2015 NFL Draft Grades: Scores for Overall Results, Trades and Team Decisions
The NFL draft is a giant chess game, and every pick, trade and move inspires a reaction from other teams around the league and analysts judging the most important day of the offseason.
The 2015 edition did not disappoint in terms of trades and notable draft picks, although it took 15 picks in the first round for the first trade to come down the wire. That first trade happened to be the most notable one in the draft, and the San Diego Chargers netted superstar running back Melvin Gordon as a result.
Here is a look at the full results and team grades for the NFL draft as well as some of the more notable trades and analysis on a couple of marquee decisions.
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| NFC East | |||
| Dallas Cowboys | CB Byron Jones, DE/OLB Randy Gregory, OT Chaz Green, LB Damien Wilson, DE Ryan Russell, LB Mark Nzeocha, OT Laurence Gibson, TE Geoff Swaim | B | Addressed defensive needs, high-risk and high-reward with Gregory |
| Philadelphia Eagles | WR Nelson Agholor, CB Eric Rowe, LB Jordan Hicks, CB JaCorey Shepherd, CB Randall Evans, DE Brian Mihalik | B- | Nothing really flashy, just a number of solid players |
| Washington | OT Brandon Scherff, DE Preston Smith, RB Matt Jones, WR Jamison Crowder, G Arie Kouandjio, LB Martrell Spaight, S Kyshoen Jarrett, CB Kyshoen Jarrett, WR Evan Spencer, C Austin Reiter | C+ | Thought Scherff and Jones were both reaches when picked |
| New York Giants | OT Ereck Flowers, S Landon Collins, DE Owamagbe Odighizuwa, S Mykkele Thompson, WR Geremy Davis, G Bobby Hart | B | Collins was good value in second round |
| NFC North | |||
| Chicago Bears | WR Kevin White, DT Eddie Goldman, C Hroniss Grasu, RB Jeremy Langford, S Adrian Amos, G Tayo Fabuluje | A- | Addressed a number of needs with high-ceiling players |
| Green Bay Packers | S Damarious Randall, CB Quinten Rollins, WR Ty Montgomery, LB Jake Ryan, QB Brett Hundley, FB Aaron Ripkowski, DE Christian Ringo, TE Kennard Backman | B+ | Montgomery was good value, and Aaron Rodgers can groom Hundley for years to come |
| Detroit Lions | G Laken Tomlinson, RB Ameer Abdullah, CB Alex Carter, DT Gabe Wright, FB Michael Burton, CB Quandre Diggs, OT Corey Robinson | B- | Like the Abdullah pick, Tomlinson was a reach |
| Minnesota Vikings | CB Trae Waynes, LB Eric Kendricks, DE Danielle Hunter, OT T.J. Clemmings, TE MyCole Pruitt, WR Stefon Diggs, OT Tyrus Thompson, B.J. Dubose, OT Austin Shepherd, LB Edmond Robinson | A | Great value with Clemmings and Diggs, Waynes could start right away |
| NFC South | |||
| Carolina Panthers | LB Shaq Thompson, TE Devin Funchess, G Daryl Williams, LB David Mayo, RB Cameron Artis-Payne | B | Thompson and Funchess could start as rookies, Artis-Payne represents solid value |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | QB Jameis Winston, OT Donovan Smith, C Ali Marpet, LB Kwon Alexander, WR Kenny Bell, WR Kaelin Clay, FB Joey Iosefa | A | Got the franchise quarterback and protection and weapons for him |
| New Orleans Saints | OT Andrus Peat, LB Stephone Anthony, LB Kikaha Hau'oli, QB Garrett Grayson, CB P.J. Williams, LB Davis Tull, DT Tyeler Davison, CB Damian Swann, RB Marcus Murphy | B+ | Great value with Williams and Grayson, addressed some important needs |
| Atlanta Falcons | OLB/DE Vic Beasley, CB Jalen Collins, RB Tevin Coleman, WR Justin Hardy, DT Grady Jarrett, OT Jake Rodgers, DB Akeem King | A | Needed a defensive facelift and got it, Coleman was solid late pick |
| NFC West | |||
| San Francisco 49ers | DE Arik Armstead, S Jaquiski Tartt, LB Eli Harold, TE Blake Bell, RB Mike Davis, WR DeAndre Smelter, P Bradley Pinion, G Ian Silberman, G Trenton Brown, TE Rory Anderson | C | Davis impressive value get, Armstead must put up better numbers than did in college and Bell was an early reach |
| St. Louis Rams | RB Todd Gurley, OT Rob Havenstein, OT Jamon Brown, QB Sean Mannion, OT Andrew Donnal, WR Bud Sasser, G Cody Wichmann, LB Bryce Hager, DE Martin Ifedi | B | Gurley has superstar potential, needed offensive line help |
| Seattle Seahawks | DE Frank Clark, WR Tyler Lockett, G Terry Poole, G Mark Glowinski, CB Tye Smith, DE Obum Gwacham, DT Kristjan Sokoli, DB Ryan Murphy | B- | Nothing really jumps off the page here, Lockett could develop with Russell Wilson |
| Arizona Cardinals | OT D.J. Humphries, DE Markus Golden, RB David Johnson, DT Rodney Gunter, DE Shaquille Riddick, WR J.J. Nelson, TE Gerald Christian | B- | Were better running backs available than Johnson, Humphries has high ceiling |
| AFC East | |||
| New York Jets | DE Leonard Williams, WR Devin Smith, LB Lorenzo Mauldin, QB Bryce Petty, G Jarvis Harrison, DT Deon Simon | A | Williams is best player in draft, Smith high ceiling and Petty could challenge for starting role |
| Miami Dolphins | WR DeVante Parker, DT Jordan Phillips, G Jamil Douglas, CB Bobby McCain, RB Jay Ajayi, S Cedric Thompson, WR/CB Tony Lippett | B | Parker is impressive playmaker but counting on Ajayi's knee and Lippett's ability to switch positions |
| New England Patriots | DT Malcom Brown, S Jordan Richards, DE Geneo Grissom, DE Trey Flowers, G Tre Jackson, C Shaq Mason, LS Joe Cardona, LB Matthew Wells, TE A.J. Derby, CB Darryl Roberts, LB Xzavier Dickson | B+ | Brown was one of best first-round picks, added solid depth elsewhere |
| Buffalo Bills | CB Ronald Darby, G John Miller, RB Karlos Williams, LB Tony Steward, TE Nick O'Leary, WR Dezmin Lewis | B | Not a lot of early picks, but picked up playmakers across field |
| AFC North | |||
| Cincinnati Bengals | OT Cedric Ogbuehi, OT Jake Fisher, TE Tyler Kroft, LB Paul Dawson, CB Josh Shaw, DE Marcus Hardison, TE C.J. Uzomah, S Derron Smith, WR Mario Alford | B | Impressive third day after a couple of early reaches |
| Cleveland Browns | DT Danny Shelton, C Cameron Erving, DE Nate Orchard, RB Duke Johnson, DT Xavier Cooper, S Ibraheim Campbell, WR Vince Mayle, CB Charles Gaines, TE Malcolm Johnson, TE Randall Telfer, LB Hayes Pullard, CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu | B- | A number of good players here, but would have preferred a better wide receiver. Ekpre-Olomu incredible value in seventh round |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | DE Alvin "Bud" Dupree, CB Senquez Golson, WR Sammie Coates, CB Doran Grant, TE Jesse James, DT Leterrius Walton, DE Anthony Chickillo, S Gerod Holliman | A- | Dupree, Coates and Grant were all excellent value picks |
| Baltimore Ravens | WR Breshad Perriman, TE Maxx Williams, DT Carl Davis, DE Za'Darius Smith, RB Javorius Allen, CB Tray Walker, TE Nick Boyle, G Robert Myers, WR Darren Waller | B+ | Love the Perriman and Williams picks |
| AFC South | |||
| Indianapolis Colts | WR Phillip Dorsett, CB D'Joun Smith, DE Henry Anderson, S Clayton Geathers, DT David Parry, RB Josh Robinson, LB Amarlo Herrera, OL Denzelle Good | B- | Thought Dorsett was an early reach with better options available |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | DE/OLB Dante Fowler Jr., RB T.J. Yeldon, G A.J. Cann, S James Sample, WR Rashad Greene, DT Michael Bennett, WR Neal Sterling, TE Ben Koyack | B+ | Fowler an immediate starter, and Sample, Greene and Bennett were excellent Saturday picks |
| Tennessee Titans | QB Marcus Mariota, WR Dorial Green-Beckham, G Jeremiah Poutasi, DT Angelo Blackson, FB Jalston Fowler, RB David Cobb, LB Deiontrez Mount, C Andy Gallik, WR Tre McBride | A | Hard to argue with a draft class that includes Mariota when need a quarterback |
| Houston Texans | CB Kevin Johnson, LB Benardrick McKinney, WR Jaelen Strong, WR Keith Mumphery, LB Reshard Cliett, DT Christian Covington, RB Kenny Hilliard | B+ | McKinney and Strong excellent value picks |
| AFC West | |||
| San Diego Chargers | RB Melvin Gordon, LB Denzel Perryman, CB Craig Mager, LB Kyle Emanuel, DT Darius Philon | B | They wanted a running back and they got a potential star there |
| Denver Broncos | DE Shane Ray, OT Ty Sambrailo, TE Jeff Heuerman, C Max Garcia, CB Lorenzo Doss, DT Darius Kilgo, QB Trevor Siemian, DB Taurean Nixon, DB Josh Furman | B | Ray could start right away, and Heuerman will thrive with Peyton Manning |
| Oakland Raiders | WR Amari Cooper, DE Mario Edwards Jr., TE Clive Walford, G Jon Feliciano, LB Ben Heeney, LB Neiron Ball, Max Valles, OL Anthony Morris, WR Andre Debose, CB Dexter McDonald | B+ | Cooper could be the Rookie of the Year and Edwards Jr. was impressive pick |
| Kansas City Chiefs | CB Marcus Peters, G Mitch Morse, WR Chris Conley, CB Steven Nelson, LB Ramik Wilson, LB D.J. Alexander, TE James O'Shaughnessy, DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches, WR Da'Ron Brown | B | Peters is a headliner and solid pieces after him |
| Chargers receive: No. 15 overall (Melvin Gordon) | 49ers receive: No. 17 overall (Arik Armstead), No. 117 overall (Blake Bell) and 2016 fifth-round pick | Chargers |
| Giants receive: No. 33 overall (Landon Collins) | Titans receive: No. 40 overall (Dorial Green-Beckham), No. 108 overall (Jalston Fowler), No. 245 overall (Tre McBride) | Giants |
| Panthers receive: No. 41 overall (Devin Funchess) | Rams receive: No. 57 overall (Rob Havenstein), No. 89 overall (Sean Mannion), No. 201 overall (Bud Sasser) | Panthers |
| Texans receive: No. 43 overall (Benardrick McKinney), No. 229 overall (traded to Jets) | Browns receive: No. 51 overall (Nate Orchard), No. 116 overall (traded to Cardinals), No. 195 overall (Malcolm Johnson) | Browns |
| Jets receive: No. 82 overall (Lorenzo Mauldin), No. 152 overall (Jarvis Harrison), No. 229 overall (traded to Jaguars), WR DeVier Posey | Texans receive: No. 70 overall (Jaelen Strong) | Texans |
Most Notable Trade: San Diego Chargers and San Francisco 49ers
There were a number of trades during the NFL draft, but the most notable one was also the first one.
The San Diego Chargers gave the San Francisco 49ers the No. 17 and No. 117 picks in the 2015 draft and a 2016 fifth-round pick in exchange for the No. 15 pick. San Diego then used that pick to select superstar running back Melvin Gordon from Wisconsin.
Pro Football Talk shared the thought process behind the trade from the Chargers’ perspective:
ESPN’s Skip Bayless believed that the move was worth it for San Diego:
On paper, the price was certainly worth it for the Chargers. They were a dismal 30th in the league during the 2014 season in rushing yards and don’t have anyone in the backfield who strikes fear in opposing defenses. Yes, Branden Oliver, Donald Brown and Danny Woodhead are all solid players (and Oliver stepped up down the stretch), but Gordon is a legitimate home run threat.
ESPN Stats & Info shared just how dangerous Gordon is with the ball in his hands from a statistical standpoint:
Best of luck to opposing defenses stopping the Gordon and Philip Rivers combination next season.
As for the 49ers, they needed to bolster their defensive front, and the hope is No. 17 pick Arik Armstead does just that.
Linebackers Patrick Willis and Chris Borland both retired this offseason, and defensive lineman Ray McDonald signed with the Chicago Bears. A team that prides itself on physical defense found itself lacking for contributors.
Armstead only had four sacks in three seasons at Oregon, but it is all about potential for this 6’7” monster. Armstead is big enough to swat almost any short pass that heads his way at the line of scrimmage and explosive enough to get past the tackles with his first step. He also brings solid pursuit speed to the table against the run.
49ers coach Jim Tomsula discussed his new prospect, per Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News: “You talk about the [ability to] bend, you talk about the athleticism, you've seen enough plays that he's got some power and push and explosion. When you look at his body, it's all there. Now you meet the guy and it's intriguing, it's a nice guy, a good guy. And he's a competitive guy.”
San Francisco’s defense will look much more formidable if Armstead lives up to his sky-high potential.
Best First-Round Pick: New York Jets Select DE Leonard Williams No. 6 Overall
The New York Jets aced the 2015 NFL draft.
New York selected arguably the best player in the entire class with the No. 6 overall pick in defensive end Leonard Williams. Williams tallied 80 tackles, seven sacks, 9.5 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and an interception at USC in 2014, which is downright ridiculous for a defensive lineman.
There are linebackers who would love to put up numbers like that.
Williams is so effective because he possesses the size and speed combination that so many teams covet up front. His overwhelming strength allows him to create penetration on running plays, and his speed and explosiveness help him rush the passer on the edge.
There were some Jets fans who wanted a wide receiver in the first round of this draft, but New York took care of that as well, as Anthony Rothman of 97.1 The Fan in Columbus pointed out:
In sum, the Jets landed an elite defensive lineman in Williams and a wide receiver in Devin Smith who is more than ready to step in and contribute in his rookie season. That’s not a bad first two rounds.
The scariest thing about the Jets with Williams is the entire defensive line. New York already has Sheldon Richardson and Muhammad Wilkerson up front, and now Williams will slide in right alongside them.
Any of those players can occupy multiple blockers at once, which will free up the others to make plays against single lineman. Opponents must pick and choose where to focus its protection, and the Jets should be able to frustrate quarterbacks with pressure even without any blitzes.
That, in turn, helps the secondary (that features Darrelle Revis) because more defenders can drop back into coverage.
New York’s ultimate level of success in the 2015 season will largely depend on the performance of quarterback Geno Smith (assuming he wins the starting job), but Williams’ presence alone makes an already formidable defense that much stronger. The Jets are going to stop plenty of offenses this year.
All trade details can be found courtesy of the NFL.com trade tracker.
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