Preseason Week 3

 

The one common theme since this sad sack franchise returned in 1999 is that they stink.  No matter what, no matter who the coach is, no matter what offensive and defensive system they run, no matter the players, since 1999 (save 2 decent seasons) the Browns STINK.  Based on the first 3 preseason games, they show no sign of stopping anytime soon.

It took three meaningless preseason games to kill any optimism I had for this team this season.  If anyone can make me feel better about this team based on what they've seen by all means let me know.  I'm dry.  I've got nothing.  It's the same play with a different cast.

Understand that I hate Jeff Fisher more than any other coach maybe ever.  That guy is a Class A Moron, a scumbag of incredible proportions, a man who colluded with the sanctimonious Tony Dungy to keep the Browns out of the playoffs in 2007, and the man who got Bernie Kosar removed from the preseason broadcasts.  Seriously I'm not even sure Solomon Wilcots watches the same game as I do.  So I hate the Rams.  I hate them, I hate Greg Williams he's the POS who had the bounty program in place in New Orleans.  Has a team ever had two coaches look like bigger sex predators?  I'd guess no.  I hate Jeff Fisher.  So there's that, and it makes me even more upset with the way the Browns played.

So okay rant over - and ok, I understand it's the preseason.  These games don't count ultimately.  The Browns probably didn't gameplan for the Rams.  They probably aren't showing their full offensive or defensive playbooks.  They were down an all pro cornerback.  I get all that.  But there is something really really wrong with letting Austin Davis and Shaun Hill march a team up and down the field against your starting defense.  There is something horribly wrong when the opponent converts 7-10 third downs against your starting defense.  There is something absolutely dreadfully wrong when you let the freaking RAMS convert on third down and 25, 19, 12 and 11.  When your first round pick can't even be bothered to attempt to tackle a wide receiver, instead opting to allow Chris Givens to run 75 yards into the endzone you've got problems.  And there were problems aplenty with the defense.  No pass rush to speak of, no sense of urgency.  Mingo runs around like a chicken with his head cut off on at least 50% of the plays he's in on.  They just looked bad.

And that's only the defense, supposedly Mike Pettine's specialty.  Jeez if that is the strength of our team we're in big big big trouble.

On offense, I'm glad we cleared up this Brian Hoyer/Johnny Manziel thing.  Because Hoyer, with all his studying and working hard, looked so much more in command of this superpowered offense.  What a joke.  What the hell are we watching?  Hoyer had a fumble and threw a horrible interception.  He completed his first 3 passes (all near the line of scrimmage).  He didn't once put the ball downfield.  Kyle Shurmur, offensive genius, brought him out into the 3rd quarter to let him hand off 3 times and punt.  Yeah we don't need to work on the passing game.  Let's bring our starter out (because we barely had the ball in the first half between the offensive ineptitude and the defensive incompetency) under the guise that we need the work, and HAND THE BALL OFF 3 TIMES.  Good lord IS THIS WHAT WE HAVE TO LOOK FORWARD TO?  Hoyer was awful I will not sugarcoat anything.  In case you're keeping score we've played three games and looked horrible in all three, on offense and defense.

Manziel came in and scored a touchdown, and also looked for more decisive than he had previously.  Unfortunately he's playing with a collection of turnstyles dressed up as offensive linemen.  Those guys all suck. Cut day is Tuesday, most of those jokers will be looking for a new job.  I actually long for Tuesday, so that Tank Carder can finally be put out to pasture he makes me so sad everytime I see him on the field.  All I know is this - if this is the best that hardworking studious Brian Hoyer can do, then I'd much rather have Manziel with all his supposed "struggles with the playbook" as my quarterback.  I understand that it is impossible for these old-guard NFL west coast offense morons to tailor their plays and gameplans for their personnel, but seriously even if Johnny can't call the plays he is at least exciting to watch, and also the future at the position.  Brian Hoyer is a 6 year vet who can't score touchdowns against preseason defenses WHAT THE HELL.  He has a command of the playbook.  Ok well - he can't execute the plays in said playbook, or said playbook sucks.  Because this offense looks stuck in the mud every time he's in.  Long story short Hoyer needs to play a hell of a lot better.

So here we are.  Two weeks from today the Browns will play a game that counts, against the Steelers in Pittsburgh.  We have seen nothing to inspire confidence, nor will we because the last exhibition game is a joke.  In two weeks, another season of Browns football kicks off, and lets hope that somehow, despite all we've seen so far this preseason, it won't be the same as all the others.

Preseason Week 2

I don't even know why I get excited to watch the Browns, especially in a stupid meaningless preseason game.  But I was, and then I sat through that disgusting display of offensive ineptitude, rivaling the Pat Shurmur offensive superpower of just a few seasons ago.

I really don't have much to say.  I can't understand how a team can consistently change offensive philosophies but still look the same bit of awful every year.  I get that it was the preseason, and it takes time.  I get it.  But knee jerk reactions are the way of the world, and the knee jerk reaction was that this offense STUNK up Landover last night.

The first team defense played well.  That's about the only silver lining on this one.  The Redskins were bailed out on their only long drive of the first half by multiple calls of defensive holding and illegal contact, including one on a 3rd and 19.  The NFL is such a joke now when it comes to the selective enforcement of the rules, one can only hope that this doesn't carry over to the regular season.  Games have been unwatchable, averaging something ridiculous like 19 penalties per game this preseason.  Regardless, the Browns first unit put together an impressive goal line stand.  The line looks stout, Dansby looked good, and the secondary is going to be good.  They forced turnovers, which is going to be a key to the Browns season.  Jim Leonhard had a nice pick 6, he should be a valuable backup.  Hopefully he can stay healthy.

As far as the second team, there were no standout performances.  Royce Adams probably played himself off the team after a rough performance.  But all and all no one really jumped out with the backups.

That brings us to the offense.  First off, I've said I think this will be Manziel's football team, and soon.  And I still think that.  I think that Hoyer should start some games and will probably be replaced at some point, and then it's Johnny's team.  That's the ideal scenario for me.  The problem is that Hoyer has looked like absolute garbage.  Everyone wants to blast Manziel and critique his performance, well all this could be avoided if Hoyer, a 6 year veteran, would just go out and complete few passes, move the ball, and score a touchdown or two.  Then I think we'd all be comfortable with the decision to start him, at least for the beginning of the season.  But he has flat out stunk this preseason.  I'm sorry, I know that Brian Hoyer defenders don't want to hear it.  And for some reason you can't like Hoyer without hating Manziel, which I don't understand.  I'm a Johnny Football fan bigtime but I don't dislike Hoyer.  But I'll tell the truth, and that truth is that Hoyer has stunk, and Johnny Football has played like a rookie.

One side note - why do have have plays that take 10 seconds to recite?  Chip Kelly calls his plays off a giant card on the sideline, 1 freaking word.  We have our rookie quarterback out here playing neanderthal football, memorizing 20 word play calls.  It should be fast and easy for him.  Uptempo is the trend, keeping pressure on a defense.  We are still playing 1980's football.  Stupid.  Anyways....

If Hoyer even plays marginally well I think that Pettine names him the starter and we all move forward.  But he just hasn't.

And Pettine deserves some blame for this circus.  Splitting reps and alternating series is not the way to go.  There is no chemistry, and that's the problem.  There are other problems for sure, but that's a big one.  Now we get to continue this into the 3rd preseason game.  Whatever the case, the offense stinks right now.  Hoyer hasn't gotten a first down all preseason.  Alex Mack is already in midseason form, forgetting the snap count on the first play.  Mitchell Schwartz, I'm done defending you I do it all the time and you keep getting put on roller skates.  The second team offensive line should be replaced in total.  The hardest hit a Brown had yesterday was Terrance West running over Alex Parsons, who was just standing there instead of blocking anybody.  They aren't very good.

Josh Gordon had NO interest in being out there yesterday.  Not sure if this possible suspension is in his head but he looked awful.  Jordan Cameron same thing.  Awful.  No effort as a blocker, minimal effort as a pass catcher.  Not sure what the problem was there.  Honestly Willie Snead looked like the only receiver with any energy yesterday.  Not that that quarterbacks put the ball on them that often, but c'mon.  Maybe our receivers are as bad as everyone says they are.

I'm not sure what else to say.  Maybe it's an overreaction to a preseason game.  Probably.  But it was bad enough that there are now serious concerns with this offense.  They need to get it figured out and soon, they have 19 days until the opener. 

Hopefully by then, we'll know who is number 1.  (I thought it was hilarious btw).

Preseason Game 1

I hate the NFL Preseason, it's an incredible tease.  However, it's football, and football kicks ass, and garbage football is better than no football, so FOOTBALL.

It's hard to know what exactly to takeaway from exhibition football games, even ones with Johnny MFing Football making his debut, but here's what I gleaned from the Browns 13-12 loss to the Lions in the famed GLC, the greatest of all meaningless preseason football games.

Sorry Brian Hoyer fans, but this will be Johnny's team, and soon.  We all know what Brian Hoyer is.  He's the girl next door.  Somewhat attractive, nice, friendly, easy to like.  Johnny Manziel is the stunner, the beauty queen.  Supercharged, smokin hot.  There's a chance he'll break your heart, but if you have the beauty queen you don't take out the girl next door. 

Hoyer had some decent moments, as he should as a 6 year vet in a preseason game with Josh Gordon to throw to and two pro bowl linemen in front of him.  He wasn't pressured.  He still doesn't look like he fully trusts his knee to me, but he looked exactly as he should, maybe a little better coming of the ACL tear.  And that's not to say that's a bad thing.  With the trash I've had to watch at quarterback the past few years I'd take it.  But Hoyer has a problem - Manziel can do things that Hoyer can't, and (probably soon, based on the rate he's supposedly picking up the offense) can do everything Hoyer can.

Manziel has plenty to learn, and was still pretty quick to take off when his primary read was covered, but it was tough to gauge with the trash playing offensive line in front of him.  Everything looked disjointed while he was in, and he was still able to move the ball.  (CATCH THE GD BALL WILLIE SNEAD)  He showed a live arm, quick feet, and after a couple of hits, figured out to slide and get out of bounds on two separate runs.  The game will slow down for him.  It will be his team soon though.

Manziel needs some time with the ones, with the starting o-line in front of him, to fully evaluate his comfort level within the offense.  But rest assured Brian Hoyer, Johnny's coming for you, and soon.

Speaking of the second team offensive line, they are terrible.  The problem in the NFL is that there are more roster spots around the league than there are good linemen to fill them.  Offensive line depth is an issue with most teams for that reason.  It's hard to find good linemen. 

At running back, you have to like watching Ben Tate see the hole and hit the hole.  Terrance West had some decent runs as well.  The Browns look to be in pretty good shape with those two.  Dion Lewis fumbled, and probably won't be on the final roster.  Edwin Baker or Chris Ogbonnaya should fight it out for the third running back spot.  MarQueis Gray is above average at fullback, a decent pass catcher who at least gives you that option off play action.

The wideouts dropped way too many passes, across the board.  Miles Austin and Josh Gordon both should have caught big passes from Hoyer.  Willie Snead and Jonathan Krause may have played their way off the roster.  Charles Johnson is an intriguing prospect who is worth watching more as the preseason goes on.  It should be noted that Jordan Cameron, Nate Burleson, and Travis Benjamin all didn't play.  I'm a big Andrew Hawkins fan.  I think he's going to be very good in this offense.  Gary Barnidge stinks.  But these guys need to catch the ball.

Defensively, the line is stacked.  Armonty Bryant is a stud, he's going to be hard to keep off the field.  With Rubin on the nose and Taylor, Winn, Des Bryant, Hughes, Kitchen the Browns are in really good shape.

Paul Kruger just does nothing for me, he did his classic hesitate, then slam into a blocker move a couple times and it was as ineffective as it always is.  Sheard and Mingo should be out there.  Robertson and Kirksey are going to battle it out to see who starts next to Dansby, both guys played pretty well.  Depth at linebacker is a concern, Tank Carder was embarrassing himself out there.  I'm rooting for you Justin Staples.

Come back soon Tashaun Gipson, I do not want to see Jordan Poyer as my starting free safety.  And welcome to the NFL Pierre Desir, you aren't at Lindenwood anymore.  He's clearly a work in progress.  It would have been nice to see Justin Gilbert out there.

I would have like to see what guys like Connor Shaw and Isaiah Crowell could do, but it's possible that the Browns are going to hold them back to sneak them on their practice squad and don't want to give other teams a look at them.

Also, NFL officiating still SUCKS.  And so does Soloman Wilcots GIVE ME BACK MY BERNIE!!!!!!!!!

The best thing that happened in this game is that no one got injured.

All and all it was a typical Browns game, a bunch of field goals until they find a way to lose in the end.  But Manziel is coming, and so are touchdowns and playoffs and excitement.  Hey it's early but we can dream, right?

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

Mock Draft 2014

Jay Glazer reporting that the Browns won't take Manziel at 4 crushes my spirit.  I'm taking him at 4 in my mock draft anyway.  Here it is.  I have no inside sources, this is essentially a guessing exercise.



1.  Houston - Khalil Mack - LB - Buffalo - Houston goes with the versatile linebacker over Clowney and Bortles.  He must seem like a safer pick than Clowney, but not what I'd do.

2.  St. Louis - Greg Robinson - OT - Auburn - The Rams are terrible and Jeff Fisher is a jerk.  Robinson is a great run blocker who needs to learn how to pass protect.  This may be a spot for Atlanta to trade up for Clowney.

3. Jacksonville - Jadeveon Clowney - DE - South Carolina - The Jags have to be doing backflips.  Clowney is awesome.

4. Cleveland - Johnny MFing Football - QB - Texas A&M - I know what Jay Glazer said but I refuse to believe the Browns are going to pass on a QB again in the top 10.  I just refuse. 

5. Oakland - Mike Evans - WR - Texas A&M - Watkins makes sense, a quarterback makes sense, the Raiders rarely make sense but they get it right here.

6. Atlanta - Jake Matthews - OT - Texas A&M - Matthews is really good, I expect Atlanta to try and move up for Clowney. 

7. Tampa Bay - Blake Bortles - QB - UCF - Tampa goes for upside and will have patience with the local guy.

8. Minnesota - Aaron Donald - DT - Pitt - Mike Zimmer is a defensive guy, and the Vikes need help up front.  This makes sense to me.

9. Buffalo - Sammy Watkins - WR - Clemson - Buffalo has to be pretty pumped.

10. Detroit - Justin Gilbert - CB - Oklahoma State - I think I mock a cornerback to Detroit every year.  One year I'll be right.

11. Tennessee - Anthony Barr - OLB - UCLA - Barr is a pure pass rusher and a stud. He may take a year or two to develop but he'll be worth the wait.

12. New York Giants - Taylor Lewan - OT - Michigan - Lewan is good but he's a total scumbag. Giants go o-line for the second year in a row.

13. St Louis - Ha Ha Clinton Dix - S - Alabama - The Rams have a good defense but Jeff Fisher sucks.

14. Chicago - CJ Mosely - LB - Alabama - Mosely is a three down player and will be called upon to lead a new look Bears defense.

15. Pittsburgh - Zack Martin - OL - Notre Dame - Martin is really really good and I hope this doesn't happen.  He can play almost anywhere on the line and should stabilize Pittsburgh's offensive line.

16. Dallas - Calvin Pryor - S - Louisville - Dallas has some big needs on defense but safety is one of the biggest.  They fill it here.

17. Baltimore - Eric Ebron - TE - UNC - Again something I hope doesn't happen.  Ebron is big and fast and talented.  He should go higher than this.

18. New York Jets - Odell Beckham Jr - LSU - I'm a big fan.  The Jets offense could be scary.

19. Miami - JuWuan James - OT - Tennessee - Big and nimble O-lineman should start right away for the Dolphins.

20. Arizona - Derek Carr - QB - Fresno State - Carson Palmer is old and awful.  I'm not a huge Carr fan.

21. Green Bay - Ryan Shazier - LB - Ohio State - Packers defense could be really nasty.  Shazier is fast and hits a ton, but will require some patience as he's not the most disciplined linebacker.

22. Philadelphia - Marqise Lee - WR - USC - Lee is a great fit for Chip Kelly and should step in and replace Mesean Jackson.

23. Kansas City - Teddy Bridgewater - QB - Louisville - Alex Smith has one year left on his deal, and Bridgewater would be a perfect fit for Andy Reid.  He can learn behind Smith and develop.  I think he's got what it takes to be pretty good.  This would be a great spot for him.

24. Cincinnati - Darqueze Dennard - CB - Michigan State - Cincy doesn't have too many holes, but they could stand to get younger in the secondary.  Dennard would be a great fit.

25. San Diego - Bradley Roby - CB - Ohio State - Roby wanted to leave last year and played like he had a foot out the door for the Buckeyes.  He was a stud as a sophomore though and should be a pretty good pro.

26. Cleveland - Kyle Fuller - CB - Virginia Tech - Fuller is a big, man to man corner and he would be a great great fit for what Mike Pettine wants to do on defense.  If he's here, I'd expect the Browns to sprint up to the podium.  I wouldn't be surprised to see them trade up or down with this pick, as there's a lot of different ways they can go.

27. New Orleans - Jason Verrett - CB - TCU - the run on corners continues with Verrett, a scrappy man cover player who can learn in the slot and take over for the recently signed Champ Bailey in a year.

28. Carolina - Cody Latimer - WR - Indiana - the Panthers have to draft a wideout early, right?  Latimer is big, he's a good blocker, and he should help Cam with his reliable hands.

29. New England - RaShede Hageman - DL - Minnesota - Hageman is a mountain of a man with good athleticism for his size.  To me he just seems like a Belichick pick due to his versitility, he can play in multiple fronts.  His motor has been questioned.

30. San Francisco - Brandin Cooks - WR - Oregon State - I'd think San Fran would be jumping up and down if Cooks made it to them.  He's a great complement to Crabtree.

31. Denver - Xavier Su'a-Filo - OG - UCLA - Denver needs corners, but they may have to move up to get one.  Here they get a guard to replace Zane Beadles who left in free agency.

32. Seattle - Kony Ealy - DE - Missouri - Seattle takes a pass rusher, which just seems like something that they'd do.  Ealy could go earlier, Dee Ford could go here as well.


Rest of the Browns draft




35. Cleveland - Allen Robinson - WR - Penn St - The Browns take Robinson, the big wideout from Penn State.  He's got enough speed, good hands, and he can go up and get the ball.  He's going to be a good pro in my opinion, and would be a great player opposite Josh Gordon.









71. Cleveland - Jordan Zumwalt - LB - UCLA - I'm sticking with Zumwalt in the third.  I love the guy, I think he plays the will linebacker in the 3-4 next to Dansby and becomes a pretty good pro.  If nothing else he's going to smash people on special teams.

83. Cleveland - Jared Abbrederis - WR - Wisconsin - I know they just took Robinson but this is my mock draft and I love what Abbrederis brings to the table.  He's a reliable target who may round out the receiving corp as a chain mover.







106. Cleveland - Chris Watt - OG - Notre Dame - Watt may be gone but I think he can come in and compete for a job.  Should be athletic enough to play in Shannahan's zone blocking scheme.












127. Cleveland - James Hurst - OT - UNC - Hurst may be looking at a redshirt rookie season after badly breaking his leg in the bowl game.  He's worth a shot here.








145. Cleveland - Bruce Gaston - DL - Purdue - Rubin makes too much money for what he provides a defense.  Gaston looked better as a junior but has enough size and quickness to make a rotation.







180. Cleveland - Ty Zimmerman - S - Kansas State - Zimmerman will make it hard for a coach to cut him.  I think he's going to make a team and carve out a nice career as a backup safety.









218. Cleveland - Kapri Bibbs - RB - Colorado State - Bibbs seems like a good fit as a one-cut runner in the Browns new scheme.  Throwing darts at this point.