NFL Draft 2015: Complete Results and Rookies to Watch

Consistently winning the NFL draft is critical for every franchise on the path to sustained success, but the days of patience with rookies are in the past. A number of players who heard their names called in Chicago Thursday, Friday and Saturday will change games on the field in the fall.

Last year, it was the likes of Odell Beckham Jr. and Mike Evans coming down with spectacular catches, Zack Martin clearing the way for DeMarco Murray, Aaron Donald stuffing running backs and Teddy Bridgewater instilling optimism in Minnesota. The question now becomes which rookies will follow in their footsteps and make immediate names for themselves during the 2015 season.

With that in mind, here is a look at the complete results for the 2015 NFL draft and some rookies to watch next year and beyond.

Trae Waynes, CB, Minnesota Vikings

The NFC North may be the hard-hitting division that plays the second half of the season in the cold and snow, but it is dominated by big-name wide receivers. The Minnesota Vikings' only chance at reaching the playoffs in 2015 is finding a way to slow down Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Calvin Johnson, Alshon Jeffery and rookie Kevin White.

They drafted accordingly with the No. 11 overall pick and took cornerback Trae Waynes.

Waynes was a first-team All-Big Ten member and Thorpe Award semifinalist (nation's best defensive back) in 2014 at Michigan State and is known for his ability to play bump-and-run press coverage. At 6’0”, he brings solid size to the table and can challenge taller receivers on jump balls and on deep routes down the sidelines.

What’s more, Waynes was the fastest cornerback at the NFL Scouting Combine (4.31-second 40-yard dash) and won’t let receivers blow past him even at the NFL level. 

Waynes is a speedy corner who thrives in man coverage. That is exactly what the Vikings need with so many elite wide receivers in the division.

Malcom Brown, DT, New England Patriots

The New England Patriots are consistently among the league's best because they land players like defensive tackle Malcom Brown with late-first-round picks.

New England snagged the first-team All-American and Bronko Nagurski Trophy (best college defensive player) and Outland Trophy (best interior lineman) finalist with the No. 32 pick and immediately filled the hole left behind by five-time Pro Bowler Vince Wilfork.

Brown wasn’t lacking in confidence after the draft, either, per CSN New England’s Phil Perry: "Ya'll about to get the best player ya'll have ever drafted so just be ready for when I touch the field."

Tom Brady probably begs to differ.

Brown was seen as a potential top-10 pick coming into the draft, so the value is clear for the Patriots. That he fills a need after Wilfork’s departure only makes the pick that much better. 

New England prefers to switch schemes throughout the season and even during individual games, and one of Brown’s best traits is his versatility. He played defensive tackle and defensive end in college and is more than capable of staying on the field for all three downs. 

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

Thanks to that versatility and his ability to laterally pursue ball-carriers and create pressure up the middle on passing plays, Brown will challenge for a starting spot right away. Don’t be surprised if he contends for Defensive Rookie of the Year status in New England.

T.J. Yeldon, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars had arguably the best third day of the draft with safety James Sample in the fourth round, wide receiver Rashad Greene in the fifth round and defensive tackle Michael Bennett in the sixth round. All were widely projected to go earlier than they did, and Jacksonville stocked up on value selections who should help in 2015 and beyond.

However, it took a risk in the second round with the No. 36 overall pick.

Alabama’s T.J. Yeldon battled through injuries throughout his final year in college and also lost valuable playing time and carries to his battering-ram teammate, Derrick Henry. Yeldon doesn’t bring electrifying speed to the table, either, and there were other running backs still on the board when Jacksonville picked him, including Tevin Coleman and Ameer Abdullah.

The Jaguars had a need at running back, though, and the hope is that they found the replacement for the lackluster Toby Gerhart and Denard Robinson combination.

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

While Yeldon is a risk because Jacksonville could have addressed running back later in the draft and filled another need early, there is also a high ceiling in place. College football fans didn’t get the opportunity to see him at his best last year, but when he’s healthy, his lateral quickness and ability to dart through holes make him one of the draft’s most elusive runners. 

Yeldon also makes tacklers miss in space once he gets to the second and third levels, which is how he racked up impressive stats early in his Alabama career, per Michael DiRocco of ESPN’s NFL Nation:

Ultimately, there is plenty to like with Yeldon’s game for Jacksonville, not the least of which was the glaring need for better production at the running back position. That is why CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco agreed with the selection:

Young quarterback Blake Bortles needs more support in the running game if he plans on eventually fulfilling his potential. Yeldon represents an opportunity for the Jaguars to develop a young backfield that thrives for years to come.