2015 NFL Draft: 10 Best Rookie Free-Agent Classes

2015 NFL Draft: 10 Best Rookie Free-Agent Classes

By Shawn Spencer

May 7, 2015

10 Best Rookie Free-Agent Classes

La'el Collins LSU — The fun doesn't end when Mr. Irrelevant is announced. While 256 prospects are selected in the seven-round draft, the frenzy begins when all 32 teams make a pitch to sign the top remaining prospects. Some teams focus on local prospects during this time, while others look to fill needs which weren't addressed in the draft. These 10 teams combined both value and need to land a top 10 rookie free-agent class.

The fun doesn't end when Mr. Irrelevant is announced. While 256 prospects are selected in the seven-round draft, the frenzy begins when all 32 teams make a pitch to sign the top remaining prospects. Some teams focus on local prospects during this time, while others look to fill needs which weren't addressed in the draft. These 10 teams combined both value and need to land a top 10 rookie free-agent class.

10. San Diego Chargers

Titus Davis Central Michigan

10. San Diego Chargers

Titus Davis Central Michigan — The Chargers filled several needs in the draft, but due to only having five picks, couldn't fill every need. With WR and the offensive line lacking depth, the team attacked both positions in free agency. The team signed Titus Davis, the top WR left on my board, and Western Oregon's Tyrell Williams, who is 6-foot-3 and runs a 4.4 40-yard dash. The offensive line was also addressed as OT Cameron Clemmons and guard Ben Beckwith were added.

The Chargers filled several needs in the draft, but due to only having five picks, couldn't fill every need. With WR and the offensive line lacking depth, the team attacked both positions in free agency. The team signed Titus Davis, the top WR left on my board, and Western Oregon's Tyrell Williams, who is 6-foot-3 and runs a 4.4 40-yard dash. The offensive line was also addressed as OT Cameron Clemmons and guard Ben Beckwith were added.

9. Baltimore Ravens

Terrence Magee LSU

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9. Baltimore Ravens

Terrence Magee LSU — The Ravens only used three picks on defense this year and were left with holes on the second and third levels. Two former Alabama players filled those needs in free agency as LB Trey DePriest and safety Nick Perry signed with the team. Baltimore also added a speedy CB in Julian Wilson, a potential starting right tackle in Darryl Baldwin and a very underrated QB in Jerry Lovelocke, who is a bigger version of former Ravens QB Tyrod Taylor.

The Ravens only used three picks on defense this year and were left with holes on the second and third levels. Two former Alabama players filled those needs in free agency as LB Trey DePriest and safety Nick Perry signed with the team. Baltimore also added a speedy CB in Julian Wilson, a potential starting right tackle in Darryl Baldwin and a very underrated QB in Jerry Lovelocke, who is a bigger version of former Ravens QB Tyrod Taylor.

8. Atlanta Falcons

Kevin White TCU

8. Atlanta Falcons

Kevin White TCU — The Falcons filled the majority of needs through the draft, so the team went the small-school route in free agency. Several of those prospects have a shot to make the roster; including Cody Clay (OT-Azusa Pacific), Marquez Clark (WR-Central Oklahoma) and Beau Gardner (TE-Northern Arizona). Atlanta also added a couple players who fell out of the draft in Joey Mbu (DT-Houston) and Kevin White (CB-TCU).

The Falcons filled the majority of needs through the draft, so the team went the small-school route in free agency. Several of those prospects have a shot to make the roster; including Cody Clay (OT-Azusa Pacific), Marquez Clark (WR-Central Oklahoma) and Beau Gardner (TE-Northern Arizona). Atlanta also added a couple players who fell out of the draft in Joey Mbu (DT-Houston) and Kevin White (CB-TCU).

7. Pittsburgh Steelers

B.J. Finney Kansas State

7. Pittsburgh Steelers

B.J. Finney Kansas State — The Steelers failed to add an offensive lineman in the draft, but loaded up on blockers in free agency. This is especially true in the interior of the line as centers Reese Dismukes, B.J. Finney, Collin Rahrig and guard Miles Dieffenbach were all added to the roster. All but Rahrig were potential Day 3 picks. At tackle, Pittsburgh added Kevin Whimpey and Cameron Clear. Clear, who played TE at Texas A&M, is projected to convert to OT in the NFL.

The Steelers failed to add an offensive lineman in the draft, but loaded up on blockers in free agency. This is especially true in the interior of the line as centers Reese Dismukes, B.J. Finney, Collin Rahrig and guard Miles Dieffenbach were all added to the roster. All but Rahrig were potential Day 3 picks. At tackle, Pittsburgh added Kevin Whimpey and Cameron Clear. Clear, who played TE at Texas A&M, is projected to convert to OT in the NFL.

6. Minnesota Vikings

Anthony Harris Virginia

6. Minnesota Vikings

Anthony Harris Virginia — The Vikings added tremendous value at need positions throughout the draft, and continued by adding the top players available at need positions after the draft. WRs DaVaris Daniels and Gavin Lutman both flew under-the-radar, but for different reasons. In the secondary, Minnesota added a top safety in Anthony Harris and one of the best cornerbacks available, Justin Coleman. The Vikings now have one of the best, and most competitive rookie classes.

The Vikings added tremendous value at need positions throughout the draft, and continued by adding the top players available at need positions after the draft. WRs DaVaris Daniels and Gavin Lutman both flew under-the-radar, but for different reasons. In the secondary, Minnesota added a top safety in Anthony Harris and one of the best cornerbacks available, Justin Coleman. The Vikings now have one of the best, and most competitive rookie classes.

5. New Orleans Saints

Sean Hickey Syracuse

5. New Orleans Saints

Sean Hickey Syracuse — Despite losing Jimmy Graham and Kenny Stills this offseason, the Saints failed to add another weapon for Drew Brees in the draft. While just one WR (R.J. Harris) and one TE (Jack Tabb) have officially been signed, it's the value at other positions which lands the Saints at No. 5. Two of the top three DTs available (Bobby Richardson and Kaleb Eulls) were added, as were two of the top offensive linemen (Sean Hickey and Doniel Gambrell).

Despite losing Jimmy Graham and Kenny Stills this offseason, the Saints failed to add another weapon for Drew Brees in the draft. While just one WR (R.J. Harris) and one TE (Jack Tabb) have officially been signed, it's the value at other positions which lands the Saints at No. 5. Two of the top three DTs available (Bobby Richardson and Kaleb Eulls) were added, as were two of the top offensive linemen (Sean Hickey and Doniel Gambrell).

4. Indianapolis Colts

Zack Hodges Harvard

4. Indianapolis Colts

Zack Hodges Harvard — Unlike in the draft, the Colts made a smart decision by targeting the top players available in free agency. The best examples are the additions of Ivy League stars Zack Hodges (OLB-Harvard) and Tyler Varga (RB-Yale). A couple other additions were intriguing. TE Jean Sifrin is 27 years old, but has tremendous upside after playing just one season at Massachusetts. Toledo's Junior Sylvestre was an extremely productive LB, but may move to safety.

Unlike in the draft, the Colts made a smart decision by targeting the top players available in free agency. The best examples are the additions of Ivy League stars Zack Hodges (OLB-Harvard) and Tyler Varga (RB-Yale). A couple other additions were intriguing. TE Jean Sifrin is 27 years old, but has tremendous upside after playing just one season at Massachusetts. Toledo's Junior Sylvestre was an extremely productive LB, but may move to safety.

3. Dallas Cowboys

La'el Collins LSU

3. Dallas Cowboys

La'el Collins LSU — The Cowboys vault to No. 3 after signing LSU's La'el Collins. He was the No. 11 player on my board, but went undrafted due to a legal investigation. He's expected to compete for the starting left guard spot on the best offensive line in the NFL. As for RB, a position the team failed to draft, Georgia Tech's Synjyn Days was signed. Several top WRs are also headed to Dallas; including Deontay Greenberry, Antwan Goodley and George Farmer.

The Cowboys vault to No. 3 after signing LSU's La'el Collins. He was the No. 11 player on my board, but went undrafted due to a legal investigation. He's expected to compete for the starting left guard spot on the best offensive line in the NFL. As for RB, a position the team failed to draft, Georgia Tech's Synjyn Days was signed. Several top WRs are also headed to Dallas; including Deontay Greenberry, Antwan Goodley and George Farmer.

2. Tennessee Titans

Cody Prewitt Ole Miss

2. Tennessee Titans

Cody Prewitt Ole Miss — The Titans made several poor decisions in the draft, but added talent through free agency by going with quality over quantity. The team has only officially signed six undrafted free agents, but five were rated high enough to warrant a draft pick. The best of the group is safety Cody Prewitt, who was critical to the success of the Landshark Defense at Ole Miss. Also added were DT Derrick Lott and G Josue Matias, both of whom had workout concerns.

The Titans made several poor decisions in the draft, but added talent through free agency by going with quality over quantity. The team has only officially signed six undrafted free agents, but five were rated high enough to warrant a draft pick. The best of the group is safety Cody Prewitt, who was critical to the success of the Landshark Defense at Ole Miss. Also added were DT Derrick Lott and G Josue Matias, both of whom had workout concerns.

1. Houston Texans

Kurtis Drummond Michigan State

1. Houston Texans

Kurtis Drummond Michigan State — Houston gives the AFC South three of the four best undrafted free agent classes this year (Jacksonville meanwhile ranked 28th). The team added four players who ranked in the top 250 on my board. Kurtis Drummond (FS), Lynden Trail (OLB), Greg Mancz (C) and Tony Washington (OLB) could all make the roster. OT Kendall Lamm fills a need on the offensive line. Don't sleep on Henderson State QB Kevin Rodgers, as he should land on the practice squad.

Houston gives the AFC South three of the four best undrafted free agent classes this year (Jacksonville meanwhile ranked 28th). The team added four players who ranked in the top 250 on my board. Kurtis Drummond (FS), Lynden Trail (OLB), Greg Mancz (C) and Tony Washington (OLB) could all make the roster. OT Kendall Lamm fills a need on the offensive line. Don't sleep on Henderson State QB Kevin Rodgers, as he should land on the practice squad.

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: Every Team’s Best And Worst Picks

2015 NFL Draft: 10 Picks That Made Absolutely No Sense

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