2015 NFL Draft Round 1 Live Coverage

Posted: April 30, 2015 | Author: | Filed under: Live Draft Coverage | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Welcome to the 2015 NFL Draft!

It’s one of the most exciting parts of the season, so here we go!

11:30 — Patriots select 32nd overall Texas DT Malcolm Brown

Rumor was the Patriots traded down, but those rumors appear to have been wrong. Brown is a solid pick for the Patriots, who need a tackle after Vince Wilfork’s departure. A run-stuffer who can get to the quarterback when asked, Brown will likely slot in as a starter immediately for New England.

11:25 — Saints select 31st overall Clemson ILB Stephone Anthony

Acquired from the Seahawks in the Unger-Graham trade, New Orleans used their extra pick to shore up the middle linebacker position. Originally a day two projection, Anthony is a surprise pick when both Eric Kendricks and Bernardrick McKinney were more highly regarded as 3-4 ILBs. Anthony is athletic and a playmaker, but will need to get a better feel for the game to keep himself from getting removed from plays and getting lost on the field.

11:17 — Packers select 30th overall Arizona St. S Damarious Randall

Last year the Packers grabbed Ha Ha Clinton-Dix to man safety, and this year Randall to pair with him. Although Green Bay locked up Sean Richardson, he’ll remain a reserve behind Randall in 2015.

11:12 — Colts select 29th overall Miami WR Phillip Dorsett

Dorsett is a talented receiver who can play inside and outside, but is a head-scratcher for Indy, who already have T.Y. Hilton, Andre Johnson and Donte Moncrief at receiver. Dorsett needs some polish but could become an impact receiver similarly to Hilton. However, Indy still has some huge needs on the offensive line and defense — and you have to wonder why they passed up talented offensive tackles, corners, safeties and defensive ends for a receiver.

11:03 — Lions select 28th overall Duke OG Laken Tomlinson

Tomlinson is the top guard on the board, and Detroit’s offensive line could use some help at guard and tackle. Tomlinson could step in immediately at left guard for the Lions, although recently acquired Manny Ramirez could be in play for guard or center as well.

11:00 — Cowboys select 27th overall Connecticut CB Byron Jones

Jones helped himself out in a big way at the draft, leading the cornerback group in nearly every drill. He’s physical, athletic, can cover and fills a need for Dallas. The Cowboys will need to work with Jones to make sure his previous injuries aren’t a roadblock moving forward, but otherwise have an excellent young corner in Jones.

10:54 — Ravens select 26th overall UCF WR Breshad Perriman

The Ravens had a hole to fill after Torrey Smith left in free agency, and picked up a home run receiver in the speedy Perriman. Consistency is a major issue with Perriman, who drops plenty of easy passes, and he’s a very raw route runner, but Perriman could make an impact as a rookie as a depth threat and eventually replace veteran Steve Smith as the no. 1 target for Joe Flacco.

10:47 — Panthers select 25th overall Washington OLB Shaq Thompson

Here’s your first-round reach, a guy people weren’t even sure what position he’d play in the pros since he was a two-way player at Washington, playing running back, linebacker, safety and special teams. It will be interesting to see where Thompson slots in for the Panthers, but don’t be surprised if he gets work as an in the box safety on running downs and as a gunner on special teams as a rookie.

10:42 — Cardinals select 24th overall Florida OT D.J. Humphries

Humphries is a solid selection for the Cardinals, who have need a right tackle for multiple seasons now. With the addition of Mike Iupati in free-agency and now Humphries to man the edge, Arizona should have a solid offensive line for the aging Carson Palmer. Humphries will need to work on his run blocking at right tackle, but is an immediate upgrade over Bobby Massie.

10:36 — Broncos select 23rd overall Missouri OLB Shane Ray

Denver gave up very little to move up five picks and get their guy in Ray (before Arizona grabbed Ray), who is likely the future replacement for DeMarcus Ware. Ray has injury and off-the-field concerns, but is one of the best pass-rushers in the draft class. Look for Ray to redshirt his rookie season (potentially have surgery to land on the PUP list) as Von Miller and Ware man the 3-4 outside ‘backer spots.

10:34 — Broncos have acquired the 23rd pick from the Lions in return for OG Manny Ramirez, the 28th overall pick and fifth round picks this year and next year.

10:30 — Steelers select 22nd overall Kentucky OLB Bud Dupree

Pass rusher was a need for the Steelers and they got a solid guy in Dupree, who many thought would go earlier in the draft. The departure of Jason Worilds (who would later retire) left a hole for Dupree to immediately step into.

10:25 — Bengals select 21st overall Texas A&M OT Cedric Ogbuehi

Many saw the Bengals going with a tackle due to left tackle Andrew Whitworth’s age (33) and contract situation after the season, but the raw Ogbuehi was viewed by many as the sixth or seventh best tackle in the draft. Ogbuehi will need to work on run blocking, but he has time behind Whitworth and starting right tackle Andre Smith.

10:20 — Eagles select 20th overall USC WR Nelson Agholor

Out goes Jeremy Maclin (and DeSean Jackson) and in comes Nelson Agholor. One of the better route runners in the 2015 receiver class, Agholor can do it all at receiver and contribute on special teams early on. Chip Kelly is likely hoping Agholor can match up with Jordan Matthews to make up for the loss of Maclin and help out new quarterback Sam Bradford.

10:13 — Browns select 19th overall Florida St. C Cameron Erving

Jameis Winston’s C, LG, LT (you name it) last season, Erving projects as a center in the NFL. It’s an interesting pick for the Browns, as they already have Alex Mack in the fold at center, so Erving will likely slot in at guard at first for Cleveland.

10:06 — Chiefs select 18th overall Washington CB Marcus Peters

Peters is a raw, talented corner, but the big story is his long sheet of off-the-field issues, including being removed from the Washington team in November. Andy Reid’s staff will need to keep a close eye on Peters and make sure he doesn’t go the way of 2014 first round pick Justin Gilbert.

10:00 — 49ers select 17th overall Oregon DE Arik Armstead

The 49ers’ defense needs some help after losing Patrick Willis, Chris Borland and Justin Smith all in one offseason, and Armstead will slot in immediately at 3-4 end to take over for Smith. Armstead will need to prove he’s a true player rather than an on and off guy with a low motor, but has the athleticism to stuff the run and rush from the end position.

9:54 — Texans select 16th overall Wake Forest CB Kevin Johnson

Considered by some to be a better corner than Trae Waynes, Johnson shores up a Texans corner corps with little depth behind starters Kareem Jackson and Jonathan Joseph while providing a possible successor to the veteran Joseph. Similarly to Waynes, Johnson will need to work on his run support to keep from being exploited as a rookie.

9:47 — Chargers select 15th overall Wisconsin RB Melvin Gordon

The Chargers jumped ahead of Houston to make sure they got their guy in Gordon, who was seen by many to be a very close second in the running back group behind Gurley. Gordon will need to prove he’s not another product of the Wisconsin system, as Denver is still looking for Montee Ball (Wisconsin’s all time yardage record holder) to prove the same.

9:44 — San Diego has acquired the 15th overall pick from San Francisco for the 17th overall pick and several late picks.

9:43 — Dolphins select 14th overall Louisville WR DeVante Parker

Parker was a highly projected pick for the Dolphins, offering a solid receiver opposite deep threat Kenny Stills. Ryan Tannehill is in a contract season for 2016, so giving him another big target should let the Dolphins figure out in 2015 if Tannehill is their guy moving forward.

9:34 — Saints select 13th overall Stanford OT Andrus Peat

Another surprise pick, Peat offers flexibility for the Saints at tackle. Perhaps the best all around tackle in the draft, Peat could immediately start at left tackle, bumping Terron Armstead into guard opposite Jahri Evans. Peat’s selection should go a long way towards fixing up an offense that struggled in 2014, but they’ll still need a weapon on offense after trading away both Jimmy Graham and Kenny Stills.

9:27 — Browns select 12th overall Washington DT Danny Shelton

Shelton is a big get for the Browns, not only as a talent — he’s a big guy. Cleveland will slot the 339 lb Shelton in at nose tackle immediately, filling a major hole in their 3-4 front.

9:20 — Vikings select 11th overall Michigan St. CB Trae Waynes

The Vikings used this pick to shore up the defensive backfield, getting a solid sized corner in Waynes. Drawing favorable comparisons to Kyle Fuller, Waynes should also make an immediate impact, but will need to work on his run support to become an all around solid player.

9:13 — Rams select tenth overall Georgia RB Todd Gurley

If you’re confused by this, you’re not alone. Gurley has all the making of a dominant NFL runner, but joins a crowded backfield with Tre Mason, Benny Cunningham and Zac Stacy. Presumably the Rams will return to ground and pound under Greg Fisher, but they dearly need an offensive line to block for Gurley.

9:06 — Giants select ninth overall Miami OT Ereck Flowers

Flowers is a big, strong tackle who will step in immediately at right tackle for the G-Men, bumping Justin Pugh to guard. Flowers will need some work on his pass blocking technique, but has experience at both tackle positions and could shift inside if he proves to have issues blocking outside at the pro level. With a mean streak and brutal punch off the snap, Flowers makes a valuable mauling blocker from day one.

9:01 — Falcons select eighth overall Clemson OLB Vic Beasley

A heavily predicted selection, Beasley is regarded as many as the best rusher in the draft and will make an impact immediately for Atlanta. Size could be an issue, as Beasley will have trouble with tackles if he can’t put on some weight and learn to play towards technique rather than simply utilizing his speed.

8:53 — Bears select seventh overall West Virginia WR Kevin White

White is a great pick for Chicago, who dearly needed an offensive threat opposite Alshon Jeffrey after the trade of Brandon Marshall to New York. White has an impressive height/speed combination, but is still mostly a potential player and some have predicted him to bust a la Darrius Heyward-Bey with the Raiders.

8:47 — Jets select sixth overall USC DE Leonard Williams

What an interesting pick…the already stacked defensive line gets a very talented player that many considered the best player in the 2015 class. Will Muhammed Wilkerson get traded now? Passing up the likes of Randy Gregory, Shane Ray and Bud Dupree leaves the Jets with a need at pass rusher that could be addressed with a later pick.

8:39 — Redskins select fifth overall Iowa OT Brandon Scherff

An interesting pick for the ‘Skins, Scherff can play inside or outside. It should be interesting where he plays come opening day. Trent Williams is quite the building block at left tackle, so right tackle is an option, or guard as well. Either way, the ‘Skins run game just got a ton better.

8:34 — Raiders select fourth overall Alabama WR Amari Cooper

It seems the draft is progressing without trades with the only surprise being Leonard Williams’ continued fall. Cooper will team up with Derek Carr in Oakland as an early impact player. Cooper may never be a truly electric player, but he’s a solid receiver right out of the gate with the potential to be a dominant possession receiver with additional upside.

8:27 — Jaguars select third overall Florida DE/OLB Dante Fowler, Jr.

It will be interesting to see what Jacksonville does with Fowler, who reminds some of Kahlil Mack and Von Miller in the possibility of playing 4-3 end, 3-4 rusher or maybe even 4-3 sam linebacker. Fowler may be perfect for the Leo role, although Jacksonville just shelled out in free-agency for Dan Skuta ostensibly to fill that role.

8:20 — Titans select with the no. 2 overall pick Oregon QB Marcus Mariota

Mariota goes no. 2 off the board. Don’t set him in stone with the Titans, there’s no reason he might not be traded before the season starts ala Eli Manning. If Mariota stays, you can bet Zack Mettenberger will be on the block. Mariota is so much hype and potential right now that it would be interesting to see if Tennessee chooses to go with Mariota for week one. Mettenberger’s agent is already reportedly looking into trade options for his player, while Chris Mortenson claims the Titans will not trade Mariota.

8:13 — Buccaneers select with first overall pick Florida St. QB Jameis Winston

Predictably, the Buccaneers go with Jameis Winston. With that, Mike Glennon is likely on the block, although it would be interesting to see if TB can get any takers after his poor play last season. Winston’s a sort of home town quarterback with his tenure at Florida State, and should be an excellent ticket seller for the Buccaneers if nothing else.