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If this were a story about any number of players the Jacksonville Jaguars signed over the years, this would be a similar piece to write. Instead, you have to look at the candidates the team has to offer when the topic of “Best Free Agent Signing of All Time” is brought about.

In the 21 seasons the franchise has been in existence, there really are only a handful to consider.

Some would argue the team did its best with picks like Sen’Derrick Marks, the free agent from Tennessee who was signed two seasons ago, late in free agency. Marks has done nothing but become the leader of the team’s defense and a dominate pass rusher up the middle from the defensive tackle position.

Others have said that Julius Thomas, the tight end the Jaguars nabbed on the first day of free agency this season is the team’s best signing ever. I would agree that Thomas will have an impact on the team and help Blake Bortles in his ascension toward stardom in the NFL. He will also influence the young nucleus of wide receivers the team has on the roster in Allen Robinson, Marquise Lee, Allen Hurns and now Rashad Greene.

But Thomas hasn’t been on the field yet, so his efforts need to be saved for another year and another discussion.

When I asked fans and friends who they put at the top of their list, I got many of the same answers, which led to great debate and some newfound knowledge as to what fans think – especially the ones who have been season ticket holders since Day 1. Names like Leon Searcy, Joel Smeenge, Carnell Lake and Paul Posluszny have been thrown around on social media sites, fan pages and the like. They are all solid picks, but when it comes right down to it, there is only one real choice – actually two – to make this a legitimate story about the best free agent signings in the Jaguars history.

Were there really any other choices besides Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell?

Smith and McCardell or “Thunder and Lightning” as they were referred to here in Jacksonville in the glory years of the franchise (1995-2000) were as dominant a duo on the outside as there was in the NFL. With Mark Brunell’s arm and legs moving the ball down the field and Fred Taylor running to daylight out of the backfield, Jacksonville’s offense was downright scary.

I’m sure the franchise of today would love to bottle up some of the magic that foursome created in time.

Smith was a street free agent who became the greatest receiver in the history of the franchise when he was signed by the team after starting his career in Dallas. When he retired he finished his career seventh in NFL history with 862 catches and 11th in league history with 12,287 yards. He had 67 career touchdown catches with the Jaguars. Smith had been voted to the Pro Bowl five straight times from 1997 to 2001. He is also the Jacksonville Jaguars all-time leading receiver, having led the team in receiving every season from 1996-2005. He also set team records with 116 receptions and 1,636 yards in 1999, both career highs. His career high in touchdowns was eight, achieved in 1998, 2000 and 2001.

McCardell traveled the path of the player who defied odds of being a late round Draft pick to become the second best receiver in team history.

He was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the 12th round of the 1991 NFL Draft, and he was also a member of the Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, San Diego Chargers and Houston Texans. A two-time Pro Bowl selection, McCardell won two Super Bowl rings, with the Redskins in 1991 and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2002.

McCardell’s speed was deceptive and he proved to be the short and intermediate threat in the offense while Smith became the home run hitter. During his first season with the team he made 85 catches for 1,129 yards and three touchdowns, and earned himself a trip to his first ever Pro Bowl.

It’s hard to believe with all of the players Jacksonville has drafted in the first round over the years (R. Jay Soward, Matt Jones, Reggie Williams, Justin Blackmon) none have panned out in the NFL and free agency has not been kind as well (Jerry Porter, Laurent Robinson).

Smith and McCardell’s numbers remain at the top of Jacksonville’s all-time receiving list and will be hard pressed to be topped any time soon.

One of the beautiful things about dynasty leagues is that there is never truly an offseason. The work is never-ending, with one season swiftly rolling into the next.

Regardless of how the 2014 season went, there is work to do. Are you rebuilding, stockpiling draft picks and young talent? Are you already a powerhouse, possibly looking to sell high on a player to replenish your depth? Or maybe you feel like you’re just a couple vital moves -- trading a draft pick or young player away for a win-now piece -- away from having a championship-caliber squad.

No matter where you are, in a dynasty league, there is no time to stand still.

In most leagues, trading is open for a majority of the year, including the spring and summer months, when a player's value can be volatile.

Mark Ingram, Justin Forsett, Jonathan Stewart, C.J. Anderson, Steve Smith, Golden Tate and Brandon LaFell all had productive -- if not outstanding -- seasons in 2014, and all of them could have been had for very little at this time a year ago.

Here are five guys who, for various reasons, are being undervalued in dynasty formats. Some of them are talented players in new locations. Others are established players who are performing a little better than what is being perceived. Either way, here are some players to consider pursuing as we start preparing for 2015.

Keenan Allen, WR, San Diego Chargers

A year ago, Allen, 23, was a top-shelf dynasty commodity. A second-year receiver coming off a 1,046-yard, eight-touchdown rookie campaign was gold, going in the second or third round in dynasty startups.

Well, in terms of fantasy production, Allen took a step back in 2014. Before missing Week 16 with an injury, he was on pace for 88 grabs and 895 yards on 8.6 targets per game. Not bad for a second-year player, but not what owners were expecting.

As a second-year wideout, Allen was targeted 16 more times than he was as a rookie,and he actually caught six more balls in 2014. The volume and opportunity were still there.

What was the biggest difference in his two campaigns? Touchdowns and a lack of big plays.

His yards-per-catch numbers dropped from 14.7 to 10.2. That led his yards per game to dip from 69.7 to a lowly 55.9. After finding the end zone eight times as a rookie, he only scored four times a year ago.

Touchdowns can vary for even the best receivers and red-zone targets. Calvin Johnson, possibly a computer-created red-zone weapon, has touchdown totals of 16, five, 12 and eight over the past four seasons. The variance isn't due to injury, either, as Megatron only missed five games in that four-year stretch.

All in all, this is an opportunity to buy low on Allen, a young receiver who is getting targeted heavily in a solid offense. He's even more valuable in points per reception leagues. Plus, Antonio Gates has to slow down at some point (right?), so Allen will have a chance to become the top option for Philip Rivers.

C.J Spiller, RB, New Orleans Saints

Spiller has a black eye in fantasy, having burned many owners over the years. When looking for an opportunity to buy low on talented players, that's the kind of guy that's worth gambling on.

He has two things working for him that should make him attractive: he's extremely talented and his value is pretty darn depleted.

The former Clemson Tiger has always had mouth-watering ability to make plays when put in space. With the Buffalo Bills, he didn't get many chances to do that. Now, after an offseason move to New Orleans, Spiller will team up with, for the first time in his career, a good quarterback and an offensive guru. Sean Payton is a master at taking advantage of his players' abilities, and Drew Brees is the genius pulling the strings.

It seems like a decade ago, but it was just 2012 when Spiller teased the fantasy world with a monster season. He totaled 1,703 total yards and eight scores, seemingly on his way to becoming a fantasy star with his electric open-field ability and dual-threat skills. He was still decent in 2013 (1,102 total yards) but only reached the end zone twice.

There's no sugarcoating it: last season was a nightmare for Spiller. He didn't put up numbers early on, and then a broken collarbone shelved him for two months, effectively ending his season.

New Orleans appears to be in the midst of a change in offensive philosophy. Tight end Jimmy Graham is gone, as is wideout Kenny Stills and pass-catching back Pierre Thomas. The Saints spent a first-round pick on tackle Andrus Peat, who is rated as a superb run blocker, brought in center Max Unger (in the Graham deal) and gave running back Mark Ingram a new four-year deal.

I'm not sure how Spiller fits in with what the Saints will be doing on offense in 2015, mostly because I don't know what the Saints will be doing on offense in 2015. Aside from Ingram, Spiller will be competing for touches with Khiry Robinson, but there are rumors swirling about a possible trade of Robinson to Dallas.

At the minimum, we know that Peyton likes Spiller, as evidenced by the fact they signed him in free agency, and Spiller has talent. I trust Peyton, one of the league's best offensive minds, to be able to do what the Buffalo coaches never did consistently: get Spiller the ball in space and unleash that talent.

Even if you don’t believe in Spiller at all, he could provide value as someone you flip as soon as he has a string of good showings.

Vincent Jackson, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

It’s easy to become infatuated with youth in dynasty formats, but there’s certainly a place for productive veterans, even if their careers are winding down. Often times, players who fit that billing are some of the most undervalued assets in dynasty, with owners willing to ship out the old, boring player for a shiny new toy.

Jackson is no longer the guy you brag about owning, yet he still produced at a fairly high level a year ago. He racked up his fourth consecutive 1,000-yard season, even with the Buccaneers’ train-wreck quarterback. No. 1 draft pick Jameis Winston will probably struggle early, like most rookie quarterback, but I don't think he'll be worse than Josh McCown or Mike Glennon.

Rookie Mike Evans stole a lot of the headlines in Tampa Bay, but Jackson was still a big part of the Bucs' offense. Jackson was targeted at least nine times in 10 of his 16 games. He actually had two more receptions (70) than did Evans (68) for just 49 fewer yards (1,002 to 1,051).

The only thing holding Jackson back is touchdowns, where Evans held a commanding 12-2 edge. Like I said earlier, touchdowns can be random and fickle. Jackson has been a solid red-zone target throughout his career, getting at least seven scores in each of the previous three years. Some of his two-touchdown season can be attributed to plain old bad luck.

Jackson, 32, finished 2014 as the 33rd-best receiver, a low-end WR3, in points per reception leagues. Again, nothing sexy but still productive. He can be counted on for much of the same this season. In dynasty, the asking price can't be much, and he can provide a nice return, especially if last year's touchdown luck evens out.

Ryan Mathews, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

Much like Spiller, Mathews has been a perennial fantasy disappointment for most of his career, and as a result, his value is incredibly low for a 27-year-old running back who was a first-round pick in 2010.

Now in Philadelphia after leaving San Diego in free agency this offseason, Mathews -- owner of two 1,000-yard campaigns, most recently in 2013 -- is a backup to 2014 breakout stud DeMarco Murray.

There's no denying Murray's greatness last season, but he did carry the ball an astounding 392 times with 52 additional touches coming on receptions. Before last year, Murray was known as a fragile player, having never played a full 16-game season and missing 11 games over his first three years.

Mathews is a Murray injury away from being the lead dog in a run-heavy, high-scoring offense. Chip Kelly and the Eagles ranked third in points per game a year ago while totaling the seventh-most rushing attempts.

Jarvis Landry, WR, Miami Dolphins

The 2014 crop of rookie wide receivers was legendary. Landry was one of the most consistent producers of the group, and he's also one of the most underappreciated.

Landry, taken in the second round by the Dolphins, finished his rookie season at the No. 31 receiver in points per reception leagues. Working primarily out of the slot, he amassed 758 yards on a team-high 84 grabs, hauling in 75.7 percent of his targets and becoming a reliable intermediate target for quarterback Ryan Tannehill.  

Miami parted with Mike Wallace and Brian Hartline, their two outside receivers from last season. Kenny Stills, Jordan Cameron and draftee DeVante Parker join the fold, but both will be first-year players in offensive coordinator Bill Lazor's scheme. Landry and running back Lamar Miller are the only players on the roster who were targeted more than 37 times in a Miami uniform last year.

It's not a stretch to say that Landry is Tannehill's No. 1 option. Other than Allen, it'll probably cost more to get Landry than anyone else on this list, but he could be a reliable WR2 for the foreseeable future.

One of the beautiful things about dynasty leagues is that there is never truly an offseason. The work is never-ending, with one season swiftly rolling into the next.

Regardless of how the 2014 season went, there is work to do. Are you rebuilding, stockpiling draft picks and young talent? Are you already a powerhouse, possibly looking to sell high on a player to replenish your depth? Or maybe you feel like you’re just a couple vital moves -- trading a draft pick or young player away for a win-now piece -- away from having a championship-caliber squad.

No matter where you are, in a dynasty league, there is no time to stand still.

In most leagues, trading is open for a majority of the year, including the spring and summer months, when a player's value can be volatile.

Mark Ingram, Justin Forsett, Jonathan Stewart, C.J. Anderson, Steve Smith, Golden Tate and Brandon LaFell all had productive -- if not outstanding -- seasons in 2014, and all of them could have been had for very little at this time a year ago.

Here are five guys who, for various reasons, are being undervalued in dynasty formats. Some of them are talented players in new locations. Others are established players who are performing a little better than what is being perceived. Either way, here are some players to consider pursuing as we start preparing for 2015.

Keenan Allen, WR, San Diego Chargers

A year ago, Allen, 23, was a top-shelf dynasty commodity. A second-year receiver coming off a 1,046-yard, eight-touchdown rookie campaign was gold, going in the second or third round in dynasty startups.

Well, in terms of fantasy production, Allen took a step back in 2014. Before missing Week 16 with an injury, he was on pace for 88 grabs and 895 yards on 8.6 targets per game. Not bad for a second-year player, but not what owners were expecting.

As a second-year wideout, Allen was targeted 16 more times than he was as a rookie,and he actually caught six more balls in 2014. The volume and opportunity were still there.

What was the biggest difference in his two campaigns? Touchdowns and a lack of big plays.

His yards-per-catch numbers dropped from 14.7 to 10.2. That led his yards per game to dip from 69.7 to a lowly 55.9. After finding the end zone eight times as a rookie, he only scored four times a year ago.

Touchdowns can vary for even the best receivers and red-zone targets. Calvin Johnson, possibly a computer-created red-zone weapon, has touchdown totals of 16, five, 12 and eight over the past four seasons. The variance isn't due to injury, either, as Megatron only missed five games in that four-year stretch.

All in all, this is an opportunity to buy low on Allen, a young receiver who is getting targeted heavily in a solid offense. He's even more valuable in points per reception leagues. Plus, Antonio Gates has to slow down at some point (right?), so Allen will have a chance to become the top option for Philip Rivers.

C.J Spiller, RB, New Orleans Saints

Spiller has a black eye in fantasy, having burned many owners over the years. When looking for an opportunity to buy low on talented players, that's the kind of guy that's worth gambling on.

He has two things working for him that should make him attractive: he's extremely talented and his value is pretty darn depleted.

The former Clemson Tiger has always had mouth-watering ability to make plays when put in space. With the Buffalo Bills, he didn't get many chances to do that. Now, after an offseason move to New Orleans, Spiller will team up with, for the first time in his career, a good quarterback and an offensive guru. Sean Payton is a master at taking advantage of his players' abilities, and Drew Brees is the genius pulling the strings.

It seems like a decade ago, but it was just 2012 when Spiller teased the fantasy world with a monster season. He totaled 1,703 total yards and eight scores, seemingly on his way to becoming a fantasy star with his electric open-field ability and dual-threat skills. He was still decent in 2013 (1,102 total yards) but only reached the end zone twice.

There's no sugarcoating it: last season was a nightmare for Spiller. He didn't put up numbers early on, and then a broken collarbone shelved him for two months, effectively ending his season.

New Orleans appears to be in the midst of a change in offensive philosophy. Tight end Jimmy Graham is gone, as is wideout Kenny Stills and pass-catching back Pierre Thomas. The Saints spent a first-round pick on tackle Andrus Peat, who is rated as a superb run blocker, brought in center Max Unger (in the Graham deal) and gave running back Mark Ingram a new four-year deal.

I'm not sure how Spiller fits in with what the Saints will be doing on offense in 2015, mostly because I don't know what the Saints will be doing on offense in 2015. Aside from Ingram, Spiller will be competing for touches with Khiry Robinson, but there are rumors swirling about a possible trade of Robinson to Dallas.

At the minimum, we know that Peyton likes Spiller, as evidenced by the fact they signed him in free agency, and Spiller has talent. I trust Peyton, one of the league's best offensive minds, to be able to do what the Buffalo coaches never did consistently: get Spiller the ball in space and unleash that talent.

Even if you don’t believe in Spiller at all, he could provide value as someone you flip as soon as he has a string of good showings.

Vincent Jackson, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

It’s easy to become infatuated with youth in dynasty formats, but there’s certainly a place for productive veterans, even if their careers are winding down. Often times, players who fit that billing are some of the most undervalued assets in dynasty, with owners willing to ship out the old, boring player for a shiny new toy.

Jackson is no longer the guy you brag about owning, yet he still produced at a fairly high level a year ago. He racked up his fourth consecutive 1,000-yard season, even with the Buccaneers’ train-wreck quarterback. No. 1 draft pick Jameis Winston will probably struggle early, like most rookie quarterback, but I don't think he'll be worse than Josh McCown or Mike Glennon.

Rookie Mike Evans stole a lot of the headlines in Tampa Bay, but Jackson was still a big part of the Bucs' offense. Jackson was targeted at least nine times in 10 of his 16 games. He actually had two more receptions (70) than did Evans (68) for just 49 fewer yards (1,002 to 1,051).

The only thing holding Jackson back is touchdowns, where Evans held a commanding 12-2 edge. Like I said earlier, touchdowns can be random and fickle. Jackson has been a solid red-zone target throughout his career, getting at least seven scores in each of the previous three years. Some of his two-touchdown season can be attributed to plain old bad luck.

Jackson, 32, finished 2014 as the 33rd-best receiver, a low-end WR3, in points per reception leagues. Again, nothing sexy but still productive. He can be counted on for much of the same this season. In dynasty, the asking price can't be much, and he can provide a nice return, especially if last year's touchdown luck evens out.

Ryan Mathews, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

Much like Spiller, Mathews has been a perennial fantasy disappointment for most of his career, and as a result, his value is incredibly low for a 27-year-old running back who was a first-round pick in 2010.

Now in Philadelphia after leaving San Diego in free agency this offseason, Mathews -- owner of two 1,000-yard campaigns, most recently in 2013 -- is a backup to 2014 breakout stud DeMarco Murray.

There's no denying Murray's greatness last season, but he did carry the ball an astounding 392 times with 52 additional touches coming on receptions. Before last year, Murray was known as a fragile player, having never played a full 16-game season and missing 11 games over his first three years.

Mathews is a Murray injury away from being the lead dog in a run-heavy, high-scoring offense. Chip Kelly and the Eagles ranked third in points per game a year ago while totaling the seventh-most rushing attempts.

Jarvis Landry, WR, Miami Dolphins

The 2014 crop of rookie wide receivers was legendary. Landry was one of the most consistent producers of the group, and he's also one of the most underappreciated.

Landry, taken in the second round by the Dolphins, finished his rookie season at the No. 31 receiver in points per reception leagues. Working primarily out of the slot, he amassed 758 yards on a team-high 84 grabs, hauling in 75.7 percent of his targets and becoming a reliable intermediate target for quarterback Ryan Tannehill.  

Miami parted with Mike Wallace and Brian Hartline, their two outside receivers from last season. Kenny Stills, Jordan Cameron and draftee DeVante Parker join the fold, but both will be first-year players in offensive coordinator Bill Lazor's scheme. Landry and running back Lamar Miller are the only players on the roster who were targeted more than 37 times in a Miami uniform last year.

It's not a stretch to say that Landry is Tannehill's No. 1 option. Other than Allen, it'll probably cost more to get Landry than anyone else on this list, but he could be a reliable WR2 for the foreseeable future.

The 2015 NFL Draft has come and gone so now it’s time to hand out the annual draft grades. The NFL Draft is something that is anticipated for months and in a flash of an eye it is over. That is the uniqueness of the draft, but also can send the diehard fans into a depression because now we must wait three months for more live meaningful NFL coverage.

Today we will take a look at the first five picks in this year’s NFL Draft. We will grade each pick on a scale of A to F. We will consider things like on the field play, off the field issues, college competition and college success as we project that forward to the NFL level.

First, we will start with the number one pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, Jameis Winston of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Draft grade: B- We give Winston a B for obvious reasons. The off the field issues have to be a concern. This doesn’t mean he can’t change his ways now that he is in a professional atmosphere, but he has to prove it first.

His own the field play is without question deserving of an A. He has all the skills you look for in a professional quarterback. He has great arm strength, accuracy and played in an NFL type system in college at Florida State.

The level of competition he played against in the ACC also concerns me, but not too much. Winston and Buccaneers get a B, but they certainly made the right choice.

Second, is the number two pick to the Tennessee Titans, Marcus Mariota.

Draft grade: B- We give the Titans a B for the selection of Mariota. His off the field concerns can be listed as none. He is humble, a great leader and will be a great ambassador for the Titans.

His spread style offense experience at Oregon will be a concern as he transfers to the NFL, but he has what it takes to get the job done by all accounts.

I love this pick of Mariota by the Titans and I feel they made the right choice by keeping the number two pick and not trading it away like so many rumors had them doing so leading up to the draft.

Third, is the number three selection of Dante Fowler to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Draft grade: B- We once again give the selection of Fowler a B grade. I feel he has all the physical qualities you look for in a future NFL star on the defensive side of the ball. He came from a great defensive system at Florida where he was coached by defensive guru Will Muschamp.

Muschamp was previously an assistant coach under Nick Saban at LSU, so you know Fowler has been well trained about the mindset and qualities it takes to play a good brand of defensive football.

Fowler is a great pick for the Jaguars and will now have to use his speed and athletic ability to rush the passer in the NFL.

Fourth, is the number four pick of Amari Cooper to the Oakland Raiders.

Draft grade: A- I give the selection of Cooper by the Raiders an A. I feel this was one of the best selections in the entire 2015 NFL Draft. I love the route running ability Cooper has and the best attribute I see from Cooper is his speed.

He has breakaway speed not only after the catch, but he runs his routes fast. He is decisive when he runs his routes and he hits another gear to gain huge “yards after catch.”

This pick was my favorite in the top five and I believe he will go on to be a pro bowler in the near future. If he can consistently get the ball in good positions from Raider quarterback Derek Carr, then his career will be elevated that much more.

Last but not least is the fifth pick of the 2015 NFL Draft, Leonard Williams to the New York Jets.

Draft grade: B- Our final grade is for the Jets’ selection of Leonard Williams from Southern California. I believe he will be a decent pass rusher at the NFL level, but his biggest strength will be stopping the run off the edges.

Williams has good mobility and nice speed that will help him rush the passer when put in third and long situations. This pick will be one that may actually work out for the Jets and help get them back on the winning track in the very near future.

Atlanta Falcons

1 (8): Vic Beasley - OLB, Clemson

2 (10): Jalen Collins - CB, LSU

3 (9): Tevin Coleman - RB, Indiana

4 (8): Justin Hardy - WR, East Carolina

5 (1): Grady Jarrett - NT, Clemson

7 (8): Jake Rodgers - OT, Eastern Washington

7 (32): Akeem King - DB, San Jose State

Elaboration:

The Falcons were one of the teams expected to get a back early, while their defense was porous with holes. In the first two rounds, they got two extremely athletic and talented prospects, Vic Beasley and Jalen Collins. Beasley is on the lighter side of edge rushers, but he has the pass rushing skills to start at defensive end right away and become one of the more difficult guys to take on. Collins on the other hand, has great size for his position, but is too raw to play early on. He will need some time to develop, but he has all the physical traits teams want in a corner. Putting him opposite standout corner Desmond Trufant, the Falcons have one of the youngest and most physically imposing cornerback tandems. There were rumors that a team was trying to trade up into the first round for Tevin Coleman, but he went through the second round without being picked. The Falcons, with the ninth pick in the third round, were more than happy to have him fall to them. He is strong, fast, and gives every carry his all. He will be an instant starter for the Falcons and can bring back the success they used to have in the running game. Justin Hardy was a solid pick, as he should be able to immediately step in as their slot receiver. He lacks size and speed, but is a reliable target worth taking day three. In the fifth round, they got excellent value in Grady Jarrett, who should be a great fit as a defensive tackle that can both stop the run and rush the passer. Their two seventh-round picks are unlikely to be anything more than backups, but Jake Rodgers has good athleticism for a tackle while Akeem King has tremendous size. Their first five picks were great, practically getting three first-rounders, a second, and a reliable third option. The Falcons will have more work to do on their offensive line and their defense, but this is a good start.

Best Pick: Tevin Coleman - RB, Indiana

Tevin Coleman was often considered the third best back, just behind Todd Gurley and Melvin Gordon. With T.J. Yeldon and Ameer Abdullah going ahead of him and the Cardinals and Cowboys passing on running backs, he fell right into the back-needy Falcons' lap.

Worst Pick: Jake Rodgers - OT, Eastern Washington

Jake Rodgers is athletic, but he is also underpowered. He will likely never be anything more than a backup, but what can you expect out of a seventh-round pick. Putting him here just shows how good their draft haul was.

Grade: A+

Carolina Panthers

1 (25): Shaq Thompson - OLB, Washington

2 (9): Devin Funchess - WR, Michigan

4 (3): Daryl Williams - OG, Oklahoma

5 (33): David Mayo - LB, Texas State

5 (38): Cameron Artis-Payne - RB, Auburn

Elaboration:

The Panthers' biggest needs were receiver, offensive line, and strong safety. In the first round, D.J. Humphries was taken just one pick before them, so instead they took Shaq Thompson. Thompson could perhaps work as the 32-year-old Thomas Davis' replacement, but that was less of a need then what else could have been filled. Had they gotten a receiver here, they could have picked up a tackle like Jake Fisher in the second. In the second round, they traded up to get Devin Funchess, a 6-foot-5 wideout/tight end hybrid. With Greg Olsen's spot set in stone, it looks like Funchess will play opposite Kelvin Benjamin for the Panthers. This gives them two big-bodied receivers on the perimeter. He has been plagued with drops though, and he will have to fix that if he is to reach Benjamin-like heights. Daryl Williams is an underrated pick, as the fourth-round selection has starting capabilities. Where he will start is a question though. Guard is probably his best position, but the Panthers failed to pick up another lineman in the draft, so he may stay outside at right tackle. If he stays outside, he will struggle against NFL-level athletes. David Mayo is on the smaller side, at 228 pounds, and has below average athleticism. He is likely a backup and special teamer. Cameron Artis-Payne can be a bruiser, but lacks the speed to be an all-around threat. Thompson is the heir to Davis, while Funchess should work well with Benjamin, and Williams has good interior qualities. This was a decent draft, but they need more speed and should have picked a more pure tackle.

Best Pick: Shaq Thompson - OLB, Washington

Shaq Thompson is a very athletic linebacker than many thought might make a switch to safety. What makes this their best pick as he has the potential to be the perfect replacement for Thomas Davis. He was a bit overdrafted, but no one they drafted was a great pick in terms of value.

Worst Pick: David Mayo - LB, Texas State

All of the earlier picks have some risk associated with them, but David Mayo's lacking physical traits make him a bad pick, even in the fifth round. Overall, there was not much separation between these picks, but it seems harsh to call a potential quality player like Thompson, Funchess, or Williams, the worst pick.

Grade: C

New Orleans Saints

1 (13): Andrus Peat - OT, Stanford

1 (31): Stephone Anthony - ILB, Clemson

2 (12): Hau'oli Kikaha - OLB, Washington

3 (11): Garrett Grayson - QB, Colorado State

3 (14): P.J. Williams - CB, Florida State

5 (12): Davis Tull - OLB, Tennessee-Chattanooga

5 (18): Tyeler Davison - DT, Fresno State

5 (31): Damian Swann - CB, Georgia

7 (13): Marcus Murphy - RB, Missouri

Elaboration:

The Saints could have addressed receiver, tight end, or guard, but their biggest needs coming into the draft were on defense, as made evident by six of their first eight selections being on the side of the ball. Their first pick was a bit of a surprise, as Andrus Peat is a right tackle and they needed a guard. This likely means Zach Strief, who has excelled at tackle in years past, will move inside. Stephone Anthony is a great pick at the bottom of the first, one I got right in my mock draft. He is not as instinctive as you would like for a first-round pick, but his physical traits and aggressive style of play, he will be an immediate upgrade for the Saints. Given a year or two to develop, he could become one of the more feared inside backers. Hau'oli Kikaha was as shocking a pick gets. There were more talented edge rushers on the board, but they went with Kikaha, the most productive of the bunch. He is little small and his athleticism is lacking, but he understands the game well. He can be a decent starter, but he has a low ceiling for a second-round pick. The second quarterback taken off the board, Garrett Grayson looks to be the heir to Drew Brees. His physical traits are nothing more than adequate, just enough, but he captured the eyes of many teams and scouts with his accuracy and anticipation. Some see him as purely a reliable backup, but he has starting potential. The question is how good of a starter can he be. In the third round, it could be hard to pass up on a talented corner like P.J. Williams, but with Keenan Lewis, free agent acquisitions Brandon Browner and Kyle Wilson, and 2014 second-round pick Stanley Jean-Baptiste, this is a crowded group. Lewis and Browner are easily the two best and are more than likely to be the starters on the perimeter, but that's where Jean-Baptiste and Williams best fit. Wilson has was a disappointment for the Jets, but he is the best fit, or least worst, for the nickel position. Perhaps these past two early-round picks were made because Lewis and Browner are 28 and 30, respectively. The other cornerback they got, Damian Swann, it a corner/safety hybrid that is likely just a depth player or special teamer. Davis Tull provides solid depth at outside linebacker, where he can make contributions from time to time due to his relentless style of play. Tyeler Davison is a big, strong man that has solid athleticism. He will need to develop behind the scenes for a year or two, but he can take over at defensive end after that. Marcus Murphy, their final pick, is a smaller guy that can find work on screens, in the slot, and as a returner. Anthony and Davison add some talent to their defense, but beyond that they made a lot of questionable decisions. With all the picks they mustered this offseason, this was a disappointing draft.

Best Pick: Stephone Anthony - ILB, Clemson

This is not an outstanding pick, but it is a solid one. Stephone Anthony is a physical specimen that should be able to develop the intangible aspects of his game over time. He will be an immediate starter for the Saints defense and will be able to make an impact against both the run and the pass.

Worst Pick: Hau'oli Kikaha - OLB, Washington

Andrus Peat drew some consideration here, but ultimately the worst pick for them was Hau'oli Kikaha, who was drafted ahead of the likes of Randy Gregory, Eli Harold, Owamagbe Odighizuwa, and Nate Orchard. He can be a quality rusher in this league, but he has a low ceiling. In the second round, this was a major reach.

Grade: D+

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

1 (1): Jameis Winston - QB, Florida State

2 (2): Donovan Smith - OT, Penn State

2 (29): Ali Marpet - C, Hobart & William Smith

4 (25): Kwon Alexander - OLB, LSU

5 (26): Kenny Bell - WR, Nebraska

6 (8): Kaelin Clay - WR, Utah

7 (14): Joey Iosefa - FB, Hawaii

Elaboration:

Quarterback and left tackle were the two positions the Buccaneers were expected to address first, but after that, they just have so many needs that it became hard to pinpoint where they would go. Jameis Winston will be their starting quarterback, and while he will probably struggle early on due to the change in the speed of the game, as most guys do, he should be able to pick it up later in the season. He has guys like Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson, while the team's fifth-round pick, Kenny Bell can be a weapon in a year or two. Bell is a little raw in terms of route concepts, but his size, speed, and hands make him a steal in day three. Jackson is getting older and Bell will likely replace him on the outside opposite Evans. The other receiver they got, Kaelin Clay, is likely limited to special teams, as he lacks the burst to make it as a slot receiver. They got two linemen in the second round to shore up their offensive line, but neither guy really has a set position. Dovovan Smith is a little lacking in athleticism for a tackle, but he has the perfect build for guard. However, where their needs lie, it looks like he will start on the left side. As for Ali Marpet, he can play center and guard, but it is more likely guard right now, as Patrick Omameh will struggle if forced to start. Kwon Alexander was an excellent pickup in the fourth round, as Danny Lansanah is 29 years old and on the last year of his contract. Lavonte David is also on a contract year, but the Buccaneers cannot let a talent like that walk away. Joey Iosefa has some running back qualities, but he is more built to be a fullback. If he can grasp the nuances of the position, he may be able to overtake Jorvorskie Lane, who has been just average. Four of the Buccaneers' first five picks should pan out, so this was a pretty good draft haul. Had they gotten a better fit for tackle, this would have been at least an A-, possibly an A.

Best Pick: Kenny Bell - WR, Nebraska

Kenny Bell will not get onto the field too often in his first year, but he will become to team's number two receiver, behind Mike Evans, once Vincent Jackson leaves, be it by release or contract expiration. He will need to work on his routes, but he has great speed and hands.

Worst Pick: Donovan Smith - OT, Penn State

When this pick was initially made, it looked like he would be their starter at right guard, but then they got Ali Marpet in the third, who now projects to start there. The Buccaneers were expected to take a left tackle early in the draft, and it looks like Smith is the guy they expect to play there. Smith's athleticism is well below average and will have a tough time holding up as the blindside protector.

Grade: B+

Quick recap of the 1st Round with an emphasis on the impact these players will have on Fantasy Football. As always, the landing spot for these rookies is just as significant as their talent/ability. We’ll wait until the Draft is complete to publish our initial rookie rankings. Until then, get to know this year’s 1st round picks. 

Quarterbacks: 

Jameis Winston, 1st Overall, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 

Despite some serious off the field concerns and maturity issues, the Buccaneers selected the former Florida State QB with the 1st overall selection in the 2015 NFL Draft. 

Fantasy Impact: With two super-star wide receivers already on the roster in Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans, Winston won’t have to worry about the lack of weapons. Pegged as the most “Pro-Ready” QB prospect in this year’s draft, it would be a major shock if Winston isn’t starting under-center in Week 1. 

Marcus Mariota, 2nd Overall, Tennessee Titans

So much speculation and rumor based reporting heading into the draft led everyone to believe the Titans were willing to trade away the Number 2 pick to either the Chicago Bears or Philadelphia Eagles. But the Tennessee’s asking price for the 2nd second proved to be to expensive. The result? The Titans take the former Oregon QB and reigning Heisman Trophy Winner.

Fantasy Impact: Coach Ken Whisenhunt has proven to get the most out of his QBs and admitted in the off-season he would cater his offense to suit Mariota’s strengths. That being said, we’d be lying if we didn’t LOVE the idea of Mariota re-joining his former Ducks Coach from a purely selfish Fantasy Football standpoint. With Kendall Wright and Justin Hunter beginning to emerge as solid receivers, Mariota has a good supporting cast of playmakers that he can grow with at the start of his career. Will Mariota beat out the incumbent starter, Zach Mettenberger? Our guess would be a resounding YES!!!!

Running Backs:

Todd Gurley, 10th Overall, St. Louis Rams:

A clear decision to take best player available, the Rams selected former Georgia rusher, Todd Gurley who many consider the second coming of Adrian Peterson with the 10th overall pick. If it wasn’t for a torn ACL last November, Gurley may have very well been a Top 5 pick.

Fantasy Impact: At 6’1, 227 pounds, Gurley has the size of a bruising and punishing rusher but the sblazing peed and shiftiness of a smaller scat back. Plain and simple he’s the total package. The major question of course is the status of his surgically repaired knee. If everything checks out without any set backs over the summer, Gurley will be the starter in Week 1 and certainly has the potential to be a Top 12 RB right out of the gate. Tre Mason will take a back-seat to Gurley and Zac Stacy has already asked to be traded.

Melvin Gordon, 15th Overall, San Diego Chargers:

The Chargers swapped picks with the 49ers and moved up the board to nab the former Wisconsin rusher with the 15th overall pick. Teams were shying away from selecting running backs in the 1st round in the last few years, but Gordon was the 2nd RB taken in the Top 15 picks (Todd Gurley 10th overall).

Fantasy Impact: With the departure of Ryan Mathews, the Chargers needed a new work-horse RB. Danny Woodhead is coming off an ACL tear and once healthy will likely just take on a 3rd down role. Gordon didn’t display his receiving skills a lot during his College career but he sure as hell proved he can tote the rock. Gordon finished on top of all NCAA D1 RBs with an eye popping 2,587 yards.

Wide Receivers:

Amari Cooper, 4th Overall, Oakland Raiders

There were some draft pundits who ranked Kevin White (7th overall Bears) ahead of Amari Cooper, but with the 4th overall pick, the Raiders selected the Alabama standout. Thanks to his precise route running and body control, Cooper is the most “Pro-Ready” receiver in this year’s class and has drawn comparison to Reggie Wayne and former Raiders WR Tim Brown. 

Fantasy Impact: It seems the Raiders found their franchise QB last year with Derek Carr and now pair him up with their franchise WR. Cooper will have an instant impact in the Raiders passing attack which has lacked a few playmakers in recent years. Typically we would be bummed when one of our favorite rookie prospects ends up on a team like the Raiders, but Cooper (like a Sammy Watkins in 2014) should have no problem emerging as a solid WR3 in  Fantasy despite playing for a bad team. 

Kevin White, 7th Overall, Chicago Bears 

After a terrific showing at the NFL Combine and breakout season at West Virginia last year, White’s draft stock skyrocketed. In an effort to fill the void left by Brandon Marshall, the Bears invested their 7th overall selection in the 6’3 wide-out. 

Fantasy Impact: Given his size, strength, and speed, White has drawn comparisons to Terrell Owens. He’s blazing fast (4.35 40 yard dash), 36.5 inch vertical leap, and a solid muscular build (210 pounds) but his route running is a bit unpolished. He’ll join the Bears as the team’s Number 2 wideout behind Alshon Jeffery. Unfortunately a lot of White’s initial success is tied to Jay Cutler, which we aren’t  necessarily thrilled about, but there are much worse QB situations around the league that White could have landed in. 

DeVante Parker, 14th Overall, Miami Dolphins

The glaring need for a true Number 1 wide receiver led the Dolphins to select DeVante Parker with their 1st round pick (14th overall). A big bodied (6’3, 211 pounds) receiver, Parker displayed tremendous toughness at Louisville and consistently showed excellent body control and concentration. Seems Parker always won the “jump ball” over defenders, thanks to strong hands, superior leaping ability, and long frame. Drops won’t be an issue for Ryan Tannehill’s new target

Fantasy Impact: The Dolphins are making serious noise this off-season by bringing in some serious weapons for Ryan Tannehill. Tight End Jordan Cameron and receivers Kenny Stills and Greg Jennings were solid acquisitions. Now add in Parker along with second year PPR stud in the making, Jarvis Landry, and Miami has one of those offenses that may take that next step into the upper echelon in 2015. Parker may not win the starting job right away (seasoned veterans typically get the edge in camp), but likely will emerge as the starter by year’s end. 

Nelson Agholor, 20th Overall, Philadelphia Eagles

Dubbed the second best route runner behind Amari Cooper, the Eagles drafted Nelson Agholor out of USC with the 20th overall pick. Capable of playing in the slot and the outside, Agholor can also contribute on Special Teams as a return man. 

Fantasy Impact; The Eagles lost their leading receiver, Jeremy Maclin, in the off-season and you know dam well Chip Kelly wasn’t going to rely on Riley Cooper to start opposite of Jordan Matthews. So what do the Eagles do? Draft a Jeremy Maclin like clone with the former USC Trojan. Forget about all the trade talk non-sense with Marcus Mariota, the Eagles still have a solid offense even with Sam Bradford at the helm and Agholor will surely benefit from Chip Kelley’s receiver friendly offense. 

Breshad Perriman, 26th Overall, Baltimore Ravens

After missing the NFL Combine due to an injury, UCF’s Breshad Perriman set the NFL world abuzz after an insane 4.24 40 yard dash at his Pro Day. Combine the 40 time with his size (6’2) and a great 2014 season (1st team All-American Athletic Conference), Perriman is the type of receiver prospect NFL GM’s drool over. With an aging Steve Smith and void left by Torrey Smith, the Ravens drafted Perriman with the 26th overall pick.

Fantasy Impact: A bit raw in terms of running routes and a bit maddening with some of his dropped passes, Perriman’s potential outweighs his shortcomings. Great blend of size and speed, the Ravens needed a deep threat to take advantage of Joe Flacco’s big arm. Get ready to watch a lot of deep routes, long bombs, and Perriman blowing past defenders with ease. 

Phillip Dorsett, 29th Overall, Indianapolis Colts

Despite a boat load of talented receivers (TY Hilton, Andre Johnson, Donte Moncfief) the Colts stuck to their guns in the 1st Round and took best player available on their board regardless of positional need. The result? Indy drafts former Miami Hurricane wide receiver Philip Dorsett with the 29th overall pick.

Fantasy Impact: You’ll be hard pressed to find a team with more weapons on Offense than the Colts. They are LOADED!!!! With Hilton entering the final year of his rookie contract, a lot of analysts immediately pegged Dorsett has Hilton’s replacement. After all, the two are very similar in size and ability. Like Hilton, Dorsett is a speedster (4.33 yard dash) and great downfield threat, but at just 5’10, 185 pounds, he’s not a big red-zone target.

Quick recap of the 1st Round with an emphasis on the impact these players will have on Fantasy Football. As always, the landing spot for these rookies is just as significant as their talent/ability. We’ll wait until the Draft is complete to publish our initial rookie rankings. Until then, get to know this year’s 1st round picks. 

Quarterbacks: 

Jameis Winston, 1st Overall, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 

Despite some serious off the field concerns and maturity issues, the Buccaneers selected the former Florida State QB with the 1st overall selection in the 2015 NFL Draft. 

Fantasy Impact: With two super-star wide receivers already on the roster in Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans, Winston won’t have to worry about the lack of weapons. Pegged as the most “Pro-Ready” QB prospect in this year’s draft, it would be a major shock if Winston isn’t starting under-center in Week 1. 

Marcus Mariota, 2nd Overall, Tennessee Titans

So much speculation and rumor based reporting heading into the draft led everyone to believe the Titans were willing to trade away the Number 2 pick to either the Chicago Bears or Philadelphia Eagles. But the Tennessee’s asking price for the 2nd second proved to be to expensive. The result? The Titans take the former Oregon QB and reigning Heisman Trophy Winner.

Fantasy Impact: Coach Ken Whisenhunt has proven to get the most out of his QBs and admitted in the off-season he would cater his offense to suit Mariota’s strengths. That being said, we’d be lying if we didn’t LOVE the idea of Mariota re-joining his former Ducks Coach from a purely selfish Fantasy Football standpoint. With Kendall Wright and Justin Hunter beginning to emerge as solid receivers, Mariota has a good supporting cast of playmakers that he can grow with at the start of his career. Will Mariota beat out the incumbent starter, Zach Mettenberger? Our guess would be a resounding YES!!!!

Running Backs:

Todd Gurley, 10th Overall, St. Louis Rams:

A clear decision to take best player available, the Rams selected former Georgia rusher, Todd Gurley who many consider the second coming of Adrian Peterson with the 10th overall pick. If it wasn’t for a torn ACL last November, Gurley may have very well been a Top 5 pick.

Fantasy Impact: At 6’1, 227 pounds, Gurley has the size of a bruising and punishing rusher but the sblazing peed and shiftiness of a smaller scat back. Plain and simple he’s the total package. The major question of course is the status of his surgically repaired knee. If everything checks out without any set backs over the summer, Gurley will be the starter in Week 1 and certainly has the potential to be a Top 12 RB right out of the gate. Tre Mason will take a back-seat to Gurley and Zac Stacy has already asked to be traded.

Melvin Gordon, 15th Overall, San Diego Chargers:

The Chargers swapped picks with the 49ers and moved up the board to nab the former Wisconsin rusher with the 15th overall pick. Teams were shying away from selecting running backs in the 1st round in the last few years, but Gordon was the 2nd RB taken in the Top 15 picks (Todd Gurley 10th overall).

Fantasy Impact: With the departure of Ryan Mathews, the Chargers needed a new work-horse RB. Danny Woodhead is coming off an ACL tear and once healthy will likely just take on a 3rd down role. Gordon didn’t display his receiving skills a lot during his College career but he sure as hell proved he can tote the rock. Gordon finished on top of all NCAA D1 RBs with an eye popping 2,587 yards.

Wide Receivers:

Amari Cooper, 4th Overall, Oakland Raiders

There were some draft pundits who ranked Kevin White (7th overall Bears) ahead of Amari Cooper, but with the 4th overall pick, the Raiders selected the Alabama standout. Thanks to his precise route running and body control, Cooper is the most “Pro-Ready” receiver in this year’s class and has drawn comparison to Reggie Wayne and former Raiders WR Tim Brown. 

Fantasy Impact: It seems the Raiders found their franchise QB last year with Derek Carr and now pair him up with their franchise WR. Cooper will have an instant impact in the Raiders passing attack which has lacked a few playmakers in recent years. Typically we would be bummed when one of our favorite rookie prospects ends up on a team like the Raiders, but Cooper (like a Sammy Watkins in 2014) should have no problem emerging as a solid WR3 in  Fantasy despite playing for a bad team. 

Kevin White, 7th Overall, Chicago Bears 

After a terrific showing at the NFL Combine and breakout season at West Virginia last year, White’s draft stock skyrocketed. In an effort to fill the void left by Brandon Marshall, the Bears invested their 7th overall selection in the 6’3 wide-out. 

Fantasy Impact: Given his size, strength, and speed, White has drawn comparisons to Terrell Owens. He’s blazing fast (4.35 40 yard dash), 36.5 inch vertical leap, and a solid muscular build (210 pounds) but his route running is a bit unpolished. He’ll join the Bears as the team’s Number 2 wideout behind Alshon Jeffery. Unfortunately a lot of White’s initial success is tied to Jay Cutler, which we aren’t  necessarily thrilled about, but there are much worse QB situations around the league that White could have landed in. 

DeVante Parker, 14th Overall, Miami Dolphins

The glaring need for a true Number 1 wide receiver led the Dolphins to select DeVante Parker with their 1st round pick (14th overall). A big bodied (6’3, 211 pounds) receiver, Parker displayed tremendous toughness at Louisville and consistently showed excellent body control and concentration. Seems Parker always won the “jump ball” over defenders, thanks to strong hands, superior leaping ability, and long frame. Drops won’t be an issue for Ryan Tannehill’s new target

Fantasy Impact: The Dolphins are making serious noise this off-season by bringing in some serious weapons for Ryan Tannehill. Tight End Jordan Cameron and receivers Kenny Stills and Greg Jennings were solid acquisitions. Now add in Parker along with second year PPR stud in the making, Jarvis Landry, and Miami has one of those offenses that may take that next step into the upper echelon in 2015. Parker may not win the starting job right away (seasoned veterans typically get the edge in camp), but likely will emerge as the starter by year’s end. 

Nelson Agholor, 20th Overall, Philadelphia Eagles

Dubbed the second best route runner behind Amari Cooper, the Eagles drafted Nelson Agholor out of USC with the 20th overall pick. Capable of playing in the slot and the outside, Agholor can also contribute on Special Teams as a return man. 

Fantasy Impact; The Eagles lost their leading receiver, Jeremy Maclin, in the off-season and you know dam well Chip Kelly wasn’t going to rely on Riley Cooper to start opposite of Jordan Matthews. So what do the Eagles do? Draft a Jeremy Maclin like clone with the former USC Trojan. Forget about all the trade talk non-sense with Marcus Mariota, the Eagles still have a solid offense even with Sam Bradford at the helm and Agholor will surely benefit from Chip Kelley’s receiver friendly offense. 

Breshad Perriman, 26th Overall, Baltimore Ravens

After missing the NFL Combine due to an injury, UCF’s Breshad Perriman set the NFL world abuzz after an insane 4.24 40 yard dash at his Pro Day. Combine the 40 time with his size (6’2) and a great 2014 season (1st team All-American Athletic Conference), Perriman is the type of receiver prospect NFL GM’s drool over. With an aging Steve Smith and void left by Torrey Smith, the Ravens drafted Perriman with the 26th overall pick.

Fantasy Impact: A bit raw in terms of running routes and a bit maddening with some of his dropped passes, Perriman’s potential outweighs his shortcomings. Great blend of size and speed, the Ravens needed a deep threat to take advantage of Joe Flacco’s big arm. Get ready to watch a lot of deep routes, long bombs, and Perriman blowing past defenders with ease. 

Phillip Dorsett, 29th Overall, Indianapolis Colts

Despite a boat load of talented receivers (TY Hilton, Andre Johnson, Donte Moncfief) the Colts stuck to their guns in the 1st Round and took best player available on their board regardless of positional need. The result? Indy drafts former Miami Hurricane wide receiver Philip Dorsett with the 29th overall pick.

Fantasy Impact: You’ll be hard pressed to find a team with more weapons on Offense than the Colts. They are LOADED!!!! With Hilton entering the final year of his rookie contract, a lot of analysts immediately pegged Dorsett has Hilton’s replacement. After all, the two are very similar in size and ability. Like Hilton, Dorsett is a speedster (4.33 yard dash) and great downfield threat, but at just 5’10, 185 pounds, he’s not a big red-zone target.

Quick recap of the 1st Round with an emphasis on the impact these players will have on Fantasy Football. As always, the landing spot for these rookies is just as significant as their talent/ability. We’ll wait until the Draft is complete to publish our initial rookie rankings. Until then, get to know this year’s 1st round picks. 

Quarterbacks: 

Jameis Winston, 1st Overall, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 

Despite some serious off the field concerns and maturity issues, the Buccaneers selected the former Florida State QB with the 1st overall selection in the 2015 NFL Draft. 

Fantasy Impact: With two super-star wide receivers already on the roster in Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans, Winston won’t have to worry about the lack of weapons. Pegged as the most “Pro-Ready” QB prospect in this year’s draft, it would be a major shock if Winston isn’t starting under-center in Week 1. 

Marcus Mariota, 2nd Overall, Tennessee Titans

So much speculation and rumor based reporting heading into the draft led everyone to believe the Titans were willing to trade away the Number 2 pick to either the Chicago Bears or Philadelphia Eagles. But the Tennessee’s asking price for the 2nd second proved to be to expensive. The result? The Titans take the former Oregon QB and reigning Heisman Trophy Winner.

Fantasy Impact: Coach Ken Whisenhunt has proven to get the most out of his QBs and admitted in the off-season he would cater his offense to suit Mariota’s strengths. That being said, we’d be lying if we didn’t LOVE the idea of Mariota re-joining his former Ducks Coach from a purely selfish Fantasy Football standpoint. With Kendall Wright and Justin Hunter beginning to emerge as solid receivers, Mariota has a good supporting cast of playmakers that he can grow with at the start of his career. Will Mariota beat out the incumbent starter, Zach Mettenberger? Our guess would be a resounding YES!!!!

Running Backs:

Todd Gurley, 10th Overall, St. Louis Rams:

A clear decision to take best player available, the Rams selected former Georgia rusher, Todd Gurley who many consider the second coming of Adrian Peterson with the 10th overall pick. If it wasn’t for a torn ACL last November, Gurley may have very well been a Top 5 pick.

Fantasy Impact: At 6’1, 227 pounds, Gurley has the size of a bruising and punishing rusher but the sblazing peed and shiftiness of a smaller scat back. Plain and simple he’s the total package. The major question of course is the status of his surgically repaired knee. If everything checks out without any set backs over the summer, Gurley will be the starter in Week 1 and certainly has the potential to be a Top 12 RB right out of the gate. Tre Mason will take a back-seat to Gurley and Zac Stacy has already asked to be traded.

Melvin Gordon, 15th Overall, San Diego Chargers:

The Chargers swapped picks with the 49ers and moved up the board to nab the former Wisconsin rusher with the 15th overall pick. Teams were shying away from selecting running backs in the 1st round in the last few years, but Gordon was the 2nd RB taken in the Top 15 picks (Todd Gurley 10th overall).

Fantasy Impact: With the departure of Ryan Mathews, the Chargers needed a new work-horse RB. Danny Woodhead is coming off an ACL tear and once healthy will likely just take on a 3rd down role. Gordon didn’t display his receiving skills a lot during his College career but he sure as hell proved he can tote the rock. Gordon finished on top of all NCAA D1 RBs with an eye popping 2,587 yards.

Wide Receivers:

Amari Cooper, 4th Overall, Oakland Raiders

There were some draft pundits who ranked Kevin White (7th overall Bears) ahead of Amari Cooper, but with the 4th overall pick, the Raiders selected the Alabama standout. Thanks to his precise route running and body control, Cooper is the most “Pro-Ready” receiver in this year’s class and has drawn comparison to Reggie Wayne and former Raiders WR Tim Brown. 

Fantasy Impact: It seems the Raiders found their franchise QB last year with Derek Carr and now pair him up with their franchise WR. Cooper will have an instant impact in the Raiders passing attack which has lacked a few playmakers in recent years. Typically we would be bummed when one of our favorite rookie prospects ends up on a team like the Raiders, but Cooper (like a Sammy Watkins in 2014) should have no problem emerging as a solid WR3 in  Fantasy despite playing for a bad team. 

Kevin White, 7th Overall, Chicago Bears 

After a terrific showing at the NFL Combine and breakout season at West Virginia last year, White’s draft stock skyrocketed. In an effort to fill the void left by Brandon Marshall, the Bears invested their 7th overall selection in the 6’3 wide-out. 

Fantasy Impact: Given his size, strength, and speed, White has drawn comparisons to Terrell Owens. He’s blazing fast (4.35 40 yard dash), 36.5 inch vertical leap, and a solid muscular build (210 pounds) but his route running is a bit unpolished. He’ll join the Bears as the team’s Number 2 wideout behind Alshon Jeffery. Unfortunately a lot of White’s initial success is tied to Jay Cutler, which we aren’t  necessarily thrilled about, but there are much worse QB situations around the league that White could have landed in. 

DeVante Parker, 14th Overall, Miami Dolphins

The glaring need for a true Number 1 wide receiver led the Dolphins to select DeVante Parker with their 1st round pick (14th overall). A big bodied (6’3, 211 pounds) receiver, Parker displayed tremendous toughness at Louisville and consistently showed excellent body control and concentration. Seems Parker always won the “jump ball” over defenders, thanks to strong hands, superior leaping ability, and long frame. Drops won’t be an issue for Ryan Tannehill’s new target

Fantasy Impact: The Dolphins are making serious noise this off-season by bringing in some serious weapons for Ryan Tannehill. Tight End Jordan Cameron and receivers Kenny Stills and Greg Jennings were solid acquisitions. Now add in Parker along with second year PPR stud in the making, Jarvis Landry, and Miami has one of those offenses that may take that next step into the upper echelon in 2015. Parker may not win the starting job right away (seasoned veterans typically get the edge in camp), but likely will emerge as the starter by year’s end. 

Nelson Agholor, 20th Overall, Philadelphia Eagles

Dubbed the second best route runner behind Amari Cooper, the Eagles drafted Nelson Agholor out of USC with the 20th overall pick. Capable of playing in the slot and the outside, Agholor can also contribute on Special Teams as a return man. 

Fantasy Impact; The Eagles lost their leading receiver, Jeremy Maclin, in the off-season and you know dam well Chip Kelly wasn’t going to rely on Riley Cooper to start opposite of Jordan Matthews. So what do the Eagles do? Draft a Jeremy Maclin like clone with the former USC Trojan. Forget about all the trade talk non-sense with Marcus Mariota, the Eagles still have a solid offense even with Sam Bradford at the helm and Agholor will surely benefit from Chip Kelley’s receiver friendly offense. 

Breshad Perriman, 26th Overall, Baltimore Ravens

After missing the NFL Combine due to an injury, UCF’s Breshad Perriman set the NFL world abuzz after an insane 4.24 40 yard dash at his Pro Day. Combine the 40 time with his size (6’2) and a great 2014 season (1st team All-American Athletic Conference), Perriman is the type of receiver prospect NFL GM’s drool over. With an aging Steve Smith and void left by Torrey Smith, the Ravens drafted Perriman with the 26th overall pick.

Fantasy Impact: A bit raw in terms of running routes and a bit maddening with some of his dropped passes, Perriman’s potential outweighs his shortcomings. Great blend of size and speed, the Ravens needed a deep threat to take advantage of Joe Flacco’s big arm. Get ready to watch a lot of deep routes, long bombs, and Perriman blowing past defenders with ease. 

Phillip Dorsett, 29th Overall, Indianapolis Colts

Despite a boat load of talented receivers (TY Hilton, Andre Johnson, Donte Moncfief) the Colts stuck to their guns in the 1st Round and took best player available on their board regardless of positional need. The result? Indy drafts former Miami Hurricane wide receiver Philip Dorsett with the 29th overall pick.

Fantasy Impact: You’ll be hard pressed to find a team with more weapons on Offense than the Colts. They are LOADED!!!! With Hilton entering the final year of his rookie contract, a lot of analysts immediately pegged Dorsett has Hilton’s replacement. After all, the two are very similar in size and ability. Like Hilton, Dorsett is a speedster (4.33 yard dash) and great downfield threat, but at just 5’10, 185 pounds, he’s not a big red-zone target.

Anyone who tells you they know how the New Orleans Saints 2015 season is going to unfold is either a psychic or a liar. I’m not a psychic, but I can pretend to be one after looking at the team’s official schedule. After a one year hiatus the team looks poised to make a chase for the playoffs, if for no other reason than the football gods decreed the NFC South face the AFC South in 2015. Here’s a closer look: 

 The team opens on the road against the Arizona Cardinals. Sean Payton wants his team to be tougher in 2015 and the Cardinals had one of the toughest defenses in the NFL. If the Saints can  keep Carson Palmer and his surgically repaired knees in check, they might be able to eke out a win. 

Cardinals 24, Saints 17

Week 2 Brings The Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the Super Dome. Logic says this will be the Saints first crack at Jameis Winston, but the Bucs have never been one to let logic get in the way.

Saints 30, Bucs 24

Week 3 brings a date with the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers won the division with a record of 7-8-1. The Panthers will enter the season as the favorite, but this division can be won by just about anyone. Except Tampa Bay.

Panthers 28, Saints 21

The Saints take on the Cowboys in Week 4 for a Sunday Night Football matchup. On paper, the Saints should lose this one pretty. However, the Saints save their best efforts for Al Michaels’ and Chris Collinsworth’s visits to the Super Dome.

Saints 41, Cowboys 35

The Philadelphia Eagles are the opponents in Week 5. The Saints will have to be for Chip Kelly’s QB trio of Sam Bradford, Mark Sanchez, and Tim Tebow. Rumor has it Kelly is working on plays to get all three on the field at the some time.

Saints 30, Eagles 20

 The Saints host the Falcons on a Thursday Night in Week 6. The Falcons are what the Saints used to be: a dynamic offense with an atrocious defense. New coach Dan Quinn will likely try to fix the latter issue. He would also be wise to solve the issue of keeping his wide receivers healthy for an entire season.

Saints 25, Falcons 21

Week 7 pits the Saints against the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts have one of the most dynamic passing offense in the NFL. The Saints had one of the worst pass defenses last year. New cornerback Brandon Browner, should help, but this could still be ugly.

Colts 41, Saints 34

The New York Giants are the opponent in Week 8. On paper, this should be a tough test. Super Bowl winning quarterback/coach combo. All-world talent at wide receiver. And yet…the Giants find ways to underachieve on a yearly basis that make the Saints seem like a model of consistency.

Saints 27, Giants 20 

The Titans come to town in week 9. This could be Zach Mettenberger’s return to Louisiana. Mettenberger played college ball at LSU. He wasn’t terribly good there. He isn't terribly good in Tennessee, either.

Saints 35, Titans 17

Week 10 is a matchup with the Washington Redskins. The Redskins are a lot like the Giants in that the expectations vs. results almost never matchup. The only difference is pretty clear why the Redskins fail: everyone hates each other. 

Saints 24, Redskins 10

After a bye, the Saints travel to Houston to play the Texans. The Texans run the ball extremely well and play excellent defense. In order to win the Saints will have to hope the Texans can’t find anyone better than Brian Hoyer to line up at quarterback

Texans 35, Saints 17 

A rematch with the Panthers awaits in week 13. Cam Newton seem to play his best games against the Saints. One of these days, the Saints will practice tackling mobile quarterbacks.

Panthers 37, Saints 20

The Saints take on the Buccaneers again in Week 14. Lovie Smith may or may not still be employed.

Saints 41, Buccaneers 20

The Saints played the Lions last year in an early season matchup where they completely fell apart in the fourth quarter. They will seek redemption in the Sunday night Home game. See Week 4 for analysis on the pick

Saints 38, Lions 21

Week 16: Saints vs. Jaguars. Drew Brees vs. Blake Bortles. Next!!!

Saints 30, Jags 10 

Week 17’s matchup with the Falcons could be for the division title or the sad end to a rebuilding year. Either way, it figures to relatively quiet in the Georgia Dome, Now that the Falcons aren’t allowed to pipe in artificial noise.

Falcons 31, Saints 20

Final Record: 10-6

Anyone who tells you they know how the New Orleans Saints 2015 season is going to unfold is either a psychic or a liar. I’m not a psychic, but I can pretend to be one after looking at the team’s official schedule. After a one year hiatus the team looks poised to make a chase for the playoffs, if for no other reason than the football gods decreed the NFC South face the AFC South in 2015. Here’s a closer look: 

 The team opens on the road against the Arizona Cardinals. Sean Payton wants his team to be tougher in 2015 and the Cardinals had one of the toughest defenses in the NFL. If the Saints can  keep Carson Palmer and his surgically repaired knees in check, they might be able to eke out a win. 

Cardinals 24, Saints 17

Week 2 Brings The Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the Super Dome. Logic says this will be the Saints first crack at Jameis Winston, but the Bucs have never been one to let logic get in the way.

Saints 30, Bucs 24

Week 3 brings a date with the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers won the division with a record of 7-8-1. The Panthers will enter the season as the favorite, but this division can be won by just about anyone. Except Tampa Bay.

Panthers 28, Saints 21

The Saints take on the Cowboys in Week 4 for a Sunday Night Football matchup. On paper, the Saints should lose this one pretty. However, the Saints save their best efforts for Al Michaels’ and Chris Collinsworth’s visits to the Super Dome.

Saints 41, Cowboys 35

The Philadelphia Eagles are the opponents in Week 5. The Saints will have to be for Chip Kelly’s QB trio of Sam Bradford, Mark Sanchez, and Tim Tebow. Rumor has it Kelly is working on plays to get all three on the field at the some time.

Saints 30, Eagles 20

 The Saints host the Falcons on a Thursday Night in Week 6. The Falcons are what the Saints used to be: a dynamic offense with an atrocious defense. New coach Dan Quinn will likely try to fix the latter issue. He would also be wise to solve the issue of keeping his wide receivers healthy for an entire season.

Saints 25, Falcons 21

Week 7 pits the Saints against the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts have one of the most dynamic passing offense in the NFL. The Saints had one of the worst pass defenses last year. New cornerback Brandon Browner, should help, but this could still be ugly.

Colts 41, Saints 34

The New York Giants are the opponent in Week 8. On paper, this should be a tough test. Super Bowl winning quarterback/coach combo. All-world talent at wide receiver. And yet…the Giants find ways to underachieve on a yearly basis that make the Saints seem like a model of consistency.

Saints 27, Giants 20 

The Titans come to town in week 9. This could be Zach Mettenberger’s return to Louisiana. Mettenberger played college ball at LSU. He wasn’t terribly good there. He isn't terribly good in Tennessee, either.

Saints 35, Titans 17

Week 10 is a matchup with the Washington Redskins. The Redskins are a lot like the Giants in that the expectations vs. results almost never matchup. The only difference is pretty clear why the Redskins fail: everyone hates each other. 

Saints 24, Redskins 10

After a bye, the Saints travel to Houston to play the Texans. The Texans run the ball extremely well and play excellent defense. In order to win the Saints will have to hope the Texans can’t find anyone better than Brian Hoyer to line up at quarterback

Texans 35, Saints 17 

A rematch with the Panthers awaits in week 13. Cam Newton seem to play his best games against the Saints. One of these days, the Saints will practice tackling mobile quarterbacks.

Panthers 37, Saints 20

The Saints take on the Buccaneers again in Week 14. Lovie Smith may or may not still be employed.

Saints 41, Buccaneers 20

The Saints played the Lions last year in an early season matchup where they completely fell apart in the fourth quarter. They will seek redemption in the Sunday night Home game. See Week 4 for analysis on the pick

Saints 38, Lions 21

Week 16: Saints vs. Jaguars. Drew Brees vs. Blake Bortles. Next!!!

Saints 30, Jags 10 

Week 17’s matchup with the Falcons could be for the division title or the sad end to a rebuilding year. Either way, it figures to relatively quiet in the Georgia Dome, Now that the Falcons aren’t allowed to pipe in artificial noise.

Falcons 31, Saints 20

Final Record: 10-6

Welcome to the 2015 NFL Mock Draft 2.0 (Post Combine/Post Pro Day).The NFL Draft is set for April 30th 8pm for the first time in Chicago, Illinois. There are many questions that will be answered come draft day. Will the Bucs take the consensus #1 player in star QB Jameis Winston? Will the Titans select Marcus Mariota despite being intrigued by young signal caller Zach Mettenberger? Will a RB be selected in the first round? How many pass rushers will be selected in the first round?

This will be a hectic night for the ages. Expect the unexpected. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are now on the clock. 

The Indianapolis Colts 2015 schedule was finalized last week and it is softer than cotton. Based on the last year’s win totals, the Colts have the second easiest schedule in the NFL and will have back to back road games only once this year. Barring a major injury, the team should coast to a fourth straight playoff appearance. Here’s a closer look:

Week 1 kicks off with a trip to Buffalo to face the Bills. Last year’s Bills featured a solid defense and persistent run game. The team was doomed by its inability to get production from quarterback its quarterback position. Enter new head coach/defensive guru Rex Ryan. If anyone knows how to get a quarterback to reach his potential it’s….wait, never mind.

Colts 21, Bills 9

Up next is Ryan’s former team, the New York Jets on a Monday Night.The Jets are on the cusp of being an average NFL team with the return of Darelle Revis and the acquisition of Brandon Marshall. If rumors are true, this game could also feature Heisman trophy winner Marcus Mariota. If not, the assignment will go to former Texan Ryan Fitzpatrick. Either way, this is a winnable game as Andrew Luck avoids Revis Island

Colts 27, Jets 17

The quest for a 10th AFC South title begins in Week 3 when the Colts play the Titans on the road. The  Colts have won 12 of the last 13 meetings against the Titans. Anyone willing to pick the Titans in this one? Me Neither.

Colts 42, Titans 20 

The Colts host the perpetually rebuilding Jacksonville Jaguars in week 4. The Colts have won the past four meetings by a combined score 134-30.

Colts 38, Jaguars 17

Week 5 brings a Thursday night matchup with the Houston Texans featuring Adre Johnson’s return to his old stomping grounds. The Texans are the only team with a legitimate shot to unseat the Colts as division champs, but considering Brian Hoyer is most likely going to be the team’s starter, the division could be wrapped up by week 10.

Colts 24. Texans 10

Week 6 brings the first real test of the season: a Sunday night date with the New England Patriots. Prepare to be bombarded with more talk of deflated balls than should be allowed by the FCC. DeflateGate (worst scandal name.Ever) took the world by storm and every mind-numbing detail will be brought back to the surface.If you don’t like listening to the media beat a story into the ground, this may be the week to take the family on vacation.

Patriots 30, Colts 17

The Colts play the New Orleans Saints in Week 7. The Saints will march into town with several new faces after their offseason purge. Drew Brees under center keeps this team in any game, but the jury is still out on if their defense will be any better than the squad that was torched all of last season.  

Colts 38, Saints 37

The NFC South Champion Carolina Panthers are the opponents in Week 9. The Panthers made the playoffs last year with a dominating record of 7-8-1. The team hasn’t made many significant upgrades this offseason to the offensive line, so Cam Newton may likely spend the season running for his life. Again.

Colts 21, Panthers 13

Luck-Manning Bowl IV takes place in Indy in what could Peyton Manning’s last game vs. his former Luck leads the on field rivalry 2-1 while Manning is ahead in the annoying commercial battle one million to two.

Broncos 31, Colts 24

After a bye in week 10, The Colts take on the Falcons in Atlanta. This could be a shootout as the Falcons have the weapons to score on anyone. Unfortunately, those weapons are rarely  healthy enough to suit up week in and week out.

Colts 31, Falcons 28

The NFC South victory tour culminates with a Week 12 showdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that we assume will feature Jameis Winston. Winston may one day become a great quarterback (I doubt it), but even if he does it won’t be in his rookie year  

Colts 28, Bucs 14

The Steelers are the opponent in week 13. The last time these two played,Ben Roethlisberger threw for 522 yards and 6 touchdowns. If the Colts can’t stop Antonio Brown from catching 10 of the 13 passes thrown his way, it could be a repeat performance.

Steeler 27, Colts 24

The Jaguars are back on the schedule in week.As mentioned before these, contests haven’t been close lately. However, at this point in the season maybe Blake Bortles  and Julius Thomas will have built up enough chemistry to keep things close.

Colts 27, Jaguars 20

The Colts host the Texans for the 14th time in week 15. The team has won all previous 13 home matchups. Unless Arian Foster runs for 300 yards,the streak continues.

Colts 23, Texans 14

Week 16 brings a trip to South Beach for the Colts when they take on the Dolphins. The colts offensive line had issues keeping Luck protected last season. Fortunately for the Colts, Luck runs with the grace of a gazelle being chased by a tiger. Still, it would be wise to get those issues cleared up before this game. Ndamokung Suh and the rest of the Dolphins front defensive unit are dangerous.

 Dolphins 17, Colts 13

The Colts end the regular season at home against the Titans, who will likely be in contention for another top 10 draft pick. The only drama in this game will come if the Colts rest their starters for the playoffs.

Colts 24, Titans 17

Final Record: 13-3

Welcome to the 2015 NFL Mock Draft 2.0 (Post Combine/Post Pro Day).The NFL Draft is set for April 30th 8pm for the first time in Chicago, Illinois. There are many questions that will be answered come draft day. Will the Bucs take the consensus #1 player in star QB Jameis Winston? Will the Titans select Marcus Mariota despite being intrigued by young signal caller Zach Mettenberger? Will a RB be selected in the first round? How many pass rushers will be selected in the first round?

This will be a hectic night for the ages. Expect the unexpected. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are now on the clock. 

Anyone who tells you they know how the New Orleans Saints 2015 season is going to unfold is either a psychic or a liar. I’m not a psychic, but I can pretend to be one after looking at the team’s official schedule. After a one year hiatus the team looks poised to make a chase for the playoffs, if for no other reason than the football gods decreed the NFC South face the AFC South in 2015. Here’s a closer look: 

 The team opens on the road against the Arizona Cardinals. Sean Payton wants his team to be tougher in 2015 and the Cardinals had one of the toughest defenses in the NFL. If the Saints can  keep Carson Palmer and his surgically repaired knees in check, they might be able to eke out a win. 

Cardinals 24, Saints 17

Week 2 Brings The Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the Super Dome. Logic says this will be the Saints first crack at Jameis Winston, but the Bucs have never been one to let logic get in the way.

Saints 30, Bucs 24

Week 3 brings a date with the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers won the division with a record of 7-8-1. The Panthers will enter the season as the favorite, but this division can be won by just about anyone. Except Tampa Bay.

Panthers 28, Saints 21

The Saints take on the Cowboys in Week 4 for a Sunday Night Football matchup. On paper, the Saints should lose this one pretty. However, the Saints save their best efforts for Al Michaels’ and Chris Collinsworth’s visits to the Super Dome.

Saints 41, Cowboys 35

The Philadelphia Eagles are the opponents in Week 5. The Saints will have to be for Chip Kelly’s QB trio of Sam Bradford, Mark Sanchez, and Tim Tebow. Rumor has it Kelly is working on plays to get all three on the field at the some time.

Saints 30, Eagles 20

 The Saints host the Falcons on a Thursday Night in Week 6. The Falcons are what the Saints used to be: a dynamic offense with an atrocious defense. New coach Dan Quinn will likely try to fix the latter issue. He would also be wise to solve the issue of keeping his wide receivers healthy for an entire season.

Saints 25, Falcons 21

Week 7 pits the Saints against the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts have one of the most dynamic passing offense in the NFL. The Saints had one of the worst pass defenses last year. New cornerback Brandon Browner, should help, but this could still be ugly.

Colts 41, Saints 34

The New York Giants are the opponent in Week 8. On paper, this should be a tough test. Super Bowl winning quarterback/coach combo. All-world talent at wide receiver. And yet…the Giants find ways to underachieve on a yearly basis that make the Saints seem like a model of consistency.

Saints 27, Giants 20 

The Titans come to town in week 9. This could be Zach Mettenberger’s return to Louisiana. Mettenberger played college ball at LSU. He wasn’t terribly good there. He isn't terribly good in Tennessee, either.

Saints 35, Titans 17

Week 10 is a matchup with the Washington Redskins. The Redskins are a lot like the Giants in that the expectations vs. results almost never matchup. The only difference is pretty clear why the Redskins fail: everyone hates each other. 

Saints 24, Redskins 10

After a bye, the Saints travel to Houston to play the Texans. The Texans run the ball extremely well and play excellent defense. In order to win the Saints will have to hope the Texans can’t find anyone better than Brian Hoyer to line up at quarterback

Texans 35, Saints 17 

A rematch with the Panthers awaits in week 13. Cam Newton seem to play his best games against the Saints. One of these days, the Saints will practice tackling mobile quarterbacks.

Panthers 37, Saints 20

The Saints take on the Buccaneers again in Week 14. Lovie Smith may or may not still be employed.

Saints 41, Buccaneers 20

The Saints played the Lions last year in an early season matchup where they completely fell apart in the fourth quarter. They will seek redemption in the Sunday night Home game. See Week 4 for analysis on the pick

Saints 38, Lions 21

Week 16: Saints vs. Jaguars. Drew Brees vs. Blake Bortles. Next!!!

Saints 30, Jags 10 

Week 17’s matchup with the Falcons could be for the division title or the sad end to a rebuilding year. Either way, it figures to relatively quiet in the Georgia Dome, Now that the Falcons aren’t allowed to pipe in artificial noise.

Falcons 31, Saints 20

Final Record: 10-6

On Tuesday, the Cleveland Browns released the team's new uniforms for the 2015 season, so now seems like an appropriate time to take a glance at the top 10 uniforms in the league.

What makes a list like this so fun to put together is the fact that there really is no wrong way to do it. There are some NFL uniforms that would appear in every fan's top 10 list, and there are definitely some that would appear in everyone's worst 10 uniforms list, but most of it is based on opinion.

For me personally, old school style is the best, so if fans are looking for new modern uniforms such as the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tennessee Titans to be on this list, readers will likely be disappointed. This list does feature some "newer" looks, but we mostly stuck with the classic styles.

The Browns uniforms of the last 80 years would have been a great candidate for this list as it was a classic, old school style. The new Cleveland uniforms, however, are more likely to make the worst 10 uniforms list.

Without further ado, here are the top 10 uniforms in the NFL.

Coaching Additions...

As the 2015 season takes shape for the Fighting Irish, Brian Kelly pulled a page out of the past by adding two former players and NFL stars as assistants to his staff.

Former star's Autry Denson and Todd Lyght will be the home run hires that should lead the Irish in a new direction, both on and off the field-along with providing immediate recognition as former stars in the NFL in recent memory for future recruits.

Former Notre Dame players Ron Powlus (1994-97) and Maurice Crum Jr. (2005-08) return as director of player development and defensive graduate assistant, respectively. Donovan Raiola has been added as an offensive graduate assistant

Former all-time Irish rushing leader Autry Denson was hired to replace jettisoned recruiting guru and former backs coach Tony Alford-who left for Ohio State.

After three seasons as an assistant at Bethune-Cookman in Daytona, Fla., Denson served as the running backs coach for 2010-13 Irish assistant Chuck Martin at Miami (Ohio) year before accepting the same position this January at the University of South Florida.

During is career at Notre Dame, Denson racked up 4,448 yards on the ground and 46 total touchdowns.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted the Irish back in 1999- the 233rd player selected overall.

Denson on his new role at his former college:

“I can’t stop smiling because you really don’t get this opportunity, it really does not come,So I understand how blessed I am and just ready to get in here and work and do everything I can to help the university and help our team get to a national championship.”

Denson on the chance to work with Folston and Bryant:

“They could make me look like I’m a pretty good coach pretty fast,” Denson said. “… I think Tony did a great job recruiting, got some guys in the room and it’s up to me now to continue that development and let them go out and play football.”

Coach Kelly on the hire of the former Irish star:

“His philosophy matched mine in terms of development of the student‑athlete both on and off the field,” Kelly said. “Then as we talked about recruiting, how he was going to go about that challenge of recruiting. We had a long list of guys that we had ready to interview. We called them up and said that we found our running back coach in Autry Denson.”

Perhaps the most celebrated of the two players in both college and the NFL is Todd Lyght.

The fifth overall pick in the 19991 draft, Lyght played in the NFL for 12 seasons, finishing with 37 interceptions and 4 touchdowns. His best year as a pro came during the 99' season with the champion Rams, with whom he intercepted six passes for 112 yards and 1 touchdown and was named to the 99' All-Pro and Pro Bowl teams.

Lyght on the return to South Bend:

“I’m here to get my Master’s in coaching,I love it. I’m going to bring a lot of things to this program. My energy and passion for this program is unparalleled. This place is so special for me. It’s helped me develop as a young man, I’m back as a coach and it’s going to help me develop again.”

Coach Kelly on what Lyght brings to the Irish:

“I think that goes to his long experience in the NFL, the confidence that he has in his own ability to communicate,So I think a long career, a lot of success — he's not used to not being successful.  You can tell when he walks into the room that immediately he has that. It makes up for any shortness that he may have in a résumé.”

On advice from former coach Holtz and who Lyght became:

“It kind of reminded me of when coach Holtz was like, you have to go the defensive side of the ball for you to really succeed. Obviously coach Holtz was looking at the big picture for me, saying that you can be a really good wide receiver or a great defensive back. He was like, you can be the Tim Brown or you can be the first Todd Lyght. I chose to be the first Todd Lyght.”

Notre Dame heads to spring break this week.

Upon their return, spring ball begins and as is the case with most seasons- expectations are again running high with the new hires as additions to an already proven roster.