The 2015 NFL Draft's first round came and went Thursday night with surprisingly little intrigue. Few teams were able to work out any significant trades, and veteran NFLers weren't being swapped left and right for picks. Some teams did make out like bandits however.
These are the Top 5 best picks in terms of value.
Marcus Mariota to the Tennessee Titans at No. 2
Former Super Bowl-winning coach Jon Gruden stumped for Mariota for most of this week, expressing confusion that Jameis Winston seemed to be a foregone conclusion to go No. 1 overall. Mariota outplayed Winston in 2014, beat him in the College Football Playoff, and enters the NFL free of off-field baggage; Winston, on the other hand, is a serious risk for off-field trouble.
Mariota is much safer, with arguably as much upside as Winston. Tennessee may have strong belief in 2014 fifth-rounder Zach Mettenberger under center, but he's a fifth-round pick who hasn't proven he can stay healthy. Grabbing the best QB in the draft at No. 2 is value.
Leonard Williams to the New York Jets at No. 6
Williams was the No. 1 overall talent on many draft boards, and by landing with Gang Green, may turn this into the No. 1 defense in the NFL. He will join an already formidable front that includes a Rookie of the Year (Sheldon Richardson) and a Pro Bowler (Muhammad Wilkerson). Williams himself has been compared to Reggie White, and versatile enough to play tackle or end. This line, and the re-vamped secondary featuring cornerback Darrelle Revis is going to be scary.
Breshad Perriman to Baltimore Ravens at No. 26
Losing Torrey Smith was a big blow to Baltimore's offense, considering he was a premier deep threat and their quarterback, Joe Flacco, might be the NFL's top downfield passer. Perriman looks like he has all the ability to step right in and make plays like Smith. He'll be more raw as a route runner, and his drops are terrifying, but 6'2, 212-pound receivers with sub-4.3 speed shouldn't be going at the back of Round 1.
Shane Ray to Denver Broncos at No. 23
Denver moved from No. 28 to No. 23, and gave up a fifth rounder, a 2016 fourth, and offensive lineman Manny Ramirez to snag Ray, a big-time pass rusher whose stock tumbled because marijuana was found in his car during a traffic stop earlier this week. Last season Ray was dominant, and he was outspoken that his legal mishap was a one-time mistake. If so, the Broncos got a game-changer near the end of the first round, when the liked of Jacksonville spent the No. 3 pick on a comparable talent.
Malcolm Brown to New England Patriots at No. 32
The Patriots unsurprisingly got a big get with the final pick of the first round. Malcolm Brown is a natural replacement for the departed Vince Wilfork; he's not as big as Wilfork, but his athleticism coupled with his size make for a hard man to move. Brown should anchor New England's run defense for years to come, which will be vital in a division devoid of top quarterbacks aside from Tom Brady.
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