27. Connecticut DB Byron Jones
60. Nebraska DE Randy Gregory
91. Florida T/G Chaz Green
127. Minnesota ILB Damien Wilson
163. Purdue DE Ryan Russell
236. Wyoming LB Mark Nzeocha
243. Virginia Tech OT Laurence Gibson
246. Texas TE Geoff Swaim
Good Move - Addressing a team need in Rd1 with Byron Jones;
Jones is a high character team captain, both tall and fast, whose athletic performance at the combine was outstanding. Not best suited for man cover but made a lot of sense for the Cowboys at #27
Bargain Pick - Damien Wilson was productive in college. His athleticism will limit his role in the pro's but Dallas require LB depth so he has an opportunity to contribute.
Risk / Reward Gamble - Randy Gregory was a top 10 talent who fell to #60 on the back of 2 failed drug tests and a combine weigh-in at 225lbs. If the Cowboys can get Gregory's head in order, he has the frame to bulk-up to resolve the other issue. The first part will be far more difficult than the latter. It's an "If" but at #60 well worth the gamble on a player who at times in college was dominant.
Tell Me Why Again? - Gregory could make this draft for Dallas, but many of these picks felt like reaches and come on, no RB selected at all? The Cowboys 2014 success was all on the back of Demarco Murray. Gurley and Gordon were gone before #27 but it was a stellar draft class for RB's. No Tevin Coleman? No Jay Adayi? No Jeremy Langford? The Cowboys could come to regret this, they currently have oft-injured Darren McFadden to carry a hefty load. Not addressing the RB position seems foolhardy at best.
9. Miami OT Ereck Flowers
33. Alabama SS Landon Collins
74. UCLA DE Owa Odighizuwa
144. Texas S Mykkele Thompson
186. Connecticut WR Geremy Davis
226. Florida State OT Bobby Hart
Good Move - Landon Collins isn't the greatest cover safety but is an aggressive, big hitting tackler. Used in the right manner he could be a true enforcer. The Giants got the top safety in the draft at #33
Bargain Pick - UCLA's Owa Odighizuwa is an athletic, long armed DE who with more pass-rush refinement could be an absolute steal
Risk / Reward Gamble - Collins is re-listed here simply because the Giants paid a lot (2nd round, 4th round and 6th round picks) to move up just 7 places for him.
Tell Me Why Again? - Is it just me, or was this a strange draft class? Don't the Giants have pressing needs at LB which weren't addressed at all? Ereck Flowers filled a need, but his pass block technique needs improvement and I didn't see him as a top 10 pick. Even the late round picks were confusing. From the 5th round onwards the Giants seemed to select people projected to be free agents. Even 5th round pick Mykkele Thompson admitted that he didn't expect to be drafted.
20. USC WR Nelson Agholor
47. Utah CB Eric Rowe
84. Texas LB Jordan Hicks
191. Kansas CB JaCorey Shepherd
196. Kansas State CB Randall Evans
237. Boston College DE Brian Mihalik
Good Move - Finding a suitable replacement for Jeremy Maclin;
Nelson Agholor is a ready made replacement for Maclin, comparable in style and coming at about 1/5th of the salary. He'll likely contribute in the return game too. Looks a little bit lightweight but is difficult to tackle in the open field. Ideal fit for a Chip Kelly offense;
Bargain Pick - The best bargain was a 3rd rounder from Detroit next year for the Eagles 4th round pick this year. That aside, former WR JaCorey Shepherd has exceptional ball skills (32 passes defensed in last 2 yrs of college) and can play press cover. One of the better corners in college football last year and a bargain for the 6th round. Knocks against him for run support but he should contribute for the Eagles in 2015.
Risk / Reward Gamble - The biggest gamble failed to materialise with the Titans electing to stick at #2 and select Marcus Mariota.
Tell Me Why Again? - This Eagles team was a QB and a secondary away from a Superbowl run. I know Kelly is a Mariota fan but he risked the ranch on moving up to get him. If I was Tennessee, I'd have happily taken a top-notch starter (Fletcher Cox) and a high quality slot corner (Brandon Boykin) plus 2 first rounders in exchange for #2; How will some Eagles players react to being on the trade block?
5. Iowa T/G Brandon Scherff
38. Mississippi State OLB Preston Smith
95. Florida RB Matt Jones
105. Duke WR Jamison Crowder
112. Alabama OG Arie Kouandjio
141. Arkansas ILB Martrell Spaight
181. Virginia Tech S Kyshoen Jarrett
182. Arkansas CB Tevin Mitchel
187. Ohio State WR Evan Spencer
222. South Florida C Austin Reiter
Good Move - A solid if unspectacular draft - the Redskins addressed several needs;
From the pick of Scherff through Smith, Jones, Koundijo and Spaight the Skins went for physical, hard-nosed players. New GM Scot McCloughan isn't hitting for the fences but looking to steadily improve this team.
Bargain Pick - 5th round LB Martrell Spaight;
The SEC leader in tackles in 2014, he'll only be a 2-down player in the NFL but has a realistic chance of forcing himself into the starting line-up in Washington. Need position and physical contributor.
Risk / Reward Gamble - Preston Smith was a hand-down DE in college and will likely convert to 3-4 LB in Washington. Was solid, if not spectacular in college, but shows potential to break out.
Tell Me Why Again? - If I'm being picky, Scherff is best suited to play inside at Guard. He's the best lineman in the draft but do you take a Guard as a top 5 pick? I'll give Washington the benefit of the doubt that they couldn't find a trade down partner and knew the Giants were in the hunt at #9. Will they regret passing on Leonard Williams?
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