Football Garbage Time 2015 NFL Draft Breakdown

Howdy, y’all!

We had a doozy of an NFL Draft and we’re right back at work analyzing the picks!

Eight different writers (Joey Alibro, Jason Johnson, Scott King, John Kirkland, Joanne Kong, Bobby Pierson, Ryan Whitfield and Ha Kung Wong) have looked at the teams they mocked for in the previous article and commented on the picks the actual teams made.  And, as usual, “The Wild Card” made an appearance (identified in red below), but we made sure to keep him check.  At least as much as possible.

Without further to do, here is the Football Garbage Time breakdown of the 2015 NFL Draft!

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jameis Winston – QB

Bobby aka “The Wild Card”

• Total surprise.

Editor’s Edit

• To no one.

2. Tennessee Titans – Marcus Mariota – QB

Joey

• Obviously Tennessee wasn’t impressed by any of the trade offers so they snagged their quarterback of the future.  We all know how fast he his and his versatility inside and outside the pocket.  If nothing else, camp competition with incumbent Zach Mettenberger and having a potential future trade chip (in either Mariota or Mettenberger) isn’t a bad choice.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars – Dante Fowler Jr. – DE

Jason

• They needed a playmaker on defense and Fowler will fit that bill.  He will have an instant impact on the Jags defense.  Luck better keep his head up.

4. Oakland Raiders –  Amari Cooper – WR

Ha Kung

• This turned out exactly as I predicted in the Mock Draft.  So I’ll say it again, Cooper is big, strong and runs one heck of a post route. He’s arguably the most polished wide receiver in the draft and versatile enough to play in the slot and outside. The Raiders can now build in the veteran presence of Crabtree and the athleticism of Cooper, who is game ready and has potential to be Carr’s primary target of the future.

5. Washington Redskins – Brandon Scherff – OT

Joey

• Even with Leonard Williams still on the board, Washington took Scherff who seems like a bit of a reach at five, but he will be a valuable piece of their offensive line for a long time.

6. New York Jets – Leonard Williams – DE

Joanne

• The New York Jets went for best available player over the best player available to fill the needs of the team by taking Leonard Williams in the sixth pick.  And I have a LOT more to say about that in my article so check it out!

7. Chicago Bears –  Kevin White – WR

Ha Kung

• I could not be happier about this pick.  I actually had him as my “1B” pick for the Bears (Cooper being 1A), but in the Mock Draft, Mariota had slipped to 7, leaving me no choice but to select him.  Heck, the actual Bears made a real push for the first or second pick in the draft to try and get Mariota, so taking him if he fell to 7 was a no brainer.  But with that option off the table, Kevin White makes a lot of sense.  Brandon Marshall was traded away to the Jets this off season, and although the Bears acquired the competent Eddie Royal, getting a high ceiling rookie into the mix and hoping for Alshon Jeffery Part 2 is a great choice.  Now that we know that the Bears will stick it out with Cutler, getting some weapons to help Cutler rejuvenate his career is smart — both for the team’s future and for potential trade value.

8. Atlanta Falcons – Vic Beasley – OLB

Jason

• I had Beasley graded higher than Fowler so getting him here at 8 is great for the Falcons.  A lot of people think they should have taken Gurley here but upgrading the defense was the smarter play.

9. New York Giants – Ereck Flowers – OT

Joey

• The Giants finally decide to protect Eli by drafting the monster tackle from Miami, Ereck Flowers.  Eli has had problems under pressure, maybe this will help him find time to be more accurate downfield.

10. St. Louis Rams – Todd Gurley – RB

Joey

• Despite already having Tre Mason, St. Louis took Gurley who might be the top prospect in this draft.  The log jam of Zac Stacy, Tre Mason and Todd Gurley, doesn’t make sense though, which means the Rams need to trade someone soon.

11. Minnesota Vikings – Trae Waynes – CB

Ryan

• A safe pick with one of if not the best Corner in the draft. A safe pick, but may leave their second year Quarterback out to dry.

12. Cleveland Browns –  Danny Shelton – DT

Ha Kung

• This was the second pick that I got right in the Mock Draft, and I’m sure happy this one was on the money.  The Browns upgraded their secondary adding Tramon Williams to pair with Joe Haden, but in 2014, the Browns had a sieve of a defensive line.  So adding a defensive lineman was priority one.  Shelton is a dominating run stopper and above average pass rusher with significant upside who will give them some legitimacy.  And as I said before, hopefully an improved defense will give the untested offense a chance. Besides, if Joe Haden is psyched about Shelton, then who am I to disagree?

13. New Orleans Saints – Andrus Peat – OT

John

• Interesting and very safe choice for the Saints … looks like they want to focus on protecting Drew Brees well into the future … look for them to upgrade their defense in the later rounds.

14. Miami Dolphins – DeVante Parker – WR

Joanne

• The dolphins could have benefited from a cornerback, but the need of WR wasn’t unnoticed, even with the signing of Kenny Stills and Brandon Marshall during free agency.  A versatile receiver, DeVante Parker has been compared to pro-bowler A.J. Green and is considered play-maker on the field, having only three drops during his college career.  There’s no doubt that the addition of DeVante Parker will help Ryan Tannehill with passing options.  If the Dolphins were looking to add an explosive player to their offensive roster, hopefully Parker will be that addition.  As for a need in cornerback…thankfully, there are six more rounds remaining.

 15. San Diego Chargers (from San Francisco) – Melvin Gordon – RB

John

• With Gurley gone to the Rams, and the Chargers needing big help at running back, this pick makes a lot of sense to me.  It also placates Rivers some after all that trade talk that went on before the draft.  Now to get a center that will give Gordon some space to run …

16. Houston Texans – Kevin Johnson – CB

Joanne

• Unable to fill their two biggest needs, QB and WR and with Clowney (Linebacker) still uncertain, the Texans decided to draft Kevin Johnson, cornerback. It’s no secret the Texans secondary needed help.  The Texans were among the worst in defending against the pass, 21st in passing yards allowed in a game.  Another option would be drafting a strong safety, like Landon Collins.

17. San Francisco 49ers (from San Diego) – Arik Armstead – DE

John

• I was dead on with this pick! Arik is a monster. And the 9’ers were able to get Arik even though they traded with the Chargers to give up the 15th spot in the draft!  Nice job 9’ers.

18. Kansas City Chiefs – Marcus Peters – CB

John

• If the Chiefs are going to continue to not throw for touchdowns, they might as well make sure the other team doesn’t score either.  Peters, who got kicked out of the Washington program is a troubled disaffected youth, but Andy Reid’s familiar with this type of player  He will mold this kid into a top talent.

19. Cleveland Browns (from Buffalo) – Cameron Erving – C 

Ha Kung

• I have to be honest, I’m not sure I fully agree with this pick.  The Browns have an offensive line that’s essentially returning in full, and although I fully endorsed drafting high end O-line competition at 19, I certainly didn’t mean at center. Of course, Erving played defensive tackle and offensive tackle at FSU prior to moving to center, and I can appreciate the desire to draft a versatile player, but if you want to protect the quarterback, why not draft a player with full time left tackle experience?  It’ll be interesting to see how Erving is implemented along the O-line.

20. Philadelphia Eagles – Nelson Agholor – WR

Bobby aka “The Wild Card”

• Not Army Strong (as in Kyle Loomis – P), but Maclinesque.

Editor’s Comment

• Actually, this pick does fill the Maclin void somewhat, as he’s fast, but their secondary still needs addressing.  And Agholor is lean and is likely to be knocked off routes by NFL cornerbacks.  He’ll need to prove he can adjust to the NFL better than his former teammate, Marqise Lee.

21. Cincinnati Bengals – Cedric Oguehi – OT

Jason

• An area of weakness, the Bengals made the safe pick, not that you would expect anything different from Marvin Lewis.  OL was a need for many of the teams before the Bengals but I think they have a long term starter to replace Whitworth in Oguehi.

22. Pittsburgh Steelers – Alvin “Bud” Dupree – DE/OLB

Ha Kung

• With the flux at defense in Pittsburgh, adding an explosive and versatile pass rusher like Bud Dupree is a smart move. He’s an apparent leader on and off the field, which is somewhat of a need for Pittsburgh after the retirement of Polamalu.  Regardless of whether he plays DE or OLB, this is an immediate impact player for the Steelers.

 23. Denver Broncos (from Detroit) – Shane Ray – OLB

Joanne

• The trade that everyone expected to happen didn’t happen.  However, the Denver Broncos saw an opportunity and did trade up, moving 5 spots, with the Detroit Lions for the 23rd pick to select Shane Ray, defensive end.  The Broncos traded the 1st and 5th round pick in 2015, a 5th round pick in 2016 and Offensive lineman Danny Ramirez for the 23rd pick.  Ray was a top ten prospect a week ago.  Recently, Ray was brought up on charges for possession of marijuana, probably the reason for the slide.  As the best edge rusher in the 2015 class, Ray will be a needed addition to the Broncos defense as they look ahead in their “boom or bust” season.  Luckily, recreational use of marijuana is legal in Denver.  Hey, if its okay with Arnold Schwarzenegger and the state of Colorado, it must be okay for Shane Ray.

24. Arizona Cardinals – D.J. Humphries – OT

Bobby aka “The Wild Card” 

• Big and tough, but can he kick and punt?  Good luck with that Cards.

Editor’s Comment

• No problem with a solidified O-line, but gotta find someone to run behind it.

25. Carolina Panthers – Shaq Thompson – OLB

Jason

• I think this is a reach. He’s going to be a decent linebacker, but there were too many other needs here for the Panthers.

26. Baltimore Ravens – Breshad Perriman – WR

Ha Kung

• It’s surprising to me that so many wide receivers were selected in the first round of the draft this year. I thought definitely 3, maybe 4, but 6?  Well, regardless, the Ravens managed to at least select the right wide receiver for them.  Cleary, Perriman wanted to be there, and he’s a big, strong receiver with terrific length and the ability to make tough catches by tracking and high pointing the ball.  With Torrey Smith gone, Perriman is a good new target for Joe Flacco to work with.

27. Dallas Cowboys – Byron Jones – CB

Ryan

• Cornerback was a huge need for what’s been an abysmal defense last year. Byron Jones is a physical freak, and there’s nothing to not love about this pick for Dallas.

28. Detroit Lions – Laken Tomlinson – OG

Scott

• The Lions decided to trade out of their 23rd pick, which was not a bad idea considering this draft. However, they picked up two fifth round picks and a backup offensive lineman.  It’s not exciting and I’d like to see more than a fifth but O-line is critical.  Then, they take another guard with their new pick.  So now they have an extra lineman, which I guess is a good thing. With Malcom Brown still sitting there, they could have grabbed him and paired him with Ngata and not missed much with Fairly and Suh gone.  Overall, I need to see more the rest of the weekend.

29. Indianapolis Colts – Phillip Dorsett – WR

Ryan

• Hands down this was the worst pick in the first round. A soft finesse team, whose biggest strength is their passing offense, and they draft a WR. It doesn’t matter how much high end talent he has, this is a terrible pick.

30. Green Bay Packers – Damarious Randall – S

Jason

• Packers have added some great help in the secondary in Randall.  In a division with a lot of offensive firepower this is a great pick to help out on man coverage.

31. New Orleans Saints (from Seattle) – Stephone Anthony – ILB

Jason

• Rob Ryan needs playmakers and he got one here.  I like this pick.  He’s going to need sometime to develop but in a couple years this is going to turn out to be a great pick.

32. New England Patriots – Malcom Brown – DT

Ryan

• The Patriots biggest need still remains corner but with that said, this is a great pick. A top talent falls to the defending Super Bowl champs at 32, an obvious Wilfork replacement and help to make their front 7 compete in the East. It may not be the Jets front 7, but 5 good to great defensive linemen, a great linebacking group and Shead roaming between the two groups means the Patriots will be physical and aggressive.

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Disagree with the analysis?  Feel free to let us know in the comments below!

By The Football Garbage Time Staff