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Teams that improved the most after the 2017 NFL Draft

Cleveland Browns

The second-round selection of DeShone Kizer was savvy and a great example of the low-risk, high-reward moves the Browns should be making as they rebuild. The best part about the Browns' quarterback choice is that it wasn't the centerpiece of the draft.

If executive vice president Sashi Brown's process is going to work, the Browns need to load up on premium picks and make them count. No. 1 overall pick Myles Garrett and tight end David Njoku, who went No. 29, create physical mismatches that the Browns have lacked too often in recent years. The old Browns were hopeful of finding a journeyman like tight end Gary Barnidge, who punched above his weight for a season. Njoku represents the kind of explosive player the new regime wants. The team's other first-rounder, safety Jabrill Peppers, could become the beating heart of the team's defense. Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams should know just how to deploy him.

The Browns continued to add bulk throughout the draft, including defensive tackle Caleb Brantley (Round 6), who was charged on suspicion of misdemeanor battery following an alleged physical altercation with a woman earlier this month. Sashi Brown said it's possible the team doesn't even keep Brantley.

Not every pick will work, of course, but the Browns are increasing their odds of finding Pro Bowlers by loading up on early picks. The team also has two first-rounders and three second-rounders a year from now. Cleveland is showing enviable patience. The Browns will start to earn more patience from fans and analysts if this first-round trio produces quickly.

Make like a tree and get the puck outa here. Not the sharpest spoon in the fridge.

A bit unrelated but I wasn't going to start another thread, but Bills fired their GM, Doug Whaley:

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000...ger-doug-whaley

half of one, six dozen of another

So the Bills ended up firing their entire front office and scouting department the day after the draft.

Sorry Mac, that wasn't a insult. If it was, I'd get get kicked off the board. Unlike some, if I get suspended, I'll never be back because I doin't get out of line much and when I do, it is because of posters of like you. You are biased against smart people. You don't like people who can get in, and excel at Harvard, thus you call them the "Boys".

To me that is a racist comment. Do you call all Africian American people"boys"? Take a look at our FO when you start calling people "boy", boy.

Leave him alone!

LOL. I love this quote.

Mind your own business

He's right, I do need to leave him alone. The funny thing is I like Mac.

Are we even sure the browns wanted Trubisky? Or mahommes?

Is there actual proof or is it all speculation? Cause the way they maneuvered in this draft makes me think they weren't interested in grabbing a QB in the first round at all.

No, there is no proof of any of that. Like there is no proof that the Browns were going to take Trubisky with the First pick as so darn many draftniks said was going to happen.

As R Kelly said

I believe I can fly
I believe I can touch the sky
I think about it every night and day
Spread my wings and fly away
I believe I can soar
I see me running through that open door
I believe I can fly
I believe I can fly
I believe I can fly hoo

I guess we'll never really know but trying to read between the lines, I don't think Trubisky was ever in their plans. I think all the rumors surrounding the Browns' love of Mitch was was leaked by them (even some draft analysts conceded that the Browns fooled them) and to get someone to panic and move up or steer them away from their favorite QB-- Pat Mahomes. It may have worked in enticing the Bears to do what they did, but clearly I don't think the Browns fooled KC enough to not trade up to #10. I think Pat Mahomes was the pick at 12 if he was available. But that's me.

In the final press conference, DePodesta reflected on how pleased they were with the draft but always ask themselves what they could have do better for next year. He said identifying missed opportunities to help plan for future drafts. Not sure if this was speaking in generalities, talking BS, or a hint at Mahomes if he was the pick at #12.

Who cares with the speculation and rumors about what was to happen, what they hoped would happen and what did happen? It is what it is and it played out the way it played out.
The Browns got their guy at a spot that most said was perfect. We got a lot of other guys too that most said we hit homeruns on. They had a solid draft and won in most media reports or received no less than a B in most reports.

All of that media speculation/rumors leading up to the draft is a relief to put behind us. Whether or not we were/planned to trade and were stumped by the Bears is just that....speculation. Time to put it to rest and move forward. Anyway, only the people in that room truly know what happened and how it played out.

I get what you're saying. I just don't think the FO wanted mahommes, either.

The reality is that every last one of the QB's were straight up projects. Nobody was a sure thing.

So if they're all projects, why take one in the first round? If you can develop a guy to be the franchise, then who had the biggest upside, the higher ceiling?

A lot of experts thought that was Kizer. I'm not sure just how much analytics played into it, but me thinks drafting a project QB in the first round goes against that method.

Overall I think the FO has a very good draft. Could you imagine if Kizer flashes this season, if he plays?

That would mean we would have 2 1st and 3 2nds we could use on all skill position players, and not a QB.

I really hope it works out.

Agreed. But Myles Garrett isn't even a sure thing. I think many people suggested that Kizer has the highest ceiling, but maybe even the lowest floor. I'm fine with Cleveland taking him at 52. I think it's pretty good value. I would have been fine with Mahomes going at 12 as well.




That would be the ideal situation. We wouldn't have to worry about a QB and we'd continue to fill holes on this team with high-end college talent. Let's hope that's the case.

No one really fires their GM at this point in the year. The stories about Buffalo are pretty bad. No one knew who was in charge leading up to the draft.

Not to mention, They would have made the QB the first pick in the draft. That is the only way they could get who they wanted, so I don't think QB was in their plans at least in the 1st. round.

I have a feeling that Kizer is going to use this a fuel. 3 teams traded up to get their QB prior to us taking Kizer.

This could even potentially be one of those "stories of the 2017 draft" in 2-3 years and how we finally got it right.

or... we tried to take a low risk QB and it didn't work. Either way, it works to the FO's PR benefit.

Inside the Browns draft: Hue Jackson liked Patrick Mahomes and Malik Hooker at 12 and more from embedded reporter

Inside the Browns draft: Hue Jackson like Mahomes, Hooker and more
CLEVELAND, Ohio — NFL.com’s Michael Silver spent draft weekend at the Browns facility, including some of it in the war room. He watched his good friend Hue Jackson pace nervously before the first overall pick, question the trade down from No. 12 and ultimately come away thrilled that he got his pass-rusher in Myles Garrett at No. 1, a good developmental quarterback in DeShone Kizer at No. 52, and several other potential starters.
He also came away with an appreciation for that extra first-rounder in 2018 despite wanting Ohio State’s Malik Hooker when he was there at No. 12.
Here are some takeaways from Silver’s being embedded with the Browns, as reported on nfl.com:

1. Hue Jackson wasn't 100% sure on Garrett 'til the pick
Jackson admitted to Silver that even though he had been reassured earlier in the day that Myles Garrett would be the No. 1 pick, he was still anxiously pacing the war room with three minutes to go.
"Once I knew the draft was gonna start, I was feeling good -- but you still never know till you do it," Jackson said "You just want to get it going. You just want to get him on your team as fast as you can. So yeah, it was like, 'Let's go!’’’
The day before the draft, Silver reported that it was his understanding Jackson still didn’t know the pick and had thrown “himself into a coaching cocoon.’’

2. Split opinions confirmed
Silver confirmed what had cleveland.com had also been reporting, per league sources, that Jackson and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams wanted Garrett, and that some in the front office gave long and hard thought to drafting Mitch Trubisky in the weeks leading up to the draft. "...they, along with Jimmy Haslam, wondered whether he might be the answer to their longstanding run of futility at the sport's most important position,'' Silver reported.
One AFC GM told Silver: "I've heard there is quite the battle going on! Only they could screw this up. The only exciting part will be how bad they will screw it up!"

3. Coaches and front office getting on the same page
It wasn’t without plenty of heated discussions and vigorous debate, but the Browns arrived at the Garrett as the best choice at No. 1, and a draft they all felt good about in the end.
“We're starting to understand each other better,’’ Jackson told Silver. “Sashi and his people are getting a better idea of what we as coaches are seeking, and their process is starting to make more sense to me. And Jimmy and Dee are doing a great job of making sure everyone is heard, and creating an environment where we can execute a plan without rushing things. There was a lot of passionate discussion during the pre-draft process, and there were some tense times in the war room [Thursday] night. It wasn't easy, but I love the way we came out of it.''

4. Jackson: Mahomes had biggest upside
Jackson felt Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes had the biggest upside in the draft, and was disappointed to see him go off the board at No. 10, two spots before the Browns’ second pick.
“After the Kansas City Chiefs traded up to 10th and selected Mahomes, the quarterback who Jackson felt had the biggest upside, that left (Deshaun) Watson as the highest-ranked QB on Cleveland's board,'' Silver wrote. "Watson, in Jackson's eyes, was the passer best suited to play right away, but he was not the man he hoped the Browns would select with the 12th pick (see next slide).’’
The Browns, of course, traded down from 12 to No. 25 with the Texans, picking up an extra 2018 first-rounder in the process. The Texans, in turn, drafted Watson. The Browns came back at No. 52 in the second round and selected Notre Dame’s DeShone Kizer, who has prototypical size (6-4, 233) and arm strength.

5. Jackson wanted Malik Hooker at No. 12
The trade down from 12 to 25 was met with some resistance from Jackson, who had fallen in love with Ohio State safety Malik Hooker.
"To me, he has a chance to be another Ed Reed," Jackson told Silver. “When I coached in Baltimore, I saw firsthand what kind of impact a great safety can have."
In the end, Jackson got both a potential starting safety in Michigan’s Jabrill Peppers at No. 25, and an extra first-round pick next year that could turn into the Browns’ QB of the future.

6. Jackson and his twin Gregg Williams
The fiery and emotional Jackson has found a friend, confidante, and counterpart on defense. "I think he's the closest thing to being my twin that I've experienced in this league," Jackson told Silver. "And that's a little scary."

7. Williams wore out Garrett at private workout
Garrett had Jackson and Williams at hello. During his private workout for them, he showed them exactly what they needed to see.
“My goal was to make him uncomfortable, and winded as f---, and to see how he'd react," Williams told Silver. "We simulated a 15-play drive, and after some plays, I'd make him do up-downs before the next one, just to tire him out even more. We got all the way down near the goal line, and I kicked it up to 10 up-downs, thinking he might collapse or quit or say 'To hell with this.' He just did them and lined up, and on the next play he came off the edge like I've maybe seen two people in my life -- Bruce Smith and Jevon Kearse -- and sacked the quarterback. It was amazing."

8. Garrett and Peppers get a 'pep' talk
When Garrett and Peppers arrived Friday for their pre-draft press conferences, Williams laid down the law. Garrett had already told ESPN The Magazine he wanted to be the greatest player that ever lived, and that he planned to set the rookie and single-season sacks records. He placed a hand on each of their shoulders and said (minus the expletives), "I wanted two players out of this draft, and you are my guys. It may not look like it, but I'm happy to see you. Now, if you would like to avoid getting off to a very bad start with me, we need to make some things clear. First, do not go down there and, when you talk to the media, write checks your ass can't cash.
“You are here to work and help your teammates, and you will talk with your play. Secondly, you will show respect to our owners, and to this franchise, and to its history, and to the city of Cleveland ... When you come back here (for rookie minicamp), you will get to work. I look forward to being your father, now and for the rest of your life."

9. Bruce Smith will mentor Garrett and come to minicamp
Hall of Fame defensive end Bruce Smith attended Garrett’s pre-draft party at a golf club in Arlington, Texas, and also critiqued his film. Smith pointed out plays where Garrett didn’t always hustle enough, and offered to help him.
"Myles, I saw that, at your draft party, Bruce Smith presented you with your [Browns] jersey," Williams, who coached Smith with the Redskins, told Garrett. "Well, I've known Bruce for 25 years, and I want to show you something."
It was a text from the 11-time Pro Bowler: "Gregg, it's Bruce Smith. Hope u are doing well. Congrats on Myles. The young man is full of raw talent just needs to learn how to be a pro. If u or HJ needs some help I'd luv to mentor him. Talk soon."
Williams told Garrett, “I’m going to invite him to come to one of our minicamps and just know that he will always be here for me -- and he may even be there for you ... unless you do something stupid, like going down there today and writing a check your butt can't cash."

10. Josh Dobbs, Dalvin Cook and Obi Melifonwu were on the radar
If Kizer hadn’t tumbled to the Browns at No. 52, Jackson liked Tennessee QB Josh Dobbs in the fourth round, where he was drafted by the Steelers. The Browns hopes Florida State running Dalvin Cook, one of their 30 visits, might fall to them at No. 52, and Williams coveted Connecticut safety Obi Melifonwu at that spot. But the Browns were thrilled to land Kizer there, and now, he’ll come in and compete for the starting job with Cody Kessler, Brock Osweiler and Kevin Hogan.

11. Osweiler No. 2 on the depth chart
Although Osweiler wasn’t in the Browns’ plans when they made the trade with Texans to acquire the extra second-round pick, he’s starting to grow on them. “Brown and Jackson have reshaped their perspectives and regard Osweiler as someone who might be salvageable,’’ Silver wrote. “He'll likely begin the on-field portion of the offseason program second on the depth chart, behind Kessler.’’

12. Jackson now appreciates the extra No. 1
He was a little upset at the trade down from 12 at first, but now seems the wisdom in it. The Browns have two first-rounders in 2018 and three second-rounder. If Kizer doesn’t flash franchise potential, they have plenty of ammo to get their man, one way or the other.
“Having that extra pick, that might turn out to be huge for us," Jackson said. "I'm starting to appreciate how nice it is to be in that position, because it gives you options."

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2017/05/inside_the_browns_draft_hue_ja.html

I think the entire league was suprised by the Bears moving up to #2. It's viewed as a bonehead move my most.

Mahomes. If we had the love for the guy we could have done that.


I don't know if he was plan B....I don't even know if he was in the plan. How do you know?


My feeling is you just like to complain about the FO. Had we moved up to get any one of those guys, you'd beach about that. Now you complain that Kiser was a gift that we didn't do anything to get and simply lucked out by our inaction.

Wait, I do have some banana's upstairs, I'll go get one.


Are you serious?

I think there is quite a bit of national speculation out there that the Browns were indeed interested in Mahomes at 12. That's probably why KC felt the need to move up to 10.

Maybe.

You'll never know, so I guess you can't prove it, no?

Now that WOULD have divided the fanbase. Imagine Hooker is still there and they take Mahomes at 12! Most of us thought at 33, sure. Maybe even settling on moving back up to pick in front of Houston or the Giants to grab him.

At least at 25 we got a SS and a 2nd 1st in '18. Watching the videos on the website shows that Tabor LOVED the Peppers pick.

Proof? LOL........ I can probably prove it more than all this BS about "great pick" that is running wild around here.

Here, the damn article was in this very thread and on the same page. It has been talked about by several journalists:


http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2017/05/inside_the_browns_draft_hue_ja.html

Now, if that is a lie...........is the rest of the article a lie, also?

Nah..........way more fans liked Mahomes than Kizer. And now Kizer is getting all kinds of love from those same fans.

Personally, I would have taken Hooker at 12. No doubt about it and that fact makes this draft disappointing to me.

I don't think we know what we have with Kizer just like KC don't know what they have with Mahomes or Chicago know what they have with Trubisky.

I wasn't implying that. I was saying that there are reports out there that Hue wanted Mahomes. Nothing more, nothing less.

Gregg Williams kind of rubs me the wrong way, but I thought his conversations with Garrett and Peppers were good ones. He'll definitely be pushing our players to their limits/potential.

I liked this draft, Vers, although I don't follow the college players like a lot of you guys do. I read about them and watch videos, after December or so in the run-up to the draft.
Mostly cuz we got MG, but the TE, even Peppers. And a QB who could be the guy - he might be less than average - I've read about his faults - but at least he has a freaking strong enough arm for the NFL and isn't a midget.
Which is nice for a change.

That's cool, lamp.

It's all about our opinions.

No...you said MORE...you also said this above:

"Nah..........way more fans liked Mahomes than Kizer. And now Kizer is getting all kinds of love from those same fans."

You are leaving out the fact that the Mahomes pick would have only brought Mahomes...and are neglecting to mention that Kizer came later AND with a #1 in 2018.

I think the fans you are talking about believe that Kizer + #1 in '18 is > than Mahomes.

Deleted. I will get into trouble if I respond to you calling me out.

You hit the nail on the head, we all have opinions- as stated, the head coach wasn't sure about the first pick, how could he be SURE about any of them- competing positions by men AND a woman in power...reality, shoulda, coulda are over- JMHO what we have is strong draft class- better than last year, and lets coach them up and WIN more games.....GO Browns!!! PS- We have better ammo next year than everyone- nice!!!!

No...I'm pointing out that you said MORE...when you claimed to not have. (I don't spend one second trying to figure out your intentions...it's a message board. I read what you actually typed.)

I'm just saying that those seemingly "new-found" Kizer fans are not only comparing the Mahomes player with the Kizer player...but are looking at the Mahomes opportunity at #12 versus the Kizer choice at #52 plus a #1 in 2018.

It's possible to prefer Mahomes over Kizer at #12...then...to even more so prefer Kizer at #52 + a #1 in 2018 over Mahomes at #12.

Go away? Man, that's funny. Look...I don't respond to you for your benefit. I do so for the benefit of others. I don't like when posters make misleading comments without telling the whole story.

Great. You are awesome and I am a terrible poster. Have a nice night, WSU!

Well done Sashi Brown and company well done keep the plan moving forward.


Pitch Perfect so far! Like a well oiled machine all the parts working in harmony.