Draft 2015: NFC Draft Grades

Patrick Daugherty breaks down all of Week 13's biggest storylines, including Todd Gurley's continued slump

The 2015 NFL draft concluded Saturday evening. Rotoworld blurbed every single selection, picks one (Jameis Winston) through 256 (Gerald Christian). You can use our search engine in the top right-hand corner of this page to access our in-depth rookie writeups.

After a grueling three days of “work,” we'll put the finishing touches on our intensive draft coverage with post-draft grades.

But let's be clear: We don't believe in assessing draft hauls immediately after the three-day event. This is strictly for your pleasure. If you're reading this intro, you're interested. And we want to appeal to you. Don't take these grades too seriously. We'll know a lot more about this draft around 2018.

Here are the NFC Draft Grades:

Arizona Cardinals

24. Florida OT D.J. Humphries
58. Missouri OLB Markus Golden
86. Northern Iowa RB David Johnson
116. Delaware State DE Rodney Gunter
158. West Virginia DE/OLB Shaq Riddick
159. UAB KR/WR J.J. Nelson
256. Louisville TE Gerald Christian

Overview: GM Steve Keim has done an outstanding job of turning the Cardinals into an annually competitive team, and coach Bruce Arians has shown a propensity for maximizing his roster. Cardinals brass deserves a lot of respect. I did not like their 2015 draft. Perhaps the biggest head scratcher was a day-three trade that cost Arizona pick Nos. 123, 198, and 241 in exchange for No. 116, where Keim selected small-school project Gunter. Humphries is an excellent prospect with a questionable fit at right tackle in Arizona. Golden produced in college, but lacks the athletic ability required to become an impact NFL pass rusher. Johnson is the opposite, offering elite measurables but sub-baseline running ability. He projects best to H-back in the pros. Nelson is a kick returner only. Riddick and Christian were the only Cardinals draft picks I liked. Arizona failed to fill its needs at running back, nose tackle, and cornerback.

Grade: D

Atlanta Falcons

8. Clemson DE/LB Vic Beasley
42. LSU CB Jalen Collins
73. Indiana RB Tevin Coleman
107. East Carolina WR Justin Hardy
137. Clemson DT Grady Jarrett
225. Eastern Washington OT Jake Rodgers
249. San Jose State DB Akeem King

Overview: One of my favorite moves of draft weekend was a day-three trade with Minnesota that netted Atlanta disruptive and versatile interior presence Jarrett and only cost the Falcons a sixth-round pick. Atlanta did not do a good job of drafting for most of demoted GM Thomas Dimitroff's tenure. I think they got a lot of things right with assistant GM Scott Pioli running the show, landing a desperately-needed outside pass rusher (Beasley), probable Week 1 starting press-man corner (Collins), homerun-hitting tailback (Coleman), and Harry Douglas' immediate replacement (Hardy). Rodgers and King were late-round flier picks new coach Dan Quinn's staff will attempt to groom. So very much, the Falcons needed a draft exactly like this. They got as many as five year-one contributors and arguably three first-round talents with their top three selections. I feel better about the direction of the Falcons today than I did last week.

Grade: B+

Carolina Panthers

25. Washington LB Shaq Thompson
41. Michigan WR Devin Funchess
102. Oklahoma OT Daryl Williams
169. Texas State LB David Mayo
174. Auburn RB Cameron Artis-Payne

Overview: The Panthers really wanted Funchess, sending St. Louis the Nos. 57, 89, and 201 picks for 41. They made another trade up on day three, giving Oakland Nos. 124, 161, and 242 for the 102nd pick, netting Williams to fill a need. The name of the game for GM Dave Gettleman was aggressiveness. He likely believes he secured two Week 1 starters and perhaps three. Admittedly, I didn't love some of the players Gettleman selected before the draft. So that colors my evaluation of Carolina's 2015 class. I do believe needs were addressed and am aware that my own player evaluations can be imprecise. Even though I had mixed feelings on Funchess as a prospect, I think he makes sense in Carolina with another massive catch radius that will help compensate for Cam Newton's ball-placement flaws. Thompson is a sideline-to-sideline player, and Artis-Payne led the SEC in rushing. Williams is a physical, pro-ready run blocker. I wish the Panthers would have used more of their picks, rather than trading them. I think they are still relatively weak at edge rusher, cornerback, and offensive line.

Grade: C+

Chicago Bears

7. West Virginia WR Kevin White
39. Florida State NT Eddie Goldman
71. Oregon C Hroniss Grasu
106. Michigan State RB Jeremy Langford
142. Penn State S Adrian Amos
183. TCU OG Tayo Fabuluje

Overview: The Bears' roster is reeling so much from the failed Phil Emery era that they just needed to prioritize adding good football players. Rookie GM Ryan Pace entered Thursday with too many needs to worry about drafting positions. He needs contributors. And I think he came away with a lot of them. White is a monster on the perimeter who can win over the top and turn short catches into long gains. Goldman lacks flash, but is willing to do the dirty work inside and will bolster Chicago's mediocre run defense. I think Grasu provided excellent value in round three and believe he will be a long-term fixture at center. Langford lacks starting-caliber running ability, but should be a useful NFL role player, particularly in the passing game. Amos is exceptionally versatile and could be a starting safety in time. Fabuluje is a dart throw with some upside. Did the Bears fail to address a number of needs? Yes. But I never expected them to solve all of their problems with only six picks. This was a rock-solid first draft for Pace.

Grade: B

Dallas Cowboys

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

Overview: Only time, of course, can tell how these players will pan out. I think it's worth noting that the Cowboys' draft heavily emphasized athleticism. Every single player here can be described as an above-average athlete for their size, while Jones, Gregory, Wilson, Russell, Nzeocha, and Gibson are all legitimate top-shelf movers. I think Dallas stole Jones and Gregory at their draft slots, before reaching a bit on Green. Wilson and Russell have starting potential down the road. On day three, the Cowboys sent a 2016 sixth-round pick to the 49ers in exchange for the pick used on Swaim, a proficient college blocker with tools-based upside. Like most everyone else, I wanted to see the Cowboys draft a running back. They repeatedly passed on the opportunity to select Boise State RB Jay Ajayi. Without a quality back currently on the roster, I'm skeptical Dallas will be able to continue playing "keepaway" at the dominant clip they did last season. With that said, I definitely think their roster improved with this draft.

Grade: B-

Detroit Lions

28. Duke OG Laken Tomlinson
54. Nebraska RB Ameer Abdullah
80. Stanford CB Alex Carter
113. Auburn DT Gabe Wright
168. Rutgers FB Mike Burton
200. Texas CB Quandre Diggs
240. South Carolina OT Corey Robinson

Overview: GM Martin Mayhew began his draft by acquiring two fifth-round picks and useful reserve G/C Manuel Ramirez from the Broncos at the cost of dropping just five spots in round one. The Lions were surprisingly hot after CB/S tweener Carter on day two, sending the 143rd pick to division-rival Minnesota in exchange for just an eight-spot move up the board. Early on day three, the Lions gave up a 2016 third-round pick for No. 113. Tomlinson may not have offered ideal "value" at No. 28, but is a pro-ready mauler with underrated pass-blocking ability. Abdullah will run circles around Joique Bell in Lions camp and spark Detroit's previously plodding run game. Carter, Wright, and Burton are players I wasn't especially high on during the pre-draft phase. I do think Robinson was an excellent flier. Although this wasn't my favorite draft from top to bottom, Mayhew attacked multiple needs and made his team better.

Grade: C+

Green Bay Packers

30. Arizona State DB Damarious Randall
62. Miami (OH) DB Quinten Rollins
94. Stanford WR/KR Ty Montgomery
129. Michigan ILB Jake Ryan
147. UCLA QB Brett Hundley
206. Oklahoma FB Aaron Ripkowski
210. Louisiana-Lafayette DT Christian Ringo
213. UAB TE Kennard Backman

Overview: I'm used to giving Ted Thompson high "grades." I think I've done it every year. This draft seemed a little more needs-focused than usual, which is a fine approach in general but may have left some "value" on the board. Thompson clearly entered Thursday worried about his secondary. (I do love Randall as a playmaking ballhawk and Rollins as a versatile defensive chess piece.) Montgomery is essentially a poor man's Cordarrelle Patterson, while Ripkowski and Backman will likely amount to throwaway picks. Thompson made an intriguing move in round five, jumping 19 spots to acquire Hundley at the mere cost of a late seventh-round pick. I thought he got the better of that deal with New England. Ringo and Ryan were good day-three selections. I don't think this was a bad draft, but I also don't believe it was a tide tilter in the NFC. I've come to expect a little more from Thompson over the years.

Grade: C+

Minnesota Vikings

11. Michigan State CB Trae Waynes
45. UCLA ILB Eric Kendricks
88. LSU DE Danielle Hunter
110. Pittsburgh OT T.J. Clemmings
143. Southern Illinois TE MyCole Pruitt
146. Maryland WR Stefon Diggs
186. Oklahoma OT Tyrus Thompson
193. Louisville DE B.J. Dubose
228. Alabama G/T Austin Shepherd
232. Newberry OLB Edmond Robinson

Overview: Fact is, I've "heard" of all of these prospects and seen a bunch of them play. This is usually how Rick Spielman's drafts go. More so than most GMs, Spielman tends to select players who've often been discussed inside the draft community. That isn't necessarily a good or bad thing, but Minnesota often gets positive "draft grades" as a result. When I look at this draft, I certainly lean toward believing Spielman did well. Waynes and Kendricks hit major needs and project as Opening Day starters. Hunter is a high-ceiling developmental pick. Clemmings has an outside chance to supplant struggling LT Matt Kalil in time, assuming his foot checks out. Pruitt is a highly athletic H-back type, while Diggs combines impact kickoff-return skills with slot receiver potential. Thompson is a boom-or-bust prospect, albeit with plenty of upside. Dubose, Shepherd, and Robinson all profile positively as role players. My belief is the Vikings emerged with at least two and as many as five year-one contributors, and as a significantly better team.

Grade: A-


New Orleans Saints

13. Stanford OT Andrus Peat
31. Clemson ILB Stephone Anthony
44. Washington OLB Hau'oli Kikaha
75. Colorado State QB Garrett Grayson
78. Florida State CB P.J. Williams
148. UT-Chattanooga OLB Davis Tull
154. Fresno State NT Tyeler Davison
167. Georgia DB Damian Swann
230. Missouri RB/KR Marcus Murphy

Overview: Also factored into the Saints' grade is their pre-draft trade with Seattle, which netted stud C Max Unger and the No. 31 pick in exchange for Jimmy Graham. All in all New Orleans emerged from this draft with a healthy heaping of quality football players. Peat, Anthony, and quite possibly Kikaha project as year-one starters. Tull is an athletic phenom with an absurdly productive small-college track record. Davison has legitimate starting potential at nose tackle. Grayson is likely to prove no more than a long-term backup, but was fine value in round three. Williams' ability to play press makes him a good fit under Saints DC Rob Ryan. Swann can play safety or slot corner, while Murphy has a chance to contribute on special teams. The Saints did not draft a single pass catcher after parting with Graham and Kenny Stills this offseason. They are revamping their team philosophy, and I think this was a very fine start.

Grade: B+

New York Giants

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

Overview: I really, really like the Giants' selection of Odighizuwa but question the rest of GM Jerry Reese's draft. While Flowers possesses instant impact drive-blocking ability, he is a virtual lock to struggle in pass protection in the pros. The Giants (too?) aggressively pursued limited "box" safety Collins, surrendering fourth- and seventh-round picks in just a seven-spot trade up. The Titans got the better end of that deal, turning the acquired selections into Dorial Green-Beckham, FB Jalston Fowler, and WR Tre McBride. Collins did fill a need, but is more linebacker than defensive back. Admittedly, Thompson wasn't on my pre-draft radar and I didn't know much about him. On game tape, Davis runs like a late-career Hakeem Nicks. I don't think Hart will make the Giants' roster. I'm very open to opposing viewpoints and can see how some folks might like this draft. My takeaway leans negative with the exception of Owa.

Grade: C-

Philadelphia Eagles

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

Overview: Even after whiffing on Marcus Mariota, the Eagles kept their cool and made a lot of good draft-weekend moves. Not included here was a deal with Detroit that netted Philadelphia the Lions' 2016 third-round pick in exchange for the Eagles' 2015 fourth-rounder. I think it's good forward-thinking process for teams to make moves like that. Agholor will seamlessly replace Jeremy Maclin. Rowe was seen by some as a safety in the pre-draft phase, but will be a press corner in Philadelphia and is a good bet to start opposite Byron Maxwell right away. Hicks seems like a luxury pick considering the Eagles' inside linebacker depth, but will contribute on special teams and could replace Mychal Kendricks by as soon as 2016. Although Shepherd has athletic limitations, he was one of the best cornerbacks in college football last season. I'm admittedly not as familiar with Evans and Mihalik. This draft wound up generating few headlines, but I feel confident the Eagles got better. (And they get to keep Fletcher Cox!)

Grade: B-

San Francisco 49ers

17. Oregon DE Arik Armstead
46. Samford S Jaquiski Tartt
79. Virginia OLB Eli Harold
117. Oklahoma TE Blake Bell
126. South Carolina RB Mike Davis
132. Georgia Tech WR DeAndre Smelter
165. Clemson P Bradley Pinion
190. Boston College OG Ian Silberman
244. Florida OG Trent Brown
254. South Carolina TE Rory Anderson

Overview: The 49ers drew day-one praise for trading down with the Chargers and still securing "their guy" in Armstead. I view Armstead as a classic boom-or-bust prospect, however, and unworthy of a top-20 pick. For someone as physically gifted as he is, Armstead had an alarming shortage of college production. Tartt will be a special teamer this season. I don't think Bell has the tools to become more than a little-used, role-playing tight end in the pros. Davis is a straight-linish grinder. Smelter will redshirt in year one. Pinion is a punter. Silberman, Brown, and Anderson are throwaways. The pick I did like was Harold, who wasn't a favorite in the draftnik community but offers double-digit sack potential as a developmental pass rusher. I expected a lot more projectable year-one impact from GM Trent Baalke's 2015 class. It wouldn't surprise me if one or even none of these players becomes a good football player right away.

Grade: D+

Seattle Seahawks

63. Michigan DE Frank Clark
69. Kansas State WR/KR Tyler Lockett
130. San Diego State T/G Terry Poole
134. West Virginia G/C Mark Glowinski
170. Towson CB Tye Smith
209. Oregon State DE Obum Gwacham
214. Buffalo OG Kristjan Sokoli
248. Oregon State DB Ryan Murphy

Overview: The Seahawks' grade includes the pre-draft acquisition of Jimmy Graham, while keeping in mind that the move cost No. 31 and stud C Max Unger. Seattle was obviously in absolute love with Lockett, sending fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-rounders to the Redskins in order to land the dynamic slot receiver/return man. While Clark's off-field history is worrisome, he offers difference-making talent as a 4-3 end. Underrated throughout the pre-draft phase, Glowinski could become a year-one starter at guard or center. Poole, Gwacham, Sokoli, and Murphy are athleticism-based projections. Albeit long speed-deficient, Smith is an intriguing press-corner prospect with plus length. I really would have liked to see Seattle draft a big wide receiver for Russell Wilson's sake. Still, my sense is there will be more year-one impact from this class than most expect. It becomes an excellent group if some of the late-round projects hit.

Grade: B-

St. Louis Rams

10. Georgia RB Todd Gurley
57. Wisconsin OT Rob Havenstein
72. Louisville OG Jamon Brown
89. Oregon State QB Sean Mannion
119. Iowa OT Andrew Donnal
201. Missouri WR Bud Sasser
215. Fresno State OG Cody Wichmann
224. Baylor LB Bryce Hager
227. Memphis DL Martin Ifedi

Overview: The Rams invested 77.7 percent of their 2015 draft class into running game and defense. I certainly appreciate when teams attack the draft with a concentrated purpose. St. Louis isn't hiding its philosophy. I also believe the Rams did well to turn the 41st pick into Nos. 57, 89, and 201 in a day-two trade with Carolina. On day three, the Rams turned fourth-string RB Zac Stacy into Hager. Still, I'm skeptical that coach Jeff Fisher and GM Les Snead emerged with enough good players, or enough "value." I'm a huge fan of Gurley and Havenstein, but was surprised they went as early as they did. Brown has upside, but also a history of poor conditioning. In my opinion, Mannion can already be chalked up as a wasted pick. Donnal and Sasser were only good enough to start for one year in college. Wichmann and Hager are typical late-round dart throws, while Ifedi may not make the 53. Ultimately, out of nine picks I can only confidently say Gurley and Havenstein will become NFL contributors.

Grade: C

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

1. Florida State QB Jameis Winston
34. Penn State OT Donovan Smith
61. Hobart OG Ali Marpet
124. LSU OLB Kwon Alexander
162. Nebraska WR Kenny Bell
184. Utah KR Kaelin Clay
231. Hawaii FB Joey Iosefa

Overview: I warmed up to Winston the more I evaluated him over the course of draft season. I think his supporting cast was severely flawed -- particularly last year -- and he often put Florida State's team on his back, leading them to an undefeated regular season while exhibiting all the traits of a big-time NFL pocket passer. I think he will be a hit. Smith and Marpet were obvious need picks. I think the Bucs will be disappointed if they indeed play Smith on the left as opposed to the right side, but expect him to become a solid starter nonetheless. Despite his small-college background, Marpet is a high-ceiling guard with a nasty streak. Alexander is a classic Lovie Smith linebacker. Bell was a fifth-round steal and could become the Bucs' No. 2 receiver as soon as 2016, when Vincent Jackson likely won't be around. Clay and Iosefa were uninspiring picks. I've been fooled by the Jason Licht/Lovie regime before. I thought they would be a .500 team last year. So I'm cautious when evaluating them, but on paper I like their draft.

Grade: B

Washington Redskins

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

Overview: Confident in his drafting acumen and keenly aware the bottom of his roster desperately needs upgrades, first-year Skins GM Scot McCloughan got round three started by turning the No. 69 selection into Nos. 95, 112, 167, and 181 in a trade with the Seahawks. McCloughan added future draft capital in round five, dropping 20 spots (167 to 187) in a deal with New Orleans, and picking up a 2016 sixth-round selection. At first glance, I wasn't blown away by McCloughan's picks in rounds three through seven. He attacked special teams and was willing to use picks on role players. I absolutely loved his first- and second-round haul; both Scherff and Smith project as high-level NFL starters. Beyond rounds one and two, however, I don't think McCloughan was trying to hit home runs. He's got a 53-man roster to build and he wanted to stockpile useful football players, even if they're unlikely to become NFL stars.

Grade: B-