Ten Biggest Winners of the 2015 NFL Draft
Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Danny Shelton (Washington) poses for a photo after being selected as the number 12th overall pick to the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Ten Biggest Winners of the 2015 NFL Draft
1) Cleveland Browns
- 1 (12) Danny Shelton, Washington DT
- 1 (19) Cameron Erving, Florida State C
- 2 (51) Nate Orchard, Utah DE/OLB
- 3 (77) Duke Johnson, Miami RB
- 3 (96) Xavier Cooper, Washington State DT
- 4 (115) Ibraheim Campbell, Northwestern SS
- 4 (123) Vince Mayle, Washington State DT
- 6 (189) Charles Gaines, Louisville CB
- 6 (195) Malcolm Johnson, Mississippi State TE
- 6 (198) Randall Telfer, USC TE
- 7 (219) Hayes Pullard, USC ILB
- 7 (241) Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Oregon CB
There are a few times like the Jets and Bears who didn’t have many picks to work with, but made the most of every pick. There are a few times like New England and New Orleans who had a ton of picks, and got a lot of good players, but also some reaches. Cleveland did both. They had 12 picks, and made the most of all of them. Taking the best player available will never let you down.
The Browns were dead last in the NFL in rushing defense. Taking the most dominant DT prospect since Ndamokung Suh, the second leading pass-rusher in the nation off the edge and one of the most athletic and versatile defensive lineman in the entire draft class will help with that. I might biased, but Danny Shelton looks like the next Haloti Ngata to me. However, I am the opposite of biased when it comes to Wazzu star Xavier Cooper, and I think he should have been a top-50 pick after watching him terrorize the Huskies the past three years. He is one of, if not the quickest DT’s I have ever watched in college, and is a perfect fit in Cleveland’s 3-4.
Nate Orchard is also a perfect scheme-fit an OLB, and while Paul Kruger has one of the OLB spots locked down for the next couple of years, Barkevious Mingo has underwhelmed in his time as a Brown. Look for these three guys to be the building blocks for Cleveland’s defense for the next 10 years. And if Ifo Ekpre-Olomu has a successful recovery, the same could be said for him at slot corner.
Cameron Erving is listed as a C, but with Alex Mack signed through 2018, the Browns must be planning on moving Erving to guard or even tackle with his athleticism. He is easily the best interior lineman in the draft, and would be the No. 3 OT in my opinion. Duke Johnson is probably a situational back, but he is explosive and unbelievably elusive. And once again, it pains me to compliment a Coug, but Vince Mayle is a vastly underrated WR. Also keep an eye out for Charles Gaines. If he adds some strength, he could be a decent corner.
Next: Honorable Mentions