2015 NFL Draft: Best and Worst Value Picks
By Cole Moog
Feb 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Missouri Tigers wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham catches a pass during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Day 2 Best Selections:
Dorial Green-Beckham WR Tennessee Titans (2nd Round Pick 8): This is a great pick for a multitude of reasons. One, it gives their new quarterback Marcus Mariota a very talented target to throw to along with proven Kendall Wright and Nate Washington. Two, they got in my opinion the most talented receiver in the entire draft in the second round after trading back seven picks. They took a risk by trading back, but they still managed to get their guy. This selection does not come without a rather big off-the-field risk, and that is something that Green-Beckham will have to deal with personally as he matures. With these off-the-field risk type players, it only takes one team to bite, and the Titans must have felt comfortable enough to take Green-Beckham in the second round. Value wise, it doesn’t get much better with this pick; let’s hope for Green-Beckham’s sake he can stay out of trouble and produce in the NFL.
Maxx Williams TE Minnesota Baltimore Ravens (2nd Round Pick 23): This may be a Baltimore-based website, but this is factually an unbiased opinion of mine. I had Maxx Williams being taken by the Ravens with their first-round selection at pick 26. Williams somehow managed to fall all the way to the second round and twenty nine picks farther than I thought he would; and who was there to jump right in front of the Steelers to get him, but Ozzie Newsome and the Baltimore Ravens! So I’m going to take credit for being half correct on my Maxx Williams pick, because I was honestly and still am shocked he fell to the late second round. He is leaps and bounds the best tight end in this 2015 draft class; and he gives Joe Flacco a fantastic receiving tight end, which he loves by the way. This pick was a perfect combination of value and need, and that is tough to come by in this crazy NFL Draft.
Tyler Lockett WR Seattle Seahawks (3rd Round Pick 5): This is a fantastic selection by a team that had a rather average draft overall. The only knock on the Seattle Seahawks is that they do not have any great wide receivers on their team. I don’t know how some experts manage to nitpick at a team who has made it to the Super Bowl two years in a row, but I guess this league is in pursuit of perfection. Lockett was one of my favorite wide receivers in this draft, and I had an early-to-mid-second round grade on him. Lockett is an excellent route runner, and even though he is only 5’10 he plays bigger than his height suggests. Due to his size, he may only be a slot receiver at the NFL, but he has all the tools to be one of the best slot receivers in a few years. He also will be instant impact on special teams as a punt and kick returner.
Jaelen Strong WR Houston Texans (3rd Round Pick 6): The Texans took the risk to wait on one of their top needs at WR, and they struck gold on this third-round selection. Strong was considered a late first round to early second round pick, but a wrist injury pushed him down to the third round. The Texans cut veteran wide receiver Andre Johnson and he signed with the division rival Indianapolis Colts. The Texans waited patiently, but could not wait any longer. They traded up to the Jets’ third-round selection to get Jaelen Strong. Strong had some drop issues at Arizona State but is one of the best catch-in-traffic receivers in this draft class. Strong, along with emerging star DeAndre Hopkins, will be a quality youthful one-two punch down south.
Tevin Coleman RB Atlanta Falcons (3rd Round Pick 9): This is possibly one of the best value picks of the entire draft. I had an early second-round grade on Tevin Coleman and he somehow managed to fall into the Falcons’ lap in the third round. I thought when watching the draft they would take him with their second-round selection, but they were patient and took Jalen Collins to cover their other need at cornerback. Coleman will be a three-down back and should be a day one starter as an Atlanta Falcon. Coleman, along with Devonta Freeman, and Antoine Smith will be a very solid three-headed attack that could propel Atlanta to the top of the AFC South.
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