DawgTalkers.net Forums The Archives 2018 NFL Season 2018 NFL Draft So.. Draft is over and UDFA's are here.. whats the grade for Dorsey?

NOTE::

After sleeping onnit.. I agree w the evaluation by Brinson. I'm in the A- to a B+ camp


https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2018-...-for-cardinals/

by Will Brinson @WillBrinson
10h ago • 13 min read

Cleveland Browns
The only reason I'm not leading this column with Cleveland again is their decision to pass on Bradley Chubb in order to snag Denzel Ward. And that's personal preference more than anything; Ward is a great player but give me the pass rusher all day, especially with Chubb being the best player in the draft. Otherwise I love what they did.

Baker Mayfield at No. 1 will define this draft in the end. I had him as the QB1 in this class and believe in what he can bring to a modern NFL offense, but there is absolutely "get you fired" potential with Mayfield because of his brash personality, the nature of this No. 1 pick and the difficulty in evaluating quarterbacks. If anyone can save Cleveland it's Mayfield.

I would have preferred Will Hernandez at No. 33 but going Austin Corbett and then picking up Nick Chubb at No. 35 was a really nice way to kick off the second round. (Kudos to Dorsey for not going running back off the bat; the Giants already took one in Round 1 and weren't going to grab Chubb or trade based on how Dave Gettleman operates). Chubb could make Carlos Hyde expendable after just one year, in the same way Mayfield will likely make Tyrod Taylor a free agent after 2018.

Chad Thomas is a part-time rapper who can rush the passer and Antonio Callaway, who is loaded with red flags, could be the most talented receiver in the draft. Good value in the third and fourth rounds.

Sashi Brown should get some credit for the Browns having lots of draft picks, but John Dorsey will be guy reaping the rewards if these picks hit, and justifiably so.

*****************************


https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/04/28/nfl-draft-2018-team-grades-picks-analysis

By ANDY BENOIT April 28, 2018

CLEVELAND BROWNS
Baker Mayfield’s beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Let’s give the Browns the benefit of the doubt since they surely researched this year’s QBs more than any of us (and perhaps all of us combined). But let’s also acknowledge that this a roll of the dice. A 6' 0" QB must play differently in the NFL. Mayfield dazzled with his sandlot plays at Oklahoma, but his best work actually came when he threw on schedule and within rhythm. If he’s to pan out, it’ll be via the Drew Brees path, not the Russell Wilson path.

A Drew Brees-type quarterback needs a firm pocket. The Browns already had an outstanding guard tandem in Joel Bitonio and Kevin Zeitler, and they didn’t want to gamble with intriguing-but-still-inconsistent third-year man Shon Coleman in Joe Thomas’s old left tackle spot. So, they spent a second-rounder on guard Austin Corbett, who will slide outside. That pick makes sense. The one made two spots later does not. Why draft Nick Chubb after you signed a terrific base runner like Carlos Hyde and still have a versatile scatback like Duke Johnson?

At No. 4, taking Denzel Ward over Bradley Chubb was GM John Dorsey’s way of saying a pass rush can be manufactured through scheme, as long as you have corners who can cover one-on-one. Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams has taken this approach for decades. The Browns still needed more pieces around last year’s No. 1 overall pick Myles Garrett, though, which is why the team spent their lone third-rounder on Chad Thomas.

Grade: B-

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nf...jets/562265002/

Nate Davis, USA TODAY Sports Published 11:02 p.m. ET April 28, 2018

Cleveland Browns: C

This will be viewed as a seminal draft. But did GM John Dorsey properly leverage the bounty of assets left behind by analytics-driven predecessor Sashi Brown? Ultimately, it boils down to No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield, whom Dorsey apparently couldn't live without. If Mayfield lives up to his billing, the rest is gravy. But debate remains as to whether Darnold, Allen or even Rosen should have been the pick. Given RB Nick Chubb was taken in Round 2, also worth questioning if Saquon Barkley should have gotten the call at No. 1 with the guarantee that a quarterback — possibly even Mayfield — would have remained available at No. 4. Then there's the notion that DE Bradley Chubb was a much better option with that fourth pick than CB Denzel Ward given how hard it is to collect quality pass rushers (even though Myles Garrett is already aboard), and the wealth of corner options in this draft. At the top of Round 2, Austin Corbett must prove he can play tackle at the pro level. If not, what does Dorsey do with one of his highly paid interior linemen? And even fourth-round WR Antonio Callaway, who's talented but comes with drug and disciplinary issues, seems like a misadventure for a franchise that's had so many issues with Josh Gordon.

https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2018/4/29/17295738/2018-nfl-draft-grades-day-3-winners-losers-results

By Dan Kadar Apr 29, 2018, 7:30am EDT

Taking quarterback Baker Mayfield first overall is a big, splashy move that will define the regime of new general manager John Dorsey. First things first, Mayfield isn’t the second coming of Johnny Manziel. There was no more accurate quarterback in this draft than Mayfield. It was also a culture pick. The Browns don’t have a identity or a leader. They do now with Mayfield, a player teammates love. The Browns followed up that pick by taking Ohio State cornerback Denzel Ward fourth overall. Pass rusher Bradley Chubb may have been a better choice, but Ward is the draft’s best cornerback and gives the Browns a shut down corner.

On the draft’s second day the Browns checked off some needs, starting with offensive lineman Austin Corbett. Where he plays in the NFL is to be determined. Leading up to the draft, the consensus opinion is that he’d have to move inside to guard, but the Browns are set there. That makes the pick a little curious. Running back Nick Chubb, taken 35th overall, is a talented and powerful back who should eventually become Cleveland’s lead runner. After passing on Bradley Chubb, the Browns smartly picked Miami’s Chad Thomas at 67th. He wasn’t overly productive at Miami, but has tools.


Trading up in the fourth round to take Florida wide receiver Antonio Callaway was a curious move. Callaway has a checkered past, and reportedly failed a drug test at the NFL Scouting Combine. Memphis linebacker Genard Avery was a steal in the fifth round.

Grade: B-

A- sounds about right.

We got a QB who is going to start at some point down the road, may even be at some point next season.

We got a shutdown corner, something we badly needed.

We picked up a really good O-lineman who got raves from all the scouts and call him NFL ready. No telling where we will play him, but he will end up playing.

Chubb is a hard running, one cut workhorse. He will be our go to guy soon enough.

Thats 4 starters

Avery looks to be a really nice player. Calloway is great. If we/he can get things on the right course, he is a legit #1 type receiver. A good risk considering where we drafted him. 4th round receivers wash out all the time. It doesn't really matter why they wash out does it? Could be a Tyreek Hill type move.

Not sure on an overall grade but:

I like:
Mayfield
Ward
Chubb
Avery
Ratley

Unsure of:
Corbett
Galloway
Both Thomases

picks I like:

- Avery
- Chubb

picks I am unsure about:

- Corbett
- Thomas
- Ratley
- Thomas
- Ward

picks I hate:

- Mayfield
- Callaway

I see a lot of risk/variance. It depends on how things land.

Adam Henry is going to have his hands full, and the job he does might be one of the keys to our season.

Cleveland Browns
Draft picks: Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield (No. 1 overall), Ohio State CB Denzel Ward (No. 4 overall), Nevada OG Austin Corbett (No. 33 overall), Georgia RB Nick Chubb (No. 35 overall), Miami DE Chad Thomas (No. 67 overall), Florida WR Antonio Callaway (No. 105 overall), Memphis LB Genard Avery (No. 150 overall), Texas A&M WR Damion Ratley (No. 175 overall), Louisiana-Lafayette CB Simeon Thomas (No. 188 overall).
Day 1 grade: B
Day 2 grade: A
Day 3 grade: B+
Overall grade: B+
The skinny: Browns GM John Dorsey benefited from his predecessors' bounty. They picked up a first-round pick in this draft by trading down and passing on Deshaun Watson last April. Now, they have Mayfield, a fiery leader with passing skills that they believe can take the team's mojo to the next level. They had to pick a QB at No. 1, and they did. The only red flag here is that Mayfield needs to make plays from the pocket to succeed. If Sam Darnold or Josh Rosen excel and Mayfield doesn't, then their process was flawed. Picking Ward No. 4 overall, ahead of Bradley Chubb, was a bit of a reach. If he ends up being a Terence Newman clone, though, it could turn out to be a good pick. On Day 2, the Browns used a pick they received in Brock Osweiler trade to solidify their offensive line with Corbett, who can play inside or outside. Will he replace Joe Thomas? Chubb was an excellent choice, as well, because he will pound the ball between the tackles and create space for himself. Thomas is an athletic, explosive defensive end who can make an impact as a rotational player right away. Keep in mind that the Browns also used a third-round pick to get a solid veteran starter in Tyrod Taylor, who will be a bridge to Mayfield. One of the Browns' fourth-round picks went to Miami for receiver Jarvis Landry. Then they traded up in Round 4 to select another receiver in Callaway, who had many off-field issues but could be a steal down the road if he can stay out of trouble. Avery would have been a top-75 pick without a knee injury, so Dorsey stole a future starter in the fifth round. Getting a defensive tackle to replace Danny Shelton is the only pressing need left for after the draft.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000...medium=referral

Adam Henry has his hands full, but so does Jarvis Landry IMO

Incomplete

Now if you want to Grade the 2015 draft class since it's been 3 years. Grade for 2015 was a D as in Duke because without Duke the Grade would have been a solid F

Mr Dorsey and CO. are not on the same page with me ( maybe not the same chapter ) in the is Draft .. I wanted to let the draft come to me and take the BPA , and I believe there were many consensus picks on the board ..

Obvious to me that we had another " I am the smartest tack in the pack GM " I hope he is right , time will tell ..

Hard to grade until the players play.

My only gripes are:

Not getting Barkley. I think we still could have gotten Mayfield even taking Barkley #1.
Not taking Chubb at #4. Although if we took Barkley at #1, I do not think Chubb would have been there at #4.
Taking an OL at #33 that may not start.

Having said that, I do think we got a lot of talent in the draft (I pray Callaway pans out-that could be huge).

But If I had to grade it I would say C+.

Incomplete.

He took the Best QB in the draft - based on his assessment. Apparently that isn't the same opinion as many so he gets dinged for it. Many say things like we took him too early because "we could have got him later" which is pure and total speculation .... even so before the draft most agreed that if the QB you covet is there at #1 - don't miss the opportunity to draft him. Take him at 1.

I've seen Ward consistently ranked in the top 7. But the arm chair critics keep saying he's a reach. Others saying that Ward has to be one of the best CB's of all time because he was taken at 4... what a load of tosh. If Ward is a starting CB for us for 6+ years, makes a pro-bowl or two. Grades out as a top 10 CB for a few of those seasons ... he's a damn good pick at a position of need - and he plays a style of play that suits the Browns system.

Fact is we don't know about any of these guys - and stating as fact one's opinions is ignorant. I get the disappointment thing - I wanted Chubb at #4. But get over yourselves and your opinions and simply root for the team and for Dorsey. Saying Dorsey went from a good football guy with a good supporting cast to an idiot because he didn't pick your guy says more about you than it does about Dorsey. jmo.

Every player he drafted was a need he only took a shot with Calloway [hope they can straighten him out] I think it was a perfect draft. Maybe some here don't think so cause they do not agree with some players but that's to be seen.

A+

Its kind of an NFL axiom that the 4 cornerstones of a successful franchise are 1) Franchise QB, 2) Dominant Edge Rusher, 3) Dominant LT, 4) Shutdown CB. With this draft, Dorsey has hopefully addressed 2 of them - QB & CB to add to Mile Garrett at DE (Edge rush). With any luck, maybe Corbett can complete the "Essential Quartet" by being "The Man" at LT. Fingers crossed that all these players become what we hope they are; we're overdue for some luck.

PFF review ... they have had BM as the top QB all along, so this is probably more favorable than most reviews:

https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pr...3cb35-191351853

1 (1) Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma, 94.8
1 (4) Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State, 91.4
2 (33) Austin Corbett, G/C, Nevada, 84.0
2 (35) Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia, 87.6
3 (67) Chad Thomas, Edge, Miami (Fla.), 83.9
4 (105) Antonio Callaway, WR, Florida, 77.7* (in 2016)
5 (150) Genard Avery, LB, Memphis, 82.4
6 (175) Damion Ratley, WR, Texas A&M, 77.1
6 (188) Simeon Thomas, CB, Louisiana, 79.0

Day 1: Mayfield was PFF’s pick to be the No. 1 overall pick for the Browns since last October and they made it a reality despite many rumors to the contrary. Mayfield has the two highest single-season grades we’ve given a quarterback in our four years of grading and he can make every necessary throw with zip and accuracy. No matter which way the numbers are sliced, Mayfield generally led the way, including the best PFF grade from a clean pocket (the most consistent measure of year-to-year success) and also the best grade when facing pressure. He also came out on top in our new advanced accuracy numbers that emphasized actual ball location on every throw, and his was nine percent better than the next-best quarterback on tight-window throws. After much speculation, the Browns selected the No. 1 player on the PFF draft board with the first pick of the draft.

As for Denzel Ward, he fills a massive need in the secondary and his straight-line speed and lateral agility make him a perfect candidate to match up with the best route runners in the NFL. Ward allowed a completion percentage of only 35.0 percent in his career when targeted, picking off two passes and breaking up 19 more on only 100 targets. He may struggle at the catch point at times against bigger receivers, but he knows how to play through the receiver’s hands to break up passes and he’s had his fair share of success when matched up against bigger bodies in college.

Day 2: The Browns added a versatile offensive lineman in Austin Corbett who played left tackle at Nevada, though he could play guard or center where he showed well at the Senior Bowl. He has three years of grading in the mid-80.0s and his 98.0 pass-blocking efficiency ranked 13th in the draft class among tackles last season. Nick Chubb is one of the best runners in the class, and he looked back to form last year after two years of battling injuries and recovering. He maximizes what his run-blocking gives him and he averaged 3.7 yards after contact per rush during his four-year career at Georgia. Chad Thomas continued to improve throughout his career at Miami, and he did his best work in the run game where he graded at 84.5 last season while his pass-rush productivity of 9.9 ranked 39th in the draft class.

Day 3: On the field, Antonio Callaway is a big-play threat as his impressive game speed makes him a weapon on the deep ball, taking short passes for big gains, and as a punt returner. He averaged 7.3 yards after the catch per reception in his career, but fell in the draft due to off-field concerns, including being suspended for the entire 2017 season. Genard Avery did plenty of damage on the edge at Memphis, notching nine sacks, 14 QB hits and 34 hurries last season, and he brings versatility to the Cleveland defense.

Overall grade: Good

There are 32 of those in the NFL right now. Each team has one

I'm surprised they had Chad Thomas ranked so favorably

Man, I've never been able to grade a draft as soon as it was over. I'm not one of those fans who get butt hurt because "my guys" didn't get drafted, so it's certainly not that.

I'm also not one of those guys saying that our "GM thinks he's the smartest guy in the draft". Which only makes it look like some average fan thinks he's smarter than the GM. lmao That's a pot meet kettle kind of thing to say.

I'm just one of those guys that have to see how things play out. Much like GM said, "You'll have to ask me in a few years".

If I had to venture a guess, I'd say this draft will pan out better than ones we've had around here in a while.

1-1), Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma (A)
*not my 1st choice, but the position was a must*
1-4), Denzel Ward, CB,
Ohio State (C)>reach for need
2-33), Austin Corbett, OL,
Nevada (A)
2-35), Nick Chubb, RB,
Georgia (A)
3-67), Chad Thomas, DE,
Miami (C)<reach
4-105), Antonio Gallaway, WR, Florida (A or F)
5-150), Genard Avery
OLB, Memphis (A)
6-175), Damion Ratley
WR, TAMU (B)
6-188), Simeon Thomas
CB, LALAF (C)>probably would have gone undrafted.

B-

FL is usually more optimistic ... so a B- from him is a little worrisome

I agree with the Callaway grade of either A or F
I also think the Avery pick will be an A+
Not sold on Corbett (mainly because he's not a fit/need perhaps)

Just curious my friend ...

At 4 ...

I’ll assume Chubb would have been an A ... please correct me if i’m wrong ...

I wonder what grades you would have given any others we would have drafted there ....

If we took Minkah there what would the grade have been for that pick?

If we traded down ... what would the grade have been? ...

Any other options and your grades please ....

Chubb @4 (A) Chubb @1 over a QB would be a down grade also.
Fitz @4 no different than with Ward... Need over BPA with the 4th selection is criminal.

Trade down would depend on who we took and where we took them...On this I can not speculate.

PS. The player is not who is being graded here.
The grade is for where the team selected them.

JMHO...

Ty sir ...

I don't question your belief but I do question how you arrived at your conclusion.

Thats cool ... It's JMO

Just curious because I've been absent from the internet for a bit...

Did Dorsey show his draft board or say that he took Ward over his BPA?

If not, why is the assumption Ward wasn't our top rated player?

The reports were that he was our BPA ... and that Barkley was not on our board, and Chubb would have been the pick if Ward went 2 or 3

No he didn't. People are just ASSuming that the talking heads know more than NFL GM's and that choosing Ward HAD to be due to need rather than BPA. It's purely speculation on their part.

Obviously Ward was ... That is crux of the matter. Is it a prerequisite that we agree with their board?! I do not and I certainly am not alone in my opinion. I peradventure that the other 31 teams boards would have not either.

And you are ASSuming yourself.

Are we trying to say that Ward had a higher grade than Chub at 4 ? Most of the sporting world had Barkley on "O" and Chub on "D" the top two rated in the draft .. Can't remember seeing Ward rated over Fitzpatrick ? Possible I guess ..

Ummm...a B+ in my world on paper. If Calloway proves to be a 1st round talent, I would improve my rating to an A-. Of course, this is all before the pads are on....

J/C


I have been reading this board for a long time. I'd say that 90% of the posters are on the draft for need side, yet today, it seems the other way around.


Oh well....

it's impossible to grade a draft class a day after the fact.
you can only grade classes from previous years
but the Browns do need to get some immediate contributions from the 2018 draft class
cause when your 4 and 44 over 3 years it's apparent your drafting over that time is beyond pathetic
next to none difference makers

B+ if Callaway makes it A

Someone does this every year. I'm not sure anyone can place a grade on Garrett and most of the others from last year other than incomplete.

Relax and see what developes!

Not too so,... After all I did get my favorite player RB Nick Chubb from the thread so entitled.

1) QB Mayfield - Disappointed, I would have taken Darnold. I think Mayfield can have a decent career but I think Darnold can be a Hall of Famer.

1) CB Ward - Ok with, I would have taken Chubb as I think he is the better player but Ward was my top rated QB and I think he will be pretty good.

2) OL Corbett - Head scratcher, I like the player but I'm not sure where Corbett fits in. He seems like an inside guy to me but we're already set there.

2) RB Chubb - Love the pick, I see him as multiple Pro-bowl type player.

3) DE Thomas - Dislike the pick, The guy has talent but doesn't play up to his abilities plus the fact that with his DJ career he may not play football all that long.`

4) WR Callaway - hate the pick, we don't need problem childs

5) LB Avery - OK with the pick, he fills a depth need at LB.

6) WR Ratley - OK with the pick, we can use a WR with some speed.

6) CB Thomas - Incomplete, I don't know anything about this guy.

I think it’s both really. The idea that you should draft BPA in the purest definition of the approach is seriously flawed. It’s about tiers of players and then taking what you need. Perhaps Chubb graded out as a 95 and Ward as a 94. We already have Garret as our top pass rusher but still need a lockdown corner....so you take Ward.... we need a shutdown corner and he is in our BPA tier.