrated Pick- Ali Marpet (OL, Hobart)

The big knock on Marpet is that he played at such a small school that he's never seen anything close to NFL talent while in college. He has the perfect frame for an NFL lineman, and showed that he is versatile enough to play guard or center in the NFL. He will likely be a project player while he adapts to the talent difference in the NFL, but if worked correctly could be a valuable asset for the Bucs.

Final Thoughts

Tampa did exactly what they needed to after taking Winston first overall. They added Donavan Smith who should immediately start for the struggling offensive line, and Marpet who will probably take a year or two to get on the field. Receivers Kenny Bell and Kaelin Clay will likely be competing against each other for a roster spot, but are both talented players. The lone defensive player drafted by Tampa Bay was Kwon Alexander, an outside linebacker with speed and range on the field, that could play in coverage as well as pass-rushing situations. He will likely be a backup and special teams player. This may not be a flashy draft, but they seem to have set themselves up well for the future.

New Orleans Saints

The Saints were another one of the disappointing teams from the NFC South. With a team that included Drew Brees and Jimmy Graham, as well as an improving defense, they found themselves sitting out of the playoffs. That led to an offseason where they shipped Graham to Seattle for center Max Unger and a first-round draft pick. They also moved speedy receiver Kenny Stills to Miami. They brought in running back CJ Spiller to compliment the punishing running style of Mark Ingram, and signed highly coveted cornerback Brandon Browner. With two first-round selections, the Saints could have made a real splash, and instead left me scratching my head.

Best Pick- PJ Williams (CB, Florida State)

Williams had his share of off-field issues before being selected in the third round. From a performance standpoint, Williams is a ball player. He has the size to play in the secondary at either position in the NFL, and has speed to go with it. He can play man or zone coverage, and isn't afraid to make a play or stick his helmet to a ball carrier. Williams should contribute right away in New Orleans, wether it be at nickel back or nickel linebacker.


Underrated Pick- Garrett Grayson (QB, Colorado State)

Drew Brees is 36 years old and you can see his play slowly declining. It was time for the Saints to start tailoring a quarterback to succeed Brees. What Grayson lacks in terms of decision making and ability to read a defense, he makes up with pure athletic ability. He throws a good deep ball with good power and exceptional accuracy. He shows all the proper mechanics and footwork that you'd want out of a pro-ready quarterback. Working with Sean Payton will help him immensely, and he could wind up being one of the best quarterbacks to come out of the 2015 class.


Final Thoughts

New Orleans did not by any means "nail" the draft. I feel that adding offensive tackle Andrus Peat in the first round was a luxury pick they couldn't necessarily afford, and they followed that up by adding linebacker Stephone Anthony, a player that I gave a 2nd-3rd round grade. Peat could potentially start at guard for the Saints, and Anthony will compete for snaps at inside linebacker, while contributing on special teams. Linebacker Hau'oli Kikaha has a chance to contribute to the pass-rush as a rotational player, and will likely see most of his time on the field with Anthony on special teams. To me, it seems like the Saints didn't want to reach for a player early in the first, and took the best player available, even if it didn't fit a need. They followed that up by reaching entirely too much for a linebacker. Whatever their game plan was, it either fell apart on them or failed miserably.

Carolina Panthers

The Panthers wound up winning the division with a sub .500 record, and were just the second team in NFL history to enter the playoffs with such a record. They were the first team ever in the AFC South to win back-to-back division titles, and actually beat the Cardinals in the wild-card round. After running into the brick wall that is the Seattle Seahawks, the Panthers came into the offseason knowing a few things. The offensive line was, and has been awful during the Cam Newton era. They needed to add talented players to the line to keep Newton healthy and happy. They also wanted to give Cam more weapons on offense. While they only had five picks in the draft, I do believe the Panthers made the most of every single pick, and did as much as they could to stay competitive.


Best Pick- Shaq Thompson (LB, Washington)

Thompson is a unique player. He played running back, linebacker, and safety at Washington. He is a very athletic player, with the skill and knowledge to succeed as a defensive player in the NFL. He can rush the passer and has a high motor when stopping the run, but is able to play in pass coverage as well. His versatility is key for Carolina, who have missed the presence of a dominating linebacker in recent years. Carolina will love the idea of being able to use Thompson as a dime linebacker that they can keep on the field during any situation, even special teams.


Underrated Pick- Cameron Artis-Payne (RB, Auburn)

It wouldn't have hurt the Panthers to take a running back earlier in the draft, but they may have found a hidden gem in Artis-Payne. He'll likely serve as a 3rd running back in the change of pace role behind Jonathan Stewart, and Jordan Toddman. While Payne doesn't have elite speed by any means, he makes up for it with his relentlessness and willingness to run between the tackles, and lower his shoulder to deliver hits. While he might only pan out as a backup in the NFL, his skill set should be complimentary to Stewart.


Final Thought

Carolina might not have done what you thought they would have in the draft, but i like what they did with minimal selections. Thompson should be a cornerstone and valuable piece to their defense, and could play multiple positions if they ask him to. Receiver Devin Funchess is a big bodied player, who can line up and create mismatches all over the defense. He will likely be the number two receiver and an excellent compliment to Kelvin Benjamin. Offensive lineman Daryl Williams will compete for a starting spot at either guard or right tackle. While Artis-Payne may be a third or fourth running back, I do see some characteristics that make him an interesting prospect for Carolina. I would have liked to see them add some lineman, and although they didn't address the line as hard as we all thought they would, they had themselves a pretty successful draft.

NFC North Draft Recap

The next division up in the NFL Draft Recap series in the NFC North. In a division with a powerhouse like the Green Bay Packers, you must get better in the NFL Draft in order to compete from year to year. The Minnesota Vikings are a perfect example. Just a few years removed from being bottom dwellers, the draft has been a way for Minnesota to acquire young talented players, which has put them in contention recently. The division is always competitive, and Detroit and Chicago are usually hanging around right until the end of the season.


Chicago Bears


Fans in Chicago are never happy when the Bears aren't winning. following a 5-11 season, the Bears made some big changes. Head Coach Marc Trestman was replaced with John Fox, star receiver Brandon Marshall was traded to the New York Jets, and veteran corner Charles Tillman left for Carolina. They did make some additions, bring in Ray McDonald, and later releasing him after yet more off field issues. They also brought in veterans Pernell McPhee, Antrel Rolle and Eddie Royal. Even with these additions, the Bears had a lot of holes in their depth chart. The 2015 Draft had to be a good one for Chicago, and I believe they hit a home run.


Best Pick- Eddie Goldman (DT, Florida State)

Chicago has had a huge hole on the defensive line for some time, and finally addressed it with Goldman. Goldman was seen by many as a sure shot first-round pick, but with very few defensive tackles taken in the first round, he slipped to Chicago at pick 39. Goldman will likely be a starter right out of the gate, replacing Stephen Paea. Goldman is a great player who can contribute in both the running and passing games. He is a big bodied tackle, but has a lot of athleticism. The only knock on his game is his inability to stay on the field, so with work on his endurance, he could be a potential Pro-Bowler.


Underrated Pick- Hroniss Grasu (C, Oregon)

Grasu is a special player. He doesn't have overwhelming power, but finds ways to move bigger players around. His knowledge of the game makes him a good fit for any offense, which will help him get playing time in Chicago. Even though he doesn't do many things that jump out on film, he doesn't do anything that turns you off on him. He is a solid player that should be a career starter in the NFL.


Final Thoughts

The Bears had so many things they needed to address that it could have been easy to mess this draft up. Chicago played all their cards right and wound up as huge winners. Kevin White will slide right into the gap left by Brandon Marshall and has tremendous upside. Goldman and Grasu will surely be key contributors for the Bears, and running back Jeremy Langford will be the likely successor to Matt Forte's spot. There may be some other spots that Chicago needs to fill, but the players they brought in with this draft class will surely be the start of a good young core that the Bears will rely on in upcoming seasons.


Minnesota Vikings

Considering that Minnesota played an entire season while superstar Adrian Peterson was suspended for violating the leagues personal conduct policy, the Vikings had a pretty successful season. They watched as Teddy Bridgewater emerged as the best quarterback from the 2014 class, and found a hidden gem in Charles Johnson. The defense seems to be on the rise, and adding on some key players will be crucial to keep the Vikings in contention with the rest of the NFC North.


Best Pick- Erick Kendricks (LB, UCLA)

It will be interesting to see how the Vikings utilize Kendricks, since he is versatile enough to play both inside and outside linebacker. Putting him inside would give them an athletic run-stopper with the ability to drop in coverage and lock on to tight ends and backs. Sliding him outside would pair him with second year player Anthony Barr, who blossomed in Mike Zimmer's scheme. My guess in Kendricks slides inside, allowing Barr and Chad Greenway to play outside, and fully utilize their talented linebacking corps. Kendricks was my highest rated inside linebacker, and should be a major force in the NFL for years to come.


Underrated Pick- TJ Clemmings (OL, Pittsburgh)

Clemmings came into the draft with a first-round grade and talent. The slide into the third round was due to injury concerns, but if healthy he can be a great asset to Minnesota. He will likely play right tackle, although he may not see the field this year. The eventual pairing with left tackle Matt Khalil could wind up be the best duo in the league, and will be lethal when considering they'll be blocking for Adrian Peterson. Clemmings is very athletic for his size, and moves his feet well. He is a mauler in the run game and shows the tools needed to be a viable pass blocker.


Final Thoughts

Minnesota wound up with ten picks in the 2015 Draft. They didn't let many of them go to waste. Trae Waynes is a perfect fit for Zimmer's defense, and excels in man-to-man press coverage. Danielle Hunter may be my favorite mid-round selection, and is very underrated. Kendricks comes in as a day-one starter, and Clemmings will likely fill the spot of Phil Loadholt who is on a one-year deal. Stefon Diggs is an interesting pick, since the Vikings already have such a talented group of receivers, but Diggs should be able to learn the offense from the sideline, and eventually contribute to a young, talented offense. I don't think the Vikings are getting as much credit as they should for their haul in the draft, and many analysts will be kicking themselves for it.


Green Bay Packers

The NFC North divisional winners finished their season in an overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks, a loss that will surely sting for a while. The Packers have one of the most talented rosters in the league, and will remain competitive as long as they keep it that way. The 2015 draft wasn't necessarily a great one for the Packers, but they took some chances that could pay off huge.


Best Pick- Brett Hundley (QB, UCLA)

I don't think we need to talk about what happened the last time the Packers drafted a quarterback while they had an elite talent at the position. Hundley was way higher on my board than most analysts, mainly because I never agree with quarterback scouting. Hundley will likely be compared to Russell Wilson because of the similarities in play style and draft proximity, but I think that learning under Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers might help him eventually become a better passer. I always remind people that if Hundley had declared for the 2014 NFL Draft, the likely would have been a first round selection. Green Bay could be developing the next great quarterback, and successor to the Rodgers throne.


Underrated Pick- Quenten Rollins (CB, Miami OH)

Rollins is a pure athlete who only played one year of college football. A four year basketball player for Miami of Ohio, he had a year of eligibility which he rolled into football. He is a very smooth player who uses his basketball background to his advantage. He is quick in and out of his breaks and attacks the ball at it highest point. He is going to have to be coached up in the NFL, but if he learns the game, he will be a great corner. Taking this gamble on Rollins early could be a boom-or-bust pick, but you can't deny Rollins' athletic ability.


Final Thought

Green Bay took some chances in this draft. The payoff could be huge, but if these prospects don't pan out in the NFL, the Packers could miss a step later on down the road. At first glance, I didn't like the first round selection of Damarious Randall, but he is a versatile player that can play safety, corner or nickel linebacker. Quenten Rollins, Brett Hundley and outside linebacker Jake Ryan were all solid college players, but need some time to be judged at the pro-level. We are going to look back at this class in five years and either think "Man, I wasn't high enough on these guys." or "I was spot on when I said this class wasn't that good.".


Detroit Lions

The Lions didn't exactly live up to expectations last season. What could have been a deep run with a talented roster, turned into a flop of a season. This inevitably led to a number of key players departing in the offseason. Defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley both left Detroit, as well as oft injured running back Reggie Bush. With key players still in place, the Lions looked to the draft to keep themselves afloat in the NFC North.


Best Pick- Ameer Abdullah (RB, Nebraska)

Abdullah was one of the running backs that the casual fan may not have known about since there was so much hype surrounding first-round selections Melvin Gordon and Todd Gurley. Abdullah can be a game changer, although he may not be an every down back. He has great hands, and shows good speed and acceleration in and out of cuts. Pairing him with Joique Bell could lead to a nice one-two punch for Detroit.


Underrated Pick- Gabe Wright (DT, Auburn)

Wright wasn't as productive in his last year of college as he was in others, but he does bring a skill set that could be valuable in the NFL. Replacing Suh and Fairley is impossible, but grabbing Wright when Detroit did was a smart move. He is a monster run-stopper and is quick to react to plays which will help him stay in the backfield during the length of a game. He has some tools in place to be a productive pass-rushing tackle as well. Detroit might have found themselves a solid starter, at a time when they needed to address a hole in their roster.


Final Thoughts

It wasn't a flashy draft for the Lions, but they gained some valuable players. Abdullah will assume the role that Reggie Bush vacated as the third-down back, unless Theo Riddick can show the team he can be trusted come game day. Wright will be part of a rotation that features Haloti Ngata, whom Detroit acquired via a trade with the Ravens. Guard Laken Tomlinson is a mauler inside, and will definitely be a starter out of the gates. I would have liked to see the Lions address their weak secondary a little better, since Alex Carter and Quandre Diggs leave much to be desired. I do like a majority of the pick made by Detroit, but I don't see it being enough to get them over the hump and into the playoffs.

NFC East Draft Recap

Continuing with my 2015 NFL Draft recap series, I dive into the NFC. Home to some of the toughest divisions in football, the NFC could be shaken up by a number of teams, especially if teams are able to nail their draft process. The NFC East is up first, and the division is always a competitive one. Over the last 10 years, no team has won the division in back to backs seasons. After huge shakeups in Dallas and Philadelphia, all four teams will be looking to their draft class to make an impact and assist them in landing atop the tough division.

Dallas Cowboys

After finally getting over a playoff drought, the Dallas Cowboys exited the Super Bowl race early with a loss to the Green Bay Packers. The offseason was filled with speculation on wether or not Jerry Jones would pursue a trade for All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson, and when those talks died down, the Cowboys had to sit and watch as their own prized back DeMarco Murray left town for the rival Philadelphia Eagles. Dallas was able to put the franchise tag on receiver Dez Bryant, which gives them flexibility to work on a deal with him. Many of the Cowboys' needs going into the draft were on defense, and while they did a good job filling some of those holes, the defense might not shape up until later in their season.


Best Pick- Randy Gregory (EDGE, Nebraska)

Coming into the 2015 Draft, Gregory was seen as a potential top-5 pick, but after an arrest for possession of marijuana, it was likely that he'd slide down draft boards. I don't believe anyone saw him dropping all the way to the end of the second round, but the Cowboys jumped on the opportunity to draft a first-round talent. It is likely that Gregory will be suspended to start the year, but when he does rejoin the team, he should make an immediate impact. Gregory was considered by many, including myself, as the best pass-rusher in the class. Adding a player of his talent along with veteran edge-rusher Greg Hardy (who is suspended for 10 games) should make for a scary pass-rush that has been missing in Dallas for some time. Gregory can be a special player if he keeps himself in line off the field.


Underrated Pick- La'el Collins- (OL, LSU)

The news surrounding Collins that broke the day before the draft may have scared teams away from selecting him. After his name was cleared from a murder investigation, Collins informed teams that if he was not selected by the third round, that he would not sign any contract and re-enter his name in the 2016 NFL Draft. Realizing that after he went unsigned he could sign anywhere he'd like, he chose to play in Dallas. The Cowboys gave him the max-deal allowed for an undrafted player, and rightfully so. With this signing, the Cowboys hauled in three players with first-round talent. Collins will likely have a role as a backup or potentially right tackle. Adding Collins solidifies the best offensive line in the NFL.


Final Thoughts

Dallas hit a home run in the 2015 draft. The additions of Collins and Gregory will be talked about more because of the news surrounding their names, but do not sleep on first-round pick Byron Jones. Jones was a combine hero, posting highs in every drill for cornerbacks, and his on field skills are a great fit for the Cowboys' scheme. Chaz Green is a solid offensive lineman that could eventually see some time as a goal-line lineman, and in a backup role. The Cowboys also added a number of guys in the last day of the draft that should be on the roster come opening day, and should help on special teams immediately. The only thing I would have liked to see Dallas do was bring in a running back to compete with the stable of backs they have in place. While I believe anyone could run behind their offensive line, it would have been nice to see them bring in the new face of their running game.

New York Giants

The Giants had a less than impressive year, and were riddled by injuries, most notably receiver Victor Cruz, and running back Rashad Jennings. While the injuries may have been a key factor in a disappointing season, rookie receiver Odell Beckham Jr. emerged as a superstar, and earned himself OROTY honors. Most of the needs for New York were on the defensive side of the ball, and they hit those holes hard. They also bulked up their offensive line.


Best Pick- Ereck Flowers (OL, Miami)

Landon Collins was arguably the best pick the Giants made, but after the news that Will Beatty will be missing a lot of time, the Flowers pick becomes even more important. Flowers would have been plugged at right tackle, but now slides over to the left side to replace the aforementioned Beatty. While it may be a downgrade, Flowers is no slouch. He is a mammoth human (6'6" 320+ lbs.) and is a monster in the running game. He also has some finesse to his game which should help him excel while protecting Eli Manning's blind side. There will be a lot of pressure on Flowers to live up to his first-round selection from day one.


Underrated Pick- Owamagbe Odighizuwa AKA Double O (DE, UCLA)

I will be calling this man "Double O" just so I never have to spell his name again. Double O is an excellent run stopper, and shows little remorse when attacking the line of scrimmage. The Giants were terrible against the run last season, so he will be a welcoming addition. The drawback to his game, is that he has little pass-rushing ability. He will have to work on that part of his game to become a reliable three-down player, but I do believe he could be an opening day starter.


Final Thoughts

The Giants did a great job addressing the teams' needs going into the draft. Flowers will be a huge asset especially with Beatty missing time. Double O will surely have an impact on the defense. Safety Landon Collins will immediately be a starter, and could wind up being the biggest steal of this years draft. With a lot of players already on the roster getting healthy, and an impressive draft class, expect the Giants to jump right back into contention in 2015.

Philadelphia Eagles

In typical Chip Kelly fashion, the Eagles jumped head first into the offseason, following a season in which they missed the playoffs. Knowing they needed to address some large holes in their roster, they immediately made some huge moves. They traded away superstar running back LeSean McCoy for linebacker Kiko Alonso,  and also traded underperforming quarterback Nick Foles to the Rams for an injury prone Sam Bradford. They then sured up their secondary by signing cornerbacks Byron Maxwell and Walter Thurmond. They filled the gap left by McCpoy by signing veteran running backs DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews. With such a busy offseason, the draft would be a crucial point to help with a roster overhaul. Many speculations seemed to be more and more likely, as the Eagles were rumored to be heavily involved in trade talks with the Tennessee Titans to acquire the second overall pick, which they would've used to select Chip Kelly pupil, Marcus Mariota. When those talks fell through, the Eagles still came out of the draft with a number of players that should be impactful when the season starts.


Best Pick- Nelson Agholor (WR, USC)

During the offseason overhaul, the Eagles were not able to retain receiver Jeremy Maclin. His spot should be filled by the improving Jordan Matthews. Philly needed to add another receiver to pair with Matthews and grabbed Agholor in the first round. He will have to work hard to make sure his career doesn't fare like many of the USC receivers have. Agholor has impressive route-runnning skills and is very quick on his feet in and out of breaks. He may not be the fastest receiver, but he has good ability to separate and has explosion after catching the ball. His role will be crucial in Philly, especially with uncertainty at quarterback.


Underrated Pick- Jordan Hicks- (LB, Texas)

Hicks could be a steal for the Eagles if he can adapt to the pro game early in his career. He has exemplary size and athleticism for an NFL linebacker. The major drawback is he really sticks to paper when running a play. He rarely uses his instincts to break off from his assignment and make a play away from what he is assigned to do. He is very blind-sighted in that he rarely sees anything other than what is in front of him. If Hicks can learn to use his instincts and take educated chances he can be a great pro player. His work ethic and game preparation are unmatched which will likely help him stay in the NFL for a long time, and hopefully Philly can get the most out of him.


Final Thoughts

Philly knew what they needed coming into the draft and didn't stray away from their game plan. Agholor is a good receiver that will definitely be a key part in the offense immediately. Second round cornerback Eric Rowe will likely be in play to start as a nickel corner, and is a great man-to-man defender, and a scheme fit for the Eagles. Hicks could see the field, with work and help from the coaching staff. Corners JaCory Shepherd and Randall Evans will likely be developmental players that make the roster as special teams players. With such a huge haul of players in free-agency, the Eagles were able to draft the way they wanted to, and it paid off with two potential starters, and a number of talented developmental projects.

Washington Redskins

The football club in Washington had another less then impressive season. With a new general manager in place, they came into the draft wanting to let everyone know their new identity. It is very clear they are choosing to steer their team towards being a hard-nosed gritty smash mouth team. With a roster that was mediocre at best, it was important for the 'Skins to draft well, and while they seem to be emerging with a new identity, they nailed the 2015 NFL Draft.


Best Pick- Preston Smith (DE, Mississippi State)

Washington has a stacked defensive line, but needed to address their outside rush. It is very possible that Smith will be moved to linebacker and come from the edge as a pass-rusher. He didn't have very impressive tape at Mississippi, but there is a lot of potential and rawness to his game. This could be the perfect match if he can learn the linebacker spot, or come to fruition at defensive end.


Underrated Pick- Matt Jones (RB, Florida)

Jones is a huge bruiser that has speed you wouldn't expect from a player his size. The question that the 'Skins will need to figure out is if he is a more dynamic playmaker than Alfred Morris. If he Jones doesn't work on his vision and playmaking, he will likely just fall into a running back by committee type of role. Expect to see Jones on the field a decent amount for Washington, since they're clearly moving into a run first and run often type of offense. Jones is a guy that will definitely move the sticks, but will need to improve some other focal points of his game if he'd like to jump Morris on the depth chart.

Final Thoughts

As i said earlier, it was important for Washington to help solidify their identity as a smash-mouth football team during the draft. With the additions of Brandon Scherff and Arie Kouandjio on the offense line, and Matt Jones at running back, they used three of their first five picks to help give them the identity they were looking for. Scherff was considered by many the best offensive lineman in the class, and a can't miss prospect. Defensively, the addition of Preston Smith gives them a player they can tailor to fit their scheme. The additions of safety Kyshoen Martin and corner Tevin Mitchell gives them some depth in an improving secondary. All these pieces made for a pretty solid draft class, and while it doesn't jump out at you on paper, the Skins are a better team then they were before the draft.

AFC West Draft Recap

The AFC West has been dominated by the Broncos since the arrival of Peyton Manning. The West if filled with talented teams, but none seem to be able to stack up to what Denver has built over the last few years. Oakland seems to be on the way out of the NFL cellar, and the Chiefs and Chargers are moving in the right direction to potentially dethrone the Broncos and the best player of our generation. The 2015 NFL Draft definitely shaped up well for all four teams, but I believe the Broncos came out of the Draft as the "winners" in the division.


San Diego Chargers

The Chargers entered the draft with a lot of questions looming over the franchise. Quarterback Phillip Rivers was unsatisfied with the rumors of San Diego potentially relocating to LA, and there was some question about wether the team would trade him on draft day. They also looked vulnerable at running back. With so many rumors circulating, it was hard to pinpoint what the Chargers would do come draft day.


Best Pick- Denzel Perryman (ILB, Miami)

Although the Chargers had seen great play from linebacker Manti Te'o, there have been major struggles at the position. Perryman is a bit undersized, but does a great job at finding the ball and making plays in the run game. Even though he is undersized, he is not afraid to initiate contact or put his helmet into a pile. He needs work in the passing game, but should help the run-game immediately and be a big contributor on special teams.


Underrated Pick- Craig Mager (CB, Texas St.)

Mager comes from a small school, so the obvious worries that he can't adjust to pro-talent are going to surround his name. He has the size to play in the pros, and ran the best 40 out of all the cornerbacks at the combine. He has good closing speed and isn't afraid to mix it up with larger players. He isn't as instinctive as most players in the class, which could lead to a high reception count on him, but he closes in on the ball well and doesn't give up too much YAC. Mager could be in contention to get some snaps his rookie year, but will likely be a developmental player.


Final Thoughts

The Chargers didn't have an abundance of picks in this draft, but made use of what they did have. Melvin Gordon was considered by a lot of scouts as the best running back in the class, and will likely win the starting job during mini-camp. Perryman should be a run-stopping linebacker, playing early downs. Kyle Emanuel is an underrated outside linebacker that could be coached up into a starter, while Mager and 6th round pick Darius Philon will likely be development projects. San Diego didn't have many gaps in their roster, and used their picks wisely addressing those needs. They should be right in the mix atop the conference at the years end.


Kansas City Chiefs


Kansas City was a team that could have been a contender last year, but didn't produce the way a lot of people expected. No Chiefs receiver caught a touchdown pass the entire season, so it seemed that an overhaul was all but certain. After parting ways with veterans Dwayne Bowe and Donnie Avery, they signed Jeremy Maclin and reunited him with his old coach, Andy Reid. Kansas City has built itself an impressive offense, and looked to address some needs on defense as well.


Best Pick- Marcus Peters (CB, Washington)

Sean Smith only has one year remaining on his contract, so bringing in Peters will assure the Chiefs that if they cannot re-sign Smith, they'll have a player ready to replace him. Peters did have off-field issues, but was arguably the most talented defensive back in the 2015 class. He is a physically gifted player who isn't afraid to get in receivers faces. He excels in press coverage and has the size and speed desired to be a true starting corner.


Underrated Pick- Chris Conley (WR, Georgia)

Conley snuck in under the radar in comparison to the elite receivers of the 2015 class. Conley does a lot of things that would suggest he can produce right away for the Chiefs. With very little experience in their receiving corps, he should see the field immediately. He seeks the ball out and gets to the highest point to retrieve it. He tracks the ball well when it's in the air, and has the size and speed to separate and grab jump balls. He may need to work on his route running a little, but overall he should be a good piece for Kansas City.


Final Thoughts

The Chiefs knew they had to revamp their depth chart, and adding Maclin and drafting Conley is a good start. Peters will eventually be a Pro Bowl level player. The addition of Mitch Morse (guard) will be overshadowed, but he may be starting week one. Linebackers Ramik Wilson and DJ Alexander should produce on special teams early while learning the pro defense, and tight end James O'Shaughnessy and receiver Da'Ron Brown are going to be project players that may be solid backups.  The Chiefs positioned themselves to be contenders in the division again, adding more weapons on offense and toughening up the defense. The fate of the team will still rely heavily on Alex Smith, and wether or not he can take the next step as a leader. he might also want to throw a touchdown to a receiver.


Oakland Raiders

Put aside the fact that Oakland had a terrible record last year. They had a lot of players they invested money into fizzle out, and cut ties with a majority of them. The bright side is the Raiders were able get some young players some valuable snaps. Latavius Murray had success in the limited snaps he saw, and is poised for a breakout year. Quarterback Derek Carr took some bumps and bruises but gained valuable field time. Khalil Mack emerged as a force at linebacker, finishing second in DROY voting, With a young core filled with talented players the Raiders could make a huge leap, and the draft class they brought in could help them become contenders.


Best Pick- Amari Cooper (WR, Alabama)

Cooper was regarded as the best receiver in this class, along with Kevin White. Cooper seems to be more ready to produce at a high level right out of the gate. He has amazing hands and a great catch radius, and is a very polished route runner. He has a large route tree, and utilizing that will help him adjust faster to playing in the NFL. Adding Cooper will give Oakland a true number one receiver for Derek Carr, and adds another weapon to an offense already featuring Carr, Murray, Michael Crabtree and Mychal Rivera.


Underrated Pick- Clive Walford (TE, Miami)

Although it seems that Mychal Rivera solidified his spot as the starting tight end, there could be some contention for his spot with Walford. Walford has an athletic background, and was one of the more impressive overall athletes at the combine. He ran a 4.79 40-yard dash in Indianapolis, best among all tight ends that attended the combine. He does a sufficient job blocking in both the run and passing game, which should get him time on the field to help protect Carr. He has the desired height and weight for an NFL tight end, and should come down with jump balls more times than none. As a rookie, even if he isn't the starter, he will be a valuable asset to the Raiders' offense, especially in the red-zone.


Final Thoughts

Oakland has to climb out of a hole dug by their front office. Building on an impressive draft class from last year, they added a lot of young talented players that could have them atop the division sooner than later. Cooper will be an All-Pro. Walford has the potential to be a Jimmy Graham type player, and the rest of their class was solid also. Mario Edwards comes in as a hybrid-type defensive lineman who could play inside to outside, and will be a rotational player as a rookie. The additions of linebackers Ben Heeney, Neiron Ball, and Max Valles give them depth. All three of the linebackers should see the field bat least on special teams. Receiver Andre Debose from Florida is a wildcard, but can immediately help the team in the return game. Oakland has had a very productive offseason, and should they win anymore than 5 games, it would be a large improvement in my eyes.


Denver Broncos

After another season where the Broncos fell short of a Super Bowl. Denver needed to have a successful offseason to keep themselves sitting on the throne of the AFC West. They parted ways with Head Coach John Fox and replaced him with Gary Kubiak. They also lost star tight end Julius Thomas to Jacksonville, but replaced him with Owen Daniels. They placed the Franchise Tag on receiver Demaryius Thomas, which should allow them to work on a long term deal, and seem to be moving on from veteran Wes Welker. More importantly, they were assured by Peyton Manning that he'd be healthy and returning for at least another season. Still, the Broncos needed to have a successful draft, and early indications show they may have done just that.


Best Pick- Shane Ray (EDGE, Missouri)

Denver already has an excellent outside rush, led by Von Miller and Demarcus Ware, but the value they got selecting Ray 23rd overall was too much to pass on. They traded up and didn't have to give up much to select a player that was regarded in most circles at a top-10 pick. Ray has had his fair share of issues off the field, but with a strong veteran presence in Denver, he shouldn't find himself in trouble as a pro. Ray has all the tools to excel in the NFL and should be the replacement for Ware when he retires. Pairing Ray with Von Miller has the makings of a lethal combo, and potential to be the best pass-rushing duo in the NFL.


Underrated Pick- Max Garcia (Center, Florida)

When the Broncos traded up to select Shane Ray, they parted ways with Manny Ramirez as well. This opened up some holes in the offensive line that would potentially be filled by free-agents and young players. Garcia was a center in college, but his knowledge of a zone-blocking scheme along with his talent could make him a target to fill the gap at guard. The Broncos could also slide new addition Gino Gradkowski over to guard which would allow Garcia to play center. Any of these combinations should be an upgrade from Ramirez, and finding players to protect Manning is always important for Denver.


Final Thoughts

The Broncos had a busy offseason, adding veteran players to an already stacked roster. They came into the draft needing additions at a few spots, but weren't in a pressure situation to immediately start the young prospects. The addition of Shane Ray comes at a cost, likely a suspension to start the year, but should pan out in their favor down the road. I already discussed Garcia and the probability that he will be a starter sooner than later. Offensive Tackle Ty Sambrialo will also be in contention to produce for the Broncos immediately. He was a little underrated coming into the draft, in my opinion, and will be a valuable asset. Tight end Jeff Heuerman (Ohio State) will have some time to learn the playbook and take in knowledge from veterans Owen Daniels and Virgil Green. Cornerback Lorenzo Doss should be a welcome addition to the secondary, and may be the nickel corner, due to his ball skills and work ethic. Although there wasn't much outside of those players, the rest of the class should be in competition to make the team and help out with special teams work, or be assigned to the practice squad. The meat of the draft for the Broncos is really what impressed me, due to the fact that they targeted talented players that were good fits for their system without reaching in the draft. With an offseason like Denver had in 2015, it will be hard for the rest of the AFC West to catch up to them, and they should be sitting atop the division yet again.

Draft Recap: AFC South

Continuing with my 2015 Draft Recap series, I dive into the AFC South. In a division where everyone is chasing Andrew Luck and the Colts, it is pivotal to make every pick count. Talented young players could help bridge the win-loss gap between any of the teams in the division. Even though the Colts stand atop the division, it is also important for them to improve now and in the future if they want to keep at the helm of the AFC South.

Houston Texans

Houston is coming off a season where they saw some key departures. It was important for them to replace Andre Johnson, and I believe they did so in a big way. Houston landed three players that could have been first round selections, and in addition, added some much needed depth. While they already had a talented roster, I don't think they addressed some things that would have really put them in contention. They could have used a dominant outside linebacker, and some help at safety. The Texans have a very talented lineup and should be in contention for a playoff spot next season.

Best Pick- Benardrick McKinney (LB, Mississippi State)

To see McKinney on the board in the second round must have been enough for the Texans to pull the trigger. They have been missing an inside linebacker on their defense for quite some time, and with Brian Cushing not maintaining his health, McKinney could be a silver lining. The Mississippi State product should be lining up next to Cushing on the inside, and will also provide security in the event that Cushing gets injured again. McKinney is also versatile enough to potentially jump outside if needed, and might do so on passing plays. While some people might see this as a safety pick, I look at it as the Texans gaining a multi-faceted player and potential star.


Underrated Pick- Kevin Johnson (CB, Wake Forest)

If you are wondering how a first round pick could be an underrated pick, think about a few things. With all the media hype surrounding the impressive combine from Trae Waynes, and off the field issues of Marcus Peters and PJ Williams, Johnson snuck under the radar as a top-tier cornerback. Also consider that while the Texans re-signed Kareem Jackson, they only brought him back on a one-year deal. Johnson can come into Houston and play immediately along side Jackson, and won't always be paired against the best receiver on the field. Johnson has some height for a corner, and excels in man-to-man coverage. If the Texans don't bring Jackson back after this season, then Kevin Johnson will have on-field experience and could inherit the "number one" corner role.


Final Thoughts

Houston had an amazing draft at the front side (rounds 1-3), but didn't impress me with their later picks. Kenny Hilliard could develop into a nice backup, but aside from him there wasn't much to get excited about. I will say that they may have gotten one of the biggest steals of the draft when they selected Jaelen Strong in the third round. I had a late-first early second round grade for the ASU receiver. There have been some scouts that were reluctant about some of his character issues, but the kid is very talented. Pairing him with DeAndre Hopkins will have any defense a little shaken. Houston did a good job addressing their defense early, but took a step back after that, which shouldn't have been the case for a team trying to keep Andrew Luck contained.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars will have to make a huge leap to be a competitive team in 2015, and looking at their draft class, it seems that division contention might be closer than many think. I will note that first-round draft pick Dante Fowler Jr. tore his ACL the first day of rookie camp, and although this is unfortunate, the Jags showed a huge vote of confidence by signing Fowler to a max-deal for a first round rookie, even after the ACL injury. The rest of the Jaguars class was also very impressive. Adding more protection for Blake Bortles was necessary, and they brought in some under the radar weapons as well. Defensively, they drafted a few guys that could develop into key contributors.

Best Pick- AJ Cann (OG, Florida State)

Cann was a third-round pick for the Jags but i believed he could've been taken as high as the late first round. Cann is a very talented interior lineman that should start right away in Jacksonville. Cann is a great pass protector, something Blake Bortles will love, and very rarely allows bigger players to gain leverage against him. His game seems to be pro-ready immediately, and I believe he will be a future All-Pro.

Underrated Pick- Michael Bennett (DT, Ohio State)

Bennett was seen by most scouts as a day two pick. A number of defensive tackles slipped in this draft including Bennett, which led to the Jags snagging him in round 6. In a handful of my own mock drafts I had Bennett as high as a first round selection. He is a little undersized for an NFL tackle, but has good technique and uses his hands well and works with leverage. For Jacksonville, they'll be bringing in a  player that can make an immediate impact. Bennett may not be an every down player, but he excels at getting in the backfield and disrupting plays.

Final Thoughts

Jacksonville needed to improve drastically to be able to compete in their division, and to assure their young quarterback that they're moving in the right direction. With the additions of Cann, receiver Rashad Greene and tight end Ben Koyack, they at least bring some protection, as well as new weapons in for Blake Bortles. The injury to Dante Fowler is unfortunate, but he will be a good defensive piece along with Bennett. Jacksonville has a young talented roster, and did a good enough job in the draft to improve on their win total from last year.

Tennessee Titans

There was a topn of buzz surrounding Tennessee going into the 2015 NFL Draft. Like myself, many writers and analysts believed the Titans would deal their second overall pick, and stick with Zach Mettenberger under center. With no jaw-dropping deal coming in, they kept the pick and selected potential franchise quarterback Marcus Mariota. While it might not have been expected, the Titans saw an opportunity to address a gap with one of the best players in the class. Aside from Mariota, the Titans draft was very questionable. They drafted a fourth-round fullback, and did very little to drastically improve their team.

Best Pick- ???

As i look at the Titans nine players selected, I don't see a pick that i consider to be an "excellent" pick. From a pure value standpoint I could argue that receiver Tre McBride was the best pick, as he seems to be a pro-ready receiver with good hands and decent speed. The drawback to McBride is that he's coming from a smaller college program and likely hasn't seen anything close to NFL talent, but he was a 7th round pick and a steal at that. Aside from McBride, the rest of the players have too many questions to really evaluate.

Underrated pick- Jeremiah Poutasi (OG, Utah)

Poutasi comes into the NFL with a pro-sized body. Based on the way the offensive line played in Tennessee last season, he may very well compete for a starting spot. He made huge strides to improve in pass protection, which is obviously important when blocking for a young quarterback, and he moves well for a larger player. Interior lineman generally don't hold much value early in the draft, but Poutasi could be a future long-term starter for the Titans.

Final Thoughts

As i stated earlier, the Titans' draft really boggled my mind. Mariota could develop into a great player, but there wasn't much else to be excited about after that. Dorial Beckham-Green is a head case, and many scouts said he looked clueless in workouts. It will take at least a year for him to be anything other than a big guy who can be a red-zone threat. David Cobb will likely steal the starting job at running back, and may wind up as a solid starter. For a team that needed to make a huge splash throughout the draft, it seems like Tennessee had a game plan that fell apart.

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts are coming off another fairly successful season. After parting ways with veteran receiver Reggie Wayne and struggling running back Trent Richardson, they brought in veteran All-Stars Andre Johnson and Frank Gore. Looking to build upon a very talented offense, the Colts did a great job adding pieces to a sub-par defense.

Best Pick- David Parry (DT, Stanford)

Parry is a hard working player who earned everything he accomplished at Stanford. He walked on to the Cardinal team and wears a big chip on his shoulders. He has good size, and should be a valuable nose-tackle. The Colts needed to add a powerful defensive tackle to their line and Parry should be that. He is a smart player and has a high motor which will translate into more snaps.

Underrated Pick- Phillip Dorsett (WR, Miami)

Another first round pick makes my underrated list. Many people questioned this pick because of the talent that the Colts have at receiver, but I see it not only as a luxury pick, but as a fall safe also. Andre Johnson is old, and may not have much left in the tank. TY Hilton is a soon-to-be free agent, and bringing him back to Indy might be too expensive. If the Colts don't want to miss a beat, bringing in Dorsett should help. He's already drawn comparison to Hilton as it is, and coming into a team thats very deep at receiver gives them the flexibility to keep Dorsett of the field on offense while he learns, but still contribute for the team in the return game.

Final Thoughts

Even though the Colts could have used their first round pick to select a top-tier defensive player, they still came out of the draft in good shape. Dorsett could develop into a great target for Andrew Luck, and taking that chance could pay off in the long run. Parry and DE Henry Anderson could be decent starters in the future, and will help as subs in the meantime. D'Joun Smith needs some work at the pro-level, but may compete for reps at nickel corner. The Colts could be a potential dark horse to jump from playoff team to Super Bowl contenders.