Rounding Up Early Buzz About This Year's Rookie Class

The book is far from closed on the 2015 NFL draft, as we will continue to debate each pick for years to come. Teams are moving on now, as their rosters are mostly set for training camp to start this summer. With the rookie class settling in, we're going to look at the early buzz from across the Internet.

Winning the NFL draft is a very subjective thing to determine. Some will look at how talent will fit, while others may factor in perceived value for their selections. Ultimately, we won't know the actual winners of the draft until the games begin.

We'll look at eight articles from across the Web to help capture the early buzz on the rookie class. Some of the buzz is very high praise, while others are worried about players.

Let's jump in. Don't forget to leave your reaction in the comments section below.

Melvin Gordon Will Be Better Than Jamaal Charles

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

The hottest take I was able to find across the Internet came from Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt. On the Fox Sports Live program, Klatt made a bold prediction: New San Diego Chargers running back Melvin Gordon will be better than Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles.

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"I think he's going to be better than Jamaal Charles" @joelklatt on @Chargers RB @Melvingordon25. #FSLiveDraftGrades https://t.co/cj44mXpK1t

— FOX Sports Live (@FOXSportsLive) May 4, 2015"

Gordon had an incredible collegiate career, but to match Charles' NFL production, he would surpass most expectations. Charles' career 5.5 yards per carry average is one of the best in NFL history, let alone current day.

One barrier that Gordon must overcome is the poor offensive line he will be running behind. San Diego avoided adding an impact lineman in the draft, and that was a problem area in 2014.

Jameis Winston Is the Biggest Gamble in Draft History

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

Using Ryan Leaf as his example for why Jameis Winston's character is a major risk, ESPN writer Ian O'Connor said Winston's pre-draft concerns could fill a Tampa phone book.

He explains:

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The Buccaneers took their Bob Beamon leap of faith, anyway, after conducting what they described as a thorough vetting of Winston the human being.

You know the list of transgressions by now, best separated into two categories: (1) the immature and mindless acts involving BB and pellet guns, stolen crab legs and Burger King sodas, and the shouting of a profane, sexually explicit Internet meme from the top of a campus table; and (2) the ultra-serious allegation that he raped a fellow Florida State student. Winston wasn't criminally charged in the case and wasn't found to have violated the school's honor code in a hearing; he now faces a civil lawsuit filed by his accuser.

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Even without knowing Winston, it is hard to see this parallel. Most of Leaf's football issues came from arrogance and how he handled failure. His legal issues came after his playing days were over.

Yes, there should be concerns about Winston's character. But unless something comes from the civil lawsuit against Winston, or he does something worse than saying sexually explicit words, this is a hot take that goes too far for me.

The Atlanta Falcons Won the Draft

John Bazemore/Associated Press

Louis Bien of SB Nation made a strong proclamation about the 2015 NFL draft. He reviewed the grades from across the Web for the NFC South and found that the Atlanta Falcons consistently scored highly from draft experts.

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Depending on who you ask, the Falcons may have won the draft. The three sources that gave Atlanta an "A" grade all cited the team's ability to both seemingly grab the best players available and address needs. Vic Beasley should give the team immediate help in the pass rush, and cornerback Jalen Collins was considered a steal by many in the second round.

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I agree, as the Falcons really did a great job of adding talent to their roster.

There are some nitpicky things that can be said, such as questioning how well running back Tevin Coleman fits the offense, but overall, there is a ton of new talent available for the Falcons.

Jay Ajayi May Not Play More Than 4 Games

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

Medical evaluations are one of the toughest things for teams and draftniks to consider. Even with red flags, players like Frank Gore, Clinton Portis and Thomas Davis had a ton of success in the NFL. Some with similar concerns have not worked out so well at the next level.

Since there is more risk with players with injury concerns, they usually slide on draft day. The hot take of the weekend is about new Miami Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi, who has received concern about his knee from a scout.

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#Dolphins RB Jay Ajayi via @evansilva & @dpbrugler pic.twitter.com/MtWbB4bzWP

— Mr. Smith (@BadChoiceMilk) May 2, 2015"

The above tweet shows CBS Sports analyst Dane Brugler reporting that an NFL scout is worried about Ajayi's knee. Also, Rotoworld's Evan Silva showed he doesn't worry about the long-term value, as running backs don't last more than five or so years.

Brugler was simply passing along what he was told, but it was interesting for him to use a scout's word on a medical issue. Packers running back Eddie Lacy had the same concern, and he has been fine.

Also, Ajayi has been extremely productive since his major knee injury occurred. To be exact, 678 carries, 3,796 yards, 50 touchdowns, and an additional 771 receiving yards.

I'll take the over for 500, Alex.

Teams Will Regret Passing on Brett Hundley

Kelvin Kuo/Associated Press

Frank Schwab of Yahoo Sports reviewed the highs and lows of the draft. For his “Pick that most teams could regret not making,” he selected UCLA Bruins quarterback Brett Hundley. The Green Bay Packers selected Hundley in the fifth round.

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I'm not the biggest Brett Hundley fan, but the UCLA quarterback does have talent. And there are many teams who are pretty desperate at quarterback. If the Green Bay Packers saw the value in trading up to draft him in the fifth round, why didn't some other teams that don't have an MVP at quarterback?

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Hundley was a great value in the fifth round, but unless Aaron Rodgers gets hurt, he won't play until his first contract is up. Teams rarely regret passing on a fifth-round quarterback, let alone one who doesn't figure to play.

The Carolina Panthers Had the Worst Draft Haul

Chuck Burton/Associated Press

USA Today Sports writer Nate Davis listed his top-32 drafts based off first impressions. Instead of issuing grades, Davis looked at value and team needs, which led to the Carolina Panthers falling into last place.

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32. Carolina Panthers: After some wheeling and dealing, they ultimately ended up with just five selections. And they might have made major reaches with the first two — Shaq Thompson, whose position was a matter of debate leading up to the draft, and fellow 'tweener Devin Funchess, who might be a wideout or tight end but could also be severely limited in either role.

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Davis' outlook on the Panthers' draft is a little negative for my taste. Thompson might be a reach, but he gives the Panthers one of the best linebacker cores in the NFL.

Also, Funchess could be a very valuable receiver next to Kelvin Benjamin. At least, they tried to help Cam Newton with him and tackle Daryl Williams.

Andy Reid Is Not Worried About Marcus Peters' Character

Elaine Thompson/Associated Press

One of the more talented players in the 2015 class was Washington Huskies cornerback Marcus Peters. Peters has the unique blend of athleticism, ball skills and physicality to be a star in the NFL. His style is reminiscent of Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith.

There were character concerns with him after he was dismissed from the Washington football team midseason. After digging deep, the Kansas City Chiefs came away confident in his character moving forward.

In this video via ESPN.com, head coach Andy Reid spells out that Peters is a good young man who lost his focus for a short time. Being kicked off the Huskies' football team was a wake-up call, and Peters looks ready to help the Chiefs in 2015 and beyond.

Leonard Williams Was the Best 1st-Round Pick

Jeff Haynes/Associated Press

Elliot Harrison of NFL.com reviewed the NFL draft's best and most worrisome picks. His favorite pick of all was the New York Jets' first-round selection, defensive end Leonard Williams.

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I freaking loved this pick. Was the defensive line already a strength for the Jets? Uh, yep. Does it matter? No. New York wasn't going to get a quarterback unless it moved up, and frankly, Gang Green needs to give Geno Smith a longer look, anyway.

So the Jets took arguably the very best player on the board. This isn't unprecedented; Minnesota had two 1,000-yard receivers in Cris Carter and Jake Reed in 1998, but that didn't stop the Vikings from scooping up Randy Moss with the 21st overall pick. Going BPA will never go out of style.

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I agree on this selection. The Jets may end up regretting passing on Vic Beasley, who would have fit a much bigger need, but Williams was the best talent available. That defensive front will be a handful for every team in the league to handle.

The Washington Redskins Made the Worst 1st-Round Selection

Jeff Haynes/Associated Press

Bleacher Report NFL analyst Christopher Hansen reviewed the worst picks of the 2015 NFL draft. His first pick listed was Iowa Hawkeyes tackle Brandon Scherff.

Why?

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You can love Scherff as a player and not like this pick. Unless Scherff becomes Joe Thomas, it's hard to really love it, and it's easy to dislike, because the notion that offensive linemen are safe picks has pretty much been obliterated in recent years.

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Looking at the hit rate for first-round tackles in the last decade should destroy the notion that tackles are safe picks. Scherff is no different, as he was not a Joe Thomas-level prospect. He may end up effective with the Washington Redskins, but it is unlikely he will be a huge difference-maker, which a top-five pick ought to be.