Live 2015 NFL Draft Grades: Round 5

These Live 2015 NFL Draft Grades will be posted minutes after each pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Follow @walterfootball for updates.

2015 NFL Draft Grades - Round: Picks 1-16 | Picks 17-32 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Team Grades

Atlanta Falcons: Grady Jarrett, DT, Clemson: A Grade
Grady Jarrett doesn’t provide a need at all for the Falcons, so why the “A” grade? Because he’s a steal here. Grady Jarrett was mocked in the first round by one draft analyst. I thought that was nuts – I had him in the third – but it just goes to show that Jarrett was highly regarded by some. It’s easy to see why; Jarrett has incredible athleticism and upside.

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Tennessee Titans: David Cobb, RB, Minnesota: A- Grade
The Titans were expected to pick a running back at some point during the 2015 NFL Draft. There were some high opinions on David Cobb, so I like this selection. Cobb could challenge Bishop Sankey to be the team’s starting running back.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Rashad Greene, WR, Florida State: A Grade
What took so long? Rashad Greene was projected to go in the third round, so him dropping this far is a shocker. With Justin Blackmon falling out of favor with the front office, Jacksonville had to find another wideout, and Greene is a steal.
Oakland Raiders: Ben Heeney, ILB, Kansas: B+ Grade
This is much better than Oakland’s previous pick. Ben Heeney is a highly athletic linebacker who could have gone a round earlier than this. The Raiders have a weak linebacking corps, so Heeney could push for a starting job sooner rather than later.

Washington Redskins: Martrell Spaight, LB, Arkansas: B Grade
The Redskins know they have issues in the secondary, right? I’m concerned for them that they haven’t addressed either position there yet, but Martrell Spaight is a solid choice. He could have gone in the fourth. He’ll contribute on special teams to begin his career and will eventually fight for playing time on defense.
Chicago Bears: Adrian Amos, S, Penn State: A Grade
The Bears have a new front office, so I didn’t know how they would draft. Based on their picks thus far, Chicago fans should be very optimistic (despite the Jay Cutler situation). Adrian Amos, a potential third-round pick, is a fantastic athlete who was highly productive at Penn State. He fills a big need in the Bears’ secondary. Great pick.
Minnesota Vikings: MyCole Pruitt, TE, Southern Illinois: B Grade
Kyle Rudolph has not been able to stay healthy, so it’s hardly a surprise that the Vikings addressed the tight end position in the 2015 NFL Draft. The highly athletic MyCole Pruitt fits the range as a fifth-round prospect, and he could eventually evolve into a starter.
New York Giants: Mykkele Thompson, S, Texas: C- Grade
No one mentioned Mykkele Thompson as a draftable prospect, so this pick is pretty sketchy. Thompson has a lot of experience at Texas, but will probably be relegated to special teams for most of his career. This is a reach.
Miami Dolphins: Bobby McCain, CB/KR, Memphis: B+ Grade
Bobby McCain makes sense for two reasons. The first is that he’ll provide depth at the cornerback position, which is pretty thin in Miami. The second is that he’ll be a solid return specialist; he thrived in that regard at Memphis. McCain generated strong interest during the pre-draft process, so he projects as a solid pick in Round 5.
Minnesota Vikings: Stefon Diggs, WR, Maryland: B+ Grade
I like what the Vikings are doing with these mid-round picks. I had numerous readers yell at me for having Stefon Diggs too late in my mock draft, but I always thought the fourth round was the right spot for him. Diggs had injury issues in Maryland, but he could develop into a No. 2 wideout if he can stay healthy. He’ll also be able to contribute as a return specialist, if needed.
Green Bay Packers: Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA: A+ Grade
I love this pick. I wouldn’t have been a fan of any team picking Brett Hundley in the second round because expectations would’ve been too high for him. Hundley has a first-round skill set, but he plays football like a seventh-rounder. He needs time to develop, and he’ll have that in a great environment. At the very worst, Hundley will be a decent option for the Packers if Aaron Rodgers gets hurt again. Best case, the Packers will develop him and flip him for a second-round selection.
New Orleans Saints: Davis Tull, DE/OLB, UT-Chattanooga: B+ Grade
I may have been a bit too harsh on the Hau’oli Kikaha pick, but I like this one more. Davis Tull has been linked to the Saints, as he’s a good fit for Rob Ryan’s scheme. He’s highly athletic and has a good chance of eventually emerging as a starter.

Miami Dolphins: Jay Ajayi, RB, Boise State: A Grade
Mike Mayock described Jay Ajayi’s knee as “bone on bone,” which would explain his drop to Round 5. He’s great value here though, as he would’ve gone in the second or third round had he been completely healthy. If Ajayi can get over his injury, he stands a chance of being a starter in this league.
Miami Dolphins: Cedric Thompson, S, Minnesota: B Grade
More secondary help makes sense for the Dolphins. I’m not as excited about this fifth-round pick, but it makes sense, as Thompson fits the range at this juncture.
Indianapolis Colts: David Parry, NT, Stanford: C- Grade
The Colts traded up for… David Parry? Why? They could’ve obtained him at their spot – or perhaps even a better nose tackle. A nose tackle makes sense, but the trade does not.
New York Jets: Jarvis Harrison, G, Texas A&M: B Grade
Jarvis Harrison is a very athletic lineman. Unfortunately, he’s not a good football player. It’s going to take a ton of time for him to develop, so perhaps the Jets can stash him and get him ready to play by 2017. He makes sense in the middle of the fifth round because of his upside, so it’s a solid choice.

San Diego Chargers: Kyle Emanuel, DE/OLB, North Dakota State: B Grade
Kyle Emanuel is one of the more athletic edge players in this class. The issue with him is the level of competition, as he’s coming out of North Dakota State. Still, the Chargers need another pass-rusher on the exterior, so perhaps they’ll be able to develop Emanuel to eventually become a starter.
New Orleans Saints: Tyeler Davison, DT, Fresno State: B+ Grade
I had Tyeler Davison going a round earlier than this in most of my mock updates, so I like this selection. The Saints hadn’t addressed their defensive line yet, so Davison definitely makes sense at this juncture.
Buffalo Bills: Karlos Williams, RB, Florida State: C Grade
A very “meh” selection by the Bills at this spot. Karlos Williams can catch passes out of the backfield, but he’s just not an effective runner. The question needs to be asked, though: How many running backs does this team need?
Miami Dolphins: Tony Lippett, WR/CB, Michigan State: B+ Grade
Will the Dolphins use Tony Lippett at receiver or cornerback? That’s the question, and it’s interesting that they listed him as a defensive back upon making the selection announcement. Lippett will probably be better at corner, and Miami needs talented players at that position. I was told to put Lippett in the fourth round, so there’s some value with him here.

Cincinnati Bengals: C.J. Uzomah, TE, Auburn: C Grade
Only 100 picks remaining in the 2015 NFL Draft! The Bengals made their second tight end selection by picking C.J. Uzomah, who is more of a blocker. I’m not crazy about adding blocking tight ends until the end of the draft, but the middle of the fifth is not a terrible spot. I’m not crazy about this pick, though.
Arizona Cardinals: Shaquille Riddick, DE/OLB, West Virginia: B Grade
Shaq Riddick needs to be developed. He’s razor-thin at just 6-6, 244, and despite this, he played on the defensive line at West Virginia. He needs to pack on about 20 pounds, and he has the frame to do it. If he can accomplish this goal and is able to carry this weight well, he could evolve into a decent starter on the edge. He fits the range in the middle of Round 5.
Arizona Cardinals: J.J. Nelson, WR, UAB: B Grade
The final player to be drafted out of UAB in a very long time, J.J. Nelson fits the range as a mid-fifth-round prospect. The Cardinals have three strong receivers right now, but Larry Fitzgerald doesn’t have much time left, while Michael Floyd has generated some trade discussions. Another wideout is needed as insurance.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Jesse James, TE, Penn State: B+ Grade
I mocked Jesse James to the Steelers at this spot because I thought he made a lot of sense for the team. James is a great fit in Pittsburgh’s offense, and he obviously makes sense at this range. James, a good athlete, might be able to take over for Heath Miller in a couple of years.

Oakland Raiders: Neiron Ball, LB, Florida: D Grade
Blegh… Neiron Ball has glaring injury issues. Not only did he have microfracture knee surgery recently; he also underwent brain surgery a couple of years ago. Ball probably won’t be able to play in 2015, which makes this selection very curious.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kenny Bell, WR, Nebraska: A- Grade
Kenny Bell isn’t as big as the monstrous skill players on Tampa’s offense, but he’s still pretty big at 6-1, 197. He’s also very athletic, and he can run routes pretty well. With Vincent Jackson on his way out soon, Bell, who could’ve gone earlier than this, may emerge as a starter in a year or two.
Dallas Cowboys: Ryan Russell, DE, Purdue: C Grade
Jerry Jones has had success with a Purdue pass-rusher before, but going back to the well this time may not work out. Ryan Russell is a good athlete, but he never developed into a quality player at Purdue. Russell has upside, and Dallas might be able to develop him, but he probably should have gone a bit later in the draft.
Denver Broncos: Lorenzo Doss, CB, Tulane: B Grade
Lorenzo Doss was a fifth-round pick, and he fits a need as a player who can give the Broncos some cornerback depth, so he’s a logical choice. Doss is a small corner, but he can fit in as a slot player.
San Francisco 49ers: Bradley Pinion, P, Clemson: C Grade
Rich Eisen says that punters are people. They should not, however, be fifth-round prospects. The 49ers have way too many holes to take a position that they could easily address in the UDFA market. Bradley Pinion is very good at what he does, but San Francisco should have gone in a different direction.
New England Patriots: Joe Cardona, LS, Navy: D Grade
It’s great that a Navy player was drafted for the first time in 20 years, but this is likely a wasted pick. A long-snapper can be obtained anywhere, which is why a player at the position hasn’t been chosen in six years. Joe Cardona might not even be available because of service requirements.
New Orleans Saints: Damian Swann, CB, Georgia: B Grade
This is the second cornerback the Saints have selected, but given their need at the position, it’s hardly a surprise that they’ve decided to double up. Damian Swann was a productive player at Georgia, but his poor athleticism sunk his draft stock. He has a chance to succeed in the NFL despite this, however, and the range here is right for him.
Detroit Lions: Mike Burton, FB, Rutgers: C Grade
Mike Burton is a solid pass-catcher and blocker, and he’ll be able to contribute on special teams. I thought he’d go a round or two later than this, but I don’t have a problem with this selection.
Carolina Panthers: David Mayo, ILB, Texas State: D Grade
I didn’t have David Mayo in my top 400 rankings, and I don’t know of anyone else who did either. Mayo doesn’t project to be anything more than a special-teamer.
Seattle Seahawks: Tye Smith, CB, Towson: B Grade
Hold on one minute… the Seahawks just selected a tall, athletic cornerback? WOW! I like this pick for Seattle, as Tye Smith, who fits the range as a low fifth-rounder, could emerge as the team’s next sleeper corner.
Baltimore Ravens: Nick Boyle, TE, Delaware: B+ Grade
Nick Boyle has to deal with Maxx Williams ahead of him on the depth chart, but the Ravens needed another tight end. Nick Boyle is a big, long, tight end who is very athletic. He has good upside and could eventually emerge as a strong No. 2 option at the position behind Williams.
Kansas City Chiefs: D.J. Alexander, LB, Oregon State: B+ Grade
Another inside linebacker makes sense for the Chiefs, who need to shore up that position. D.J. Alexander is a top athlete who was productive at Oregon State. The concern with him is a neck problem that he needed surgery on. He should be able to become a solid contributor if he can stay healthy.
Kansas City Chiefs: James O’Shaughnessy, TE, Illinois State: C+ Grade
James O’Shaughnessy was very productive at Illinois State, both in terms of a pass-catcher and blocker. Though level of competition is obviously an issue, he has upside as a solid athlete. The Chiefs needed another tight end, and while O’Shaughnessy was a slight reach, he does make sense at this juncture.
Carolina Panthers: Cameron Artis-Payne, RB, Auburn: A- Grade
DeAngelo Williams is gone, and Jonathan Stewart is frequently hurt. The Panthers had to find a new running back, and they may have secured a good one in Cameron Artis-Payne, who was outstanding at the Senior Bowl. It wouldn’t surprise me if Artis-Payne, a projected fourth-round pick, emerged as a starter down the road.
Houston Texans: Keith Mumphery, WR, Michigan State: C Grade
The Texans waited a while to make a selection on Day 3, and this one is a bit of a disappointment. Keith Mumphery is a strong receiver, but has major issues with drops. Besides, with Jaelen Strong on the roster now, it’s hard to figure out where Mumphery fits in.
Baltimore Ravens: Robert Myers, G, Tennessee State: A- Grade
Another steal for Ozzie Newsome. I had the Ravens taking Robert Myers – but at No. 136. Newsome is getting a skilled guard 40 spots later than projected, so this obviously deserves a high grade.