Official 2015 NFL Draft - Round 1 Thread

[Keith]

Always excited for draft day, but this class lacks some zeal for me, at least as far as the first round goes.

- QB
- Pass Rushers
- LT
- CB
...these are the premium positions to get in round 1, and since QB isn't happening, and LT is locked down, I'll be hoping for a pass rusher or CB. I just don't think the options there at #16 are going to wow me. Can't remember a year where a trade down seemed more appealing if the draft sorts out the way the mocks have.

Anyway, this is the thread for all general convo regarding the first round tonight. Let's have some fun.

[HPF Bob]

Lemme see..

Of the potential first rounders we have one guy who has been accused of rape, one who flunked the NFL combine drug test, one who had the drugs on him when stopped by the police, one who got kicked off the team, one who got kicked off the team and was prevented from joining another team by the NCAA, at least one who got a DWI and one now involved in a murder investigation.

And at the bottom of the draft, Dallas, Cincy, Baltimore, Pittsburgh and New England are going to grab all these felons and years later we'll hear about what great steals they were on draft day - except for the one or two that wound up in prison.

And we'll wonder each year why the same teams keep making the playoffs every year and how they manage to do it.

[Nconroe]

Lemme see..

Of the potential first rounders we have one guy who has been accused of rape, one who flunked the NFL combine drug test, one who had the drugs on him when stopped by the police, one who got kicked off the team, one who got kicked off the team and was prevented from joining another team by the NCAA, at least one who got a DWI and one now involved in a murder investigation.

And at the bottom of the draft, Dallas, Cincy, Baltimore, Pittsburgh and New England are going to grab all these felons and years later we'll hear about what great steals they were on draft day - except for the one or two that wound up in prison.

And we'll wonder each year why the same teams keep making the playoffs every year and how they manage to do it.

I think it is more the QB they have at this time, along with some coaching consistency.

[barrett]

Lemme see..

Of the potential first rounders we have one guy who has been accused of rape, one who flunked the NFL combine drug test, one who had the drugs on him when stopped by the police, one who got kicked off the team, one who got kicked off the team and was prevented from joining another team by the NCAA, at least one who got a DWI and one now involved in a murder investigation.

And at the bottom of the draft, Dallas, Cincy, Baltimore, Pittsburgh and New England are going to grab all these felons and years later we'll hear about what great steals they were on draft day - except for the one or two that wound up in prison.

And we'll wonder each year why the same teams keep making the playoffs every year and how they manage to do it.

New England's drafting in recent years makes Rick Smith look like Executive of the year.

2014
1st Dominique Easley didn't play
2nd Garroppolo barely saw the field
traded out of 3rd, got nothing late

2013
traded out of 1st
2 Jamie Collins solid, more talent than production at this point
2 Aaron Dobson, no good
3 Logan Ryan, good rookie year, not as productive in year 2
3 Duron Harmon, no good
nothing late

2012
1 Chandler Jones, very good
1 Dont'a Hightower, solid
2 Tayon Wilson, no good, barely played since rookie year
3 Jake Bequette, no good
Alfonzo Dennard late, a rotation DB

2011
1 Nate Solder, very good
2 Ras I Dowling, no good
2 Shane Vereen, definitely not worth a 2nd
3 Stevan Ridley, not worth a 3rd, both lost job to vet minimum Blount
3 Ryan Mallett, never played and dealt for a 7th
nothing late

I would take JJ watt over all 30 of their draft picks combined. I'd probably take Hopkins over every guy on this list (Jones is the only one that would make me think). And we've hit more often on starters than they have (Watt, Mercilous, Crick, Brooks, Jones, Newton, Bullock, Hopkins, Prosch).

New England is a great organization. They are superbly coached on Sundays. They have been bad in the draft for a long time and stay on top through a combination of Brady, Bellichik, killing everybody on trades, signing vets who want to play there in FA, and getting more out of their roster churn than almost everyone (like guys who make super bowl winning interceptions).

[chuck]

The quarterback and coaching consistency are critical, yes, but also is a good front office that has a team assembled well enough to be able to take a risk on a high risk/reward player. I would love for the Texans to be able to look around and say, Yeah, you know what, let's go ahead and take Beckham-Green. We have the organization here to support a guy like that and if he busts, well, OK.

But these guys whiff on so many draft picks that they really can't do that.

[barrett]

The quarterback and coaching consistency are critical, yes, but also is a good front office that has a team assembled well enough to be able to take a risk on a high risk/reward player. I would love for the Texans to be able to look around and say, Yeah, you know what, let's go ahead and take Beckham-Green. We have the organization here to support a guy like that and if he busts, well, OK.

But these guys whiff on so many draft picks that they really can't do that.

Again, New England whiffs on more. They have not struck out the last few years from risk/reward guys (with the exception of Easley). If anything the opposite is true. They trade down and increase their chances to get it right with extra picks and still blow it. They haven't drafted a decent WR in over a decade. Tom Brady just cures a lot of ills. So does properly managing your cap and not blowing money re-signing the wrong guys.

There is no doubt their front office is much better than ours. But they are not doing it through the draft.

[barrett]

And I am not arguing for our front office at all. I am disagreeing with any kind of sentiment that NE is good in the NFL draft.

[chuck]

So does properly managing your cap and not blowing money re-signing the wrong guys.

That's why I talked about assembling a team rather than drafting a team. I'm certainly not arguing that the Patriots draft well, but neither are they the only successful franchise over the last six, eight, ten years.

The Texans are trying to elevate themselves from the middle of the pack into the elite. Without the luxury of a Brady they have to manage their roster especially well. They haven't done that, I don't think, and several straight years of poor drafts does not help. The Texans really have to start finding guys in the second, third and fourth rounds who are difference makers rather than guys who can't play, don't play, or guys who quickly get cut from the team.

[HPF Bob]

Somehow they find Gronkowski and other low-round steals. I notice your analysis ignored him.

[HPF Bob]

The Texans really have to start finding guys in the second, third and fourth rounds who are difference makers rather than guys who can't play, don't play, or guys who quickly get cut from the team.

This. +++++

[chuck]

Somehow they find Gronkowski and other low-round steals. I notice your analysis ignored him.

They also manage to put together what usually are excellent offensive lines without going Cowboy crazy with high round draft picks.

But I'm not really interested in what those cheaters do or don't do. I'm interested in what our team does and hopefully we'll get out of this thing this year with multiple difference makers.

[chuck]

This. +++++

My main point was and still is if the team drafted better they could take a flyer on a guy with insane talent but some red flags. There seem to be more of those guys than usual this year and picking in the middle of the round could be a perfect time to look at a DBG or a Gordon or any one of the other dozen guys like that coming out this year.

They can't keep averaging half a productive player per draft like they've done over the past two years.

[Roy P]

I think Tampa Bay just made a huge mistake

[Roy P]

Luck, Bortles, Mariota. ...the Texans now have the 4th best QB in the Division.

[chuck]

I think Tampa Bay just made a huge mistake

I think the Titans just made a mistake, too. But as I always say, I am the world's worst projector of college quarterbacks.

Of course Tennessee could spend the next three hours figuring out ways to rape the Eagles.

[chuck]

Luck, Bortles, Mariota. ...the Texans now have the 4th best QB in the Division.

I'm not at all sure that Mallett can't play. We have a laughably small sample size but what we saw when he was healthy showed a lot to like.

[Roy P]

Dante Fowler. ...Hopefully we'll block him

[Roy P]

I was so hopeful that Amari Cooper would fall to us,but that was too good to be true. Now I am watching Kevin White and Vic Beasley.

[Roy P]

Washington going with Scherff, Leonard Williams, Vic Beasley, and Kevin White still available :)

[Roy P]

What do the Jets do?

[Roy P]

Kevin White is a Bear. Leaving Vic Beasley or Devante Parker.

[Roy P]

Vic Beasley going to Atlanta. Now I am looking for Devante Parker, or trade down for Eli Harold, Bud Dupree, Breshad Perriman, or a RB.

[Roy P]

Flowers off the board at 9 and I am happy that one of my guys falls to me. :)

[WMH]

Vic Beasley going to Atlanta. Now I am looking for Devante Parker, or trade down for Eli Harold, Bud Dupree, Breshad Perriman, or a RB.

Waynes wouldn't be too shabby either.

[HPF Bob]

Jets must be pinching themselves. How in the world did five teams pass up on Washington?

I think Parker goes to the Vikings and we're either looking at Bud Dupree or some guys I'm not real excited about. Maybe they'll surprise me and take Ray or Gregory.

[Roy P]

The Rams take the next Steven Jackson making Tre Mason the 3rd down back.

[Roy P]

Trae Waynes to the Vikings. DeVante Parker, Eli Harold, Bud Dupree, Breshad Perriman, and Melvin Gordon on the board. :)

[Roy P]

Guessing that New Orleans take my boy, Bud Dupree for Coach Ryan.

[Roy P]

Andrus Peat. ...thanks Sean Peyton. Can we really expect Parker at #16?

[chuck]

Jets must be pinching themselves. How in the world did five teams pass up on Washington?

Props to them for taking the best player despite being pretty set at the position. It's too bad that this isn't at Radio City. It would have been fun to watch all the Jets fans have a full-on, Beavis-style meltdown.

This is starting to get incherstin.

[Roy P]

Parker to the Dolphins, leaving me with Bud Dupree or Eli Harold

[chuck]

We are on the clock, men.

[Roy P]

SD moves up for Gordon or Dupree?

[Roy P]

The Texans should draft Eli Harold or Bud Dupree or Breshad Perriman

[chuck]

Wow. I was watching an interview with him before the draft and I got a weird feeling. Maybe they really do think Clowney will play.

[Roy P]

Kevin Johnson. ...ouch. Hope he doesn't have to tackle.

[Arky]

Curveball.

Texans select Kevin Johnson, DB, Wake Forest.

[chuck]

I assume Johnson will play in the slot.

[painekiller]

I assume Johnson will play in the slot.

Plus remember that both starting CBs miss games last season.

[WMH]

Braddock is floating a rumor that we're trying to get back into the 1st.

[Warren]

And the internet goes wild!

Looks like a solid pick. Also keep in mind that Joseph is going into the last year of his contract.

[Warren]

Anonymous scout:"I think Kevin Johnson is a helluva football player. He will come downhill and play the run. He is physical. He already got ejected one time for targeting. He is really good in coverage... I think he has a really good skill set. He is really intriguing. I was surprised how much I liked the tape."

[nunusguy]

I never thought Bud Dupree would make it to 16, then the Texans don't want him. Go figure ?

[chuck]

Pot's legal in Colorado so Shane Ray will like that.

[Roy P]

I never thought Bud Dupree would make it to 16, then the Texans don't want him. Go figure ?

Yeah, I am shaking my head.

[Roy P]

Braddock is floating a rumor that we're trying to get back into the 1st.

Hopefully for Eli Harold or Breshad Perriman. Maybe Preston Smith, or Stephone Anthony. Assuming that Eric Rowe is off the table. Maybe Jalen Strong or Phillip Dorsett?

[Roy P]

Ozzie Newsome is amazing and takes Breshad Perriman.

[HPF Bob]

Pot's legal in Colorado so Shane Ray will like that.

Watching NFL Network and Mayock is propping DJ Humphries like crazy. Then the Broncos take Shane Ray and the first two highlight clips are Ray destroying DJ Humphries. Then the Cardinals drafted Humphries with the next pick and Mayock is right back in Humphries' lap. Hysterical.

[WMH]

Seeing tweets that we got #32 From NE.

[Roy P]

Laken Tomlinson and Byron Jones sneak into the first round. Still surprised Eli Harold, Preston Smith, Stephone Anthony, Eric Rowe, Jalen Strong, Jake Fisher, Malcom Brown, and Devin Smith are still available.

[HPF Bob]

Now we're going to need another corner. Indy just took Philip Dorsett, WR, Da U.

[WMH]

Seeing tweets that we got #32 From NE.

Must've been BS, now seeing the Pats are taking Brown.

[HPF Bob]

Must've been BS, now seeing the Pats are taking Brown.

I don't know what the Pats would have wanted to trade down 20 spots. Even 2-19 and Swearingen would not have been nearly enough.

NFL Net says Patriots' pick is in.

[WMH]

I don't know what the Pats would have wanted to trade down 20 spots. Even 2-19 and Swearingen would not have been nearly enough.

NFL Net says Patriots' pick is in.

Prolly more about Belicheat showing how smart he is then subsequently blowing the pick. As long as he has Brady he could possibly do stupid things like that.

[Roy P]

The Saints steal Stephone Anthony. Pissed. :(

[Roy P]

Loss Vince Wilfork and replace with Malcolm Brown. Great pick. I hate the Patriots.

[Arky]

Round 1 in the books (with NFL.com grade):

1(1) Buccaneers Winston, Jameis QB 6'4" 231 Florida St. 6.7
2(2) Titans Mariota, Marcus QB 6'4" 222 Oregon 6.2
3(3) Jaguars Fowler, Jr., Dante OLB 6'3" 261 Florida 6.8
4(4) Raiders Cooper, Amari WR 6'1" 211 Alabama 7.1
5(5) Redskins Scherff, Brandon OG 6'5" 319 Iowa 6.4
6(6) Jets Williams, Leonard DE 6'5" 302 USC 7.5
7(7) Bears White, Kevin WR 6'3" 215 West Virginia 6.9
8(8) Falcons Beasley, Vic OLB 6'3" 246 Clemson 6.6
9(9) Giants Flowers, Ereck OG 6'6" 329 Miami 6.1
10(10) Rams Gurley, Todd RB 6'1" 222 Georgia 6.3
11(11) Vikings Waynes, Trae CB 6'0" 186 Michigan St. 6.3
12(12) Browns Shelton, Danny NT 6'2" 339 Washington 6.4
13(13) Saints Peat, Andrus OT 6'7" 313 Stanford 6.2
14(14) Dolphins Parker, DeVante WR 6'3" 209 Louisville 6.2
15(15) Chargers (From 49ers) Gordon, Melvin RB 6'1" 215 Wisconsin 6.2
16(16) Texans Johnson, Kevin CB 6'0" 188 Wake Forest 6.0
17(17) 49ers (From Chargers) Armstead, Arik DT 6'7" 292 Oregon 6.5
18(18) Chiefs Peters, Marcus CB 6'0" 197 Washington 5.9
19(19) Browns (From Bills) Erving, Cameron C 6'5" 313 Florida St. 5.8
20(20) Eagles Agholor, Nelson WR 6'0" 198 USC 5.7
21(21) Bengals Ogbuehi, Cedric OT 6'5" 306 Texas A&M 5.9
22(22) Steelers Dupree, Bud OLB 6'4" 269 Kentucky 6.1
23(23) Broncos (From Lions) Ray, Shane DE 6'3" 245 Missouri 6.6
24(24) Cardinals Humphries, D.J. OT 6'5" 307 Florida 6.2
25(25) Panthers Thompson, Shaq OLB 6'0" 228 Washington 5.6
26(26) Ravens Perriman, Breshad WR 6'2" 212 Central Florida 6.2
27(27) Cowboys Jones, Byron CB 6'1" 199 Connecticut 5.6
28(28) Lions (From Broncos) Tomlinson, Laken OG 6'3" 323 Duke 5.6
29(29) Colts Dorsett, Phillip WR 5'10" 185 Miami 5.8
30(30) Packers Randall, Damarious FS 5'11" 196 Arizona State 5.6
31(31) Saints (From Seahawks) Anthony, Stephone ILB 6'3" 243 Clemson 5.7
32(32) Patriots Brown, Malcom DT 6'2" 319 Texas 6.2

[WMH]

Hard to believe Indy didn't go D with their pick. Brown would've been a solid pick. Good for us.

[Keith]

Solid pick by the Texans. Would've figured they would be happy with Dupree, but I am going to interpret this as the team truly being encouraged by the progress Clowney is making.

Mid-first round is a great spot to get a solid corner. And guess what - our top competition in the division has a stellar WR corps this season and the Texans are going to have to get several cover guys like Johnson to help keep that under control. Andrew Luck will be the team's nemesis for a long time to come.

[painekiller]

Bucky Brooks had the pick right (http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-draft/0ap3000000486625/Top-3-draft-targets-Houston-Texans)

How did I miss this one.

[popanot]

I don't see how anyone could have a problem with CB, and according to some, Johnson was rated higher than the others and is the complete package. Time will tell if he can produce or not, but it certainly addresses an area of need considering our main division rival and with JJoe possibly in his last year. If the kid can play and we stay healthy, this should be a pretty stout D - especially if Clowney can come back.

I had mocked Gordon to the Texans and darn San Diego jumped us before I could find out if I hit it or not. �� Oh well, I'm hoping we can snag Abdullah or Duke Johnson at some point and add some youth and speed at RB.

As for the draft, that was about as boring of a 1rst RD as I can remember. Also, I'm actually glad TENN took Mariota. At least for now, I don't think they have the weapons to help him and it actually sets them back some. I was more concerned that Chip Kelly would get desperate and restock TENN with young talent and a bunch of picks.

[Roy P]

I am okay with Kevin Johnson. Considered him to be better than Trae Waynes. It's going to be interesting to see who else we select. Stephone Anthony going to New Orleans hurt. Hard to believe that we passed on Bud Dupree. Eli Harold and Bernardick McKinney are still on the board starting the 2nd round. There is also Preston Smith and Anthony Chickillo. I hope that we can get help at OLB. Then, there's the question about when Bryce Petty and Brett Hundley are selected.

[nunusguy]

Time to get that WR who can stretch the field, so I'm hoping the Ohio state universitys Devin Smith is available to us in the second and we do select him if he's on our Board.
The only problem I have with the Johnson pick is that he didn't even break 4.5 with his 40 at the Indy combine. So with what appears to be much less that elite speed how is he expected to keep up with Indys Y.A. and their newest speed receiver Phillip Dorsett ?

[HPF Bob]

Time to get that WR who can stretch the field, so I'm hoping the Ohio state universitys Devin Smith is available to us in the second and we do select him if he's on our Board.
The only problem I have with the Johnson pick is that he didn't even break 4.5 with his 40 at the Indy combine. So with what appears to be much less that elite speed how is he expected to keep up with Indys Y.A. and their newest speed receiver Phillip Dorsett ?

If we didn't need a CB at 1-16, we certainly did after the Colts took Dorsett. It won't matter if he doesn't make that many catches, he's enough of a threat to change your coverage if the Colts line up TY, AJ and Dorsett in the same formation.

The Texans are not equipped to a win a shootout. They have to shut the other team down to win.

[Keith]

The only problem I have with the Johnson pick is that he didn't even break 4.5 with his 40 at the Indy combine. So with what appears to be much less that elite speed how is he expected to keep up with Indys Y.A. and their newest speed receiver Phillip Dorsett ?
It's a good question, but take a look at his film and his combine. Johnson posted some good quickness numbers, has a good vertical, and more importantly, has very good hips and transition skills. He does have the look of a good cover guy.

On the surface, it seems the bigger concern than a 4.5 forty is that he's a bit skinny. But developmentally, physically, he has been a late bloomer and is very likely to still add some strength as a pro.

I'm encouraged that this is a pick with a very minimal downside. Will he be Deion or Revis? Almost certainly not, and he may even start slow to the NFL like Kareem Jackson, but this looks like a solid future starter.

Andrew Luck isn't going anywhere for a long time, so investing in a CB like this is a good idea, far better than using a 1st on a WR2.

[Keith]

As for the Colts taking Dorsett, this is quite possibly a good thing. They are already strong at the position with Hilton, AJ, and Moncrief, and there is only one football to go around.

Far worse would have been if the Colts decided to bolster their defense or running game. Of course, we're just one round in & they are likely to address those needs today, but at this point, an extra receiver isn't going to make their offense much more explosive than it would have been anyway.

And agreed on Mariota... I fear whether the Titans will be able to protect him, and watching him at Oregon, my immediate thought was that he was going to be hit hard in the NFL. It's a QB league, so I can't fault the Titans for recognizing that and trying to address it, but at the least this seems like the team will have to take a step back before taking a step forward.

[barrett]

Somehow they find Gronkowski and other low-round steals. I notice your analysis ignored him.

I admit my analysis of NE's drafting in RECENT years did not go back past their last four drafts.

5 years ago the Pats did have a very good 2010 draft that included Gronkowski, McCourty, and Hernandez. They were mostly bad in 2006-2009 and I didn't include those drafts in my list of recent years either.

[barrett]

Luck, Bortles, Mariota. ...the Texans now have the 4th best QB in the Division.

Want to make a gentleman's bet on who is more successful this year between Bortles and whatever warm body we put at QB? Bortles was dead last in QB rating out of 33 qualified passers last year. He will improve with time, but QBs generally don't become much more accurate as throwers. Bortles looks like bigger Jake Locker to me.