Draft rewind: Winston joined by new faces at the top of the 2015 Draft
Draft rewind: Winston joined by new faces at the top of the 2015 Draft
Leading up to the 2015 NFL Draft, the biggest question would be which quarterback the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would take with the top overall selection. The choice was between the more mobile option, Florida State’s Jameis Winston, who won the 2013 Heisman Trophy, and Marcus Mariota, the more traditional pocket passer from Oregon who was the 2014 Heisman winner.
Mariota’s career did not turn out as well as the Titans had planned when they originally selected him second overall, opening the door for several other players to creep up and threaten Winston’s spot at the top. Here is a look back at what could have happened in the first round.
No. 1 (Buccaneers) Actual pick – Jameis Winston, QB Redraft – Winston
Winston has had some memorable moments in his first five seasons. He made the Pro Bowl and had 28 touchdowns (22 passing and six rushing) as a rookie and has thrown for more than 4,000 yards three times. He also is Tampa Bay’s all-time leader with 121 passing touchdowns. However, “Famous Jameis” has made some poor decisions, both in college (sexual assault allegations in 2013 and multiple shoplifting incidents) and in the NFL (he has 81 career interceptions, including a league-high 23 so far this season), and his 27-40 record has a lot to be desired.
No. 2 (Titans) Actual pick – Marcus Mariota, QB Redraft – Todd Gurley, RB
Mariota has had a solid, but not spectacular, career that has been interrupted by an MCL sprain as a rookie and an elbow injury in 2018. While Derrick Henry runs over people at Nissan Stadium currently, Tennessee’s 2015 trio of Antonio Andrews, Dexter McCluster, and David Cobb were much less reliable. Enter Gurley, whose 5,268 yards and 55 touchdowns are far and away the most among selected rushers. He was the Offensive Rookie of the Year and also took Offensive Player of the Year honors after a 1,305-yard, 13-touchdown season in 2017. Gurley led the NFL in touchdowns for the second straight season with 17 last year, and his third 1,000-yard season helped the Rams get to Super Bowl LIII. He is a three-time Pro Bowler and a two-time All-Pro.
No. 3 (Jaguars) Actual pick – Dante Fowler, DE/LB Redraft – Danielle Hunter, DE
Fowler tore his ACL on the first day of mini-camp, ending his rookie campaign early. In his third year, the Jaguars traded him to the Rams, where he converted from defensive end to linebacker and has a season-high nine sacks so far in 2019. Hunter was a reserve his first two seasons, but 12½ sacks in 2016 convinced the Vikings to get him more playing time. He had a career-best 14½ sacks in his 2018 Pro Bowl season and 12½ more this year, and his 52½ are the most among players selected in this draft.
No. 4 (Raiders) Actual pick – Amari Cooper, WR Redraft – Cooper
Cooper joined Khalil Mack as players who left Oakland in 2018, but the three-time Pro Bowler is in the midst of his fourth 1,000-yard season in his first full campaign in Dallas. Cooper tops all drafted receivers with 4,962 yards and 33 touchdowns, and his 348 catches rank second.
No. 5 (Redskins) Actual pick – Brandon Scherff, T Redraft – Scherff
Despite missing the second half of the 2018 season with a torn pec, Scherff has been solid as a right guard for the Redskins. The two-time Pro Bowler played in all of Washington’s offensive snaps as a rookie and has hovered near 90 percent in his other three full seasons.
No. 6 (Jets) Actual pick – Leonard Williams, DE Redraft – Vic Beasley, DE/LB
Williams was a solid starter for the Jets before being traded to the Giants during the 2019 season. Beasley excels at both defensive end and linebacker. He was an All-Pro and a Pro Bowler after leading the NFL with 15½ sacks in 2016, and he also started for the Falcons against the Patriots in Super Bowl LI.
No. 7 (Bears) Actual pick – Kevin White, WR Redraft – Stefon Diggs, WR
White has been extremely unlucky when it comes to injuries. He lost his rookie season with a shin injury suffered during off-season workouts and then reaggravated during organized team activities. After playing four games in 2016, White sustained a fractured fibula in the same leg. The following year, he fractured his left shoulder blade. White, who has only appeared in 14 career games, has gone unsigned since the Cardinals waived him in August. Diggs leads all selected receivers with 358 receptions, and his 4,490 yards and 29 touchdowns both rank second behind Cooper. Although Diggs was originally drafted in the fifth round, he was the star of one of the most memorable plays in recent NFL history, the “Minneapolis Miracle.” In the closing seconds of a 2017 NFC Division Round game, Diggs caught a pass from Kirk Cousins that turned into a 61-yard game-winning touchdown against New Orleans.
No. 8 (Falcons) Actual pick – Vic Beasley, DE/LB Redraft – Preston Smith, LB
With Beasley already taken, the Falcons grab another linebacker that knows how to get to the quarterback. Smith had eight sacks as a rookie and again in 2017 before signing with the Packers as a free agent before this season. Although he and Za’Darius are not related, the “Smith Brothers” have been dominant in Green Bay, with Preston amassing 11½ sacks in 2019.
No. 9 (Giants) Actual pick – Ereck Flowers, T Redraft – La’el Collins, T
Flowers started 46 games in his first three seasons with the Giants, but he also committed 27 penalties. He was cut early in 2018 and spent half a season with the Jaguars before signing with the Redskins in the offseason. Collins was an immensely talented player who went undrafted due to off-field suspicions. His former girlfriend, Brittney Mills (who was also eight months pregnant) was shot and killed at her front door just before the Draft. Collins came in for questioning and was cleared, but not quickly enough, and teams avoided drafting him. He signed with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent. Despite a torn ligament in his toe costing him most of the 2016 season, Collins has been a stalwart both at guard and tackle. He played in all of Dallas’ offensive snaps in 2017 and ’18.
No. 10 (Rams) Actual pick – Todd Gurley, RB Redraft – Melvin Gordon, RB
With Gurley going much higher in the redraft, the Rams grab Gordon, who ranks second in rushing yards with 4,151 and is tied for second with 33 touchdowns. Gordon went to the Pro Bowl after 10-touchdown seasons in 2016 and ’18, but was not selected when he posted his only 1,000-yard season (1,105 in 2017).
No. 11 (Vikings) Actual pick – Trae Waynes, CB Redraft – Marcus Peters, CB
Peters was named Defensive Rookie of the year after leading the league with eight interceptions, 280 yards, and two touchdowns. He made the Pro Bowl in his first two seasons and was an All-Pro in 2016. Peters signed with the Rams in 2018 and was traded to the Ravens this season. He currently leads the NFL with five picks and three scores. Peters’ 27 interceptions were by far the most among players from this Draft, and he had seven tackles with the Rams in Super Bowl LIII.
No. 12 (Browns) Actual pick – Danny Shelton, DT Redraft – David Johnson, RB
Shelton has just 4½ career sacks, with three so far this season. He was traded from the Browns to the Patriots in 2018. Cleveland drafted Duke Johnson in the third round, but David Johnson has been more productive. A third-round pick by Arizona, Johnson earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors after rushing for 1,239 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2016. He lost all but one game the following season due to a dislocated wrist and he has not reached the 1,000-yard mark since.
No. 13 (Saints) Actual pick – Andrus Peat, T Redraft – Peat
Peat missed time in 2015 (leg injury) and 2017 (broken fibula and high ankle sprain), but the 2018 Pro Bowler has been a mainstay on the New Orleans offensive line.
No. 14 (Dolphins) Actual pick – DeVante Parker, WR Redraft – Tyler Lockett, WR
These two receivers have similar overall numbers, but Lockett gets the nod due to his return capabilities, which earned him Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections as a rookie. Although he has yet to have a 1,000-yard receiving season, Lockett has become one of Russell Wilson’s favorite targets (261 catches, 3,665 yards and 25 touchdowns in five seasons), while still having some return duties (he led the league with 949 kick return yards in 2017).
No. 15 (Chargers) Actual pick – Melvin Gordon, RB Redraft – Duke Johnson, RB
San Diego sent picks 17 and 117, along with a fifth-rounder in 2016, to San Francisco to move up two spots. With Gordon already taken, the Chargers grab Johnson, who is dangerous both as a runner (1,676 yards in five seasons) and a receiver (271 receptions and 2,504 yards, both best among running backs).
No. 16 (Texans) Actual pick – Kevin Johnson, CB Redraft – Bernardrick McKinney, LB
Johnson suffered a broken foot in 2016 and a concussion two years later that caused him to miss time, but he only has one interception while being used primarily as a reserve with the Texans and Bills. Houston took McKinney in the second round, and he has responded with 11 career sacks and two 100-tackle seasons, including 105 in 2018, when he made the Pro Bowl.
No. 17 (49ers) Actual pick – Arik Armstead, DE Redraft – Leonard Williams, DE
After making the trade with the Chargers, the 49ers took Armstead, who missed time in 2016 (left shoulder surgery) and ’17 (broken hand). He has had a resurgence this season, posting a career-high 10 sacks in 13 games so far. Before he was traded from the Jets to the Giants during the 2019 season, Williams had 17 sacks, including a career-best seven in his 2016 Pro Bowl campaign.
No. 18 (Chiefs) Actual pick – Marcus Peters, CB Redraft – Trae Waynes, CB
Peters was selected earlier, so the Chiefs grab Waynes, the highly touted corner from Michigan State, who has 229 tackles and seven interceptions with Minnesota.
No. 19 (Browns) Actual pick – Cameron Erving, C Redraft – Marcus Mariota, QB
Cleveland acquired this pick from Buffalo in a draft-day trade in 2014 that allowed the Bills to move up and select Sammy Watkins. Erving was the second of the Browns’ first-round picks, but he played just two seasons in Cleveland before being traded to Kansas City, where he fills in at guard and tackle. Instead of the debacle that was Johnny Manziel, the Browns could have used Josh McCown for one more year and then gone with Mariota, who ranks second behind Winston with 13,183 yards and 76 touchdown passes. While he has never made a Pro Bowl, Mariota did have career highs with 3,426 yards and 26 scores in 2016.
No. 20 (Eagles) Actual pick – Nelson Agholor, WR Redraft – DeVante Parker, WR
Parker has the edge here with more yards while playing for slightly less successful quarterbacks. He has 3,099 yards and 15 touchdowns and was having his best season so far in 2019 (882 yards and six scores) before suffering a concussion in Week 14.
No. 21 (Bengals) Actual pick – Cedric Ogbuehi, T Redraft – Donovan Smith, T
An ACL injury limited Ogbuehi as a rookie, but the tackle only played 35 games before the Bengals released him in 2018. He is currently a backup with the Jaguars. Smith was originally an early second-round pick who has started every game as Winston’s blindside protector. He played in every Tampa Bay offensive snap in three of his five seasons.
No. 22 (Steelers) Actual pick – Bud Dupree, LB/DE Redraft – Dupree
Alvin “Bud” Dupree has six forced fumbles and 29½ sacks, including a career-high 9½ so far this season, while alternating between defensive end and linebacker. He had five tackles in the 2016 AFC Championship Game, but the Steelers fell to the Patriots, 36-17.
No. 23 (Broncos) Actual pick – Shane Ray, DE/LB Redraft – Kwon Alexander, LB
Denver sent picks 28 and 143, as well as a fifth-round choice in 2015, to Detroit. Ray’s promising career was derailed by four wrist surgeries, and he played 49 games in four seasons. He was released by the Ravens before this season and hasn’t been signed. Alexander was drafted by the Buccaneers in the fourth round, and the 2017 Pro Bowler has totaled seven interceptions and 414 tackles, including a league-high 108 solo stops in 2016. He missed significant time with Tampa Bay in 2018 (torn ACL) and San Francisco this season (torn pec).
No. 24 (Cardinals) Actual pick – D. J. Humphries, T Redraft – Jay Ajayi, RB
Humphries was benched his entire rookie season due to a lack of motivation, and he also missed time in 2017 (MCL sprain) and ’18 (knee injury). Arizona drafted David Johnson in the third round, but he has already been selected, so the Cardinals grab a running back here instead. Ajayi was a fifth-round pick by the Dolphins, and he was named to the Pro Bowl after rushing for 1,272 yards and eight touchdowns in 2016. Ajayi has seen his role decline since then, but he won a title with the Eagles two years ago and ran for 57 yards in Super Bowl LII.
No. 25 (Panthers) Actual pick – Shaq Thompson, LB Redraft – Thompson
Thompson has been a steady starter throughout his early career in Carolina. He has 9½ career sacks and reached the 100-tackle mark for the first time this season. Thompson just signed a four-year, $54 million contract extension with the Panthers in early December.
No. 26 (Ravens) Actual pick – Breshad Perriman, WR Redraft – Nelson Agholor, WR
Perriman missed his rookie year after a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury. He had his best season with the Ravens in 2016 (499 yards, three touchdowns), but has been inconsistent recently. Agholor has 2,515 yards and 18 touchdowns in five years with the Eagles so far. His best season was a 768-yard, eight-touchdown performance in 2017, and he was part of Philadelphia´s championship team that beat the Patriots in Super Bowl LII.
No. 27 (Cowboys) Actual pick – Byron Jones, CB Redraft – Jones
Jones has 325 tackles and two interceptions, and he has been a starter at both safety and cornerback with Dallas. His cover skills led to a Pro Bowl appearance in 2018.
No. 28 (Lions) Actual pick – Laken Tomlinson, G Redraft – Tomlinson
After moving down following their trade with the Broncos, the Lions addressed their offensive line with Tomlinson, who has been a solid starter in Detroit and San Francisco. Tomlinson has played every offensive snap with the 49ers so far in 2019.
No. 29 (Colts) Actual pick – Phillip Dorsett, WR Redraft – Jamison Crowder, WR
Although Dorsett has a career-high five touchdowns with the Patriots this season, his best value for the Colts came when he was traded for current starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett. Crowder, originally selected by the Redskins early in the fourth round, had three solid seasons in Washington. After a down year in 2018, he has seen a resurgence after signing with the Jets.
No. 30 (Packers) Actual pick – Damarious Randall, S Redraft – Landon Collins, S
After three seasons as a part-time starter in Green Bay, Randall was traded to Cleveland. He has 14 interceptions, with two returned for touchdowns. The Giants took Collins with the first pick of the second round. The three-time Pro Bowler has draft-highs with 534 tackles and 392 solo stops. Collins earned All-Pro honors in 2016 after posting 125 tackles, five interceptions, and four sacks.
No. 31 (Saints) Actual pick – Stephone Anthony, LB Redraft – Eric Kendricks, LB
The Saints and the NFC champion Seahawks worked out a mini blockbuster in which New Orleans would get this pick and center Max Unger and Seattle acquired pick 112 and tight end, Jimmy Graham. Anthony started all 16 games and made 112 tackles as a rookie, but has regressed and made only four starts since. Kendricks a second-round pick originally, ranks second behind Collins with 525 combined tackles and 337 solos. He also has nine sacks and four interceptions.
No. 32 (Patriots) Actual pick – Malcolm Brown, DT Redraft – Shaq Mason, G
The toughest choice in the redraft may have come at the last spot. Brown had 8½ sacks in 60 games and won two titles with the Patriots before signing with the Saints in the offseason. Mason, who was New England´s fourth-round pick, has played in 72 games and also started in three Super Bowls.
Other draft picks to make Pro Bowl that weren’t in the redraft: D. J. Alexander, LB (drafted 172nd by the Chiefs, Pro Bowler in 2016 on special teams).
Next: Will Goff vs. Wentz still be the top battle with the 2016 redraft?
-By: Kevin Rakas
