2015 NFL Draft Review: Team-by-Team Analysis

The 2015 NFL Draft has come to a close. And while we won't know how good each team's draft class is for at least a couple of years (three is the normal measuring stick), many people judge draft classes right after the draft, based on player projections and how many needs a team filled. I'll look at each team's draft haul, including their top pick and they're best value pick. I'm not a scout (I'm mostly going off what actual scouts are saying), but you will see common draft buzz words such as "steal", "sleeper", "potential", "value", "injury concerns", and "character concerns". (Stats and information from NFL.com)
Arizona Cardinals
Top Pick: Florida OT D.J. Humphries (24th overall)
Humphries is a good pick up for the Cardinals, who are revamping their offensive line. He could have been drafted higher and could possibly end up being the best lineman in this draft.
Best Value: Northern Iowa RB David Johnson (86th)
Johnson is a big back (6'1", 224 lbs.) who performed well at the combine (4.5 40), and could be a good compliment to the smaller Andre Ellington.
Other Picks: 

• Missouri DE Marcus Golden (58th)
• Delaware St. DE Rodney Gunter (116th)
• West Virginia DE Shaquille Riddick (158th)
• UAB WR J.J. Nelson (159th)
• Louisville TE Gerald Christian (256th)

Arizona shored up their defensive line by adding three defensive ends. Golden and Riddick will most likely compete for a starting job, and Nelson is undersized (5'10", 156 lbs.) but fast (4.28 40). The Cards also got Mr. Irrelevant (the last pick of the draft), Louisville TE Gerald Christian.

Atlanta Falcons

Top Pick: Clemson OLB Vic Beasley (8th)

Beasley is a great match for a team that had the worst defense in the NFL last year. He's an elite pass rusher with very high athleticism who should make an impact early.

Best Value: Clemson NT Grady Jarrett (137th)

Jarrett is another strong addition to the Falcons' porous defense, and a great value in the fifth round, as he was projected as high as round two.

Other Picks:

• LSU CB Jalen Collins (42nd)
• Indiana RB Tevin Coleman (73rd)
• East Carolina WR Justin Hardy (107th)
• Eastern Washington OT Jake Rodgers (225th)
• San Jose St. DB Akeem King (249th)

The Falcons had a very good draft, improving their defense with Beasley, Jarrett, and Collins, who could be the best corner in the draft class once he gains experience (just 10 starts at LSU). They also helped out Matt Ryan with underrated picks in Coleman and Hardy. King, a converted receiver, is raw, but has elite size for a defensive back (6'3").

Baltimore Ravens

Top Pick: UCF WR Breshad Perriman (26th)

Perriman saw his draft stock rise immensely, with some projecting him as high as ten, so Baltimore was happy to get Torrey Smith's replacement at 26.

Best Value: Iowa DT Carl Davis (90th)

The 6'5", 320-pound Davis was projected as a high second round pick, and the Ravens got the guy who could help fill Haloti Ngata's void late in the third round.

Other Picks:

• Minnesota TE Maxx Williams (55th)
• Kentucky DE Za'Darius Smith (122nd)
• USC RB Javorius Allen (125th)
• Texas Southern CB Tray Walker (136th)
• Delaware TE Nick Boyle (171st)
• Tennessee St. G Robert Myers (176th)
• Georgia Tech WR Darren Waller (204th)

The Ravens got some great values, including Perriman, Davis, Smith, and Williams, who is the best tight end in the class. They got their future backup to Williams in Boyle, and seventh-rounder Darren Waller, who played in Georgia Tech's option offense, is 6'6", 238 pounds.

Buffalo Bills

Top Pick: Florida St. CB Ronald Darby (50th)

The Bills traded their first round pick to the Browns so they could move up and get Sammy Watkins last year. Darby is quick and agile, but joins an already strong cornerback group.

Best Value: Florida St. TE Nick O'Leary (194th)

The Bills didn't really get any significant values, but O'Leary, a fifth round pick, was a productive pass-catcher at Florida St. However, he must compete with similar tight ends Charles Clay and Chris Gragg.

Other Picks: 

• Louisville G John Miller (81st)
• Florida St. RB Karlos Williams (155th)
• Clemson OLB Tony Steward (188th)
• Central Arkansas WR Dezmin Lewis (234th)

The Bills didn't have much to work with, so their draft haul looks a little underwhelming. Williams could be a good addition to the backfield if he improves his character, and Lewis is a big (6'4", 214 lbs.) receiver who needs to show he can play well against much tougher competition.

Carolina Panthers

Top Pick: Washington OLB Shaq Thompson (25th)

Thompson could be a potential replacement for the man who announced the pick, Thomas Davis. Or he could be a safety. He brings athleticism and versatility to the Panthers.

Best Value: Auburn RB Cameron Artis-Payne (174th)

Artis-Payne was an essential part of Auburn's run-heavy offense, and the fifth round pick can fill the void left by DeAngelo Williams.

Other Picks:

• Michigan WR Devin Funchess (41st)
• Oklahoma G Daryl Williams (102nd)
• Texas St. LB David Mayo (169th)

The Panthers only had five picks, but they strengthened their linebacking corps with Thompson and Mayo and strengthened their run game with Artis-Payne and Williams. Funchess is an intriguing pick due to his size (6'4", 232 lbs.) and his ability to play receiver and tight end. He joins two other red zone threats in Kelvin Benjamin (6'5", 240 lbs.) and Greg Olsen (6'5", 253 lbs.).

Chicago Bears

Top Pick: West Virginia WR Kevin White (7th)

White is a great pick for Chicago after they let Brandon Marshall go. He'll help the Bears maintain their dangerous passing game with Alshon Jeffery, Martellus Bennett, and Matt Forte.

Best Value: Penn St. FS Adrian Amos (142nd)

The 6'0", 218-pound Amos is an athletic defensive back who makes good reads and has strong measurables. 

Other Picks:

• Florida St. DT Eddie Goldman (39th)
• Oregon C Hroniss Grasu (71st)
• Michigan St. RB Jeremy Langford (106th)
• TCU OT Tayo Fabuluje (183rd)

The Bears had a solid draft all around. White, Grasu, and Langford are helpful additions to the talented offense, and Goldman and Amos could help improve the defense. Fabuluje has issues regarding his work ethic, but he's a big (6'6", 353 lbs.), talented lineman.

Cincinnati Bengals

Top Pick: Texas A&M OT Cedric Ogbuehi (21st)

Ogbuehi is a big, strong, physical tackle who was first-team All-SEC and third-team AP All-American last season. However, he is recovering from a torn ACL suffered in the Liberty Bowl.

Best Value: TCU LB Paul Dawson (99th)

Dawson was extremely productive last season for TCU, winning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year with 136 tackles and 20 tackles for a loss. However, he has character issues and had a poor combine.

Other Picks: 

• Oregon OT Jake Fisher (53rd)
• Rutgers TE Tyler Kroft (85th)
• USC CB Josh Shaw (120th)
• Arizona St. DE Marcus Hardison (135th)
• Auburn TE C.J. Uzomah (157th)
• Fresno St. FS Derron Smith (197th)
• West Virginia WR Marion Alford (238th)

The Bengals added a variety of players. They got two good-looking tackles, promising defensive talents with some questions (Dawson; Shaw, who was suspended last season for lying about an injury; and Smith, who's recovering from an injury), a depth upgrade at tight end, and a super fast wide receiver who could be a return man.

Cleveland Browns

Top Pick: Washington NT Danny Shelton (12th)

The 6'2", 339-pound Shelton fills a pressing need for the Browns, who had the worst run defense in the NFL last season. He is strong and pretty quick for his size.

Best Value: Oregon CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (241st)

I believe Ekpre-Olomu could be the steal of the draft. He was a projected first round pick before tearing his ACL during practice in December, and he could be a starter if/when he fully recovers.

Other Picks: 

• Florida St. C Cameron Erving (19th)
• Utah DE Nate Orchard (51st)
• Miami RB Duke Johnson (77th)
• Washington St. DT Xavier Cooper (96th)
• Northwestern SS Ibraheim Campbell (115th)
• Washington St. WR Vince Mayle (123rd)
• Louisville CB Charles Gaines (189th)
• Mississippi St. TE Malcolm Johnson (195th)
• USC TE Randall Telfer (198th)
• USC LB Hayes Pullard (219th)

The Browns, unlike last year (Johnny Manziel), stayed away from the "sexy" picks, instead picking solid players to help out in other areas. While they didn't draft a receiver until the fourth round, they did fill other needs, including run-stoppers (Shelton and Cooper), a pass-rusher (Orchard), offensive line depth (Erving), and a receiving back (Johnson).

Dallas Cowboys

Top Pick: Connecticut CB Byron Jones (27th)

Dallas needed a cornerback, and Jones, who's stock rose leading up to the draft, is a good fit. He has good size (6'1") and explosiveness.

Best Value: Nebraska OLB Randy Gregory (60th)

Gregory was a top-five talent before failing a drug test at the combine, and while many expected him to fall, they didn't expect him to fall this far. 

Other Picks:

• Florida OT Chaz Green (91st)
• Minnesota LB Damien Wilson (127th)
• Purdue DE Ryan Russell (163rd)
• Wyoming OLB Mark Nzeocha (236th)
• Virginia Tech OT Laurence Gibson (243rd)
• Texas TE Geoff Swaim (246th)

If Gregory can stay on the straight and narrow, the Cowboys defense will be better next season. They mostly focused on the defense, as five of their eight picks were defensive players. The other three play on the offensive line. With the 'Boys being pretty stable at the offensive skill positions, they focused on the defense and the offensive line.

Denver Broncos

Top Pick: Missouri DE Shane Ray (23rd)

Denver traded up to select the top-ten talent who fell due to a marijuana-related arrest three days before the draft. If he stays out of trouble, the Broncos got a steal at 23.

Best Value: Florida C Max Garcia (133rd)

Garcia could be a good value based on versatility. He played center, guard, and tackle at Florida, which provides flexibility for Denver.

Other Picks: 

• Colorado St. OT Ty Sambrailo (59th)
• Ohio St. TE Jeff Heuerman (92nd)
• Tulane CB Lorenzo Doss (164th)
• Maryland NT Darius Kilgo (203rd)
• Northwestern QB Trevor Siemian (250th)
• Tulane DB Taurean Nixon (251st)
• Oklahoma St. DB Josh Furman (252nd)

The Broncos tried to upgrade the defense and add better protection for Peyton Manning. They also got a solid tight end who could thrive with Manning at quarterback (Heuerman). Heuerman, Sambrailo, and Garcia could really help give Manning more time. The Broncos also added three defensive backs, all of them big and athletic.

Detroit Lions

Top Pick: Duke G Laken Tomlinson (28th)

The Lions traded down in the first round with the Broncos, getting the strong, hard-working Tomlinson to improve their line.

Best Value: Auburn DT Gabe Wright (113th)

Wright is a big, talented tackle who's college production didn't match his talent. If he produces like he is potentially capable of, he's a very good pick.

Other Picks: 

• Nebraska RB Ameer Abdullah (54th)
• Stanford CB Alex Carter (80th)
• Rutgers FB Michael Burton (168th)
• Texas CB Quandre Diggs (200th)
• South Carolina DT Corey Robinson (240th)

Detroit added Wright and Robinson to help fill the void left by Ndamakong Suh and Nick Fairley. They also got an explosive pass-catcher in Abdullah, and a couple of defensive backs, including Quentin Jammer's brother (Diggs).

Green Bay Packers

Top Pick: Arizona St. FS Damarious Randall (30th)

The Packers got a good cover safety in Randall. He was All-Pac-12 last season with 106 tackles. He was the first safety selected and could be the best.

Best Value: Michigan OLB Jake Ryan (129th)

Ryan is a good leader with a high work ethic who was productive at Michigan. That alone could provide value, and if he shows good skills in the NFL, that's even better.

Other Picks:

• Miami (OH) CB Quinten Rollins (62nd)
• Stanford WR Ty Montgomery (94th)
• UCLA QB Brett Hundley (147th)
• Oklahoma FB Aaron Ripkowski (206th)
• Louisiana-Lafayette DE Christian Ringo (210th)
• UAB TE Kennard Backman (213th)

Green Bay added much-needed depth to their secondary with Randall and Rollins, who is athletic enough to play corner or safety. Montgomery had a down season last year after getting a lot of hype before the season. Brett Hundley probably won't play for at least a couple of years, but that may be a good thing, since he would be developing behind Aaron Rodgers, who did the same behind Brett Favre.

Houston Texans

Top Pick: Wake Forest CB Kevin Johnson (16th)

Johnson may be the best defensive back in the draft, without the character issues of Marcus Peters. He is very quick and continues to get better.

Best Value: Arizona St. WR Jaelen Strong (70th)

Strong was a potential first round pick who fell in a deep receiver class. He is a possession receiver with great hands.

Other Picks: 

• Mississippi St. LB Benardrick McKinney (43rd)
• Michigan St. WR Keith Mumphrey (175th)
• USF OLB Reshard Cliett (211th)
• Rice DT Christian Covington (216th)
• LSU RB Kenny Hilliard (235th)

McKinney was a good pick to help out the linebacking corps, while Strong and Mumphrey are tough, physical receivers. Cliett and Covington are both athletic defenders who could contribute this year. Hilliard is Houston running back Alfred Blue's former college teammate.

Indianapolis Colts

Top Pick: Miami WR Phillip Dorsett (29th)

Taking a receiver in the first round was a little questionable for the Colts, who are stocked with pass-catchers. Nonetheless, Dorsett is a fast and talented receiver.

Best Value: Stanford DE Henry Anderson (93rd)

The 6'6", 294-pound end is athletic and a hard worker, making him a pretty good value late in the third round.

Other Picks: 

• FAU CB D'Joun Smith (65th)
• UCF SS Clayton Geathers (109th)
• Stanford NT David Parry (151st)
• Mississippi St. RB Josh Robinson (205th)
• Georgia LB Amario Herrera (207th)
• Mars Hill OT Denzell Goode (255th)

The Colts probably should have focused more on adding protection for Andrew Luck, but they did add some potentially good defenders, including Smith, who's a quick and tough corner, and Geathers, who's a tall (6'2") safety. They also went back to the pipeline that gave them Andrew Luck, selecting two Stanford players.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Top Pick: Florida OLB Dante Fowler Jr. (3rd)

Fowler is a good pick for the Jags. He is an explosive, athletic pass rusher and the best linebacker in the draft. He had 8.5 sacks and 15 tackles for a loss last season for Florida.

Best Value: Ohio St. DT Michael Bennett (180th)

It's a wonder Bennett, a national champion who was projected to go in the second or third round, lasted until the sixth round.

Other Picks:

• Alabama RB T.J. Yeldon (36th)
• South Carolina G A.J. Cann (67th)
• Louisville SS James Sample (104th)
• Florida St. WR Rashad Greene (139th)
• Monmouth (NJ) WR Neal Sterling (220th)
• Notre Dame TE Ben Koyack (229th)

The Jaguars supplemented there rising defense with Fowler and Bennett, two player likely to contribute right away, as well as Sample. They spent the rest of their picks on offense, pairing the bruising Yeldon with the shifty Denard Robinson, getting a good value on the line in Cann, and adding the productive Greene and big (6'5", 255 lbs.) Koyack.

Kansas City Chiefs

Top Pick: Washington CB Marcus Peters (18th)

The Chiefs needed a corner, and although Peters has character issues, he may be the best corner in the draft on the field. If he matures, he will really help Kansas City's defense.

Best Value: Georgia WR Chris Conley (76th)

Conley has good speed (4.35 40) and size (6'2", 213 lbs.), and is a smart player. He will help a receiving corps that didn't score a single touchdown last year.

Other Picks:

• Missouri G Mitch Morse (49th)
• Oregon St. CB Steven Nelson (98th)
• Georgia LB Ramik Wilson (118th)
• Oregon St. OLB D.J. Alexander (172nd)
• Illinois St. TE James O'Shaughnessy (217th)
• Southern Miss DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches (217th)
• Northern Illinois WR Da'Ron Brown (233rd)

Kansas City got two much-needed corners in Peters and Nelson, and added to their linebackers with solid mid-round picks Wilson and Alexander. O'Shaughnessy is an athletic developmental prospect they can put behind Travis Kelce, and Conley will probably get significant playing time.

Miami Dolphins

Top Picks: Louisville WR DeVante Parker (14th)

Parker was a wonderful pick for the Dolphins, who got a highly talented wide receiver who will make an impact from day one.

Best Value: Boise St. RB Jay Ajayi (149th)

Ajayi was a second round possibility, but fell due to injury and durability concerns. He is a talented back who might have been a steal in the fifth round.

Other Picks:

• Oklahoma NT Jordan Phillips (52nd)
• Arizona St. G Jamil Douglas (114th)
• Memphis CB Bobby McCain (145th)
• Minnesota FS Cedric Thompson (150th)
• Michigan St. WR Tony Lippett (156th)

Miami added to their promising offense with Parker, Ajayi, Douglas, and Lippett, and added to their strong defensive line with Phillips, another potential steal. McCain and Thompson have good skills in the defensive backfield.

Minnesota Vikings

Top Pick: Michigan St. CB Trae Waynes (11th)

Minnesota did what many thought they would do, getting the best defensive back in the draft to fill a need at cornerback. Waynes is a good press corner from the Big Ten.

Best Value: Pittsburgh OT T.J. Clemmings (110th)

Clemmings was an absolute steal in the fourth round. A projected first round pick, Clemmings fell due to injury concerns.

Other Picks: 

• UCLA LB Eric Kendricks (45th)
• LSU DE Danielle Hunter (88th)
• Southern Illinois TE MyCoyle Pruitt (143rd)
• Marlyland WR Stefon Diggs (146th)
• Oklahoma OT Tyrus Thompson (185th)
• Louisville DB B.J. Dubose (193rd)
• Alabama OT Austin Shepherd (228th)
• Newberry OLB Edmond Robinson (232nd)

The Vikings got some potentially good values, like Clemmings, Butkus Award winner Kendricks, small-school tight end Pruitt, and the electrifying Diggs. Hunter, Thompson, Dubose, Shepherd, and Division Two player Robinson all have upside.

New England Patriots

Top Pick: Texas DT Malcolm Brown (32nd)

Brown was quite possibly the steal of the first round. The defending champs got the physical Texas tackle at 32.

Best Value: Florida St. G Tre' Jackson (111th)

At 6'4", 330, Jackson is a big guard from the SEC who has a lot of ability, and is a good addition to the New England offensive line.

Other Picks:

• Stanford SS Jordan Richards (64th)
• Oklahoma DE Geneo Grissom (97th)
• Arkansas DE Trey Flowers (101st)
• Georgia Tech C Shaq Mason (131st)
• Navy LS Joe Cardona (166th)
• Mississippi St. LB Matthew Wells (178th)
• Arkansas TE A.J. Derby (202nd)
• Marshall CB Darryl Roberts (247th)
• Alabama OLB Xzavier Dickson (153rd)

The Patriots made a lot of picks, including two defensive backs, two linebackers, three defensive lineman, two offensive lineman (plus tight end Derby), and even a long snapper from Navy (Cardona). They did pretty well for a team who picked last in the first round and didn't have that many needs.

New Orleans Saints

Top Pick: Stanford OT Andrus Peat (13th)

The Saints used the first of their two first round picks to solidify their line, selecting Peat, viewed by many as the best lineman in the draft.

Best Value: Florida St. CB P.J. Williams (78th)

Williams is a talented player who won a National Championship with the Seminoles, but whose draft stock fell due to a DUI that was ultimately dismissed.

Other Picks:

• Clemson LB Stephone Anthony (31st)
• Washington OLB Hau'oli Kikaha (44th)
• Colorado St. QB Garrett Grayson (75th)
• Tennessee-Chattanooga OLB Davis Tull (148th)
• Fresno St. DT Tyeler Davison (154th)
• Georgia CB Damian Swann (167th)
• Missouri RB Marcus Murphy (230th)

Anthony may have been a bit of a reach at 31, but he is very athletic and will help the Saints' defense. Hihaka is a sleeper who led the nation in sacks last year. Grayson was picked to develop behind Drew Brees, who still has a few years left. Tull was a small-school stud and the last three picks all have potential.

New York Giants 

Top Pick: Miami G Ereck Flowers (9th)

The Giants predictably added to the offensive line, picking up the big (6'6", 329 lbs.), powerful Flowers, who will slot right into New York's line.

Best Value: UCLA DE Owamagbe Odighizuwa (74th)

A contender for best name in the draft, Odighizuwa is a physically gifted edge rusher who had six sacks and 11.5 tackles for a loss last season. He fell due to past injury concerns.

Other Picks:

• Alabama SS Landon Collins (33rd)
• Texas S Mykkele Thompson (144th)
• Connecticut WR Geremy Davis (186th)
• Florida St. G Bobby Hart (226th)

Besides Flowers and Odighizuwa, the Giants got possibly the best safety in the draft at 33, who will likely contribute immediately. The selection of Thompson may have been a reach, as many people didn't even expect him to be drafted, and the Giants picked him in the fifth round. However, he could still be a solid player.

New York Jets

Top Pick: USC DE Leonard Williams (6th)

The Jets did well in landing the consensus number one prospect in the draft at six. He joins an already stacked defensive line in New York.

Best Value: Texas A&M G Jarvis Harrison (152nd)

The 6'4", 330-pound Harrison is a talented guard with good size and potential, and was a good pick in the fifth round.

Other Picks:

• Ohio St. WR Devin Smith (37th)
• Louisville OLB Lorenzo Mauldin (82nd)
• Baylor QB Bryce Petty (103rd)
• Northwestern St. (LA) NT Deon Simon (223rd)

The Jets, with a new front office and coach, had themselves a pretty good draft. After getting a steal in Williams at sixth overall, they got Ohio State deep threat Smith in the second round, a tough linebacker in Maudlin in the third round, and some competition for Geno Smith in the fourth round.

Oakland Raiders

Top Pick: Alabama WR Amari Cooper (4th)

The Raiders added a talented receiver to pair with Derek Carr. Cooper is a stud and is the best receiver in a loaded receiver draft class.

Best Value: Miami TE Clive Walford (68th)

Walford is a very good tight end, challenging Maxx Williams for best tight end in the draft class. He is highly athletic and was productive at Miami.

Other Picks:

• Florida St. DT Mario Edwards Jr. (35th)
• Miami G Jon Feliciano (128th)
• Kansas LB Ben Heeney (140th)
• Florida OLB Neiron Ball (161st)
• Virginia OLB Max Valles (179th)
• Tennessee St. OL Anthony Morris (218th)
• Florida WR Andre Debose (221st)
• Kansas CB Dexter McDonald (242nd)

The Raiders added some good receiving options for Derek Carr by selecting Cooper and Walford, and stocked up on linebackers in the middle rounds (Heeney, Ball, and Valles three rounds in a row). Edwards was the number one prospect in the country coming out of high school but didn't quite live up to the hype. Morris, Debose, and McDonald all have good physical tools.

Philadelphia Eagles

Top Pick: USC WR Nelson Agholor (20th)

The Eagles did not trade up for Marcus Mariota, instead drafting another Pac-12 player in USC speedster Nelson Agholor, who rose up draft boards leading up to the draft.

Best Value: Kansas CB JaCorey Shepherd (191st)

While not having much experience at corner, Shepherd was productive at Kansas and has a lot of potential in the NFL. Good pick in the sixth round. 

Other Picks:

• Utah CB Eric Rowe (47th)
• Texas OLB Jordan Hicks (84th)
• Kansas St. CB Randall Evans (196th)
• Boston College DE Brian Mihalik (237th)

Philadelphia got two talented Pac-12 products with their first two picks. Rowe is a highly-regarded player with good coverage skills. They drafted three corners, a position that was a pressing need. Overall, their draft looked a bit underwhelming (especially to those hoping for a Mariota-Chip Kelly reunion), but there are some potentially good players here.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Top Pick: Kentucky OLB Bud Dupree (22nd)

The Steelers did what the Steelers do, adding a highly talented linebacker later in the first round. Dupree was a potential top ten pick, so the Steelers may have gotten a steal.

Best Value: Ohio St. CB Doran Grant (121st)

Grant is a smart, aware player who addresses a need for the Steelers. He was a productive player on a National Champion and may play right away.

Other Picks:

• Mississippi CB Senquez Golson (56th)
• Auburn WR Sammie Coates (87th)
• Penn St. TE Jesse James (160th)
• Central Michigan DT Leterrius Walton (199th)
• Miami DE Anthony Chickillo (212th)
• Louisville FS Gerod Holliman (239th)

Pittsburgh had a good draft, improving their aging defense with the picks of Dupree, Grant, Golson, Walton, Chickillo, and Holliman, and adding a talented wide receiver (albeit with drop issues) and a big (6'7", 261 lbs.) tight end.

San Diego Chargers

Top Pick: Wisconsin RB Melvin Gordon (15th)

The Chargers wanted a running back, and they traded up to make sure they got Gordon, a Heisman finalist who was rated as the clear-cut number two back in the draft.

Best Value: Arkansas DT Darius Philon (192nd)

The Chargers didn't really get a huge value, but Philon, their final pick, has good upside and athleticism for a sixth round pick. 

Other Picks:

• Miami LB Denzel Perryman (48th)
• Texas St. CB Craig Mager (83rd)
• North Dakota St. OLB Kyle Emanuel (153rd)

The Chargers had a quiet draft after rumors of a Phillip Rivers trade, although their first two picks are starters who will be expected to produce right away. Gordon adds a true feature back with home run ability, and Perryman is a productive linebacker.

San Francisco 49ers

Top Pick: Oregon DT Arik Armstead (17th)

San Francisco got the tall (6'7"), athletic pass rusher from Oregon who is more appealing for his potential then his past production.

Best Value: Virginia OLB Eli Harold (79th)

Harold was a projected high second round pick, and the 49ers got the talented linebacker in the middle of the third round.

Other Picks: 

• Samford SS Jaquiski Tartt (46th)
• Oklahoma TE Blake Bell (117th)
• South Carolina RB Mike Davis (126th)
• Georgia Tech WR DeAndre Smelter (132nd)
• Clemson P Bradley Pinion (165th)
• Boston College G Ian Silberman (190th)
• Florida G Trenton Brown (244th)
• South Carolina TE Rory Anderson (254th)

The 49ers were busy during the draft, picking ten players, including a former quarterback (Bell) and a punter (the only punter drafted). Tartt may have been a reach, but Smelter is an athletic receiver with decent size (6'2", 226 lbs.) who could be a good value if he fully recovers from a torn ACL.

Seattle Seahawks

Top Pick: Michigan DE Frank Clark (63rd)

The Seahawks traded their first round pick to New Orleans for Jimmy Graham, so their first pick was the troubled former Michigan end.

Best Value: Kansas St. WR Tyler Lockett (69th)

Another part of a strong receiver class, Lockett is an electrifying playmaker who is dangerous on offense and on special teams.

Other Picks:

• San Diego St. G Terry Poole (130th)
• West Virginia G Mark Glowinski (134th)
• Towson CB Tye Smith (170th)
• Oregon St. DE Obum Gwacham (209nd)
• Buffalo DT Kristjan Sokoli (214th)
• Oregon St. DB Ryan Murphy (248th)

Other than Lockett, the Seahawks draft doesn't look all that promising. Then again, they've gotten to the Super Bowl the past two years and traded their first round pick for one of the best pass-catchers in football. Clark is a question mark, since he was kicked off of the Michigan football team, and the others are depth picks.

St. Louis Rams

Top Pick: Georgia RB Todd Gurley (10th)

The Rams got a player some compared to Adrian Peterson, albeit coming off an ACL tear. He will add much-needed pop to the Ram offense.

Best Value: Iowa OT Andrew Donnal (119th)

The Rams didn't really get a steal, but the 6'6", 313-pound Big Ten lineman adds versatility, as he played tackle and guard in college.

Other Picks: 

• Wisconsin OT Rob Havenstein (57th)
• Louisville OT Jamon Brown (72nd)
• Oregon St. QB Sean Mannion (89th)
• Missouri WR Bud Sasser (201st)
• Fresno St. G Cody Wichmann (215th)
• Baylor LB Bryce Hager (224th)
• Memphis DE Martin Ifedi (227th)

After getting their feature back in Gurley, the Rams got players to help block for him (Havenstein, Brown, Donnal, and Wichmann). They also added a receiver with a great name (Bud Sasser) and a very intelligent quarterback who could be a good backup (or possibly compete with Nick Foles for the starting job) in Mannion.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

Top Pick: Florida St. QB Jameis Winston (1st)

The Bucs got their guy with the first pick of the draft, getting a player many thought was the most pro ready in the draft. He just needs to mature and cut down on turnovers.

Best Value: LSU OLB Kwon Alexander (124th)

Alexander is a good athlete with speed and quickness who could contribute right away. He had 90 tackles last year at LSU and is a value late in the third round.

Other Picks:

• Penn St. OT Donovan Smith (34th)
• Hobart C Ali Marpet (61st)
• Nebraska WR Kenny Bell (162nd)
• Utah WR Kaelin Clay (184th)
• Hawaii FB Joey Iosefa (231st)

After selecting their new quarterback, Tampa Bay used the next two picks on lineman to protect him: Both Smith and small-school star Marpet played well during the Senior Bowl, and could help out right away. Bell and Clay are athletic wide receivers who have playmaking ability.

Tennessee Titans

Top Pick: Oregon QB Marcus Mariota (2nd)

The Titans, who were subject to multiple trade rumors prior to the draft, stayed put and selected Mariota, who some (including me) think is the best quarterback in this draft.

Best Value: William & Mary WR Tre McBride (245th)

McBride was a sleeper from a small school, and the Titans got him late in the seventh round. He's not the fastest receiver, but he has great hands. 

Other Picks: 

• Oklahoma WR Dorial Green-Beckham (40th)
• Utah G Jeremiah Poutasi (66th)
• Auburn DT Angelo Blackson (100th)
• Alabama FB Jalston Fowler (108th)
• Minnesota RB David Cobb (138th)
• Louisville OLB Deiontrez Mount (177th)
• Boston College C Andy Gallik (208th)

The Titans took a flyer on the physically gifted (6'5", 237 lbs.) Green-Beckham to provide a weapon for Mariota, and if he can stay out of trouble (a big "if"), he has the tools to succeed. Poutasi could fit in on the right side, Blackson brings size (6'4", 318 lbs.), and Fowler (254 lbs.) and Cobb (229 lbs.) provide power to the run game.

Washington Redskins

Top Pick: Iowa G Brandon Scherff (5th)

Washington pulled off the first "surprise" of the draft, picking Scherff, the best lineman in the class, over more highly rated defensive players.

Best Value: Alabama G Arie Kouandjio (112th)

He, like his brother Cyrus, is a big, strong run blocker (although Cyrus is a better pass blocker), but unlike Cyrus, who was drafted in the second round last year, he was picked in the fourth round.

Other Picks:

• Mississippi St. DE Preston Smith (38th)
• Florida RB Matt Jones (95th)
• Duke WR Jamison Crowder (105th)
• Arkansas OLB Martrell Spaight (141st)
• Virginia Tech SS Kyshoen Jarrett (181st)
• Arkansas CB Tevin Mitchel (182nd)
• Ohio St. WR Evan Spencer (187th)
• USF C Austin Reiter (222nd) 

Washington focused on providing some protection for RGIII, using their first pick on a tackle. Smith will probably play linebacker, Jones is a big, bruising running back, and Crowder could fit right in as a punt returner. Some of their later picks played very tough competition, which could help them in the NFL.