23. Missouri OLB Shane Ray
59. Colorado State T/G Ty Sambrailo
92. Ohio State TE Jeff Heuerman
133. Florida C Max Garcia
164. Tulane CB Lorenzo Doss
203. Maryland NT Darius Kilgo
250. Northwestern QB Trevor Siemian
251. Tulane CB Taurean Nixon
252. Oklahoma State SS Josh Furman
Good Move - I liked the Broncos aggressively pouncing on the sliding Shane Ray, a selection they would not have even factored a week prior to the draft. Well worth the risk in the Broncos position. I thought Ty Sambrailo to be a prototype Broncos lineman, a finesse zone guy with exceptional footwork, though he needs to develop more power and strength he should be vying for a starting role in 2015.
Bargain Pick - Max Garcia will bring versatility to the O-line having started full seasons at Guard and Center and also played some Tackle in college. He's a powerful lineman who will excel in the run game, which the Broncos want to improve. He's probably not the ideal fit for a zone block scheme but Manny Ramirez was shopped as part of the move up for Shane Ray, so Garcia should compete for the starting Center spot in camp.
Risk / Reward Gamble - Shane Ray was regarded as a top 10 pick until reports of a foot injury and a citation for marijuana possession the week before the draft. His stock fell and Denver were the beneficiaries, trading up to #23 to take advantage. Ray is fast and explosive and regarded as one of the best pass-rushers in the draft, though is short-armed and could struggle to get off blocks. He could be a bargain and long-term replacement for Demarcus Ware but there are red flags here too.
Tell Me Why Again? - I didn't particularly like the late round picks for a team looking for immediate impact in a Superbowl push. I also thought Jeff Heuerman was a high-pick for a Broncos team with depth at TE but his superior blocking may get him some playing time.
18. Washington CB Marcus Peters
49. Missouri OL Mitch Morse
76. Georgia WR Chris Conley
98. Oregon State CB Steven Nelson
118. Georgia ILB Ramik Wilson
172. Oregon State LB D.J. Alexander
173. Illinois State TE James O'Shaughnessy
217. Southern Miss DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches
233. Northern Illinois WR Da'Ron Brown
Good Move - The Chiefs primary need was to address the secondary. The Peters pick at #18 has plenty of associated risk so the double-down on corner with the talented Steven Nelson at #98 was a smart move.
Bargain Pick - James O'Shaughnessy will be given time to develop behind Travis Kelce but brings good hands, athleticism and speed. He won't offer much as a blocker initially but could be a mismatch out wide.
Risk / Reward Gamble - On the field, Marcus Peters brings prototype size for a corner, a 38% completion rate when targeted during the last 2 seasons in college and 8 interceptions. Off the field, Peters was suspended for one game in 2014 for a sideline tirade, then kicked off the team for multiple run-ins with coaching staff. It's a positional need pick for the Chiefs and for Peters it's probably a huge plus that Andy Reid will be his Head Coach. Can the Chiefs manage his personality in exchange for on-field performance?
Tell Me Why Again? - Mitch Morse at #49 seemed far too high for an intelligent but athletically limited O-lineman who will be transitioning inside from Tackle in the pro's. It only fits though that an Andy Reid led team should choose at least one lineman in the early rounds.
4. Alabama WR Amari Cooper
35. Florida State DL Mario Edwards
68. Miami TE Clive Walford
128. Miami OG Jon Feliciano
140. Kansas LB Ben Heeney
161. Florida LB Neiron Ball
179. Virginia LB/DE Max Valles
218. Tennessee State OT Anthony Morris
221. Florida WR Andre Debose
242. Kansas CB Dexter McDonald
Good Move - Oakland prioritised some targets for Derek Carr high up the draft and in almost un-Oakland like fashion selected Amari Cooper at #4 who was regarded as one of the more sure-fire players in the draft - the highly polished receiver will start Day One. Clive Walford is a receiving TE and he too could push to start early in his career but must improve his blocking.
Bargain Pick - Max Valles is a development pick for Oakland but someone who I enjoyed watching at Virginia working the opposite OLB spot from Eli Harold who went exactly 100 picks earlier to the 49ers. Valles may be more athlete right now, but was productive in college. If he can continue to develop and maybe bulk up a little, the Raiders could have a real value late round pick.
Risk / Reward Gamble - Mario Edwards was an enigma at Florida State, showing flashes of brilliance but consistently underachieving. There are some weight issues to address too, and it will be a tough challenge for Oakland to transfer his level of ability into his level of play.
Tell Me Why Again? - Unlike many previous drafts, it's hard to pick too many holes in this draft class. Oakland have come out with a handful of starters, some players with opportunities to start / contribute, then later round high measurables guys to be developed. They've rolled the dice with Edwards but I think we can afford them one typical Raiders gamble at least. This roster still has many holes but a step in the right direction.
15. Wisconsin RB Melvin Gordon
48. Miami ILB Denzel Perryman
83. Texas State CB Craig Mager
153. North Dakota State OLB Kyle Emanuel
192. Arkansas DT Darius Philon
Good Move - RB was a need position and Melvin Gordon was inarguably one of the top 2 running backs in the draft class. He starts for the Chargers immediately and instantly upgrades the offense.
Bargain Pick - Kyle Emanuel dominated at FCS level (19 sacks in 2014) but will find a steep upward curve from small school competition to the NFL. However he has a good first step burst, a non-stop motor and remained productive against top 25 teams too. Based on all these, he has an opportunity to make his mark and could prove to be a bargain 5th round pick.
Risk / Reward Gamble - Denzel Perryman is undersized at 5'11 and relatively slow (ran a 4.78 40 at the combine) but was a productive thumper at Miami. He's likely a 2-down LB but there's a need in San Diego and Perryman could replace Butler or Te'o if his smarts can overcome physical limitations. Comparisons to Vilma and Beason may be flattering but if he lived up to them, San Diego would be delighted.
Tell Me Why Again? - The Chargers parted with their 2015 4th rounder and 2016 fifth rounder in order to move up just 2 places to leapfrog the Texans and select Melvin Gordon. It demonstrated how desperate the Chargers were to obtain a replacement for Ryan Matthews but this seemed a heavy price to pay for just a 2 spot move, particularly when it was not a clear cut decision that the Texans would go RB. The only other quibble would be the absence of an O-lineman from the draft class. With only 5 picks opportunities were a little limited, but I would have been handing in the card for T.J Clemmings at #83 rather than Craig Mager who seemed a bit of a reach this early.
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