2015 NFL Draft Results & Grades: 1st Round

25. Carolina Panthers - Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington
2014 record: 7-8-1 (.490)
Top three needs: Pass rusher, OT, CB

Grade: B+

The Panthers made a surprise pick by ignoring their biggest needs and selected the BPA (best player available). Shaq Thompson is going to play outside linebacker in the NFL and could give the Panthers the best LB unit in the NFL.

26. Baltimore Ravens - Breshad Perriman, WR, Central Florida
2014 record: 10-6 (.475)
Top three needs: Pass rusher, RB, OL

Grade: A

Breshad Perriman was one of the fast risers due to pre-draft workouts and the Ravens were able to replace Torrey Smith with a bigger, faster version that doesn’t drop passes… as much.

27. Dallas Cowboys - Byron Jones, CB, Connecticut
2014 record: 12-4 (.445)
Top three needs: CB, DL, RB

Grade: B+

The Cowboys missed out on the top two running backs in the 2015 NFL Draft, but Byron Jones is one of the best athletes to enter the draft in years. Adding a 1st round CB gives them leverage with holdout Orlando Scandrick and Brandon Carr, who has refused a restructure.

28. Detroit Lions (via trade with Broncos) - Laken Tomlinson, G, Duke
2014 record: 12-4 (.521)
Top three needs: DL, LB, TE/WR

Grade: C+

While he might be a great story, Laken Tomlinson was a reach at #28. The trade back gives the pick more value, but the Lions took a player that was projected as a late 2nd-mid 3rd round pick. The Lions do need to keep the pocket clean for Matthew Stafford for him to be effective, but Malcolm Brown seemed to be a perfect fit to replace their two starting DTs that departed via free agency.

29. Indianapolis Colts - Phillip Dorsett, WR, Miami
2014 record: 11-5 (.471)
Top three needs: CB, DT, PK

Grade: B+

Phillip Dorsett late in the 1st after signing Andre Johnson in free agency screams “luxury pick” for the Colts. You can afford a few luxury picks when you have a guy like Andrew Luck at QB, especially at wide receiver. Dorsett is a small, bust FAST, clone of T.Y. Hilton. Dorial Green-Beckham would’ve been an interesting pick so that Luck would have a WR with some size for the long term but if the Colts locker room doesn’t want DGB, not many teams will.

30. Green Bay Packers - Damarious Randall, S, Arizona State
2014 record: 12-4 (.482)
Top three needs: ILB, DL, TE

Grade: A-

The Packers drafted HaHa Clinton-Dix last year and he turned out to be a solid choice. Pairing Damarious Randall and Clinton-Dix will give the Packers a formidable duo in the secondary for years to come; necessary in the NFC North.

31. New Orleans Saints - Stephone Anthony, MLB, Clemson
2014 record: 12-4 (.525)
Top three needs: TE, OL, DL

Grade: B

While Stephone Anthony fills a void left by Curtis Lofton, the 4-year starter at Clemson was not the top MLB available in the draft. Anthony is aggressive, but lacks the ideal instincts you would like to see in your MLB.

 

32. New England Patriots - Malcom Brown, DT, Texas
2014 record: 7-9 (.486)
Top three needs: CB, pass rusher, QB

Grade: B+

The Super Bowl Champion Patriots stay put at #32 and land a player many thought was a top-20 pick in Malcom Brown. Bill Belichick is adding athletic depth to the defensive line for the 2nd year in a row and that’s always a good place to have a bevy of playmakers.

 

Stay tuned for the 2nd round of the NFL draft on Friday, May 1st!

Top-30 Prospects Available
Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska
Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Missouri
La’el Collins, OT, LSU
Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
Landon Collins, SS, Alabama
Eli Harold, OLB, Virginia
Devin Smith, WR, Ohio State
Owamagbe Odighizuwa, DE, UCLA
Eric Kendricks, LB, UCLA
Jake Fisher, OT, Oregon
Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
Eric Rowe, DB, Utah
T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh
Tevin Coleman, RB, Indiana
Denzel Perryman, LB, Miami
Ronald Darby, DB, Florida State
Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota
Preston Smith, DE, Mississippi State
Mario Edwards, Jr., DT, Florida State
P.J. Williams, DB, Florida State
Jalen Collins, CB, LSU
Jordan Phillips, DT, Oklahoma
Donovan Smith, OL, Penn State
Benardrick McKinney, LB, Mississippi State
D’Joun Smith, CB, Florida Atlantic
Bryce Petty, QB, Baylor
Devin Funchess, WR/TE, Michigan
T.J. Yeldon, RB, Alabama
A.J. Cann, G, South Carolina
Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn

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