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.