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2015 NFL Draft: 32 quick-hit, pre-draft observations

CHICAGO -- To ring in Round 1 properly today, here are 32 random pre-draft observations. Some information came from scouts, some is opinion, and some is a mix. Here we go:

  1. I don't see greatness ahead for either Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota. Starters? Yes. Stars? No. Will be surprised if either is ever an elite NFL QB.
  1. Never seen anyone carry 300 pounds quite like Leonard Williams. Out of pads, looked about 270 at the combine. Not ripped but super lean.


  1. Scout told me he sees Dee Ford in Shane Ray. And it wasn't a compliment (size concerns). This came before the foot and marijuana news.
  1. Seen a lot of Landon Collins. My comp: Donovin Darius. Not a big asset in coverage, but in his prime, not a liability. Knew where to be.
  1. Predicting order in which five top edge rushers go: Dante Fowler Jr., Bud Dupree, Vic Beasley, Shane Ray, Randy Gregory. And Eli Harold crashes that party somewhere.
  1. SEC draft prospect gone quicker than you think: DE Trey Flowers, Arkansas.
  1. SEC draft prospect gone later than you think: WR Sammie Coates, Auburn.
  1. NFC scout: One "character" guy you don't have to worry about -- USCs Josh Shaw. Maddeningly dumb mistake, but not indicative of who he is.
  1. Randy Gregory and Shane Ray have made Bud Dupree more money than the combine did. And the combine helped him a lot.
  1. Gut feeling on the best pro career among RBs in this draft class not named Todd Gurley or Melvin Gordon: Tevin Coleman, Indiana.
  1. Combine snub most likely to be drafted: Georgia Tech OL Shaq Mason.
  1. Three Pac-12 guys whose draft buzz has quieted some (or a lot) from last fall to now: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Hau'oli Kikaha, Ty Montgomery.
  1. Sleeper I like: Cam Clear, TE, Texas A&M. Likely an undrafted free agent, but don't count him out. Aggies' system was awful fit for him.
  1. Good late-round fit for Washington Redskins: Miami DB Ladarius Gunter. Multiple skills for a secondary with multiple needs.
  1. Three SEC guys whose draft buzz has quieted some (or a lot) from last fall to now: OL Corey Robinson, OL Chaz Green, LB Ramik Wilson.
  1. I think versatile sleeper Lynden Trail would thrive best in New England. If anyone can find him a useful role, it's Bill Belichick.
  1. Arik Armstead should be scheme-versatile as advertised, but I really see a 3-4 end. Think he'd thrive more as rookie in 3-4.
  1. Three ACC guys whose draft buzz has quieted some (or a lot) from last fall to now: Tre' Jackson, Stefon Diggs, Gerod Holliman.
  1. Overrated to me: Michigan WR Devin Funchess. Not sure he'll get open consistently in the pros. Can't just be a red-zone guy.
  1. I like Arkansas LB Martrell Spaight as Day 3 pick. Eats up the A and B gaps. His NFL challenge will be C gaps and making plays outside.
  1. Perfect fit: Clemson DL Grady Jarrett and the Dallas Cowboys. Really disruptive and a potential draft steal. Rod Marinelli would love him.
  1. Three Big 12 guys whose draft buzz has quieted some (or a lot) from last fall to now: Cedric Reed, Antwan Goodley, Quinton Spain.
  1. Prediction on the Oklahoma OT tandem of Daryl Williams and Tyrus Thompson: Williams ends up the better pro, despite less athleticism.
  1. Time will tell if he can cover well enough in the NFL, but Ole Miss DB Cody Prewitt should be a special-teams ace.
  1. Three corners I think will end up playing nickelback: Oregon's Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Ole Miss' Senquez Golson, Ohio State's Doran Grant.
  1. I like Miami OL Ereck Flowers. If his NFL OL coach can straighten out technique issues, his second contract might be a bank-breaker.
  1. In a weak TE class, South Carolina's Busta Anderson is underrated. If healthy, he'll stick on a roster.
  1. If he can stay out of his own way, Michigan DL Frank Clark makes a roster. If an undrafted free agent with multiple offers, needs to pick a 4-3 defense.
  1. From the hard-not-to-root-for category: Mississippi State RB Josh Robinson. Super kid and fun to watch play. Poor man's Maurice Jones Drew.
  1. I like ECU WR Justin Hardy. Tough year for him to enter the NFL draft thanks to WR depth. More than held his own at Senior Bowl.
  1. Not as high on Clemson's Stephone Anthony as most. To me, sees things late and gets lost too often for an ILB. Still, goes Day 2.
  1. High-value right tackle who won't go in first round: Wisconsin's Rob Havenstein. Mauler. Fit? If Riley Reiff stays at left tackle, how about Detroit?

Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter *@ChaseGoodbread.*