NFL Draft 2015: Best players available after Round 1

Looking at the best players available after round 1 of the NFL draft.

Day 1 of the 2015 NFL draft has come and gone. It went mostly “chalk”, especially with Jameis Winston going to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers No. 1 overall, Dante Fowler third to Jacksonville, Amari Cooper fourth to Oakland and Vic Beasley eighth to Atlanta.

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The best player left on the board is La’El Collins, who of course saw his stock plummet at almost the last moment after it was found out police in Baton Rouge want him for questioning regarding the death of a pregnant woman.

The unknowns regarding that case are clearly the reason Collins did not hear his name called Thursday night. And it’s difficult to project when, or if, he’ll be selected in Days two or three as teams are probably still unclear what his status is, and whether they want to take a risk on him (even though initial reports said he was not considered a suspect).

In fact, two of three players who remain undrafted who had a first-round grade entering the draft, remain because of character concerns (Dorial Green-Beckham being the other). Only Alabama’s Landon Collins has a first-round grade and no known character questions (though teams know much more than we outside of interviews ever could).

Anywhere here are the next 50 best players on the draft board with brief comments for the most enticing players. The number beside each prospect’s name represents their overall ranking among the draft class.

First Round Grades

16. La’el Collins, OL, LSU

17. Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, (Missouri/Oklahoma)

Some team will get the most talented wide receiver left on the board. But the character concerns are thought to be such that they overshadow his amazing abilities on the field.

20. Landon Collins, S, Alabama

Collins is the best safety in this class. He should hear his name called soon and present amazing value for that lucky franchise.

Second Round Grades

21. Chris Conley, WR, Georgia

Admittedly higher on this board than most, Chris Conley is a SPARQ darling whose athleticism transfers to the field with speed and great route-running.

24. Owamagbe Odighizuwa, EDGE, UCLA

“Ziggy” as many call the UCLA “EDGE” because of his terribly difficult name to pronounce, is an agile and quick athlete who shows burst and a great motor. He can become a great pass-rusher.

25. Randy Gregory, EDGE, Nebraska

Randy Gregory was thought to be a top-five player when the college season ended. But character concerns arose this month, while others question his abilities on the field after watching more tape.

26. Jake Fisher, OL, Oregon

Fisher is another in a long line of excellent offensive lineman from Oregon. He’ll be a great value pick in the second round.

30. Clive Walford, TE, Miami

Walford is the best tight end in a weak draft for the position. Some have Maxx Williams in that position (and his name will see this list soon), but Walford is a slightly better blocker and equal as a pass-catcher.

31. T.J. Cummings, OL, Pittsburgh

32. Jordan Phillips, DL, Oklahoma

Phillips is the best interior defensive lineman left in this draft. Similar to Malcom Brown–drafted 32nd by the Patriots–he is big and athletic, a hard combination to come by to be sure.

33. Devin Funchess, WR/TE, Michigan

Funchess is interesting because he has the size to play tight end, but plays much more like a wide receiver. His tweener status may hurt his stock.

37. Jalen Collins, CB, LSU

39. Eric Rowe, CB, Utah

Rowe is a freakish athlete and the rare big corner in this draft. He should hear his name called early Friday night.

40. Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State

Strong is actually not very strong at the point of the catch which is probably why he hasn’t heard his name called yet.

41. Eric Kendricks, ILB, UCLA

42. Hau’oli Kikaha, OLB, Washington

Kikaha has had ACL issues, including a tear and subsequent cleaning, which is probably the reason for any slide he sees.

43. Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn

Coates is equal to Kevin White–drafted seventh by Chicago–and Dorial Green-Beckham–character issues–but cannot catch, hence why he slides to Day 2.

44. Paul Dawson, ILB, Texas Christian

Dawson is not a great athlete and has some mental and other “character issues”, but tape shows a guy who is just a good football player.

45. Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota

47. Ameer Abdullah, RB, Nebraska

48. Ali Marpet, OG, Hobart

Marpet will likely hear his name called in the second-round Friday night, making him the first small school pick drafted.

Third Round Grades

51. Lorenzo Mauldin, EDGE, Louisville

53. Bernardrick McKinney, LB, Mississippi State

54. P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State

55. A.J. Cann, OL, South Carolina

56. Eli Harold, EDGE, Virginia

57. Eddie Goldman DT, Florida State

58. Tevin Coleman, RB, Indiana

59. Duke Johnson, RB, Miami

Duke Johnson and Tevin Coleman are similar players. It will just depend on preference for a team as they have basically the same grade.

60. Danielle Hunter, DE, LSU

61. Carl Davis, DT, Iowa

62. Denzel Perryman, ILB, Miami (FL)

Perryman is a terribly overrated inside linebacker, but one some team will fall in love with early in the second-round.

63. Quinten Rollins, CB, Miami (OH)

64. Devin Smith, WR, Ohio State

Devin Smith is uniquely talented and a burner, but struggles to catch some of the easiest passes, while also making some of the most spectacular catches you’ll see.

65. Ronald Darby, CB, Florida State

66. Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon

67. Josue Matias, OL, Florida State

68. Grady Jarrett, DT, Clemson

69. Nate Orchard, EDGE, Utah

70. Kevin White, CB, TCU

Yes, there’s another “Kevin White”. But this one is small cornerback, not a tall wide receiver.

71. Jeremy Langford, RB, Michigan State

Langford is a dual-threat running back who didn’t catch many passes at Michigan State but is certainly able to do so in the NFL.

72. Zach Vigil, ILB, Utah State

73. T.J. Yeldon, RB, Alabama

75. Jaquiskie Tartt, S, Samford

76. Jay Ajayi, RB, Boise State

Ajayi is a bowling ball-type running back with good feet. He could surprise as a stellar running back from this class.

77. Josh Shaw, CB, Southern California

78. Xavier Cooper, DT, Washington State

Fourth Round Grades

79. Tyler Lockett, WR, Kansas State

80. Ty Sambrailo, OG, Colorado State

81. Chris Bonner, QB, CSU-Pueblo

Chris Bonner is the third best quarterback in this draft. Where he ends up is hard to say. He obviously wasn’t deemed as worthy of the fifth-year option that teams covet for all first-round picks.

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