The Class of 2015 - A draft review

By Matthew Phillips

UK College Athletics Scout

Founder, America’s Greatest Talent Show Scouting Services (UK) ukdraftguide.com @mattphillips78

Round 1 (18)

MARCUS PETERS

Washington

CB

Let’s get this straight right away - the best cornerback in the 2015 draft fell into the Chiefs lap at #18. Yes that’s right, superior to Trae Waynes who was selected with the 11th pock of the opening round by the Minnesota Vikings. Just switch on the tape and you’d be excused for salivating over his unbelievable talent.

A fiery, gritty cornerback prospect, Peters plays with much the same abandon. He has a tough, aggressive style swagger, who can compete with much bigger receivers and thanks to his mobility can stay in the hip pocket of his opponent. It goes without saying that the Huskies junior has been surrounded by character concerns, following a number of incidents at the school, his latest resulting in his dismissal from the team midway through this season. Peters himself, a student who shows just how much of a passion he has for the sport, has stressed that his problems are behind him and has matured since. However, given the fact the school invited him back to campus this offseason to mend bridges with his coaches, speaks volumes of their support for Peters and the former student as a person. Without those maturity concerns, Peters would most certainly be the top cornerback in these rankings this year. He seems to have made amends and learnt a valuable lesson as a result of his absence. Peters offers good size for the role with excellent awareness as part of strong skill set. The fact he has taken responsibility for his actions and thanked his coach, Chris Petersen for helping him is impressive from the junior. He could well end up being the best corner in this class at the next level when all is said and done and his tight coverage and ability to keep his eyes on the ball to defend or pick off the pass is going to be hard to pass up. Peters was also given rave reviews by both current and former coaching staffs and head coach Gary Peterson, a close friend of Andy Reid. It would be fair to say being kept from the game he loves, something which stands out on the field, was a shock to his system.

I love everything about this pick. With Sean Smith locking down one side of the field and Marcus Peters the other, the Chiefs have a secondary to be feared this coming season, both players who love to operate on an island in press coverage, not forgetting just how good a physical tackler the rookie is and dangerous pass rusher.

Round 2 (49)

MITCH MORSE

Missouri

C/G/LT/RT

Some would have you think the selection of the much experienced SEC lineman, Mitch Morse, was a ‘reach’. However, just how many linemen in this draft class can legitimately play all 5 offensive line positions? Only Cameron Erving can claim to alongside the Mizzou senior. In fact, Morse was in play at pick #32 for New England. After the top 15 prospects in this year’s class, there was very little drop off until late on in round 4 in my opinion and with that said, FIT became the determining factor in draft board value. Morse’s versatility is a rarity and his value is huge as a result.

A former center for the Tigers, Morse shifted over to fill the left tackle role left vacant by Justin Britt’s (Seattle Seahawks) move to the NFL and succeeded there in 2014. Although, despite his listed measurables, he always looked on the small side at tackle, largely thanks his lack of length in his arms, he always got the job done with his intelligent play and ability to get his body into good positions. Able to get out to the second level quickly and playing with a toughness that could see him better served inside at guard at the next level - his lack of length will prevent him holding off stronger, quicker pass rushers on the outside, but he has all the makings, smarts and strength to enjoy a long career in the NFL.

At the combine, the senior lifted a joint best 36 reps, while showing very strong feet and movement ability, posting a best 112 inch broad jump and 4.50 second 20 yard shuttle, thus proving his initial quickness off the line of scrimmage. An excellent performance from him. A tough, gritty, nasty, physical lineman with outstanding football intelligence is just what the Chiefs line needed and the scouting department and John Dorsey deserve credit in letting the draft fall to them and taking the best value player at a position of need. Plug Morse in for 10 years and forget about him.

Round 3 (79)

CHRIS CONLEY

Georgia

WR

In the 3rd round the Chiefs offense gets its deep field receiver, automatically opening up the intermediate areas of the field for the likes of Jamaal Charles, DeAnthony Thomas and Albert Wilson. Enough said.

The hard working and all round good guy Conley, entertained college football fans both on and off the field this season. A true personality, the team leader who went on to win NCAA academic awards is a well known Star Wars tribute movie maker, with a career in the film industry a distinct possibility if professional football hadn’t worked out for him. The senior has been a very effective, reliable short yardage receiver, skilled in making the catch in underneath routes. He runs effective routes, competing well for the ball, with a nous in controlling his body to maximise his effectiveness in the passing game. The Bulldog has so often been there when Georgia have needed him most as a consistent, reliable safety net for his quarterbacks during his time in Athens. Last season, Conley posted 36 receptions for 657 yards and an impressive 8 touchdowns. It was the NFL combine in Indianapolis that vaulted his stock to a wider audience, the productive receiver ran a blistering 4.35 40 yard dash (joint 3rd best for position) and a mouth watering 45 inch vertical leap to run Byron Jones close. As a consequence, Conley saw his name come to national attention at last.

Round 3 (98)

STEVEN NELSON

Oregon State

CB

Second Team All-Pac 12 Selection

A willing ball hunter, tough competitor at the position, who plays hard to overcome his lack of standout physical attributes. Nelson can over pursue and be too aggressive as a slight downfall of his game, but has the strong level of athleticism, technique, ball skills and awareness that is perfect for an NFL corner. Nelson really stood out at the Senior Bowl where he demonstrated a competitive nature to his play, not over pursuing in coverage, being significantly more patient in his approach. Nelson produced an impressive performance in the game itself, sticking with the likes of Sammie Coates and Josh Harper, gaining blanket coverage. This past season, the senior amassed an impressive 60 tackles, 2 interceptions and 8 passes broken up. He also made 2 stops for a loss.

Round 4 (118)

RAMIK WILSON

Georgia

ILB

Second Team All-SEC Selection (2014) First Team All-SEC Selection (2013)

Perhaps the worst kept secret of the draft was the Chiefs affection for Wilson at a problem position for them in 2014. With the loss of KC’s best run defenders in Mike DeVito and Derrick Johnson, stopping the rush ‘up the gut’ became an understandable issue for Bob Sutton.When watching the Georgia defines, what stood out clearly was a player who possessed such strong reading of the game that allowed him, along with his impressive playing speed, to be in the right place at the right time to make the stop. Even when plays were made away from him, Wilson pursued with impressive quickness to get to the sideline in a hurry.

The SEC’s one man tackling machine is a quick athlete inside at the position who has been a constant, reliable presence during his Bulldogs career. Always seen to be a strong reader of the game and reacting by keeping his head above the traffic and getting to the action in a hurry. With the speed to be called upon to drop back and match up with receivers in coverage, Wilson was caught out at times thanks to his tall, slender frame that did not hold up against the more physical teams, such as Florida this season, who almost exclusively ran the ball. In that contest, he was easily handled and washed out of the play as the Gators rushed ‘up the gut’ with wanton abandon. In this contest, Wilson largely went missing. However, he makes a lot of stops by seeking out the action, but is built more like that of a safety and has to avoid the attentions of bigger blockers getting their hands on him. His reading of the game is excellent and he has won with this and his good speed and athleticism. He is a relentless 2 down defender who is blessed with the good speed that ensured he was always around the ball, all over the field at times to make the stop, supremely aided by strong tackling ability once he came crashing down on the play. This past season, the senior amassed 110 tackles (7 for a loss), 2 sacks, a forced fumble and a pass broken up - outstanding production within college football’s toughest of conferences. I love this selection and fills a huge need at the same time while getting something of a steal in round 4.

Round 5 (172)

DJ ALEXANDER

ILB/OLB

Oregon State

A surprise selection, but an intriguing one in the 5th round, one which made me go back to the tape once again on Alexander. What stands out to me is his outstanding speed, he flies off the screen with his quickness to make the play, seemingly a step ahead of his opponents. Alexander comes crashing down on the ball carrier with an outstandingly smooth flow and will be a great toy with which Dave Toub can play with on special teams, utilising those standout Possessinpursuit skills. An already outstanding unit, supremely coached just got a heck of a lot quicker and nastier. Alexander is an outstanding athlete and hugely promising talent who could be the long term replacement for Derrick Johnson.

Round 5 (173)

JAMES O’SHAUGHNESSY

TE

Illinois State

A pass catching, ‘move’ tight end who uses his physicality and competitive playing style to find a way open in the middle of the field. His physical style ensures he wins in tightly contested situations with an excellent pair of hands, the senior is a quarterback’s best friend, working back to relieve pressure when things break down. Will need to develop his blocking ability to give himself an all around ability, but for now he represents a dangerous set of hands across the middle and another excellent option behind Travis Kelce in the passing game and as a ‘jump ball’ weapon in the red zone. I like the value and fit in Andy Reid’s offence here. He won’t have stuck around in the draft long after the Chiefs, so kudos to the front office here. O’Shaughnessy notched 2 touchdowns in the FCS National Championship Final against North Dakota State.

Round 6 (217)

RAKEEM NUNEZ-ROCHES

DT

Southern Mississippi

An all-action, disruptive player on the inside of the defence, who shoots through the gap. He has really improved his game in 2014, having missed the entirety of 2013 with a knee injury. The junior has good feet, mobility, athleticism and an all effort motor that doesn’t quit. A low leverage tackle, whose strength doesn’t lie in holding his spot, but in his ability to attack an offensive line with his explosive jump from the snap. Nunez - Roches fits what the Chiefs do perfectly in Bob Sutton’s attacking, heads up defence, allowing KC to show more odd fronts and negate the need to blitz as often. Importantly, if gives another body to the rotation and in turns allows pro bowler Dontari Poe to stay fresh. One of my favourite ‘sleepers’ this year, he amassed 58 tackles, with 3 sacks and 14 tackles for a loss alongside 7 quarterback hurries. Not bad at all for a player lining up in the middle of the defensive line.

*Against Texas El-Paso (UTEP) this season he was an unstoppable force, racking up an unbelievable 11 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 stops for a loss and a blocked field goal against the Miners.

Round 7 (233)

DA’RON BROWN

WR

Northern Illinois

One of an astounding 35 wide receivers selected this year (34 in 2014) and among a very strong group of sleepers at the position with the likes of Tre McBride, Dezmin Lewis, Darren Waller and Dres Anderson. Mel Kiper of ESPN loves Brown’s hands, high praise indeed for a physical receiver who just doesn’t drop the ball. Possessing a substantial catching radius, Brown has the competitiveness and ball focus to make the reception. Another hugely reliable option for Alex Smith that he lacked last season.