The dust has settled, and the draft is done. The Browns are a much better team than they were last week, that is a fact. And after being the talk of the draft on Thursday, things settled down on Friday and Saturday. In fact the Browns made only one selection on Saturday, but it was a good one, in cornerback Pierre Desir from Lindenwood.
He's another perfect Mike Pettine cornerback, tall, long, and athletic. He was projected to go higher than his draft spot, and will be given every chance to develop. He was another solid pick. The Browns traded their last remaining draft pick in the 7th round to the Ravens for a 6th rounder next year, giving them 10 draft picks next year. While many people are upset that the Browns didn't draft a wide receiver, they signed some intriguing options as undrafted free agents, including two with draftable grades by most services in Willie Snead IV from Ball State and Chandler Jones from San Jose State. Those two combined for 2872 yards and 30 touchdowns last season.
Additionally, 33 wide receivers were drafted, which means that conceivably, 33 wide receivers currently in the NFL just lost their jobs. And don't sleep on Charles Johnson, whom the Browns signed off of the Packers practice squad last season. People have said that the Browns are high on him. So don't let idiots like Todd McShay or Pete Prisco bring you down about this draft because the Browns didn't take a wideout. The Browns had a great draft. It should also be factored in that the Browns signed running back Isaiah Crowell after the draft, the former SEC Freshman of the year, and Connor Shaw, a quarterback from South Carolina who I really like. Both of those guys could have been drafted as well and will have a good shot to make the team.
To recap I love this draft. I think Gilbert, Bitonio, and Kirksey come in and start right away. Manziel will certainly have a shot to start right away, as will Terrance West down the line. That's 5 starters in 5 picks. Desir is a high upside developmental prospect, and Crowell and Snead could be UDFA steals. There's a lot to feel good about. While the glitter was on day 1, the substance came on days 2 and 3, and the Browns did well. Oh yeah and there's that first and fourth next year from Buffalo, so thanks again Bills. I'm pumped, and I think Ray Farmer deserves all the praise in the world for the job he did. The eyes of the football world will be on Cleveland and the Browns from now until the season starts, and I for one can't wait. Go Browns.
Nice write up Eric. I was down that they didn't take a WR after the Gordon news, but looking back I couldn't see any pick where they should have taken a WR instead.
ReplyDeleteBitonio + West should add a bruising element to the run game that's been missing for a long time and Gilbert + Haden's long term deal have me day dreaming about the original Dawgs.
And we got a 1st round pick from a team that will most likely be picking in the top 15 again next year? Amazing rookie draft by Farmer. I hope he's running drafts for at least the next decade.
Thanks G I definitely agree. I think they're going to run the crap out of the ball this year, and Shanahan's offense should cover up some of the deficiencies that may exist at wideout.
DeleteDefense should be nasty as well, gonna be a fun season I think.
Farmer is the MAN, I hope so too!