2015 NFL Draft: Day 2 Bold Predictions includes Titans at No. 33 – CBSSports.com
The first round of the NFL Draft had a couple of surprises, including linebackers Shaq Thompson and Stephone Anthony landing in the NFC South, but with double the picks slated for Day 2, the fun is just beginning.
Here is what to watch for:
1. Titans go Duck-hunting again at No. 33? As anticipated, Marcus Mariota was the second overall pick and he could be wind up getting protected in Tennessee by the same man who blocked for him at the University of Oregon — athletic offensive lineman Jake Fisher. Fisher, a former tight end with experience at both left and right tackle, has the agility, strength and tenacity to play immediately and would help cushion the transition for Mariota. Should the Titans not take Fisher, a playmaking wideout could also make the reigning Heisman Trophy winner’s move to Ken Whisenhunt’s offense a little easier.
2. DGB, Gregory too talented to slip much further: Given their track records off the field, you can’t blame teams for passing on Oklahoma wideout Dorial Green-Beckham or Nebraska edge rusher Randy Gregory in the first round but the pressure is much lighter on general managers now that the top 32 picks are completed. Instead of having to answer questions about why their club was willing to take the risk of a player with character concerns, teams will be praised by some as draft day winners for landing a player with top 10 talent much later in the draft. Green-Beckham is a matchup nightmare on the perimeter with the length, body control and huge catching radius to dominate in the red zone. Gregory’s agility and length make him arguably the draft’s most gifted pass rusher. In terms of sheer talent, there is no question that they are the elite prospects still available.
3. Bills, Seahawks bring blockers to the party: After trading their first-round picks for dynamic pass-catchers in Sammy Watkins and Jimmy Graham, the Buffalo Bills and Seattle Seahawks are scheduled to officially join in on the fun of the 2015 NFL Draft with the Nos. 50 and 63 overall selections. Fans eager to see what their beloved clubs will do may be left wanting a more exciting pick, however, as the Bills and Seahawks are likely to be looking for brawn not flash. Tackles Donovan Smith (Penn State), T.J. Clemmings (Pittsburgh) and Fisher are likely high on each team’s boards as could be interior linemen A.J. Cann (South Carolina), Ali Marpet (Hobart), Tre’ Jackson (Florida State) and perhaps Mitch Morse (Missouri).
4. Day 2 will show RB, WR depth: In the weeks leading up to the draft, we’ve been telling you that this year’s class is absolutely loaded with receivers and running backs. Well, after Todd Gurley went 10th overall to the St. Louis Rams and the San Diego Chargers felt it necessary to move up two spots to land Melvin Gordon at No. 15, the cascade of rushers is just beginning. Expect there to be at least five backs drafted Friday, with Indiana’s Tevin Coleman, Nebraska’s Ameer Abdullah, Alabama’s T.J. Yeldon, Miami’s Duke Johnson and Minnesota’s David Cobb all likely to hear their name called. There could be twice as many wide receivers come off the board, with Arizona State’s Jaelen Strong, Ohio State’s Devin Smith, Michigan’s Devin Funchess joining DGB coming off the board first.
5. Colorado State’s Garrett Grayson wins the No. 3 QB derby: As you no doubt know by now, the 2015 class of quarterbacks is Jameis Winston, Mariota and everyone else. Scouts are split on which quarterback should go third, with some preferring the long-term upside of UCLA’s Brett Hundley, others preferring Oregon State QB Sean Mannion’s experience in a pro-style offense and still others enamored with the natural arm talent of Baylor’s Bryce Petty. Watch out for Grayson, however, to wind up stealing the spotlight as many feel that he offers the best combination of arm talent, mobility and experience working from under center. While a certain No. 18 in Denver won’t have to worry about keeping his job as long as he wants to play, Grayson could be an especially intriguing fit as a Peyton Manning understudy in Gary Kubiak’s West Coast offense.
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