2015 NFL Draft: Predicting 1st Pick For Each New GM
By Erik Lambert
Sep 21, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly runs off the field after game against the Washington Redskins at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Redskins, 37-34. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Ryan Pace: Chicago Bears
Like Maccagnan, Chicago Bears GM Ryan Pace took the long road to his new job, working as a scout for the New Orleans Saints and eventually becoming their director of play personnel. He had a front row seat learning from one of the best in the business in Mickey Loomis so one can imagine Pace will use similar methods of thinking.
While there were a few exceptions, looking over the entirety of the Saints’ 1st round draft board from 2000 to now, Loomis held a strong belief in either drafting a defensive lineman or an offensive playmaker. Of the 15 picks he made over that span, 11 of them were one (DT/DE) or the other (WR/RB).
Based on how Pace has set the Bears up with his free agency maneuvering, those are precisely the two areas he’s likeliest to hit barring one of the top quarterbacks dropping. One key to note is how Pace lauded the depth of the wide receiving class. Couple that with the presence of head coach John Fox, a longtime defensive specialist and it’s a fair assumption Chicago will look to put the finishing touches on the retooling of their new 3-4 defense.
Prediction: Randy Gregory (DE, Nebraska)
Chip Kelly: Philadelphia Eagles
Though he is not new to the team, there is a new sheriff in town calling the shots in the 2015 NFL draft. Howie Roseman was elevated to a different position by the Philadelphia Eagles, leaving head coach Chip Kelly in charge of the personnel decisions. It’s clear he has his own designs for how the roster should look and his crazy wheeling and dealing over the past couple months has proven that.
So what do we know about the man?
He loves speed.
He’s an offensively-driven guy.
He wants a defense that forces turnovers.
Does he want Marcus Mariota? Of course. The connections are obvious. Still, it’s unrealistic. Outside of that, here is the reality of things. Philadelphia had the 31st ranked pass defense in 2014. There are two ways to fix that problem. Improve the pass rusher or improve the pass coverage. The Eagles had 49 sacks last season, so getting to the quarterback wasn’t the biggest issue. That just leaves coverage.
Unless they make that move for Mariota, expect Kelly to find himself a corner or safety at #20.
Prediction: Marcus Peters (CB, Washington)