2015 NFL Draft Position Strength Grades: Offense

Sometimes a good way to get a feel for a draft is to grade it by position strength.  So how does the 2015 NFL draft stack up?  Here is the offensive side.

Quarterback

1. Marcus Mariota – Oregon
2. Jameis Winston – Florida State
3. Connor Cook – Michigan State
4. Brett Hundley – UCLA
5. Garrett Grayson – Colorado State

Grade:  B

Put it this way.  The 2015 class of quarterbacks is nowhere near the 2012 class, but it is definitely stronger than 2013 and may be better than 2014.  A big reason for that is the two names at the top with Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston who have that “franchise” guy look.  As for the rest of the list, there is potential but the overall depth is average, especially if Connor Cook returns to school as expected.

Running Back

1. Melvin Gordon – Wisconsin
2. Todd Gurley – Georgia
3. Tevin Coleman – Indiana
4. Duke Johnson – Miami
5. T.J. Yeldon – Alabama

Grade:  A

As the offensive side goes, this may become the best year for running backs in a long time.  Not only is the top end littered with playmakers like Melvin Gordon and Todd Gurley, both capable of cracking the 1st round, but there is also a load of sleepers climbing the ladder fast like Tevin Coleman and Duke Johnson who have thrived despite playing at mediocre programs.

Wide Receiver

1. Amari Cooper – Alabama
2. Kevin White – West Virginia
3. DeVante Parker – Louisville
4. Jaelen Strong – Arizona State
5. Ty Montgomery – Stanford

Grade:  B+

The best word that can describe the wide receiver class of the 2015 NFL draft is “solid.”  What it lacks in overall starpower, it makes up for in quality depth.  Amari Cooper is the biggest name by far but there are plenty of talented names up and down the board, offering a healthy mix of size and speed to placate any offensive system at the next level.

Tight End

1. Devin Funchess – Michigan
2. Maxx Williams – Minnesota
3. Nick O’Leary – Florida State
4. Clive Walford – Kentucky
5. Pharaoh Brown – Oregon

Grade:  C-

Honestly this class of tight ends may be even worse than the one last year.  Devin Funchess is at the top of the board but nobody is certain whether he’s a tight end or a receiver.  Maxx Williams has the complete arsenal of ability but he’s only a sophomore and could return to school.  Beyond that the group get thinner, either lacking the speed for attacking defenses or the strength to block them.

Offensive Tackle

1. Brandon Scherff – Iowa
2. Andrus Peat – Stanford
3. Cedric Ogbuehi – Texas A&M
4. La’el Collins – LSU
5. Spencer Drango – Baylor

Grade:  B-

The problem with grading offensive tackles is because nobody knows which ones will stay at tackle and which will move to guard at the pro level.  Several of the top tackle prospects in the 2015 class have that quality NFL teams covet in guards.  That would only decrease the overall grade for their group.  The good news is there seems to be some depth there, so the above average grade stands.

Offensive Guard

1. Vadal Alexander – LSU
2. Arie Kouandjio – Alabama
3. A.J. Cann – South Carolina
4. Josue Matias – Florida State
5. Tre Jackson – Florida State

Grade:  B

The star power is nowhere near what it was in 2013 but nobody should dismiss the guard position of the 2015 class.  There are some definite future starters in that mix, and it seems to be a group heavy on great run blockers which is almost perfect timing given how strong the running back class is.  The depth isn’t great but it should get a considerable boost with a number of the top tackles likely kicking inside at the next level.