Who will be the wild-card teams of the 2015 NFL Draft?
Whether it be an organization on the upswing with a stunning early selection or a club with two first-round picks, there are always a few franchises who swing the draft in a major way.
With free agency essentially over, let's look ahead to three intriguing teams who could shake up the draft this year.
Washington Redskins
Washington RedskinsNeeds: Pass-rusher, inside linebacker, quarterback, safety, cornerback, offensive line
In the always-hyped NFC East, the Redskins had a quietly efficient free-agency period, which is the opposite of Washington's typical spending mantra. But new GM Scot McCloughan owns one of the best eyes for talent in the business and, before a hiatus from the NFL, he most recently spent time methodically helping the tremendous roster-builds in San Francisco and Seattle.
The Eagles were arguably the headliners of the early offseason, the New York Giants made Jason Pierre-Paul their franchise player and inked Shane Vereen away from the New England Patriots. The Cowboys lost plenty but still have Tony Romo, Dez Bryant, Jason Witten, the league's most punishing offensive line and pieces from last year's overachieving defense.
As has become an annual tradition, the division with the most appealing collection of large TV markets will have droves of storylines and will get more than its fair share of time in the national spotlight.
Holders of the No. 5 pick right before the Jets go on the clock, the Redskins, who've been shoved to the NFC East shadows over the past two years, are in an intriguing draft position.
Pick No. 5 options: Vic Beasley, Dante Fowler Jr., Randy Gregory, Shane Ray
Defense was rightfully a priority for McCloughan in free agency, but just two defensive tackles and secondary members were added. The productive but oft-injured Brian Orakpo joined the Tennessee Titans, which left Ryan Kerrigan as the team's lone established outside pass-rusher ... precisely why Washington must add an edge defender in Round 1.
(Trent Murphy had a fine rookie year in 2014, but he looks to be more stout against the run than he is dynamic getting after the quarterback.)
The top of this year's pass-rushing class is loaded ... it'll just come down to what flavor McCloughan likes.
Clemson's Vic Beasley bears the closest resemblance to the Broncos' Von Miller, as both are super-springy speed rushers with counter moves and surprising strength. Florida's Dante Fowler Jr. has the most powerfully active hands -- a vital and refined skill for defensive linemen and outside linebackers -- and Nebraska's Gregory wins in many of the same ways as Beasley. Missouri's Shane Ray blends much of the three's skills together but may have to overcome what Gregory has in spades: length.
Rest of the draft options: Linebackers Paul Dawson, Benardrick McKinney, Taiwan Jones, Hayes Pullard. Cornerbacks Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Justin Cox. Offensive linemen Adam Shead, Sean Hickey. Safety Kurtis Drummond, Chris Hackett
Soon after a pass-rusher is added in Round 1, the Redskins must add an impact inside linebacker. Perry Riley and Keenan Robinson are young but have yet to make a routinely noticeable impact from the middle. Though the increased prevalence of spread offenses in the NFL has lowered the perceived value of linebackers to many, all good defenses have them. Think about it.
Bashaud Breeland planted some seeds for the creation of "Breeland Island" as a rookie, especially during his matchups with Dez Bryant, but the Redskins secondary could use reinforcements, even at safety. Also, despite underrated play from the offensive line during the team's downward spiral, it'd be useful if the Redskins found another swing tackle with the versatility to play inside in the later rounds.
Is there a quarterback worth taking a flier on late? Sure, there always is. How about South Alabama's Brandon Bridge? He's an athletic signal-caller who's incredibly raw and has an odd-yet-quick throwing motion that yields impressive velocity.
Cleveland Browns
Cleveland BrownsNeeds: Defensive line, tight end, wide receiver, inside linebacker, quarterback, safety
Despite the easy-to-manufacture "dysfunction" jokes about the Browns, strictly from a roster perspective, Cleveland is far better off than most teams.
The offensive line is one of the sturdiest in the AFC, Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West formulate one of the more exciting young ground tandems in the league, and Rex Ryan protégé Mike Pettine overlooks a defense with borderline stars like Joe Haden, Paul Kruger, Tashaun Gipson and Karlos Dansby. Newly-acquired receivers Dwayne Bowe and Brian Hartline are adequate pass-catchers with respectable possession wideout resumes. Don't forget the nimble duo of Andrew Hawkins and Taylor Gabriel either.
The quarterback situation is far from resolved, but Josh McCown and Johnny Manziel need to be given a fair shot.
Because unheralded pass-rusher Jabaal Sheard was lost in free agency and defensive tackle Phil Taylor -- a former first-round pick -- has underwhelmed as a line of scrimmage anchor, GM Ray Farmer must address the front of the defense right away.
Holders of two picks in the first round, the Browns are in a luxurious position.
Pick No. 12 options: Danny Shelton, Malcom Brown, DeVante Parker
Washington's Danny Shelton may not be an efficient pass rusher right now, but he has a legitimate nose tackle body and moves like he's 30 pounds lighter. To some, Texas' Malcom Brown would be a dreaded "reach" at No. 12, but he's an overwhelming, low-center-of-gravity space-eater.
If Cleveland wants to go offense first, with Alabama's Amari Cooper and West Virginia's Kevin White likely gone, Louisville's DeVante Parker would be an ideal Josh Gordon replacement. He's tall, deceptively fast, has the ability to high-point the football in traffic and is a fluid mover. Sounds like ... Josh Gordon.
Pick No. 19 options: Owamagbe Odighizuwa, Maxx Williams, Arik Armstead
The emergence of Barkevious Mingo -- an O'Neil favorite -- in 2014 should keep the Browns away from an edge-rusher at No. 12; however, UCLA's Owamagbe Odighizuwa is a complete edge rusher with a similar body-type to that of Sheard who should be considered at No. 19.
After losing out on Charles Clay and seeing Jordan Cameron go to the Miami Dolphins, Cleveland is likely interested in adding an electric tight end early. Minnesota's Maxx Williams is a relatively young prospect, but his athleticism, body control, strong hands and above-average blocking ability make him one of those prospects who could go earlier than many think. Don't rule out Oregon's Arik Armstead here either. He's a 6-foot-7, 290-pound defensive line chess piece Pettine may love.
Rest of the draft options: Safeties Jordan Richards, Anthony Jefferson. Outside linebackers Lorenzo Mauldin, Kwon Alexander. Defensive tackles Xavier Williams, Ellis McCarthy
Due to the high frequency in which Pettine's defense plays nickel -- five defensive backs -- there's always room for a multi-talented corner or a hybrid safety. Also, in a division with established quarterbacks, the Browns can never have too many pass rushers.
If defensive tackle isn't addressed in Round 1 or 2, Cleveland will look for trench depth in the later rounds, especially after Desmond Bryant's disappointing 2014 and the dip in production from Billy Winn.
Again, the Browns are loaded with picks. After the highly questionable Justin Gilbert and Manziel selections a year ago, the pressure on Farmer is turned up.
New Orleans Saints
New Orleans SaintsNeeds: Offensive guard, wide receiver, pass-rusher, defensive tackle, tight end, inside linebacker
We probably should have realized the Saints were going to make some bold moves in free agency. After all, they went into the spending period $20 million over the cap. Losing Jimmy Graham undoubtedly hurts, but getting Pro Bowl center Max Unger and a first-round selection in return made for good business.
With Drew Brees nearing the end of his certain Hall of Fame career, New Orleans' Super Bowl window is shutting, and shutting fast.
But in the sporadic NFC South, an 8-8 season could yield a division title and playoff home game, and regardless of how the 2015 regular season goes, no team will want to head down to the fast track of the Superdome for a postseason game against the Saints.
There'll be a bevy of new faces on Bourbon Street this year, but that doesn't mean Sean Payton's team is bound for another uninspiring campaign.
Pick No. 13 options: Brandon Scherff, La'El Collins, Shane Ray, Randy Gregory, Danny Shelton, Malcom Brown
With Ben Grubbs now in Kansas City with the Chiefs, the Saints would love to acquire a young guard to pair with the elder Jahri Evans and play next to Unger. The protection of Brees, particularly up the middle, is still of the utmost importance. If Iowa's Brandon Scherff or LSU's La'El Collins fall to No. 13, one of those two should be the pick.
Both are tackle/guard hybrids with squeaky-clean film, NFL strength and technique. Actually, they're boring. They just block everybody, every snap ... basically. Either would be boons for Mark Ingram and C.J. Spiller.
Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan could pound the table for Ray who appears to be slightly on the outside looking in on the "elite" pass-rusher group in this class. With not much meat on the defensive interior and overachiever Tyrunn Walker now a member of the Detroit Lions, either one of the top defensive tackles could be snagged at this spot too.
Pick No. 31 options: Eddie Goldman, Maxx Williams, Clive Walford, Dorial Green-Beckham, Devin Smith, Jake Fisher, Eli Harold, Hau'Oli Kikaha
Don't be stunned if the Saints use this selection as part of a package to move up into Round 1. Then again, they could keep the second-to-last pick in the opening round and add a legitimate impact player.
A disruptive defensive tackle like Florida State's Eddie Goldman or underrated and explosive edge-rusher Virginia's Eli Harold -- who's Vic Beasley Lite -- or Washington's Hau'Oli Kikaha -- a speed rusher who gives 100 percent on every snap -- would make Ryan happy.
With burner Kenny Stills traded to the Miami Dolphins, Ohio State's Devin Smith -- who can fly and tracks the deep ball exceptionally well -- may be an option.
Don't sleep on Oregon offensive lineman Jake Fisher at No. 31. He could fill a guard spot as a rookie and ultimately move to right tackle after the steady Zach Strief calls it quits.
More sleepers for the Saints second first-round choice: Missouri's Dorial Green-Beckham, a Calvin Johnson-esque talent with off-field concerns, and either of the two top tight ends, Maxx Williams or Clive Walford.
Rest of the draft options: Linebackers Ramik Wilson, Bryce Hager, Hayes Pullard. Wide receivers Chris Conley, Tre McBride. Tight ends Wes Saxton, Nick O'Leary
With a $9 million price tag in 2015, the Saints were smart to let linebacker Curtis Lofton go, but they could look for depth behind David Hawthorne and Dannell Ellerbe. Georgia's Chris Conley and William and Mary's Tre McBride are raw receivers with tremendous skill sets and athletic talents -- they could be targets for the Saints in the middle rounds.
South Alabama's Wes Saxton is in the Charles Clay mold of tight ends and could probably be drafted late. Florida State's Nick O'Leary is the opposite of Jimmy Graham … for the tight end spot, he's not tall and has short arms. But he was Jameis Winston's most reliable target over the past two seasons.
The dark-horse of all the 2015 draft dark-horses is this -- the Saints taking Marcus Mariota if he slides to No. 13. No, it wouldn't help the team in 2015, and the organization may have its sights set on making one more deep playoff run with Brees.
But imagine Mariota learning under Brees for a season (or two) then taking the reigns as the "point guard" of Payton's spread, pass-heavy offense.
Remember, in 2016, Brees will be 37 in January and will represent a cap hit of more than $27 million. If he's cut then, New Orleans will save a whopping $20 million.
Just a thought. Just a thought.
