The 2015 NFL Draft

The 2015 NFL Draft, held from April 30 to May 2, 2015, in Chicago, Illinois, was a significant event in professional football, marked by high expectations and, in some cases, unfulfilled potential. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, holding the first overall pick, selected quarterback Jameis Winston from Florida State University. Winston, a Heisman Trophy winner, entered the league with considerable fanfare, but his NFL career has been marked by both flashes of brilliance and off-field issues, leading to a somewhat nomadic career.

The 2015 NFL Draft produced talents like Cooper & Scherff, but also saw Winston & Mariota struggle, with Gurley's peak cut short by injury. Hall of Fame potential remains uncertain.

✦ 2015 NFL Draft Top Ten Selections

Pick    Tm    Player    Pos    College/Univ
                
1    TAM    Jameis Winston    QB    Florida St.
2    TEN    Marcus Mariota    QB    Oregon
3    JAX    Dante Fowler    OLB    Florida
4    OAK    Amari Cooper    WR    Alabama
5    WAS    Brandon Scherff    T    Iowa
6    NYJ    Leonard Williams    DE    USC
7    CHI    Kevin White    WR    West Virginia
8    ATL    Vic Beasley    OLB    Clemson
9    NYG    Ereck Flowers    T    Miami (FL)
10    STL    Todd Gurley    RB    Georgia

✦ How the 2015 NFL Draft Played Out

The Tennessee Titans followed suit, selecting another quarterback, Marcus Mariota from the University of Oregon, with the second overall pick. Mariota, also a Heisman winner, was expected to revitalize the Titans franchise with his dual-threat capabilities. However, injuries and inconsistent performance led to his departure from Tennessee after four seasons.

The Jacksonville Jaguars chose defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. from the University of Florida with the third pick. Fowler's career has been a mix of promise and setbacks, with injuries impacting his time in Jacksonville. He has shown talent as a pass rusher but has not consistently lived up to his draft position.

With the fourth overall pick, the Oakland Raiders selected wide receiver Amari Cooper from the University of Alabama. Cooper quickly established himself as a talented route-runner and productive receiver, earning multiple Pro Bowl selections. He was later traded to the Dallas Cowboys, where he continued to be a key offensive weapon. Cooper has been one of the more successful players from this top 10.

The Washington Redskins (now the Washington Commanders) selected offensive tackle Brandon Scherff from the University of Iowa with the fifth pick. Scherff has been a consistent and reliable presence on the offensive line, earning multiple Pro Bowl honors and establishing himself as one of the league's premier guards.

The New York Jets selected defensive end Leonard Williams from the University of Southern California with the sixth overall pick. Williams has proven to be a disruptive force on the defensive line, demonstrating versatility and pass-rushing ability. He has been a productive player for both the Jets and the New York Giants.

The Chicago Bears selected wide receiver Kevin White from West Virginia University with the seventh pick. White's NFL career was unfortunately marred by significant injuries, limiting his playing time and hindering his development. He was unable to establish himself as a consistent contributor.

The Atlanta Falcons chose outside linebacker Vic Beasley from Clemson University with the eighth pick. Beasley showed promise as a pass rusher, leading the league in sacks in 2016. However, his production declined in subsequent seasons, and he did not maintain his early success.

The New York Giants selected offensive tackle Ereck Flowers from the University of Miami with the ninth overall pick. Flowers struggled with consistency and pass protection during his time with the Giants, and his career has been somewhat journeyman-like.

Rounding out the top ten, the St. Louis Rams (now the Los Angeles Rams) selected running back Todd Gurley from the University of Georgia. Gurley quickly became one of the league's premier running backs, winning the Offensive Rookie of the Year award and earning multiple Pro Bowl selections. However, concerns about his knee injuries led to a decline in his production and an early exit from the league.

Beyond the top ten, the first round saw several other notable selections. The Minnesota Vikings selected cornerback Trae Waynes (11th), the Cleveland Browns selected defensive tackle Danny Shelton (12th), and the New Orleans Saints selected offensive tackle Andrus Peat (13th). Other notable first-round picks included Marcus Peters (18th) by the Kansas City Chiefs, and Byron Jones (27th) by the Dallas Cowboys.

Looking at the entire first round, several players have had successful NFL careers, though not all have lived up to their draft positions. Amari Cooper and Brandon Scherff stand out as consistent performers. Leonard Williams has also had a productive career. Todd Gurley, while having a dominant peak, had his career shortened by injuries.

It is still early to fully assess the long-term impact of the 2015 NFL Draft in terms of potential Hall of Fame inductees. As of now, Amari Cooper has the strongest case among the first-round selections, given his consistent production and Pro Bowl appearances. While several other players have had solid careers, it remains to be seen if any will reach Hall of Fame status. Time will tell if any late-round picks from this draft emerge as serious Hall of Fame contenders.

Info courtesy of Newspapers.com and Pro-Football-Reference.com