2015 NFL Draft Recap/New Depth Charts: THE CONTENDERS

Instead of doing pointless "draft grades" I just plugged in key draft picks to see how they fit on their new team

Here is my color code:
Has a good chance to be a starter by next season 
Quality depth 
Need not addressed in the draft 

THE CONTENDERS
These are teams that Vegas odds project will win 9.5 or more games 
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Head Coach/GM: Bill Belicheck is both
Offensive Coordinator/Style: Josh McDaniels/Spread
Pass/Run Ratio: 58.2/41.8
Defensive Coordinator/Base Scheme and Coverage
Matt Patricia/Hybrid 4-3 Man
Offensive Stars: Tom Brady-QB and Rob Gronkowski
Defensive Stars: Jamie Collins-LB, Devin McCourty and Dont'a Hightower
Position Analysis
QB:
Tom Brady-Elite
Pass Rush/DE: 
RDE: Chandler Jones-Good
LDE: Rob Ninkovich-Good
#3 DE: Jabaal Sheard-New/Good
Trey Flowers
Geneo Grissom
Interior D-Line: 
DT: Alan Branch-New/Below Average
DT: Sealver Siliga-Average
DT: Dominigue Easley-Young/2014 1st RD
Malcom Brown
LB: 
SLB: Jamie Collins-Very Good
MLB; Jerod Mayo-Good/Very Good when healthy
WLB: Dont'a Hightower-Very Good
CB: 
LCB: Logan Ryan-Young/2013 3rd RD
RCB: Alfonzo Dennard-Average
Slot CB: Kyle Arrington-Average
Safety:
SS: Patrick Chung-Good
Jordan Richards
FS: Devin McCourty-Elite
WR/TE: 
WR: Julian Edelman-Good
WR: Brandon LaFell-Average
Slot WR: Danny Amendola-Average
TE: Rob Gronkowski-Elite, arguably the best TE in the NFL
O-Line: 
LT: Nate Solder-Good
LG: Josh Kline-Average
C:   Bryan Stork-Young/2014 4th RD
RG: Ryan Wendell-Below Average  or
      Marcus Cannon-Below Average
RT: Sebastian Vollmer-Very Good
Tre Jackson
Shaquille Mason
RB: 
LeGarrette Blount-Good
Travaris Cadet-New/Unproven
Brandon Bolden-Average

NEEDS: 
RG and LG:  The Pats are good at both OT spots and rookie Bryan Stork looked like a solid starter last year. However both guard spots need major upgrades. Look for New England to use an early pick to help fix the line.
DT:  They lost Vince Wilfork and it will take multiple players to replace a star like that.
DB Depth:  Once they knew they were losing Revis, it was imperative that they keep McCourty, still more help is needed on the back end.
Speed WR:  Gronk is a superstar and is pretty much unstoppable in the Red Zone. Edleman is great underneath and LaFell is good at working the sidelines. They can still use a deep threat to stretch the defense and prevent double teams on Gronk and Edelman.


32. Malcom Brown-DT-Texas
6-2/319
64. Jordan Richards-SS-Stanford
5-11/211
97. Geneo Grissom-OLB/DE/EDGE-Oklahoma
6-3/262
101. Trey Flowers-DE/EDGE-Arkansas
6-2/266
111. Tre Jackson-OG-Florida State
6-4/330
131. Shaquille Mason-C-Georgia Tech
6-1/300
166. Joe Cardona-LONG SNAPPER-Navy
6-2/242
178. Matt Wells-WLB-Mississippi State
6-2/222
202. A.J. Derby-TE-Arkansas
6-4/255
247. Darryl Roberts-CB-Marshall
6-0/182
253. Xzavier Dickson-OLB/DE/EDGE-Alabama
6-3/260

BREAKDOWN:
Adding Brown helps ease the loss of Vince Wilfork. Richards is a smart box safety that will backup Chung, can be used in sub packages and will a beast on special teams. Belicheck was typical Belicheck, adding great depth on both the offensive line and defensive line.



SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 
Head Coach/GM: Pete Carroll/John Schneider
Offensive Coordinator/Style: Darrell Bevell/Vertical-Ball Control
Pass/Run Ratio: 46.4/53.6
Defensive Coordinator/Base Scheme and Coverage
Kris Richard (new)/4-3 Press Zone with mostly Cover 1
Offensive Stars: Marshawn Lynch-RB, Jimmy Graham-TE and Russell Wilson-QB
Defensive Stars: Earl Thomas-FS, Richard Sherman-CB, Bobby Wagner-MLB and Kam Chancellor
Position Analysis
QB:
Russell Wilson-Very Good
Pass Rush/DE: 
RDE: Cliff Avril-Very Good
LDE: Michael Bennett-Very Good
Frank Clark
Interior D-Line: 
RDT: Brandon Mebane-Good
LDT: Tony McDaniel-Average
DT: Jordan Hill-Young/2013 3rd RD/Average so far
LB: 
OLB: KJ Wright-Very Good
MLB: Bobby Wagner-Very Good/Elite
OLB: Bruce Irvin-Good
CB: 
LCB: Richard Sherman-Elite
RCB: Cary Williams-New/Average
Slot CB: Jeremy Lane-Average
Tye Smith
Safety:
SS: Kam Chancellor-Very Good
FS: Earl Thomas-Elite
WR/TE: 
WR: Doug Baldwin-Average
WR: Jermaine Kearse-Average
Tyler Lockett
TE 1: Jimmy Grahame-New/Elite, arguably the best TE in the NFL
TE 2: Luke Wilson-Young/2013 5th RD
O-Line: 
LT: Russell Okung-Good
LG: CJ Davis-New/Below Average
C:  Lemuel Jeanpierre-Below Average
RG: JR Sweezy-Below Average
RT: Justin Britt-Below Average
Terry Poole
Mark Glowinski
RB: 
Marshawn Lynch-Elite
Robert Turbin-Average

NEEDS: 
O-Line Starters and Depth:  Okung is good, but the rest of the line is average.  Expect multiple picks in the middle rounds to help improve the line.
WR:  They added a superstar TE in Graham. They could use another play make on the outside.
D-Line Depth:  Seattle couldn't get any pressure on Tom Brady in the Super Bowl once Cliff Avril got injured. Pete Carroll will look to find another speed rusher in the late rounds.
DB Depth:  The strength of the team is the secondary. The starters are great, maybe the best in the league, but more depth is needed





63. Frank Clark-DE/EDGE-Michigan
6-3/271
69. Tyler Lockett-WR/KR-Kansas State
5-10/182
130. Terry Poole-OT/OG-San Diego State
6-5/307
134. Mark Glowinski-OG-West Virginia
6-4/307
170. Tye Smith-CB-Towson
6-0/195
209. Obum Gwacham-DE/EDGE-Oregon State
6-5/246
214. Kristjan Sokoli-5T/DE/DT-Buffalo
6-5/300
248. Ryan Murphy-FS-Oregon State
6-3/214

BREAKDOWN:
Lockett could end up being a real steal in the 3rd round, he's already as much talent as any WR on their roster. He will be their return man from day one. He could end up being Percy Harvin without the character/injury issues. Clark is a good player with off the field questions. Both Poole and Glowinski will come in a compete for starting jobs. Pete Carroll loves big corners and he added another one in Tye Smith.


GREEN BAY PACKERS
Head Coach/GM: Mike McCarthy/Ted Thompson
Offensive Coordinator/Style: Tom Clements is the Associate Head Coach and will call plays while Edgar Bennett is the Offensive Coordinator
Spread and West Coast-Balanced
Pass/Run Ratio: 55.2/44.8
Defensive Coordinator/Base Scheme and Coverage
Dom Capers/3-4 Press Man
Offensive Stars: Aaron Rodgers-QB, Jordy Nelson-WR, Eddie Lacy-RB and Josh Sitton-LG
Defensive Stars: Clay Matthews-LB, Julius Peppers-OLB/DE, Casey Hayward
Position Analysis
QB:
Aaron Rodgers-Elite
Brett Hundley
Pass Rush/OLB: 
ROLB/DE: Julius Peppers-Very Good
ILB/OLB: Clay Matthews-Very Good
OLB: Nick Perry-Average
Interior D-Line: 
5T/LDE: Datone Jones-Young/2013 1st RD/Average so far
NT:  BJ Raji-Average
3T/RDE: Mike Daniels-Very Good
DT/NT backup: Josh Boyd-Young/2013 5th RD
LB: 
LILB: Carl Bradford-Young/2014 4th RD
RILB: Sam Barrington-Young/2013 7th RD
Jake Ryan
CB: 
LCB: Casey Hayward-Very Good
RCB: Sam Shields-Good
Slot CB: Micah Hyde-Average
Quinten Rollins
Safety:
SS: Morgan Burnett-Good
FS: Ha Ha Clinton Dix-Young/2014 2st RD
Damarious Randall
WR/TE: 
WR: Jordy Nelson-Elite
WR: Randall Cobb-Very Good
#3 WR: Davante Adams-Young/2014 2nd RD
Ty Montgomery
TE: Andrew Quarless-Average
O-Line: 
LT: David Bakhtari-Average
LG: Josh Sitton-Elite
C:   Corey Linsley-Good
RG: TJ Lang-Very Good
RT: Bryan Bulaga-Good
RB: 
Eddie Lacy-Very Good/almost Elite/Young/2013 2nd RD
James Starks-Average

NEEDS: 
Both ILB's:  They had to move Clay Matthews inside last year due to lack of skill inside. It helped the defense as a whole but took away from his pass rush ability on the outside. Finding a play maker or two at ILB is draft priority number one.
D-Line Depth:  Datone Jones has been a disappointment so far and BJ Raji isn' the same impact player he was two years ago.
DB Depth:  The starters are good but they lost crucial depth in Davon House and Tramon Williams. Along with that. Casey Hayward will be a free agent next year and will want more money than the Packers are willing to spend
Backup QB:  Matt Flynn is still a free agent and Scott Tolzien is the only other QB on the current roster.
Scat Back/Kick Returner:  Lacy and Starks are usually enough, but if they were to add a scat back, it would add another element the the best offense in the league.


30. Damarious Randall-FS-Arizona State
5-11/196
62. Quinten Rollins-CB-Miami (Ohio)
5-11/195
94. Ty Montgomery-WR/KR-Stanford
6-0/221

129. Jake Ryan-ILB/WLB-Michigan
6-0/240
147. Brett Hundley-QB-UCLA
6-3/226
206. Aaron Ripkowski-FB-Oklahoma
6-1/257
210. Christian Ringo-DT/DE/LONG SNAPPER-UL Lafayette
6-1/277
213. Kennard Backman-TE-UAB
6-3/258

BREAKDOWN:
4th round pick Jake Ryan has the best chance of any draft pick to become a week one starter. He might not be the play maker they need at ILB but he's a blue collar player that can provide leadership. He could end up being this year's Chris Borland. The Pack added a lot of depth to an already solid secondary. Casey Hayward will be a free agent after next year and now may become an interesting trade chip. By taking Montgomery they will no longer need Randall Cobb to return kicks. Hundley will battle Scott Tolzien for the right to become Aaron Rodgers backup.


INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 
Head Coach/GM: Chuck Pagano/Ryan Grigson
Offensive Coordinator/Style: Pep Hamilton/Spread-Pass Heavy
Pass/Run Ratio: 61.4/38.6
Defensive Coordinator/Base Scheme and Coverage
Greg Manusky/3-4 Cover 1
Offensive Star: Andrew Luck-QB
Defensive Stars: Robert Mathins-OLB and Vontae Davis-CB
Position Analysis
QB:
Andrew Luck-Elite
Pass Rush/OLB: 
ROLB: Robert Mathins-Very Good
LOLB: Trent Cole-New/Good
#3 OLB: Erik Walden-Average
Interior D-Line: 
5T/DE: Kendall Langford-New/Average
Henry Anderson
NT:  Josh Chapman-Average
David Parry
3T/DT: Arthur Jones-Below Average
LB: 
LILB: De'Qwell Jackson-Below Average
RILB: Jerrell Freeman-Average
ILB:  Nate Irving-New/Unproven
CB: 
LCB: Greg Toler-Average
RCB: Vontae Davis-Elite
D'Joun Smith
Safety:
SS: Mike Adams-Good
FS: Dwight Lowery-New/Average
Clayton Geathers
WR/TE: 
WR: Andre Johnson-New/Good
WR: Donte Monfrief-Young/2014 3rd RD
Slot WR:  TY Hilton-Very Good/almost Elite
Phillip Dorsett
TE 1: Dwayne Allen-Good
TE 2: Coby Fleener-Average
O-Line: 
LT: Anthony Castonzo-Good
LG: Jack Mewhort-Young/2014 2nd RD
C:   Jonotthan Harrison-Young/2014 Undrafted
RG: Todd Herremans-New/Average
RT: Gosder Cherilus-Below Average
RB: 
Frank Gore-New/Good
Boom Herron-Below Average
Josh Robinson

NEEDS: 
O-Line Depth:  Castonzo is good, Mewhort showed flashes as a rookie and signing Herremans was a good move. However they need major upgrades at RT and C. With his ability to play C and OT, Cameron Irving would be the perfect player to target at #29
D-Line Depth:  They signed Langford to play the five technique but upgrades are needed up front at the 3 technique and nose tackle.
DB Depth:  Davis' is a star and deserves to be mentioned among the best corners in the league along with Revis, Sherman, Haden and Peterson. The rest of the secondary is very suspect.
RB:  Gore may be the 2015 answer, but they need a young back for the future.
Backup QB:  Current backup Matt Hasselbeck will be 40 this year.
ILB Upgrades

29. Phillip Dorsett-WR/KR-Miami
5-10/185
65. D'Joun Smith-CB-Florida Atlantic
5-10/187

93. Henry Anderson-5T/DE-Stanford
6-6/294
109. Clayton Geathers-SS-UCF
6-2/218
151. David Parry-NT/DT-Stanford
6-1/308
205. Josh Robinson-RB-Mississippi State
5-8/217
207. Amarlo Herrera ILB Georgia
6-1/244
255. Denzelle Good-OT-Mars Hill
6-7/320

BREAKDOWN:
D'Joun Smith will compete with Greg Toler for the #2 Corner and with Darius Butler for the slot corner spot. Dorsett gives Andrew Luck yet another play maker on offense. Dorsett may have more value as a kick returner as a rookie than as a WR. Anderson is the perfect fit as a 5 tech DE, he will battle Kendall Langford for a starting job. The Colts also added a solid backup RB in Robinson. A  solid draft overall, but when you have a franchise QB like Luck, you really wish they would of added depth to the O-Line before the 7th round.


DENVER BRONCOS 
Head Coach/GM: Gary Kubiak/John Elway
Offensive Coordinator/Style: Rick Dennison/West Coast, but now will be pass heavy with Peyton Manning  
Pass/Run Ratio: 57.8/42.2
Defensive Coordinator/Base Scheme and Coverage
Wade Phillips (new)/3-4 Press Man
Offensive Star: Peyton Manning-QB and Demaryius Thomas-WR
Defensive Star: Von Miller-OLB and Chris Harris Jr.-CB
Position Analysis
QB:
Peyton Manning-Very Good, has slightly dropped from Elite
Pass Rush/OLB: 
ROLB: DeMarcus Ware-Very Good
LOLB: Von Miller-Elite
Shane Ray
Interior D-Line: 
RDE: Malik Jackson-Very Good
NT:  Sylvester Williams-Young/2013 1st RD/Below Average so far
Darius Kilgo
LDE: Derek Wolfe-Below Average
LB: 
LILB: Danny Trevathan-Good
RILB: Brandon M. Marshall-Good
CB: 
LCB: Aqib Talib-Good
RCB: Chris Harris jr-Elite
Slot CB: Bradley Roby-Young/2014 1st RD
Lorenzo Doss
Safety:
SS: TJ Ward-Very Good
FS: Darian Stewart-New/Unproven
WR/TE: 
WR: Demaryius Thomas-Elite
WR: Andre Caldwell-Below Average
Slot WR: Emmanuel Sanders-Very Good
#4 WR: Cody Latimer-Young/2014 2nd RD
TE 1: Owen Daniels-New/Average/Good when healthy
TE 2: Virgil Green-Unproven
Jeff Heuerman
O-Line: 
LT: Ryan Clady-Good
LG: Jon Halapio-New/Unproven
C:   Manny Ramirez-Average
RG: Louis Vasquez-Very Good
RT: Chris Clark-Average
Ty Sambrailo
Max Garcia
RB: 
CJ Anderson-Very Good
Montee Ball-Average

NEEDS: 
O-Line Depth:  They are set at LT and RG but the rest of the line is shaky. Consecutive off season losses of guards Orlando Franklin and Zane Beadles have hurt.  Upgrades at RT and LG can be made in the draft
D-Line Depth :  Losing 325 pound nose tackle Terrance "Pot Roast" Knighton was another huge loss (both literally and figuratively).  Depth needs to be added on the defensive front as well
QB:  Peyton is 39 and we still don't know if they are sold on Brock Osweiler
Kicker:  As a Super Bowl contender, you need to be good in all three aspects of the game. The Broncos had issues replacing Matt Prater last year
#3 Pass Rusher:  You can never have enough guys to put pressure on the opposing QB 
TE Upgrade 

23. Shane Ray-DE/OLB/EDGE-Missouri
6-3/245
59. Ty Sambrailo-OT-Colorado State
6-6/311
92 Jeff Heuerman-TE-Ohio State
6-5/254
133. Max Garcia-C/OG-Florida
6-4/309
164. Lorenzo Doss-CB-Tulane
5-10/182
203. Darius Kilgo-NT/DT-Maryland
6-3/319
250. Trevor Siemian-QB-Northwestern
6-3/220
251. Taurean Nixon-CB-Tulane
6-0/183
252. Josh Furman-SS-Oklahoma State
6-2/202

BREAKDOWN:
The Ray pick makes a ton of sense. I mocked him to Denver. The Broncos were smart to trade up to get him. Sambrailo will complete with Chris Clark at RT and Jon Halapio at LG. Garcia adds interior O-Line depth. The Broncos are making sure that Peyton has more protection.

DALLAS COWBOYS 
Head Coach/GM: Jason Garrett/Jerry Jones
Offensive Coordinator/Style: Scott Linehan/Vertical-Ball Control in 2014, will be more Balanced with DeMarco Murray gone
Pass/Run Ratio: 48.4/51.6 in 2014 63.6/36.4 in 2013
May lean more towards 2013 if they don't draft an adequate RB
Defensive Coordinator/Base Scheme and Coverage
Rod Marinelli/4-3 Tampa 2
Offensive Stars: Tony Romo-QB, Jason Witten-TE, Dez Bryant-WR and Tyron Smith-LT
Defensive Star: Sean Lee-MLB
Position Analysis
QB:
Tony Romo-Good
Pass Rush/D-Line: 
RDE; Greg Hardy-Very Good/New (Is still on the NFL Exempt List and his playing status for 2015 is is not yet known)
LDE Jeremy Mincy-Average
3T/DT: Tyrone Crawford-Good
NT: Josh Brent-Average
Young DE: DeMarcus Lawrence-Young/2014 2nd RD
Randy Gregory
LB: 
SLB: Sean Lee-Very Good
MLB: Rolando McClain-Good
WLB: Anthony Hitchens-Below Average
Damien Wilson
CB: 
LCB: Brandon Carr-Average/Good
RCB: Morris Claiborne-Below Average
Slot CB: Orlando Scandrick-Very Good
Byron Jones
Safety:
SS: Barry Church-Average
FS: JJ Wilcox-Below Average
WR/TE: 
WR: Dez Bryant-Elite
WR: Terrance Williams-Average
Slot WR: Cole Beasley-Average
TE: Jason Witten-Elite
O-Line: 
LT: Tyron Smith-Elite, arguably the best OT in the NFL
LG: Ronald Leary-Average
C:   Travis Frederick-Very Good/Young/2013 1st RD/Elite potential
RG: Zack Martin-Very Good/Young/2014 1st RD/Elite potential
RT: Doug Free-Average
Chaz Green
RB: 
Lance Dunbar or Joseph Randle (both unproven)

NEEDS: 
RB:  Murray is gone, they need a replacement, it's just that simple. Jerry Jones will be ecstatic if either Todd Gurley or Melvin Gordon is there at #27. Never rule out a trade up with Dallas if the price is right.
Both Safeties:  It's almost as if Dallas is competing with the Giants for worst safety duo in the league, no wonder the NFC East teams score so much when they play each other
NT:  Crawford was good as the 3 technique last year, he needs a big body nose tackle to help him on the inside.
CB:  Claiborne has been a bust since being drafted in the top 10 in 2012
WLB:  Lee and McClain are a nice duo but they need a better weak side backer. They will look to get someone that's good in coverage.
O-Line Depth:  They have the best LT, RG, C trio in the league.  However they can use some competition at the other 2 spots


27. Byron Jones-CB/FS-Connecticut
6-1/199
60. Randy Gregory-OLB/SLB/EDGE-Nebraska
6-5/235
91. Chaz Green-OT/RT-Florida
6-5/314
127. Damien Wilson-ILB-Minnesota
6-0/245
163. Ryan Russell-DE/EDGE-Purdue
6-4/269
236. Mark Nzeocha-WLB/OLB-Wyoming
6-2/232
243. Laurence Gibson-OT-Virginia Tech
6-6/305
246. Geoff Swaim-TE-Texas
6-4/250

BREAKDOWN:
Byron Jones is a GREAT pick and Randy Gregory is a top 10 talent that could end up being a major steal. They never picked a RB. I guess they are sold on the Joseph Randle/Darren McFadden duo to replace DeMarco Murray. They also ignored a glaring need at both safety spots. The picks of Jones and Gregory may payoff in the long run, but for a team with Super Bowl aspirations, you would of liked to see them fill their glaring needs with impact players.

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