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NFL Draft 2015: 8 instant reactions

By Will Osgood

Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announces the number third overall pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announces the number third overall pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announces the number third overall pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announces the number third overall pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

Teams weren’t afraid to draft for need

Ray Farmer and the Cleveland Browns did not make a seemingly superfluous pick in this draft but filled needs exclusively. Just looking at the top-10 of the draft, only the New York Jets in drafting Leonard Williams and the St. Louis Rams in drafting Todd Gurley seemed to flee in any way, shape or form from needs-based drafting.

But that was true throughout each round. The Jets traded up in the second-round to grab a receiver. The Cardinals took a running back in the third-round, a definite need.

Heck, the Green Bay Packers—who always draft best player available—went defensive back with their first two picks in drafting Damarious Randall at safety and Quinten Rollins at corner. The Packers needed defensive backs.

The Steelers, too, went pass-rusher, cornerback with their first two picks. And those were their two greatest needs. Baltimore went receiver, tight end with their first two picks. Those also were their greatest needs.

In other words, even the teams were generally laud as the best drafting teams—and for good reason—went need over best player available, at least early in the draft.

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