2015 NFL Draft: Five Surprises Fans Could See Happen
By Erik Lambert
Jan 1, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Melvin Gordon (25) runs for a touchdown in the second half against the Auburn Tigers in the 2015 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. The Badgers defeated the Tigers 34-31 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Nothing will make the 2015 NFL draft more memorable than the unexpected surprises. Here are five fans might see happen.
An unexpected team take a quarterback in the Top 10
By now the primary players have been identified. Tampa Bay, Tennessee, the Jets and St. Louis all could be in line to go after a quarterback in the top 10 picks. However, the draft has always shown that things can get a bit crazy when the most important position in football is involved. That could mean an unexpected team may make a move. Chicago sits at #7 and have their ongoing saga with Jay Cutler. Robert Griffin III is anything but safe with Washington, who is at #5. Then there are the teams lurking the background like Cleveland at #12, Houston at #16, Philadelphia at #20 and even Arizona at #24 all having reason to at least consider a move up.
Amari Cooper not be the 1st receiver taken
It almost seems like from wire to wire the best wide receiver in the country was Amari Cooper. The big plays he was making for Alabama every week made it an easy sell. Yet slowly, ever since the season ended the murmurs have grown that Cooper, for all his skill may not be tops on a lot of boards around the NFL. Kevin White of West Virginia and DeVante Parker of Louisville are both legitimate threats and could unseat Cooper as the first receiver off the board in April.
Landon Collins drop into the 2nd round
The same bad news faces Cooper’s teammate, Landon Collins. There is no question in terms of his standing as the best safety in the 2015 NFL draft class, but experts are quick to point out that is in the context of the class being rather weak overall. Collins’ stock has slid over the past few weeks, not so much due to his own action but more the rise of others. He still has a chance to keep his momentum going, but even a minor slipup could see him fall all the way out of the 1st round.
A running back going in the Top 15
Yes, the league may be geared around the pass with the quarterbacks but more than ever teams have grown to appreciate how important it can be to have a true workhorse running back on offense. Ask Seahawk fans about Marshawn Lynch. This could lead to a resurgence of runners going in the 1st round, including as high as the top 15. That is how talented the current crop is, headlined by Heisman finalist Melvin Gordon and Georgia grinder Todd Gurley.
The SEC get outpaced in the 1st round
For years the status quo has remained the same. The SEC is the king conference of college football and always produced the most high draft picks. Last year was no exception with 11 going in the 1st round. However, recent signs show that the Southeast may be losing its grip on the crown. Other conferences like the Pac-12 and Big Ten have begun to really elevate their play what with Oregon and Ohio State meeting in the national title game. There is a real chance that for the first time in years the big, bad SEC will take a back seat.