For the most part, Ducks fans were pleased with the way the 2015 NFL Draft played out. Other than Ifo Ekpre-Olomu dropping lower than expected, everything went well.
Rookie minicamp recently started around the NFL, so lets take some time to catch up with the five Ducks taken in this year’s NFL draft.
1. Marcus Mariota (1st Round, Pick No. 2: Tennessee Titans)
We all know the story regarding the reigning Heisman trophy winning Duck. He was battling it out with Jameis Winston for top honors in this year’s draft, but he fell to No.2. To be honest, the situation is perfect. We are still awaiting news on the specific terms of his rookie contract, but Jason Belzer of Forbes.com estimates it to be in the ball park of 4 years, and $22 million including almost $14 million as a signing bonus.
The franchise rookie QB seems to be fitting in nicely in Tennessee. With the drafting of big wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham, the Titans have laid it all out for Mariota. He has been handed the keys to the car, and all he needs to do now is accelerate. And if Ducks fans have learned anything about Super Mariota, he knows how to accelerate.
2. Arik Armstead (1st Round, Pick No. 17: San Francisco 49ers)
Looking good, Mr. Armstead.
The 49ers got the guy they wanted. They had planned on drafting Armstead with the 15th pick in the draft, but were able to trade it to the San Diego Chargers in exchange for later round picks. And they still ended up with Armstead at No. 17.
Of the 10 San Francisco draft picks, Armstead was the last to sign. A four-year deal between the team and the massive defensive end has been agreed on, but specific numbers have yet to be released. Based on a rookie wage scale, it’s safe to assume that the deal will max out around $10 million.
3. Jake Fisher (2nd Round, Pick No. 53: Cincinnati Bengals)
Mariota’s blind side was drafted a little bit later than Oregon hopefuls would have expected. Either way, Fisher was selected, and he will fit in nicely in Cincinnati. He’ll need to put on weight if he expects to play tackle in the league, so guard might be a more immediate option.
According to overthecap.com, Fisher can expect to make close to $4 million over the course of four years if he plays to the finish of his rookie deal in 2018. Fisher has the intangibles to be a great player in the league. Tackle is a very lucrative position in the NFL, and if Fisher finds himself succeeding there in the next few years, he’ll see some major growth in the size of his pocketbook.
4. Hroniss Grasu (3rd Round, Pick No. 71: Chicago Bears)
The windy city is lucky to have you.
Mr. Reliable has landed in Chicago, and his time to play could be very soon. The former Ducks offensive line stalwart is expected to compete with Will Montgomery for the starting center position come Week 1.
According to Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com, the Bears agreed to a four-year deal with Grasu that will earn him a minimum of $583,071. If Grasu does end up with the starting center role early in the season, or anytime in the near future, expect to see him ink an eventual multi-million dollar deal in the coming years.
5. Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (7th Round, Pick No. 241: Cleveland Browns)
Yes, a consensus 1st-team all-American and Bendarik Award semifinalist was drafted in the7th round. Though the ACL injury cost him a ton of money in the draft, Ekpre-Olomu still stands to make $3 million off an insurance policy that the University of Oregon bought him. Thanks Rob Mullens.
Ekpre-Olomu is the dark horse of the entire draft. If his knee heals up correctly, he will be an immediate impact player for the Browns. He’ll make a league minimum of $435,000 if he makes the roster this year, but expect a Nnamdi Asomugha deal in his future, because he is that kind of player.
Stay tuned to FishDuck.com for the latest news on the 2015 drafted Ducks.
Top Photo by Craig Strobeck
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Jason is a Junior at the University of Oregon, currently double majoring in Public Relations and Political Science. Jason has been an avid sports fan for his entire life, growing up playing Football, Basketball, and Baseball. Over the last year, Jason has found his love for sports reporting, and enjoys creating pieces that use his love and knowledge for sports to portray his message. In his spare time, Jason enjoys obsessing over Ducks sports, Scuba Diving around the world, and listening to music. Tweet at Jason…. @1seltank. He loves talking sports with other avid sports fans.