2015 NFL Draft: 15 Biggest Losers

2015 NFL Draft: 15 Biggest Losers

By Shawn Spencer

May 4, 2015

2015 NFL Draft: 15 Biggest Losers

Marcus Mariota Titans — Over the course of three days, 256 college football players were drafted by NFL teams. While some of those picks will make a significant impact in the league, most will barely see an NFL field. Although draft weekend is generally a great time for all involved, there were several prospects, teams and schools that have nothing to celebrate. These are the biggest losers of the NFL Draft.

Over the course of three days, 256 college football players were drafted by NFL teams. While some of those picks will make a significant impact in the league, most will barely see an NFL field. Although draft weekend is generally a great time for all involved, there were several prospects, teams and schools that have nothing to celebrate. These are the biggest losers of the NFL Draft.

15. Tre McBride

Tre McBride William & Mary

15. Tre McBride

Tre McBride William & Mary — Tre McBride was one of the top FCS prospects in the nation, played well at the East-West Shrine Game, had an excellent Combine and didn't have any red flags that were made public. Yet he fell all the way to the seventh round. He will join Dorial Green-Beckham as the newest members of the Tennessee Titans' receiving corps. He may not contribute as a WR right away, but could very well win the starting job as a returner.

Tre McBride was one of the top FCS prospects in the nation, played well at the East-West Shrine Game, had an excellent Combine and didn't have any red flags that were made public. Yet he fell all the way to the seventh round. He will join Dorial Green-Beckham as the newest members of the Tennessee Titans' receiving corps. He may not contribute as a WR right away, but could very well win the starting job as a returner.

14. Zack Hodges

Zack Hodges Harvard

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14. Zack Hodges

Zack Hodges Harvard — At least Tre McBride was drafted. The same can't be said for Harvard's Zack Hodges, who was also one of the top FCS prospects in the nation. There were concerns about his attitude and ability to convert from a defensive end to an outside linebacker, but falling completely out of the draft wasn't expected. Despite not being drafted, he'll still have a chance to make an NFL roster. He was signed by the Indianapolis Colts over the weekend.

At least Tre McBride was drafted. The same can't be said for Harvard's Zack Hodges, who was also one of the top FCS prospects in the nation. There were concerns about his attitude and ability to convert from a defensive end to an outside linebacker, but falling completely out of the draft wasn't expected. Despite not being drafted, he'll still have a chance to make an NFL roster. He was signed by the Indianapolis Colts over the weekend.

13. Kickers

Justin Manton UL-Monroe

13. Kickers

Justin Manton UL-Monroe — For only the second time in 17 years, a kicker was not drafted. One punter and one long snapper were chosen, but zero kickers. Five kickers were invited to the Combine this year with one or two more also receiving draft consideration. The best of the class was Justin Manton of Louisiana-Monroe, but he rarely attempted kicks beyond 50 yards. Manton, along with Tom Obarski of Concordia-St. Paul, were a combined 4-for-7 at the Senior Bowl.

For only the second time in 17 years, a kicker was not drafted. One punter and one long snapper were chosen, but zero kickers. Five kickers were invited to the Combine this year with one or two more also receiving draft consideration. The best of the class was Justin Manton of Louisiana-Monroe, but he rarely attempted kicks beyond 50 yards. Manton, along with Tom Obarski of Concordia-St. Paul, were a combined 4-for-7 at the Senior Bowl.

12. Tennessee Titans

Tennessee Titans

12. Tennessee Titans

Tennessee Titans — The team's decisions on Days 1 and 2 of the draft were awful. Whether or not the rumored trade packages for the No. 2 pick are true or not, the Titans had an opportunity to significantly improve through a trade. Instead, the team chose Marcus Mariota when Zach Mettenberger is a much better fit. To go along with the red flags Mariota has on the field, the team chose Dorial Green-Beckham, who has several red flags off the field, to be his go-to WR.

The team's decisions on Days 1 and 2 of the draft were awful. Whether or not the rumored trade packages for the No. 2 pick are true or not, the Titans had an opportunity to significantly improve through a trade. Instead, the team chose Marcus Mariota when Zach Mettenberger is a much better fit. To go along with the red flags Mariota has on the field, the team chose Dorial Green-Beckham, who has several red flags off the field, to be his go-to WR.

11. Michigan State Defenders

Michigan State

11. Michigan State Defenders

Michigan State — Picked by the Vikings at No. 11 overall, CB Trae Waynes was the first and only Michigan State defender to be drafted this year. ILB Taiwan Jones, DE/OLB Marcus Rush and FS Kurtis Drummond were all potential Day 3 picks. Drummond was a likely early-round pick in 2014, but his coverage skills were exploited as a senior. Rush was reportedly rising quickly, but still went undrafted. Jones was a consistent performer who was the No. 8 ILB on my board.

Picked by the Vikings at No. 11 overall, CB Trae Waynes was the first and only Michigan State defender to be drafted this year. ILB Taiwan Jones, DE/OLB Marcus Rush and FS Kurtis Drummond were all potential Day 3 picks. Drummond was a likely early-round pick in 2014, but his coverage skills were exploited as a senior. Rush was reportedly rising quickly, but still went undrafted. Jones was a consistent performer who was the No. 8 ILB on my board.

10. Landon Collins

Landon Collins New York Giants

10. Landon Collins

Landon Collins New York Giants — The first reason Collins ended up on this list is because he fell all the way to the second round. The New York Giants traded up to select him with the first pick of Day 2. He'll have an opportunity to start right away, but the wait was longer than he expected. The second reason is because he wasn't the first safety selected. He was far and away the No. 1 player at his position, but Damarious Randall was picked first.

The first reason Collins ended up on this list is because he fell all the way to the second round. The New York Giants traded up to select him with the first pick of Day 2. He'll have an opportunity to start right away, but the wait was longer than he expected. The second reason is because he wasn't the first safety selected. He was far and away the No. 1 player at his position, but Damarious Randall was picked first.

9. T.J. Clemmings

T.J. Clemmings

9. T.J. Clemmings

T.J. Clemmings — Due to a stress fracture in his foot, T.J. Clemmings plummeted in the draft. Some teams were concerned the injury couldn't be fixed by surgery, so his longevity was in question. In the end, the potential first-round pick fell all the way to Round 4. Even worse, it's very doubtful he'll see the field early in his career. Matt Kalil will be given another opportunity at left tackle, while Phil Loadholt is the starting right tackle.

Due to a stress fracture in his foot, T.J. Clemmings plummeted in the draft. Some teams were concerned the injury couldn't be fixed by surgery, so his longevity was in question. In the end, the potential first-round pick fell all the way to Round 4. Even worse, it's very doubtful he'll see the field early in his career. Matt Kalil will be given another opportunity at left tackle, while Phil Loadholt is the starting right tackle.

8. Small-School Quarterbacks

Shane Carden

8. Small-School Quarterbacks

Shane Carden — Seven quarterbacks were selected in the draft and only one (Garrett Grayson of Colorado State) did not play in a power 5 conference. Several small-school QBs had a chance to be drafted, but none heard their name called. Brandon Bridge (South Alabama), Chris Bonner (Colorado State-Pueblo), Shane Carden (East Carolina) and Taylor Heinicke (Old Dominion) were all among my top 10 quarterbacks heading into the draft.

Seven quarterbacks were selected in the draft and only one (Garrett Grayson of Colorado State) did not play in a power 5 conference. Several small-school QBs had a chance to be drafted, but none heard their name called. Brandon Bridge (South Alabama), Chris Bonner (Colorado State-Pueblo), Shane Carden (East Carolina) and Taylor Heinicke (Old Dominion) were all among my top 10 quarterbacks heading into the draft.

7. Ryan Grigson

Ryan Grigson Colts

7. Ryan Grigson

Ryan Grigson Colts — Ryan Grigson picked Andrew Luck first overall back in 2012. That was his first draft with the Colts, but most of the scouting process was complete by the time he took over. Since then, he has had three pathetic draft classes. Bjoern Werner, Jack Mewhort and Phillip Dorsett are the players he's added in the first two rounds since 2013. The team added several WRs this offseason, yet for some reason he drafted a T.Y. Hilton clone in Round 1.

Ryan Grigson picked Andrew Luck first overall back in 2012. That was his first draft with the Colts, but most of the scouting process was complete by the time he took over. Since then, he has had three pathetic draft classes. Bjoern Werner, Jack Mewhort and Phillip Dorsett are the players he's added in the first two rounds since 2013. The team added several WRs this offseason, yet for some reason he drafted a T.Y. Hilton clone in Round 1.

6. Centers

Reese Dismukes Auburn

6. Centers

Reese Dismukes Auburn — This wasn't a good draft for centers, especially Auburn's Reese Dismukes and Kansas State's B.J. Finney. Both were top-five prospects at the position, but neither was drafted. In fact, only four centers were selected this year. What makes matters worse is the fact that both Dismukes and Finney signed with the Steelers. With Maurkice Pouncey on the roster, it's hard to see either even making the team.

This wasn't a good draft for centers, especially Auburn's Reese Dismukes and Kansas State's B.J. Finney. Both were top-five prospects at the position, but neither was drafted. In fact, only four centers were selected this year. What makes matters worse is the fact that both Dismukes and Finney signed with the Steelers. With Maurkice Pouncey on the roster, it's hard to see either even making the team.

5. Brett Hundley

Brett Hundley UCLA

5. Brett Hundley

Brett Hundley UCLA — Not only did Brett Hundley fall all the way to the fifth round, but he was chosen by a team with a franchise QB already in place. Hundley would have needed a year to learn the NFL game before he could contribute anyway, but now he won't see significant playing time until his second contract. If he plays well in the preseason over the next few years, he may be able to gain trade value and become a starter by 2018 at the earliest.

Not only did Brett Hundley fall all the way to the fifth round, but he was chosen by a team with a franchise QB already in place. Hundley would have needed a year to learn the NFL game before he could contribute anyway, but now he won't see significant playing time until his second contract. If he plays well in the preseason over the next few years, he may be able to gain trade value and become a starter by 2018 at the earliest.

4. University of Tennessee

Tennessee Volunteers

4. University of Tennessee

Tennessee Volunteers — The Tennessee Volunteers' 52-year streak of having at least one player selected in the draft came to an end this weekend. Rocky Top had no reason to believe this would happen at the beginning of the season, but that changed when LB A.J. Johnson, the team's top prospect, was charged with rape. That left CB Justin Coleman as the team's only hope. 30 cornerbacks were selected, but Coleman was not one of them. He later signed with the Vikings.

The Tennessee Volunteers' 52-year streak of having at least one player selected in the draft came to an end this weekend. Rocky Top had no reason to believe this would happen at the beginning of the season, but that changed when LB A.J. Johnson, the team's top prospect, was charged with rape. That left CB Justin Coleman as the team's only hope. 30 cornerbacks were selected, but Coleman was not one of them. He later signed with the Vikings.

3. Zach Mettenberger

Zach Mettenberger

3. Zach Mettenberger

Zach Mettenberger — Zach Mettenberger didn't have a great rookie season, but he showed enough signs of improvement to be given a chance to open the season as the starting QB. Rather than give Mettenberger one season to work with and then sign Philip Rivers in the offseason if things didn't work out, the Titans drafted Marcus Mariota. Mettenberger will likely need to go elsewhere to become a starter. Arizona and San Diego are two potential landing spots next season.

Zach Mettenberger didn't have a great rookie season, but he showed enough signs of improvement to be given a chance to open the season as the starting QB. Rather than give Mettenberger one season to work with and then sign Philip Rivers in the offseason if things didn't work out, the Titans drafted Marcus Mariota. Mettenberger will likely need to go elsewhere to become a starter. Arizona and San Diego are two potential landing spots next season.

2. Chip Kelly and Marcus Mariota

Chip Kelly Marcus Mariota Eagles

2. Chip Kelly and Marcus Mariota

Chip Kelly Marcus Mariota Eagles — The NFL careers of Chip Kelly and Marcus Mariota will likely never reach full potential after the Eagles failed to trade up and select the Heisman Trophy winner. Kelly took the Eagles position knowing that the 2015 NFL Draft would be a turning point, and he failed to acquire the player he had been targeting for over two years. Mariota will now play for a coach who prefers big, pocket-passing QBs like Ben Roethlisberger and John Skelton.

The NFL careers of Chip Kelly and Marcus Mariota will likely never reach full potential after the Eagles failed to trade up and select the Heisman Trophy winner. Kelly took the Eagles position knowing that the 2015 NFL Draft would be a turning point, and he failed to acquire the player he had been targeting for over two years. Mariota will now play for a coach who prefers big, pocket-passing QBs like Ben Roethlisberger and John Skelton.

1. La'el Collins

La'el Collins LSU

1. La'el Collins

La'el Collins LSU — It's way too early to tell how the La'el Collins story is going to turn out, but it's safe to say it hasn't started off well. The LSU left tackle was the No. 2 OT on my board and was a projected first-round pick. Due to a murder investigation in which he is not being considered a suspect in at this point, he went undrafted. If he was drafted, he could have not signed and re-entered next year; but since he went undrafted, he is now a free agent.

It's way too early to tell how the La'el Collins story is going to turn out, but it's safe to say it hasn't started off well. The LSU left tackle was the No. 2 OT on my board and was a projected first-round pick. Due to a murder investigation in which he is not being considered a suspect in at this point, he went undrafted. If he was drafted, he could have not signed and re-entered next year; but since he went undrafted, he is now a free agent.

Shawn Spencer is an NFL Draft writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Spencer_NFL, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

Related:

2015 NFL Draft: 15 Biggest Winners

2015 NFL Draft: 15 Biggest Steals

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