Tuesday the NFL released a list of 32 compensatory draft choices, with the Kansas City Chiefs the big winner, nabbing a Day Two third-round pick. In all, 14 teams got the picks, awarded as compensation by the NFL for losing free agents in the previous year. Compensatory picks can not be traded.
In addition to the third round pick (No. 98), the Chiefs picked up two fifth round choices (172 and 173) and a sixth rounder (217). Kansas City now has 10 draft choices in the 2015 draft and four picks in the Top 100 picks selected over the first two days. Just going from the prospect list alone, not even considering who could drop into the third round, that No. 98 pick could result in Colorado State quarterback Garrett Grayson as a potential successor to Alex Smith, Kentucky defensive end Za’Darius Smith or one of the draft’s better offensive linemen like Daryl Williams from Oklahoma, John Miller from Louisville or Cedric Ogbuehi from Texas A&M.
The New England Patriots and Cincinnati Bengals were also awarded third round picks, with the Pats getting No. 97 and the Bengals No. 99. New England also gets a seventh rounder (253). Cincinnati adds a fourth rounder (135) as well. Don’t be surprised to see the Pats grab Ohio State tight end Jeff Heuerman with that third rounder. At 6-foot-5, 254, he’s exactly the guy the Patriots would want to add to that offensive rotation. How about LSU outside linebacker Kwon Alexander for Cincy’s third round pick? Or Miami inside linebacker Denzel Perryman? That fourth rounder could end up as Florida State tight end Nick O’Leary, who could likely step right in as a starter for the Bengals.
The Denver Broncos pulled in four picks, with their best being a fourth rounder (133). They got a sixth rounder (208) and two seventh rounders (250 and 251). So who might be there in the fourth round for that early Day Three pick? How about 6-foot-1, 197-pound Nebraska wide receiver Kenny Bell who laid down a 4.42 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine? Monster defensive tackle Leterrius Walton from Central Michigan, at 6-foot-5 and 319 pounds, also projects around that spot.
Seattle also pulled in four picks, with a fourth rounder (134), picking right after the Broncos. The Seahawks get a fifth rounder (170) and two sixth rounders (209 and 214). So who fits for them at that fourth-round spot? I like Texas outside linebacker Jordan Hicks, a former Parade All-American coming out of high school. He spent two seasons injured before recording 138 tackles last season for the Longhorns. Who else? They could use 6-foot, 179-pound cornerback Jacoby Genn out of TCU or even 6-foot-3 safety Durrell Eskridge from Syracuse.
The Baltimore Ravens picked up three pretty prime picks in a fourth rounder (136) and two fifth rounders (171 and 175). They could end up looking at defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches from Southern Miss or Clemson defensive end Corey Crawford. Nunez-Roches is a 6-foot-2, 307-pound prototype nosetackle with some good wheels, putting down a 5.02 40-yard dash at the combine. Crawford is the perfect hybrid DT/DE for a 3-4 scheme at 6-foot-5, 283 pounds and can eat up blockers for the outside pass rusher the Ravens will look for earlier in the draft.
San Francisco landed a fourth rounder (132) and a seventh rounder (254). The 49ers could look at Kansas inside linebacker Ben Heeney, considering they need bodies to make up for the retirement bug that hit the team. Heeney is a littler undersized at 6-foot, 231, but makes up for it with 4.59 speed and great pursuit. He’ll be a good inside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme and be able to stay in on nickel and dime packages.
The Carolina Panthers netted a fifth round pick (169) and sixth rounder (213). Green Bay netted two sixth rounders (210 and 212). The St. Louis Rams got a sixth round pick (215), the Indianapolis Colts netted a seventh rounder (255) and the Arizona Cardinals will wrap up the draft with a compensatory pick in the seventh round, selecting Mr. Irrelevant at No. 256. Potential candidates are 6-foot-2 Ohio State wideout Evan Spencer, who at 208 pounds and an expert blocker is a day-one starter on special teams. University of Tennessee cornerback Justin Coleman might also be there. Coleman is 5-foot-11, 185 and put down a 4.53 40 at the combine.
