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2015 Draft Reaction Blog, Round 2

2015-draft-reaction-blog-rd2Day one followed the script about as much as we expected, with Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota quickly off the board and a glut of wide receivers following them.

Day two promises to be a far more outrageous affair, as consensus makes way to gut feels and favorite players. This is where we really get an idea for what teams want and how much preparation they’ve done to ensure they get it. As with our first round reaction coverage we’re going to be commenting on all the picks as they come in after we watched all 870 FBS games during the 2014 season and put them through the PFF grading treatment.

Let’s see what the day holds in store for us and as ever check us out on twitter as we bring the information like no other can!

That concludes are round two breakdown, click here to move to round three.

64. NewEngland Patriots

Jordan Richards, S, Stanford

What He Brings: Good going forward, not so hot on his heels. A bigger body who was used as a (way) deep safety in such a way that he was rarely involved in the play. Doesn't have the talent to match up with receivers in the slot and a bit headless when coming up to attack the ball carrier. But there is no fear in him and he will get stuck in. Had the 11th highest production grade of all draft eligible safeties.

Where He Fits: Initially we'd expect more of a special teams based role but with the opportunity to grow into a partner for Devin McCourty after ironing out some of the wrinkles in his game.

63. Seattle Seahawks

Frank Clark, ED, Michigan

What He Brings: A whole lot of character concerns but a whole lot of talent. Clark was dismissed from Michigan for his problems off the field but when he was on it he was a true force. Had the seventh highest overall grade of edge rushers despite only playing 421 snaps. It's easy to see why the Seahawks are prepared to take a chance on him.

Where He Fits: Seattle are not short on defensive line talent but they're the kind of team that will find a way to rotate and ensure productivity. Clark promises to be another one of their number.

62. Green Bay Packers

Quinten Rollins, CB, Miami (OH)

What He Brings: Length and a whole lot of potential. Rollins spent one season playing football but showed the kind of natural talents that caught the attention of everyone. Quick wide receivers can cause him problems but when he knows what you're doing, he's got the physical ability to shut the play down. Still raw but eight picks and eight further pass break ups are impressive numbers.

Where He Fits: Green Bay never feel compelled to rush rookies into the starting lineup so a raw talent like Rollins should get some protection in that regard.

62. Green Bay Packers

Quintin Rollins, CB, Miami (OH)

What He Brings: Length and a whole lot of potential. Rollins spent one season playing football but showed the kind of natural talents that caught the attention of everyone. Quick wide receivers can cause him problems but when he knows what you're doing, he's got the physical ability to shut the play down. Still raw but eight picks and eight further pass break ups are impressive numbers.

Where He Fits: Green Bay never feel compelled to rush rookies into the starting lineup so a raw talent like Rollins should get some protection in that regard.

61. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Ali Marpet, OL, Hobart

What He Brings: Truth be told we've only studied Marpet at the Senior Bowl where he was very impressive. He's an incredibly tough projection but an incredible athlete.

Where He Fits: There's no rush to push him into a starting spot from the Bucs but he'll have every opportunity to earn one.

60. Dallas Cowboys

Randy Gregory, ED, Nebraska

What He Brings: Top 10 talent and a boatload of off the field concerns. As a player Gregory is explosive and more powerful than you'd imagine at his size. Needs to bulk up to translate a willingness to be good against the run into actually being good against the run. Had the highest pass rushing productivity score from the right side of the line against Power-5 opponents.

Where He Fits: Dallas will roll the dice with Gregory and Greg Hardy as dominating forces in their sub package. He lacks the size to be an effective every down player (can you get 20 pounds on him) but he's so explosive, and so powerful that you have to get him on the field when you know the quarterback will be passing.

59. Denver Broncos

Ty Sambrailo, OT, Colorado State

What He Brings: Intriguing athleticism but not a whole lot of college production. Even against inferior opposition he didn't dominate and when he was faced with better players he promptly got taught a lesson by Nate Orchard. He's not ready to start but offers upside as a developmental prospect after 34 draft eligible tackles got a higher production grade.

Where He Fits: The team does need a right tackle but Sambrailo lacks the power and pedigree to be that guy right now. Can you say redshirt year?

58. Arizona Cardinals

Markus Golden, ED, Missouri

What He Brings: A little bit of everything. Doesn't have stand out measurables but does have stand out tape. Golden just makes plays whether he's rushing the passer or shedding blocks in the run game. His overall production grade for the past year was actually fourth highest of all edge defenders. Long in the shadow of Shane Ray he may just get a chance in the spotlight now.

Where He Fits:Great fit for Golden and great get for Arizona. They've been desperate for some young and talented edge rush, and Golden finally provides it to them. He might start off life subbing in for edge setting Matt Shaughnessy in the teams nickel and dime packages, but has the potential to be more.

57. St Louis Rams

Rob Havenstein, OT, Wisconsin

What He Brings: A personal favorite of our own Khaled Elsayed, Havenstein got shown up a little by Joey Bosa (who didn't) but displays better footwork than you'd expect of a man his size, and is particularly graceful blocking on the move (whether working down the line or pulling past teammates). Had the 10th highest run blocking score of all Power-5 tackles.

Where He Fits: Real chance to be a stay one starter, giving the Rams a couple of mammoth tackles. Short of bringing back Joe Barksdale there really isn't too much standing in his way.

56. Pittsburgh Steelers

Senquez Golson, CB, Ole Miss

What He Brings: Playmaking and a possible conversion to playing in the slot (he wasn't used there in 2014 at Ole Miss). The NFL is currently infatuated with the longer corners and Golson isn't long and isn't going to be a press type of guy. But he has a great change of direction and great instincts for the ball. Helped him to pick up the fourth highest coverage grade against Power-5 opposition of all cornerbacks who are draft eligible.

Where He Fits: The Steelers cornerback depth chart reads like an advert for them to pick a cornerback high. Golson will have every opportunity to get significant playing time.

55. Baltimore Ravens

Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota

What He Brings: An ability to do it all as a tight end. Was our top ranked tight end from a production point of view, earning positive marks receiving and with his blocking. Not a Jimmy Graham type athlete but will contribute on every down. Williams was second in the nation in yards per route run from the TE spot.

Where He Fits: Time to give up on Dennis Pitta and move on with the kind of complete tight end the Ravens haven't had since the days of Todd Heap. Hard not to see him featuring heavily from day one.

54. Cincinnati Bengals

Jake Fisher, OT, Oregon

What He Brings: A real nastiness who loves to finish a block but can get a little bit grabby as a result. Really walks a fine line with how much an official will flag him in that regard. Not much experience on deep dropbacks (just nine seven stop drops the entire year) and really struggled with power moves inside. Fantastic at the second level though, working off blocks to make linebackers pay. A little bit of a poor mans Brandon Scherff with far weaker production.

Where He Fits: He might just wind up at guard. Has the versatility and experience where he could fill the role of swing lineman but it will be interesting to see how the Bengals manage having two high round offensive tackles in the building, potentially replacing two veterans who will surely play a role in their development.

53. Detroit Lions

Ameer Abdullah, RB, Nebraska

What He Brings: Great vision and extremely quick in and out of his cuts. More powerful than he looks and with three down back upside. Does need to get much better in pass pro where he had the fifth lowest grade against the Power-5. Still did earn a better grade for his rushing than TJ Yeldon and was third overall in the class from a production point of view.

Where He Fits: Take what Reggie Bush did (was meant to do) and fit Abdullah into that role. He's going to be the lightening to the thunder of Joique Bell.

52. Cleveland Browns

Nate Orchard, ED, Utah

What He Brings: Some speed off the edge and a natural combination of football and hand usage to defeat blocks. Caused Andrus Peat more than a few problems with his unique blend but went missing a little more than we'd have liked. For all his pressure only had the 23rd best pass rushing grade of edge defenders against Power-5 opposition.

Where He Fits: Putting some pressure on Barkevious Mingo and potentially making Paul Kruger expendable depending on how well he plays. Orchard won't be handed anything but should eat up some of the snaps Jabaal Sheard left on the table.

51. Miami Dolphins

Jordan Phillips, ID, Oklahoma

What He Brings: An ability to eat up double teams and a quickness to win rushing the passer. When he wants to. Can be something of a wrecking ball on the inside like Brodrick Bunkley in his prime.

Where He Fits: Miami has really retooled their defensive line and there's no reason why Phillips can't immediately eat up starter snaps on early downs next to Ndamukong Suh. The team spent a lot of money on Suh and they'll want to put him in favorable positions, so having someone who can ensure he's single teamed would be ideal.

50. Buffalo Bills

Ronald Darby, CB, Florida State

What He Brings: An ability to turn and run with receivers, good understanding of when to play the ball and a willingess in the run game. On the less positive side he can struggle with quickness at the line and does play a little high. Tied for 11th amongst Power-5 corners in allowing just 0.85 yards per snap in coverage.

Where He Fits: Backup. Rex Ryan isn't scared of adding cornerbacks and doesn't feel the need to throw them to the wolves that are NFL receivers. The team are well stocked at cornerback so this is a best player available style pick (not that he was on our board) with a view to the future in mind.

49. Kansas City Chiefs

Mitch Morse, OL, Missouri

What He Brings: An ability to play all five offensive line spots and some handy protection numbers where he had the third highest pass blocking grade of all SEC left tackles. Did not however impress in the run game with a negative grade on the year and is something of a projection.

Where He Fits: Swing lineman in year one? The Chiefs needed to get better on the line but this feels like a pick that might take some time to pay dividends. Of course we haven't really studied Morse as anything other than a tackle so let's see how he converts.

48. San Diego Chargers

Denzel Perryman, LB, Miami

What He Brings: A real ferocity attacking blocks in the run game, but if he doesn't win with his initial surge then his lack of length has him struggling to get off blocks. Good feel in zone where he can watch the quarterback but might struggle to track a tight end down the seam. Did well given the talent in front of him to finish fifth overall out of Power-5 linebackers with an 11.8 run stop percentage.

Where He Fits: Competing for playing time. Donald Butler has flattered to deceive and Manti Te'o has been so anonymous he's faded from ridicule. He could be the kind of attacking, tone setting linebacker this defense is crying out for.

47. Philadelphia Eagles

Eric Rowe, DB, Utah

What He Brings: Size and length. The Eagles could use help at safety or depth at corner and Rowe can provide on both counts. Played chiefly at cornerback for Utah where he showed off his ability as a press man corner. He's a little Brandon Browner in that regards because when he gets his hands on you its over, but if he's playing off coverage or doesn't get the jam he doesn't have the recovery speed to make up for it. Only allowed one completion on 10 slot targets on the year.

Where He Fits: This is the question. His skillset projects a little stronger to cornerback the way the Eagles like their cornerbacks to be big and physical. If the team are to trade Brandon Boykin it opens up a spot for Rowe as a nickel defender with Walter Thurmond moving into the slot.

46. San Francisco 49ers

Jaquiski Tartt, S, Samford

What He Brings: Experience playing the single-high role but doesn't have the kind of range, reactions or speed that you'd feel comfortable testing him with that at the NFL level. A small school prospect he didn't get the same level of attention as his FBS peers in our system.

Where He Fits: The long term successor to Antoine Bethea? The 49ers have done a good job finding talent for their secondary in recent years and there's no rush to get Tartt involved immediately unless they have plans to tackle their linebacker crisis with more dime looks.

45. Minnesota Vikings

Eric Kendricks, LB, UCLA

What He Brings: Top end ability in coverage where he looks incredibly smooth and has a knack for making plays. Not so hot in the run game where the play is over for him when a blocker gets his hands on him. Fortunately has the athleticism that he can beat blockers to a space but could get found out against better physical specimens. Had the highest grade of all linebackers in coverage for the 2014 season.

Where He Fits: The heir apparent to Chad Greenway. He might feature more prominently as a sub package linebacker initially as Greenway completes his farewell tour this year (in all likelihood).

44. New Orleans Saints

Hau'oli Kikaha, ED, Washington

What He Brings: A relentless motor, a couple of knee surgeries, and incredible production. His workout numbers were a bit whiffy but his tape was anything but. No real standout qualities but does everything well enough that the sum is greater than its parts rushing the passer. Playing in the Pac-12 had the highest pass rushing grade of all edge rushers in the Power-5 but wasn't nearly impressive against the run where he can get washed out.

Where He Fits: Likely a situational role, with Anthony Spencer or Parys Haralson making way for him to get at the passer. It could give the Saints one of the more fearsome sub package rush packages when you put him on the other side from Junior Galette with Cameron Jordan on the inside.

43. Houston Texans

Benadrick McKinney, LB, Mississippi State

What He Brings: Classic thumper style linebacker who is great at shedding blocks with the kind of length and size that allows him to control blockers regardless of their size. That saw him lead the SEC in run stop percentage with an 11.8 rating. Nowhere near as productive in coverage and looks like's trudging through mud when he's left to tackle in space. It's hard to see him becoming an effective every down player if you're going to ask him to do a lot (or anything) in coverage.

Where He Fits: Houston aren't strong at linebacker so it's likely that McKinney should win out in a battle for early down work. That may prove his ceiling though because we just haven't seen how he could function in coverage against backs and tight ends.

42. Atlanta Falcons

Jalen Collins, CB, LSU

What He Brings: Not a lot of experience, but the kind of length and speed teams covet. Was the top ranked corner courtesy of Sam Monson and Gordon McGuinness with his smooth hips and excellent change of direction skills appealing to both. Not without his flaws (he can struggle finding the ball) but it's worth noting that he had one pick, four break ups and allowed just a 10% completion percentage on deep balls.

Where He Fits: Given how Odell Beckham stole the confidence of Robert Alford its easy to envisage Collins working his way into a starting spot. He has the tools that Atlanta want in a cornerback but his lack of experience may see his progress take a little longer.

41. Carolina Panthers

Devin Funchess, TE/WR, Michigan

What He Brings: An ability to operate effecitvely from the slot. Classed as a tight end don't expect too much in the way of blocking from him, as even when split out he really didn't look all that interested. Did play hurt during the year so it's hard to tell how much that impacted him. Was a big part of Michigan's offense, with him targeted on 30.4% of all the routes he featured on.

Where He Fits: Likely as a pass play specialist who might feature far more as a receiver than he would as a tight end. Does give Cam Newton another big target with his ability to overwhelm defensive backs with his size a mismatch.

40. Tennessee Tians

Dorial Green Beckham, WR, Oklahoma

What He Brings: We're somewhat in the dark here as we only graded the 2014 season. But we did go back and watch his 2013 tape and see a receiver who wins more with his physicality than his speed and explosiveness in that regard. Very strong at the catch point and potentially a headache off the field.

Where He Fits: Well the team has Kendall Wright and brought in Harry Douglas and Hakeem Nicks, so really DGB can be whatever he wants as quickly as he wants in Tennessee. Marcus Mariota is going to need bodies to throw to.

39. Chicago Bears

Eddie Goldman, ID, Florida State

What He Brings: An ability to stand up and be counted at the line of scrimmage. Won't let double teams hurt him like a Carl Davis would and is a guy who can truly eat up blocks. Still could do more in that regard with a rather paltry 16 defensive stops in the run game really unimpressive. Don't expect much out of him as pass rusher, isn't his game where 43 interior defenders had higher pass rusher games against the Power-5.

Where He Fits: Right on the nose. Its possible the team might use Jay Ratliff there but Goldman is your prototypical space eater who should make life easier for those behind him. He's no Jordan Phillips mind.

38. Washington Redskins

Preston Smith, ED, Mississippi State

What He Brings: Some versatility. Smith impressed as an edge guy who did some of his best work in the run game, showing real strength to control blockers at will in the run game. Really controls the line of scrimmage in that regard. Has a good first step but doesn't close ground on tackles so isnt an explosive pass rusher except for when he's put inside where he can really cause interior linemen problems.

Where He Fits: The logical assumption is replacement for Brian Orakpo, but that's something of a loss in the explosiveness stakes. Smith's greatest attribute, his work in the nickel, might be where he makes a more visible contribution if the Redskins have creative plans for how to use him.

37. New York Jets

Devin Smith, WR, Ohio State

What He Brings: Can you say speed? Devin Smith will get deep on you in a hiccup and has the natural ability to adjust to the ball in the air. Unfortunately for him was not a huge part of the Buckeyes offensive assault, being targeted just 48 times on the year. Still he turned such a paltry amount of targets into a crazy 931 yards. That was good for a 28.2 yards per catch average. Wowzers. Limited running of the whole route tree given Ohio State somewhat understandably being keen to just send him deep.

Where He Fits: Eased into things. Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker are likely the safer targets right now but Smith offers something that neither of those two will. So we'd expect a sprinkling of him as a rookie before the Jets can get their losses on one of their more expensive receivers next year. Smith has a huge fans in Sam Monson and Steve Palazzolo who love this selection.

36. Jacksonville Jaguars

T.J. Yeldon, RB, Alabama

What He Brings: An ability to break tackles. Against Power-5 opposition (we really need to develop an acronym for that) he broken 46 which was third most of all running backs. With less than 200 carries, the overstated contributions of the Crimson Tide line, as well as having to fight for the spotlight in a crowded backfield it kind of got lost how impressive he was.

Where He Fits: Toby Gerhart was not the answer and we'd be surprised if Denard Robinson is anything more than a change of pace back. For a team that is committed to running the ball that likely means Yeldon as a good shot at being the bellcow for this team. Shows good patience as a runner which should fit in nicely with the Jags rushing attack.

35. Oakland Raiders

Mario Edwards, DL, Florida State

What He Brings: Good work in the run game. Graded positively in this regard with the eighth highest grade of all edge defenders in Power-5 games in what was something of a disappointing year given what was expected of him. Didn't do a good job of generating a lot of pressure as he ballooned up to over 300lbs, with 31 other edge rushers having better grades against the top level of competition.

Where He Fits: Rotational initially though he could push for the a starting defensive end spot. Long term he's likely what we saw Trey Flowers being in our mock draft, the heir apparent to Justin Tuck.

34. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Donovan Smith, OT, Penn State

What He Brings: Size. Lots and lots of size. Has the length you look for in a tackle and ability to move people though with his dimensions he should do a little more in that regard. That he earned a negative grade for his run blocking is a testament to how disinterested he looked at times. Had the fifth best pass blocking efficiency metrics for left tackles against Power-5 opposition and was able to grade positively in all bar one game. Get the feeling he has more to offer than he always showed at Penn State.

Where He Fits: There won't be much resistance to a starting spot with only Kevin Pamphile standing in his way. He's likely going to switch to the right side and be asked to be a day one starter.

33. New York Giants (traded from Tennessee)

Landon Collins, S, Alabama

What He Brings: A level of athleticism that no safety in this draft can match. Not your center fielder but more than capable of playing in the box or a two deep look, Collins was our second ranked safety on the 2014 NCAA season earning positive marks in coverage and against the run. Fantastic guy to watch on special teams where he plays a little more carefree and shows off his attributes with a little more reckless abandon.

Where He Fits: Day one starter. Who else is going to stop him? The Giants have 36 career snaps of experience on their roster scheduled to start now so look for Taylor Cooper or Nat Berhe to make way. A hefty price in trading three picks (second, fourth and seventh) for one, but a big need get with a talented player.

18:50! Draft time ahoy. The Titans are the next team up but where will they go? In a little over 10 minutes we'll have an answer for you with some reaction of our own.

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