Travis Benjamin - WR, Miami - I'm on record as being in love with Jarius Wright, but Travis Benjamin is in the same mold. He's small, (5'10 175) and fast (4.35 forty). Nicknamed the "Belle Glade Blur" and they're fast down there. He's a different type of player than the Browns currently have, and offers special teams ability to take some of the load off of Cribbs. He's a dynamic player that can take a short pass the distance, and exactly what I've been clamoring for. He was a good pick. I'd have taken Wright but I am not the general manager of a football team. And it's apparent that at the 87th or 120th pick, they didn't think there was a receiver there that is better than Massaquoi, Cribbs or Norwood. Or they'd have taken another one. Last thought on this, Brandon Weeden should make the current receivers better. That's what QB's do.
James-Michael Johnson - LB, Nevada - He can't be any worst than the last linebacker we took from a state school in Nevada (Beau Bell). This guy has position versatility, he can play inside or outside, and will play special teams. We knew the Browns were going to address the linebacker position, they have no depth. This guy could develop into a starter. I was going to do a little write up in my linebackers take about him but thought he was a Mike and skipped over him. Solid pick.
Ryan Miller - OL, Colorado - He was one of the top recruits in the country when he was in high school. He's a giant (6'7 300) who stated a ton of games at both tackle and guard. He may be a guard, but again, position versatility is paramount for players like this to stick in the NFL, and he can play tackle as well. Building young depth up the middle on the offensive and defensive lines was obviously a focus of this draft. Again I liked the pick. Cody Risien anyone??
Emmanuel Acho - LB, Texas - Solid if not spectacular weakside linebacker prospect. Was a tackling machine last year for Texas playing in the wide-open Big 12. It will be interesting to see if he's a better player when he plays against pro-style offenses. I liked him better than Keenan Robinson, who was a 4th round pick. He flies to the ball, and again should provide depth at linebacker and be a key special teams player. His brother is a good player for Arizona, and was a 4th rounder last season. I'll get a better scouting report from my Uncle Chris.
Billy Winn - DT, Boise State - This is an example of the inanity in attempting to analyze the draft. Everywhere you read this guy was a second-third-fourth round prospect. The Browns got him at the tail end of the sixth. So, if they'd have taken him in the third, and John Hughes with this pick, no one would have complained in the least. Be that as it may, the defensive tackle position should be fortified with the addition of Hughes and Winn. He's got good size and may be able to play end as well. He was a powerlifter and wrestler in high school and was a highly productive player in a good program (36.5 tackles for loss and 16 sacks in his career). Good teams are strong up the middle and the Browns got stronger.
Trevin Wade - CB, Arizona - Another guy who was projected to go a lot higher than he did. I would not have been mad if they took him in the 4th or 5th. I really like the guy. He's a good man cover corner who should be able to develop into at least a number 3. Not a burner but has good functional speed and quickness. Three year starter. Really like the value pick here.
Brad Smelley - FB/TE, Alabama - Try hard, hybrid type who lacks the size (6'2 238) to be a tight end but should compete at fullback. He has good hands (7 catches in the National Championship game) and is a willing blocker. Everybody complained about Marecic last year (who I think will be much better this year) and they brought in some competition. Blocked for Trent Richardson in college.
They've also signed some undrafted free-agents at this point, you can view the list here (rumors only until they're announced). Like Josh Cooper, Andrew Sweat and my guy Tashuan Gipson. Also looks like we signed Toby Gerharts brother Garth, JB "false start" Shugarts, and another William Green, since the first one worked out so well.
All and all I really like this draft. I know I'm in the minority but I think in terms of building this team and getting stronger up front they were solid. They drafted an absolute MONSTER and running back, a quarterback with the physical tools that the position requires and a starting right tackle. They got two solid linebackers for depth, one of whom should develop into a starter. They got great value in the 7th on a good corner, and they solidified their defensive line. I'm not usually a rosy person on the day after the draft but I honestly feel that this team has a direction and a GM that gets it. Solid work Heckert, PLAYOFFS IN 2013!!!!!! BOOK IT!
Eric, most Longhorn fans you talk to will tell you they like Robinson's game a little bit better. Robinson is slightly bigger and it seemed like he could cover more ground but Acho was a better in traffic. They interchanged both players inside-outside in Diaz' system and I don't have a great explanation for why other than it may have been individual match-ups. Robinson was the leading tackler. For Acho to have lasted until the 6th round surprises me, but what do I know. Both guys are very solid character-wise.
ReplyDeleteSo, tell me about Posey.
I'll take it! Thanks Chris. As for Posey, million dollar athlete ten cent decision maker? He's not a trouble maker just made poor decisions in getting suspended for almost his entire senior season.
ReplyDeleteHe was an absolute STUD in high school in Cincinnati and was a 5 star recruit. He played with Pryor and then a few games with Miller this season, so he never played with a traditional drop-back and chuck QB like Schaub. He's got size and is fast enough, they'll need to teach him how to run proper routes. He was suspended most of the last season, but when he came back he was immediately the best receiver on the field. Spent the entire Michigan game behind their secondary but Miller missed him more than a few times. I think he can be a starter in the league in time, but does have bust potential. Going into the season before his suspension he had a 1-2 round grade, so in the 3rd he could be a good value. Hope that helps!
Yeah, it does, thanks. I do get the '50 dollar haircut, 50 cent brains' reference, then again that's the sort of thing 20 year olds are wont to do. It's really anybody's guess with any of these new troops.
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