Final Draft Thoughts...

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.

Draft Thoughts Day 2......

 

I don't have a lot of time this morning but wanted to get a couple thoughts out there.  First of all, Thursday was a great night for the Browns.  Don't forget that.  Friday had the sheen stripped off with the Josh Gordon report, and I fell into it as well.  I was pissed.  What an idiot, if that is true.  Seriously he must be one of the dumbest humans on the planet.  Whether or not the punishment fits the crime (if it's for marijuana it doesn't, but he HAS to know better) he just threw away millions and millions and millions of dollars.  I'm not going to dwell on it, all I'm going to say is we don't know all the facts.  And there is not a 3rd round receiver that is going to come in and take the place of an All-Pro wideout, so save that outrage.  It is what it is.

Regardless, the Browns got better on Friday.  Joel Bitonio was the pick at 35, and he is a perfect fit at guard for Kyle Shanahan.  He should come in and play.  He played tackle at Nevada and played outstanding against fellow draft picks Anthony Barr and Demarcus Lawrence.  He's got the right amount of nasty in his game, he can get out and move, and he instantly upgrades the line.  Almost every scouting report says the same things.  Nasty, strong, smart, and tenacious.  Sounds like a great offensive linemen.  A scouting report here, this is a great pick.

In the third the Browns took Christian Kirksey, linebacker from Iowa.  He'll play the weakside backer in the Browns 3-4, next to Karlos Dansby.  He was an every down player at Iowa, and was versatile enough to take on linemen in the run game and play one on one coverage against slot receivers.  This is nice.

When one of your ILBs has the versatility to play press-man on slot receivers, it really gives you flexibil... https://t.co/YZytF6AJL5
— Brendan Leister (@BrendanLeister) May 10, 2014

He can run, he's more of a sideline to sideline player than a physical thumper.  He was a two time captain at Iowa and his intangibles are off the charts.  He has a lot of fans on draft twitter, a lot of people like the pick.  He should step in and immediately upgrade the linebacker spot that Craig Robertson occupied last season, opposing quarterbacks will undoubtedly miss throwing at him.  Pretty thorough write up here.

And at the tail end of the third the Browns moved up, giving up their 6th rounder this year to select Terrance West, the running back from Towson.  If you do any research on this guy you'll find it nearly impossible not to root for him.  Good quick read here.  He was a man amongst boys at Towson and fits the AFC North bill of big power backs.  The best way to counter a possible Josh Gordon suspension may be to run the hell out of the football, and now with Ben Tate and West you have a couple horses to ride.  His game against Eastern Illinois in the FCS playoffs is the stuff of legends.  Highlights here.


So as easy as it may be to be upset about Josh Gordon, it is undeniable that the Browns and Ray Farmer are killing it in this draft.  They are left with 2 picks today, a 4th and a 7th.  I'm still holding out hope for Jared Abredderis, and I wouldn't be shocked if they took a flier on either another wideout, corner, or quarterback in the 7th.  This team is on the right path, and I'm in the minority but I'm happy that Ray Farmer didn't jump off the path after the Josh Gordon news.  Keep taking good players, that's the way to build a team.  Go Browns.

Draft Thoughts Day 1......

What a day.  It's a good day here in Cleveland.  A great day.  Ray Farmer is the man.  The Browns are the talk of the NFL.  A great day.

I wanted Johnny Manziel, I would have been happy with him at 4.  I thought after they traded down, they were definitely taking him at 9.  They moved up to 8, and I thought they were taking him there.  No dice as the Browns went with the top cornerback on most boards, Justin Gilbert from Oklahoma State.  I went through the emotions that judging from my twitter most people did, shock and disappointment that they let Manziel go.  And then things started to fall their way.  And when they traded up to 22, ohhh boy.  And then it happened....

Even if you aren't a big Johnny MFing Football fan, you have to be impressed with what Ray Farmer did.  Getting a 1st and 4th next year from Buffalo to drop down from 4 to 9 is amazing, and an absolute no brainer.  That's a trade you have to make.  Buffalo's draft position over the last 5 drafts before trades has been 9, 3, 10, 9, and 8.  Thanks Bills.  Great deal.  So they move back and then move up with Minnesota for a 5th (which I know doesn't sound like much but I'm pretty sick of giving Minnesota picks to move up one spot) and got their guy Gilbert.  If one thing was known about Mike Pettine it is that he values the cornerback position.  If you read Collision Low Crossers, the book about the Jets while Pettine was the defensive coordinator, you had a pretty good idea of the value he places on long armed athletic press corners.  And so they got the guy that will play across from Haden at number 8.  Gilbert is a bigger corner at 6'0 200lbs, he ran the fastest 40 yard dash (4.37) out of the corners at the combine, and also put up the most reps (20) at 225 lbs out of the corners, so he's strong as well.  He's a man cover guy and gives Pettine exactly what he's looking for out of a cornerback.  He'll fit in well.

And then instead of sitting back at 26 and hoping that their franchise quarterback fell to them, they aggressively moved up to 22, giving up the 3rd rounder that they had gotten from the Steelers the year before to take Johnny Football.  So even if you don't like Manziel, if you break it down you traded a 4th round pick and Trent Richardson for him.  That's a pretty damn good deal.  I've said all I can about Manziel, I think he can make all the throws with accuracy, is athletic, is instinctive, intelligent, and has the moxie I want from my quarterback.  Kyle Shanahan is the perfect offensive coordinator for him, he'll move him around and let him make plays.  He'll have to learn to get down and avoid hits, but to me he's a stud, and he provides a spark that this franchise needs.  He's 21 years old and has time to develop, but he's as exciting a player as we've had in Cleveland in a long time.

So again, to recap, the Browns ended up with an extra 1st and 4th round pick next year, the top cornerback in the draft, and a potential franchise quarterback in the polarizing, talented, confident Johnny Manziel.  That my friends is a great draft.  Ray Farmer deserves all the praise he's getting today.  The town is abuzz, and they'll have two picks tonight to continue building.

I think you'll see a WR and either an offensive lineman or a linebacker.  I'll go with Xavier Su'a-Filo, the guard from UCLA in the 2nd, and Jared Abredderis in the 3rd.  GO BROWNS.

Justin Gilbert Scouting Report here

Johnny Manziel Scouting Report here

Quick Draft Thoughts.....

I love the draft, but this waiting two extra weeks is brutal.  I'm sick of hearing people blast prospects.  I'm sick of hearing about how Teddy Bridgewater is dropping down draft boards, about how Tom Savage is shooting up them, about how the Browns need to do this or do that.  I'm sick of it all.  Put the draft back where it was.  By the time the draft finally gets here on Thursday every fan of every team is going to be mad about the player that their team drafts because of all the negativity that has been thrown at every prospect coming out.  I'm just ready for it to happen. 

I'm going to say that today, three days before the draft, I trust Ray Farmer.  I like him, I like the way he played out the Alex Mack situation, I like the way he talks to the media, I like the guy.  That said, there are certain things that can happen over the course of the three day draft that will change my opinion of him.  And I reserve the right to waiver in that, because I can convince myself after the fact that it's going to be okay, a la Brandon Weeden.  But still, I am nervous about Thursday.

The Browns needs are pretty clear and pretty well documented.  The three big ones are WR, QB, and CB, followed by OG and LB.  I expect the first three to be filled by picks 4, 26, and 35.  You can tell me all about Brian Hoyer, and I hope he does well, but I'm not ready to anoint him.  If you believe this team is on the cusp of being pretty good, and you don't expect them to be picking in the top 5 anytime soon, then you would expect them to take a quarterback at 4.  That's what I want them to do.  I want Johnny Football.  People in Cleveland, for some unknown reason, are afraid to roll the dice on a quarterback, the most important position in sports.  I don't understand it.  It makes no sense.  If you want to know why the Browns have been so shitty since 1999 it's because they have taken 1 qb in the top 20, that being Tim Couch.  You have to have a good qb to win consistently in the NFL, and I believe Johnny Manziel has the qualities that are needed to be successful and to lead these Browns to the playoffs.  I don't know if Ray Farmer agrees.  We'll soon find out.  I also am a Teddy Bridgewater fan.  I think he's going to be really good, and I just don't understand the criticism he's taking over a poor pro day.  Because that guy can play.  I'd be more than happy with him as well.  The other guy that has been talked about the most is Derek Carr.  I liked him during the season, but I've really really cooled on him.  His footwork is a mess and he's very easily rattled under pressure.  I can't think of a quarterback that has ever overcome an unwillingness to stand in the pocket and deliver.  The bowl game against USC game was an abomination.  People talk about Bridgewater's hand being too small, but they are bigger than Carr's.  So, at 4 I'm hoping for Manziel if they decide to go quarterback.  I'd love Bridgewater at 26 if they went a different way at 4, and I'd hate Carr, anywhere, especially if they have to trade picks to go up from 26 to get him.  This draft is chock full of starters in the mid-rounds.  Please don't trade up for Carr, Mr. Farmer.

The other position that is most talked about at 4 is wide receiver.  The name that has been talked about the most is Sammy Watkins.  I like Watkins, I don't want him at 4.  I get that people saw him torch Ohio State, and I think that's why Browns fans want him so much.  My problem with Watkins is that is he's 6'0 tall, and he never won't be.  I'd rather have Mike Evans, he's 6'5 and you can't coach that.  He's plenty big, plenty fast, his catch radius is ridiculous, and he can go up over cornerbacks and high point the football.  He, Gordon, and Cameron would be lethal.  Watkins will probably be pretty good, I'd bet on Evans being really really good if I were drafting.  If they were to take Manziel at 4 and wait on a wideout, there will be some good ones that will potentially be available at 26.  Odell Beckham is awesome but will probably be gone.  Marqise Lee or Brandin Cooks would look great on the opposite side of Josh Gordon as well.  Allen Robinson, Donte Moncrief, or Cody Latimer will probably be considered as well.  There is tons of wide receiver talent in this draft.  I'm a huge Jared Abbrederis fan and think he'd be a GREAT pick in the 3rd.

And finally, cornerback.  Joe Haden is a stud.  Mike Pettine knows the value of having great corners having coached Revis and Cromartie in New York.  The Browns will be looking for a cornerback, probably as early as 26.  I'd love Darqueze Dennard if he dropped.  That would be ideal.  He has size and swag, two things you need as a corner.  Jason Verrett or Kyle Fuller would be great as well.

So I'm hopeful.  But nervous.  But hopeful.  I'd love to see Johnny Football as a Brown come Thursday.  I'm hopeful that Ray Farmer values the quarterback position more than the previous regimes.  I'm hopeful that we'll have a new wide receiver so that I don't have to watch stonehands Greg Little anymore.  But more than anything I'm just ready for it to happen.  I'll put out a mock draft in the next day or so.  Thursday can't some soon enough.