With the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft in the books, we
won’t truly know who made good or bad selections until these young men are game
tested. That said, there were some surprises and some head scratchers in the
first 32.
Top
Surprises
6. New
York Jets - Leonard Williams, DE,
Southern Cal
Admittedly as a Jets fan, I was excitedto see Gang Green
get the opportunity to select Vic Beasley or Bud Dupree because I never thought
Williams would fall past Washington. Williams was a no-brainer, and makes the
Jets defensive line even scarier.
10.
St. Louis Rams – Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
Todd Gurley is easily the best running back in the draft,
and the Rams get their first talented running back since Stephen Jackson
departed. However, the offensive line could limit the production of Gurley in
his rookie season, but you can’t argue with the talent or the fit.
22. Pittsburgh
Steelers – Bud Dupree, OLB, Kentucky
I was part of a mock draft with The Saratogian, and drafted
for the Miami Dolphins at 14, and laughed at the thought of Dupree still being
on the board at 14. Then he falls to Linebacker Heaven in Pittsburgh at 22. We
all questioned the Steelers taking Ryan Shazier last year, and he did just
fine. Mike Tomlin sees something he likes in Dupree, so who am I to argue.
Black and Yellow got a steal.
29.
Indianapolis Colts – Phillip Dorsett, WR, Miami (FL)
With a receiving corps that boasts T.Y. Hilton, Andre
Johnson, and Donte Moncrief, I never would’ve thought the Colts would go
receiver in the first round. Dorsett gives Andrew Luck a dangerous weapon for
years to come. The former Hurricane gets his first consistent quarterback after
suffering with Jacory Harris and Brad Kaaya in Miami.
Head
Scratchers
25.
Carolina Panthers – Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington
The Panthers struggled to the playoffs last season because
Cam Newton wasn’t getting good protection from his offensive line. I thought
the need at O-line was much greater than the need at linebacker. Plus, Thompson
I could also play safety. I find it hard to believe Carolina couldn’t have
taken Thompson in the second round.
30.
Green Bay Packers – Damarious Randall, FS, Arizona State
A lot of people say the Packers see Randall as a cornerback
which might be the only way to justify this pick. Yes, they struggled in pass
defense last season, but it was tough to see how Randall was more attractive
than Landon Collins.
31. New
Orleans Saints – Stephone Anthony, LB, Clemson
I love that the Saints addressed the linebacker position at
31. I thought they would have taken Shane Ray if he dropped that far. However,
I think Anthony was a bit of a reach. I thought Randy Gregory, Eric Kendricks,
or Denzel Perryman would have been better fits for the Saints.
The
Eagles trade failures
It is draft related, so I’ll put it here. We all know how
much Chip Kelly wanted Marcus Mariota, but did the second-year coach hurt his own chances?
I believe so. If Kelly had kept Nick Foles there might have
been more reason for the Titans to give up the No. 2 pick in a package deal.
Foles just seems more attractive than Sam Bradford given the fact that Foles
has not endured two torn ACLs. Regardless, Kelly is now stuck with a trio of
quarterbacks he didn’t intend to keep.
