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April 14, 2015Indians add Hayes, DFA Marcum, and sign Chacin
April 14, 2015The 2015 NFL Draft is a deep draft with a lot of players who can make big impacts in the NFL. I have released my top five prospects at each position in the draft. Now I have compiled my big board of the top 20 prospects in the entire draft.
In my big board, I have sorted them also by tier levels. Tier one is for top five worthy talents, tier two is for players right behind tier one, who are top ten worthy picks. Tier three is for players in the middle of the first round from picks 10-25. So, here are my top 20 players in the 2015 NFL Drafts.
1. DL Leonard Williams, USC
Leonard Williams is the No. 1 player on my big board because of his versatility and skillset of quickness and power. He probably has the fewest question marks of any prospect in the draft. He can fit in any defensive system and can play right away for an NFL team. He has the ability to start right away and become a havoc to block in the NFL.
Tier Level: One
Position Rank: No. 1 Interior Defensive Lineman
2. WR Kevin White, West Virginia
Kevin White is a physical freak with the ability to run past or through a defender after making a catch. He has great hands and can go up and get a ball over any cornerback. He can produce right away for an offense, especially being a threat in the redzone. He has potential to be a number one receiver and be a huge playmaker in the NFL.
Tier Level: One
Position Rank: No. 1 Wide Receiver
3. WR Amari Cooper, Alabama
Amari Cooper is a smooth athlete with not much question marks revolved around him. He has big play ability with speed and quickness to make defenders miss after the catch. He is not far behind White as the number one receiver. He can be an immediate contributor on day one and become an elite receiver in the NFL.
Tier Level: One
Position Rank: No. 2 Wide Receiver
4. RB Todd Gurley, Georgia
Todd Gurley has everything you need in a running back. He has great power and quickness to make defenders miss along with vision to find the holes and hit it. His only question mark is his injury status, which reports say he is on track to heal to his former self. He can play all three downs and tote the rock for a team as the featured back. He’s been linked to the Browns in one pundit’s recent mock draft.
Tier Level: One
Position Rank: No. 1 Running Back
5. EDGE Shane Ray, Missouri
Shane Ray is one of the most explosive athletes in the entire draft. His first step gives him a step ahead of the offensive lineman with power and speed to make it completely difficult for linemen to block him. He has the pass rushing ability to immediately get sacks in the NFL and become a player teams must scheme against.
Tier Level: Two
Position Rank: No. 1 Edge Rusher
6. EDGE Dante Fowler Jr., Florida
Dante Fowler Jr. may be the most versatile edge rusher in the draft. He is an athletic player with speed and strength. He sets the edge very well and can rush the passer with speed and power. He can immediately come in as an edge player and play all three downs for a defense.
Tier Level: Two
Position Rank: No. 2 Edge Rusher
7. EDGE Vic Beasley, Clemson
Vic Beasley is a freakish athlete with great explosion. His first step is just as quick as Ray’s and allows him to get an early advantage on offensive linemen. His pass rushing ability will give him the opportunity to play right away with potential to get bigger to become a three down player on the edge.
Tier Level: Two
Position Rank: No. 3 Edge Rusher
8. QB Jameis Winston, Florida State
Jameis Winston has a NFL caliber arm and very good intelligence. He throws with very good anticipation and with the ability to throw through small windows. His biggest question mark is his off-the-field character. He can definitely come in immediately to play as a starter and with some work on his technique and accuracy, he can be a franchise quarterback for a team.
Tier Level: Two
Position Rank: No. 1 Quarterback
9. QB Marcus Mariota, Oregon
Marcus Mariota has great athleticism and a good arm. He has good accuracy with the ability to change speeds on his passes depending on where he is throwing it. His intelligence will allow him to convert to a pro style offense after playing in Oregon’s offense. He will most likely need a little time to develop, but he has the makings of a franchise quarterback. Might the Browns trade up for his services?
Tier Level: Two
Position Rank: No. 2 Quarterback
10. WR DeVante Parker, Louisville
DeVante Parker is the third receiver on this list, but he has the talent to be a very good receiver in the NFL. His huge catch radius is a quarterback’s dream along with his sure hands. His health will be something he must answer along with gaining more strength. But, his catch radius makes him an immediate contributor in the redzone with the ability to develop into a No. 1 receiver.
Tier Level: Two
Position Rank: No. 3 Wide Receiver
11. DL Danny Shelton, Washington
Danny Shelton is a huge human being with great strength to be a force in the trenches. He is a prototypical nose tackle with the ability to take up two blockers and fill up the interior running lanes. He is not a big pass rushing threat right now, but his run stopping ability will make him an immediate starter on first and second downs.
Tier Level: Two
Position Rank: No. 2 Interior Defensive Lineman
12. S Landon Collins, Alabama
Landon Collins is the best defensive back in the draft and one of two to make it into my big board. He can diagnose an offense and react very quickly towards the ball. He is great in run support, but he also is very underrated in coverage. He should be able to start right away as a strong safety for a NFL team.
Tier Level: Three
Position Rank: No. 1 Safety
13. OG Brandon Scherff, Iowa
Brandon Scherff is a run blocking machine with the ability to plow open holes for his running game. He has the versatility to play both offensive tackle and offensive guard, but is more suited to play guard. His run blocking will get him on the field quickly and help him become a starter right away.
Tier Level: Three
Position Rank: No. 1 Interior Offensive Lineman
14. DL Malcom Brown, Texas
Malcom Brown is a versatile defensive lineman who can both help stop the run and rush the passer. He has very good quickness off the line and uses his strong hands very well. His ability to play multiple spots on the line will give him more opportunities to contribute right away.
Tier Level: Three
Position Rank: No. 3 Interior Defensive Lineman
15. OT La’el Collins, LSU
La’el Collins is my number one offensive tackle in the draft. He plays with anger and uses his girth and strength to shovel defenders back. He is a very good run blocker with the feet to stay in front of rushers in pass protection. He should be able to play right away because of his run blocking ability.
Tier Level: Three
Position Rank: No. 1 Offensive Tackle
16. DJ Humphries, Florida
DJ Humphries is right behind Collins at the top of the offensive tackle class. He has very good athleticism to play well in both run and pass blocking. His quick feet give him the ability to stay in front of speed rushers and always be in position to make a block. His athleticism should help him transfer to the NFL and play on the line right away.
Tier Level: Three
Position Rank: No. 2 Offensive Tackle
17. EDGE Randy Gregory, Nebraska
Randy Gregory has great size and athleticism for an edge rusher. He can move very well in space and has fluid hips to bend around the edge to the quarterback. His strength and character off the field are two big question marks for him. If he can answer these question marks, his athleticism and size will allow him to get on the field quickly.
Tier Level: Three
Position Rank: No. 4 Edge Rusher
18. DL Eddie Goldman, Florida State
Eddie Goldman is a big man with great strength to hold his ground in the trenches. He is a tough player to move in the run game and can fill up the inside gaps in the running game. His athletic ability to move at his size is very impressive. He should be able to play right away because of his strong run stopping ability.
Tier Level: Three
Position Rank: No. 4 Interior Defensive Lineman
19. CB Trae Waynes, Michigan State
Trae Waynes has great athleticism and length to be a NFL starting cornerback. He is very adept at playing in press coverage. His speed allows him to keep up with receivers and if he is behind, he can recover very quickly. His athleticism, size and press corner ability should help him get on the field sooner than later.
Tier Level: Three
Position Rank: No. 1 Cornerback
20. C Cameron Erving, Florida State
Cameron Erving is the best center in the draft. His athleticism and versatility to play every spot on the line is very enticing for NFL teams. His quickness and strong hands help him get to defenders quickly and then control them. He might need a little time to develop at center, but he could play right away because of his athleticism.
Tier Level: Three
Position Rank: No. 2 Interior Offensive Lineman
17 Comments
Great stuff Joe. I disagree with a few (like having any RB ranked top4), but, hey, that’s why these are fun. Leonard, Fowler, Shelton, Parker/Cooper are my top5.
I’m not quite as high on White, but do see the characteristics that many love in him. I also do love that you have Gregory down compared to many boards and Humphries up. I agree there.
It’ll be interesting to see if a team is willing to take Scherff that high and make him an OG.
I just love Gurley and think he will be Adrian Peterson like, so that is why I have him that high.
yep, if he’s an Adrian Peterson, then well worth the pick. I just don’t think he’s quite on that level and even AP was the 7th overall pick (just love bringing up the ’07 draft. 3 HOFers in the first 7 picks and we actually DID pick one).
People need to come to grips that ATL could easily take Shelton a few picks before us. Their interior DL is even more suspect that the Browns.
Nick Chubb is better.
I’m not high on any QB who’s never played under center.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Chicago pick him either. He is good and any team that needs interior DL help is going to be taking a long look at him.
Agreed. I couldn’t be more gun-shy about trading up to grab Mariota.
The 20 guys listed are precisely why I am really hoping both first round draft picks are utilized and not used as part of a trade. Quit chasing the QB dream especially when the candidates are far from sure things and start accumulating talent.
Especially one that hasn’t played under center since HS.
hi Joe … good work. the interesting thing for me will be randy gregory. if he drops to 19 should the browns seriously consider him or look the other way ??
Thats a very interesting question. It all depends on who is still left on the board
hi TRS … for once , i agree with you.
hi guys … i don’t know what playing under center has to do with anything. you can either play QB or you can’t … i mean how hard is it to teach a smart guy how to take a snap from under center ??
It is not taking the snap, it is the footwork on drops along with being able to properly see the field during those drops that is difficult for many that have only ever been in a shotgun to adjust
hi MG … i understand that. i think mariota will learn rather quickly.
It’s also the internal clock, developed by starting the play at the line of scrimmage.
It’s calling your own audibles instead of watching the sidelines for plays and adjustments.
Shotgun offenses usually only have one, maybe two reads.
And play action? Doesn’t exist in shotgun offenses.