Looking Back - 2015 Draft

Paully D

I always find these threads fun and it has been a couple of years since we last did one.

The experts say it takes around 3 seasons to be able to fully judge a draft class, so with the 3rd season of those who came out in the 2015 draft about to conclude in a few days, I thought 2015 would be a pretty relevant draft to look back on.

The main story in the build up to this draft was about which of the two leading QB's of the class, Jamies Winston and Marcos Mariota, would go #1. Although the majority held the view that Winston was the better prospect and more suited to adapt to the NFL from the off, large off the field concerns were there.

On draft night, and up until minutes before the Titans made their pick at #2, the Eagles (who had Chip Kelly, Mariota's college coach at Oregon at the helm) had been making huge plays to jump up to take Mariota, even offering multiple first and second round picks, but the Titans held off.

The 2015 draft also snapped a two year skid of no running backs going in the first round, and with Gurley and Gordon both going in first it was the first time since 2012 that two had gone in the first round.

There was also the crazy La'el Collins story. Projected as a nailed on first rounder, Collins ended up going as an UDFA after a story circulated on the first day of the draft that he was about to be questioned by police about the death of his girlfriend, who had been shot.

What are you memories from this draft and how did your team fare?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQD0PKnvNjU

Paully D

I recall the player I was biggest on in this draft was Marcus Peters. I was praying that he'd fall to the Ravens and as the night ticked by felt if he made it past the Chiefs we were home and dry due to the remaining team's needs and who was left on the board. It felt like a kick in the balls when they took him at #18 especially as it came out afterwards that he was the best player available on the Ravens board at the time and they were also hoping he'd fall. Superb player.

That is of course balanced out by the fact that I ranked Dorial Green-Beckham as the best WR in this class. :pac:

KrustyUCC

Disaster of a draft for the Giants overall

ROUND 1: OL ERECK FLOWERS

Same issues now that he had when drafted

ROUND 2: SAFETY LANDON COLLINS

Great trade up. Really good player for us. Just wish he has a bit more ball skills. Can drop easy INTs

ROUND 3: DE OWAMAGBE ODIGHIZUWA

Out of the league fully now. Was injury prone and got passed out by UDFA's in the next few years

ROUND 4: Used in trade for Collins

ROUND 5: SAFETY MYKKELE THOMPSON

injured his whole career

ROUND 6: WR GEREMY DAVIS

Never panned out. On Chargers at the moment

ROUND 7: OL BOBBY HART

Might be ok as a back up. Awful this year as a starter. Prob given a few chances too many as he was drafted

conor222

Overall very happy, got good picks at the upper level (pity about Conley's injury this year) and some good later round contributors. Most players that we didnt keep/didnt pan out were traded away for either draft capital or other players who have contributed (KPL for example)


Round 1 (18) No. 18 overall (Washington CB Marcus Peters)

Excellent pick, DROY, 2nd team all pro, pro bowl in 1st year, true #1 corner, nuff said

Round 2: (17) No. 49 overall (Missouri OL Mitch Morse)
Anchor in the middle of the line for the chiefs, was injured for 4 (?) weeks this year, very good lineman, happy with him overall

Round 3: (16) No. 76 overall (Georgia WR Chris Conley)
Interesting one to judge, came into his own early this season, was a key possesion guy on 3rd downs, injured and out for season. Not a top reciever but a good contributor and will be intersting to see his role next year

Round 3: (34) No. 98 overall (Oregon State DB Steven Nelson)
Ok to poor CB, Solid contributor and rotational guy, can make big plays but more often just your standard rotational db, nothing special

Round 4: (19) No. 118 overall (Georgia ILB Ramik Wilson)
Rotational contributor, nothing special, does some special team work I believe

Round 5: (36) No. 172 overall (Oregon State LB DJ Alexander)
Played more special teams than defence but was fine, couldnt really find a role for him here. Traded to Seattle for kevin pierre louis

Round 5: (37) No. 173 overall (Illinois State TE James O'Shaughnessy)
Never Did much, traded to the Pats with a 6th rounder for a 5th rounder, cut by the pats and now on the Jags I think

Round 6: (42) No. 217 overall (Southern Miss DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches)
Rotational Lineman, probably best known for breaking Conor shaws leg in a preseason game. Decent contributor, especially for a 6th round pick, playing with 1st team as a rotational lineman

Round 7: (16) No. 233 overall (Northern Illinois WR Da'Ron Brown)
Nah, total no show. Practice squad for a year then bounced around a few teams, currently a free agent.

Paully D

Poor draft for the Ravens too.

Round 1: Breshad Perriman - WR

Perriman is arguably the biggest bust in franchise history. The main concern about him coming out of college was his poor hands, and that has continued massively into his NFL career. He also has struggled with injury, missing his entire rookie season, and has even been a healthy scratch a few times this season. Awful, awful pick.

Round 2: Maxx Williams - TE

Regarded as the consensus best TE in this draft class, nabbing him at #55 was seen as a stroke of fortune at the time. He had a promising enough rookie season, but played just 4 games (0 catches) in his sophomore season before getting injured to the extent that it looked like he may have to retire. According to surgeons, no football player had returned to the field after receiving that specific injury. Only 15 catches for 86 yards this season. Probably need another season to fully judge, but the production hasn't been near good enough for a second round pick.

Round 3: Carl Davis - DL

Backup/rotational player at best. See what happened to our run defense when Brandon Williams was out of the line up.

Round 4: Za'Darius Smith - OLB

The first productive pick of this draft. He had a very promising rookie season, an anonymous second season, but has been really good again this year. He won't flash up on box scores, but chips in with a lot of hurries and hits. He is a bit of a moron, giving up lots of penalties for unnecessary roughness and late hits, but in terms of his play it's hard to ask for any more from a 4th rounder. Very goood pick.

Round 4: Buck Allen - RB

Inconsistent, which is why he's a role player, but effective enough for a fourth rounder I suppose. He's a contributor on almost every aspect of special teams and offers something different to the other RB's. Solid addition to the squad.

Round 4: Tray Walker - CB

Walker was essentially a special teamer in his first season. Unfortunately, we never got the chance to see if he would progress as he passed away in March of 2016 due to head injuries sustained in a traffic accident. RIP.

Round 5: Nick Boyle - TE

Has outplayed Maxx Williams when on the field, but can't stay on it. He was suspended for 4 games in his rookie season and 10 in his sophomore season, both for PED violations. He's an excellent blocker who is a very effective piece in the running game more so than a pass catching TE. Based on his play alone, he's been effective enough to be called a success as a fifth round pick, but he has missed almost a full season through suspension despite only being in the league three years. I have no doubt in my mind that he will soon pick up his third violation and with that a 2 year suspension.

Round 5: Robert Myers - OL

Released before the start of his rookie season. Was inactive for the Broncos' Super Bowl win and has bounced around a few practice squads since. He's now a free agent since last August after being released by Seattle, who have one of the worst OL's in the league. Shíte.

Round 6: Darren Waller - WR

Converted to a TE, and like Boyle has already been given two suspensions for PED violation, the first 4 games and the second 1 year. He claims it was marijuana use which he was also busted for twice in college. Ugh.

So overall a really poor draft for Baltimore which includes arguably the biggest draft bust in franchise history, with the majority of selections ending up being role players/backups at best. One of the franchises poorest drafts in what has been a weak stretch for a group that are considered one of the best at drafting, IMO.

Lionbacker

Not a great draft for the Lions either.

Round 1: Laken Tomlinson OG: Was slotted straight in at the vacant LG position but never played well there. Probably more suited to the right side but never got a chance at that position. Was traded to the 49ers prior to this season where he's carved out a role. Not sure whether their happy with this play though.

Round 2: Ameer Adullah RB: Hard to know what to make of this. Played okay his first season but was great as a returner. Was injured for practically all his sophomore year. Has done poorly this year. May need a decent run blocking OL in front of him, but the Lions haven't done well in that department for over a decade

Round 3: Alex Carter CB: Traded up for him but he didn't work out. Tried at safety during last offseason but was cut & has bounced around a few practice squads since.

Round 4: Gabe Wright DT: Also traded up for him and too didn't work out. Cut after only one year, he too is partaking in the league practice squad merry-go-round.

Round 5: Michael Burton FB: Was actually a decent player, but once Jim Bob Cooter took over, he ceased to have a role. Was cut in the offseason & now has a rotational role with the Bears

Round 6: Quandre Diggs CB: Our best pick. Played fantastic first year, awful the second & back to great this year again. Has had to be shoehorned in as an emergency safety this year due to injuries, but doing well, catching 3 interceptions in his last 3 games.

Round 7: Corey Robinson OT: Still on the squad as a decent backup OT when injuries occur (which is quite often).

HigginsJ

Outside of Gurley, has any of the top 10 proven to be worth their pick?

Dante Fowler Jr. is coming along this year. Williams and Beasley have been up and down and not too sure what Scherff has been like.

The QB's have been very hit and miss, Mariota is injury prone and Winston has shown little signs of improvement.

Amari Cooper seems to have taken a big step back this year.

Not sure Kevin White exists and then there is Ereck Flowers.............. sigh.

eagle eye

To be fair to Cooper he has had two 1k+ yards seasons and he'll finish around 600 yards this season which isn't horrendous.
Carr hasn't had a great season behind a shaky line so it's not all on Cooper.

dfx-

1 Bud Dupree OLB - a quiet year but a definite starter now with Watt on the other side. Needs to make more plays.

2 Senquez Golson CB - injured for all of 2016, reinjured in preseason camp in 207 and cut.

3 Sammie Coates WR, looked a great prospect towards the end of 2015 as a deep threat and expected to cover for Bryant's absence, but really was very poor in 2016 and Ben got to a point where he would not throw to him. Ben joked this week that Harrison has studied the Steelers offense and knew it better than Coates did.

4 Doran Grant CB, cut in 2016

5 Jesse James TE, starter in a not great position group. Ben goes for him a lot for catches, but he isn't a great blocker at all.

6 LT Walton, DE - decent enough replacement for injuries and rest, but not a starter.

6 Anthony Chickillo, OLB , in and out of defense for injuries and rest. ST snaps as well like Walton

7. Gerod Holliman, S. didn't make the 53.

Two cast iron starters, two backups, one player that was a starter before being traded to Cleveland.

phatkev

The jets draft was fairly horrendous!

1. Leonard Williams- Has been a really solid player for the Jets. he doesnt put up massive stats, but I can count on one hand the amount of bad games he's had. Great pick imo, but he did fall into the Jets laps @6 so it would have been hard to fcuk up!

2. Devin Smith- Its all down hill from here! Constantly injured and even if he was fit he'd be buried down the depth chart. Robby Anderson now has a firm hold of the position Smith was drafted to fill.

3.Lorenzo Mauldin- Looked a good pick in his first year when he was just used as a pass rusher, really regressed in his second year when asked to be a more complete player. Was on injured reserve for all of his third year.

4. Bryce Petty- The worst starting QB in the league right now, waste of a pick. They traded up to get him too, which just makes it worse

5. Jarvis Harrison- Made his first career start last Sunday! I dont think he'll ever be more than a backup, could be wrong though

6. Deon Simon- Cut and resigned a few times, currently on the practice squad I think

One solid starter and a bunch of backups at best, terrible first draft for Mike Maccagnan

ScummyMan

Wasn't happy with it at the time, but looking back this was a good draft for the Packers.

1. Damarious Randall -Cornerback - Arizona State
Had a very promising rookie year. Took a big step back last year, although was hampered by a number of injuries. Looked like the end for him at the start of this season, after being benched mid-game and walking off the field. However has come back superbly in the second half of the season starting on the outside, often covering the opposing teams WR1. Looks to be a real good pick for the future if he stays healthy, especially if this season finally brings the end of Dom Capers.

2. Quinten Rollins - Cornerback - Miami
A bust in all honesty. Looked a reach at the time, and has played out that way. As a rookie Rollins showed flashes that he could become a capable slot corner, as he played in 14 games with four starts and intercepted a pair of passes. Similar to Randall though, he struggled with injuries and poor play in his second year. Placed on IR early this year, I wouldn't be surprised to see Green Bay cut their losses with him this off-season.

3. Ty Montgomery - Wide Receiver - Stanford
The WR turned RB, he had a quiet rookie season, due to being buried in the Packers depth chart. Injuries meant he was switched to RB mid-way through last season, and he grabbed his chance. Started this season as the starting RB, and when fit he looks to have excellent vision and burst. However he just can't stay healthy, and with the emergence of the rookies Williams and Jones, it remains to be seen what his role will be going forward.

4. Jake Ryan - Linebacker - Michigan
A solid, if unspectacular pick, Ryan has cemented himself in the inside linebacker starting role next to the excellent Blake Martinez. Limited in coverage, but a good run-stopper.

5. Brett Hundley - Quarterback - UCLA
Oh dear. Looked an interesting pick at the time, and his good showing in pre-season backed that up. After two years sitting behind Rodgers Packers fans were hopeful, but he has shown that hope to be wildly misplaced. Good with his legs, but unable to move through his reads and a frankly awful long ball. A total bust, may have played himself out of the league.

6. Aaron Ripkowski - Fullback - Oklahoma
Another excellent if unspectacular pick. One of the best blockers in the league, also carried the rock very well last year when every Packers running back died.

7. Christian Ringo - Defensive End - Louisiana-Lafayette
Bit of a head-scratcher this one, never looked to have the athleticism to be in the NFL. Didn't make the final 53 in his first season, bounced around the practice squad for a while and I believe he is now rostered with the Lions.

Kennard Backman - Tight End - Alabama-Birmingham
Never looked like making it, is now out of the league without a single catch to his name.

So overall, the first 6 out of 8 picks still on the team, with 3 arguably 4 starters. That's pretty good in my book.

helimachoptor

Mariota had 2 good years, the leg break last year has definitely affected him.

DGB - Flashed a couple but by all accounts wasnt bright and is out of the league now. Caught himself a DUI over Christmas.

Jeremiah Puotasi OT - 3rd round and a huge reach.


Angelo Blackson DT- again flashed but wasnt consistent.

Jalston Fowler FB - released him a few weeks ago, was great last year but they didnt have him on the field enough this year.

David Cobb RB -was more concerned about his snapchat (we had a few arguments about his lack of seatbelt wearing) out of the league now.

Tre McBride - high potential but hasnt delivered for anyone sadly.

OldMrBrennan83

This post has been deleted.

ELM327

1 - Malcolm Brown (DT) - has come into the rotation but been unremarkable IMO. Not a patch on #75 of course.

2 - Jordan Richards (S) - havent seen him on the field that I remember this season anyway

3 - Geno Grissom (DE) - been cut and resigned a few times by the pats, bounced on and off the practice squad and main roster. Havent seen anything of him

4 - Trey Flowers (DE) - Like Brown has come into the rotation this year and acquitted himself well. Especially for a 4th. One of the better picks of 2015 currently
4 - Tre Jackson (G) - Who?
4 - Shaq Mason (C/G) - Solid starter and again a good #4 pickup

5 - Joe Cardona (LS) - one of the better ones in the league, picked quite highly for a sole special teamer but has done well.

6 - Malcolm Wells (LB) - Who? Not in the league anymore
6 - AJ Derby (TE) - Looked average in the few games I saw for a 3rd TE. Has been sent to PIT if I'm not mistaken?

7 - Daryl Roberts (CB) - no real impact, no longer with the team.
7 - Xavier Dickson (OLB) - didnt make the roster.

Billy86

HigginsJ wrote:

Not sure Kevin White exists

That's Kevin "3 yards per catch" White to you.

http://www.nfl.com/player/kevinwhite/2553432/profile

jack presley

HigginsJ wrote: »

Outside of Gurley, has any of the top 10 proven to be worth their pick?

Brandon Scherff, 2 pro-bowls in his first 3 seasons (1 as starter, 1 as backup). Not bad I'd say. But then again there's the question - should a guard really have been taken with the number 5 pick?

Knex*

jack presley wrote: »

Brandon Scherff, 2 pro-bowls in his first 3 seasons (1 as starter, 1 as backup). Not bad I'd say. But then again there's the question - should a guard really have been taken with the number 5 pick?

Really wanted Giants to take him at 9 tbh.

TOss Sweep

ELM327 wrote: »

1 - Malcolm Brown (DT) - has come into the rotation but been unremarkable IMO. Not a patch on #75 of course.

2 - Jordan Richards (S) - havent seen him on the field that I remember this season anyway

4 - Trey Flowers (DE) - Like Brown has come into the rotation this year and acquitted himself well. Especially for a 4th. One of the better picks of 2015 currently

6 - AJ Derby (TE) - Looked average in the few games I saw for a 3rd TE. Has been sent to PIT if I'm not mistaken?

Brown and Flowers have been solid for the Pats over the last couple of seasons. Flowers missed his first season due to injury and took some time to get going last year but had a solid last season. This year he has been solid. Brown although no Wilfork has been a rock on that D-line

Richards rotates into our Nickel and Dime sets but with Harmon playing well and ahead of Richards he isnt a starter. He has played in every game this season and has potential.

AJ Derby looked like he had talent with Jimmy G throwing to him and many felt he would get a better shot in the regular season but he was traded to Denver. Looked like he would do something but ended up with a couple of Thuds and 200 odd yds and then cut and the Fish picked him up. Dude has ability and wouldn't be surprised if he some how finds his way back to NE in the next couple of seasons.

ELM327

TOss Sweep wrote: »

Brown and Flowers have been solid for the Pats over the last couple of seasons. Flowers missed his first season due to injury and took some time to get going last year but had a solid last season. This year he has been solid. Brown although no Wilfork has been a rock on that D-line

Solid contributors yes, and that's arguably better than one would expect from a fourth round pick in the case of flowers. But if you look at the recent(ish) history of first rounder D linemen taken by NE (eg Seymour, Wilfork, was Warren a 1st too?) I would have expected more from Brown as he was a high pick. Although perhaps as a fully paid up member of the Wilfork fanclub I'm just biased

TOss Sweep wrote: »

Richards rotates into our Nickel and Dime sets but with Harmon playing well and ahead of Richards he isnt a starter. He has played in every game this season and has potential.

I'm limited by what games are shown on Sky, so I have only seen the highlights and some redzone coverage of non UK televised games, but I didn't even know the guy existed. Let alone got game time this year.

TOss Sweep wrote: »

AJ Derby looked like he had talent with Jimmy G throwing to him and many felt he would get a better shot in the regular season but he was traded to Denver. Looked like he would do something but ended up with a couple of Thuds and 200 odd yds and then cut and the Fish picked him up. Dude has ability and wouldn't be surprised if he some how finds his way back to NE in the next couple of seasons.

Agreed with this. He showed promise but its not all there. I saw him playing for PIT and he had a couple of easy drops on drag/crossing routes.

In my head he's one of those guys that could improve and come back. Similar to Jimmy G!

Hulk Hands

Fairly great draft for the Vikings that year. Would happily take Eric Kendricks (2nd), Danielle Hunter (3rd) or Stefon Diggs (5th) as top 15 picks in a normal year. Ironically that years no.1, Trae Wayne's has probably graded out as a late 2nd early 3rd so far but has improved bigtime recently. Too much time and effort was given to that years 4th, TJ Clemmings. 2016 draft was a disaster in comparison

Realt Dearg Sec

That was current GM Ryan Paces first draft for the Bears. It's generally regarded as mediocre. We picked up Eddie Goldman and Adrian Amos, the latter in particular is starting to look like a really solid pick while Goldman has been a quietly effective worker. Whiffed on running back Langford and Centre Grasu hasn't progressed well.

But the real story here was obviously Kevin White. People generally regarded him as a good pick, went where he was projected. The main complaint was that Vic Beasley was available. Seem as a little raw but athletically spectacular, with no injury concerns, he has been in IR almost constantly since, and has looked very poor when he has been in, outshone by a udfa picked up the same year, Cam Meredith. Even if he makes it into the team as some kind of rotational player, it's a massive bust and it's been a stick to beat Pace with ever since, with the decision to look past Vic Beasley proving to have been even more disastrous than it looked even to those who made the point in the first place.