DawgTalkers.net Forums The Archives 2019 NFL Season 2019 NFL Draft Browns Select Mack Wilson

Prove it, Mack.

Good thing he's a linebacker.

Terry Pluto likes the pick of Mack Wilson.

Loving Cleveland Browns pick of Alabama linebacker Mack Wilson -- Terry Pluto - cleveland.com
https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2019/04...erry-pluto.html

BEREA, Ohio -- I’m not sure why Alabama linebacker Mack Wilson dropped to the Browns in the fifth round, but I’m glad he did.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper projected him to be a second-rounder, going No. 52 to Pittsburgh.

Kiper is like most “draft experts.” He is guessing, basing it on his research and contacts.

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler rated Wilson as the No. 3 linebacker in the draft:

“He was my preseason LB1 (top-ranked) after watching film over the summer. But he didn’t take the next step in his development this season. Although the mistakes piled up, his athletic potential still says he is a future three-down player.”

Brugler later tweeted some teams took Wilson off their draft boards because of attitude issues, but not clear what that meant. Something did cause him to drop.

The NFL.com’s Larry Zierlein projected Wilson as a third or fourth round pick:

“Wilson is like a classically trained musician who hits his notes on time, but the question is whether or not he can play as a free-form, improvisational talent when the opportunity arises. Either way, he’s a solid, three-down starter in any defensive scheme.”

Wilson said he thought he’d go “late first or second round.” He was surprised to fall all the way to the fifth round.

Wilson also said he is best suited as a middle linebacker.

That’s where Joe Schobert is now the starter.

It’s worth mentioning the Browns took Genard Avery from Memphis in the fifth round a year ago. He is now a projected starter in 2019. So a low draft spot doesn’t prevent a player from rising on the Browns depth chart.

The Browns need depth at linebacker even after drafting BYU linebacker Sione Takitaki in the third round.

They cut Jamie Collins. They have Christian Kirksey, Schobert and Avery. They added free agent Adarius Taylor, who started 10 games for Tampa Bay last season.

But Taylor is not considered an impact player.

Wilson could have stayed in school another year, but came out early. My guess, the high pre-draft projections fueled that decision.

The Browns sent scouts Matt Donahoe and Josh Cox to talk about Wilson and Oklahoma kicker Austin Seibert, who also was picked in the fifth round.

Cox raved about Seibert’s powerful leg, talking about a “cannon sound” when he kicks. That was in response to my question about Seibert’s longest field goal being 42 yards last season.

Obviously, the Browns are not completely sold on current kicker Greg Joseph, so that explains the selection of Siebert.

Donahue stressed the ability of Wilson to play special teams, in addition to being a linebacker who can play in pass coverage along with stopping the run.

Most Alabama players are well-schooled and prepared after playing for Coach Nick Saban and on the big national stage that is a signature of that program.

The Browns have a lot of connections at Alabama beyond head coach Freddie Kitchens, a former quarterback at the school.

New defensive line coach Tosh Lupoi was Alabama’s Defensive Coordinator last season. Scout Josh Cox graduated from Alabama in 2015.

So they are very comfortable with their research.

As for Wilson, he insisted: “I feel like I was the best linebacker in the draft.”

He’ll get a chance to prove it with his new team.

Has a Ryan Shazier look to me

That's funny. Thanks for the laugh.

Aren't they all tho?

I mean nothing personal, but every 4th, 5th round pick is always a "steal", or a "great value", or "2nd round talent with potential character issues".

I like that he'll have a chip

Except for ones that just "ain't very good"

You're welcome.

Now when he's on the field, I think you'll agree with me too.

Sorry, I don't like John calling himself Mr. Dorsey. I have never called myself Mr. Ballpeen.

Kind of stuck-up IMO.

Yeah, I noticed that too

Henceforth, King John shall only refer to himself with the royal we.

I've never seen him play and have no idea what his ceiling is in the NFL, but you post like a troll with negative pronouncements spoken as if from authority. I'll give Mack and Wilson a n opportunity before I form an opinion an read everything you post with a big smile on my face and a pinch of salt.

j/c:

I have no idea how good this guy is or isn't.

What I do know is that solely basing players on PFF grades is dumb. I look at those grades and some make sense. Some don't. For example, PFF had John Hughes as the highest rated defensive lineman in football and he didn't even start for us at times. I saw a game where Joe Haden had two picks, but was picked on all day long and they gave him the highest grade of that week's DBs.

Their DB rankings are putrid. They consistently give J. McCourty good grades and he stinks. He was one of the reasons we played Peppers so deep last year. They gave a bum like TJ Ward a good pass defense grade. I think it's because they don't factor in when guys are so far out of position. Yet, if a guy is in great position and a dude makes a catch on them, it's a negative.

I think it is a tool to look at. But man, using PFF grades to evaluate players w/out looking at other things is not intelligent.

Excellent post, and agree all the way

Thanks bro.

I agree as well. It's a tool to be used, but it is a tool that should be used with other tools.

When carving granite, you can't just use a hammer.

You should probably check out the kicker thread then ...

This pick could end up being a steal. He's not the greatest in the running game, but he shows some special stuff in coverage. His ability to read a QB's eyes and his ball skills made me think of Ed Reed. I'm not saying he'll be a Hall of Famer, but he could help us shore up our passing D in the middle of the field.

He can get caught up on the trash and does have some "size/strength" limitations, but he is a physical player.

I'm not sure why he fell so far. On the field, he should be a great player for the pass happy direction the game is headed.

"Finishing" is one area he has some room to improve.

So, you've never seen him play, yet somehow I'm the troll here?

I've seen Mack play. I've seen his production, I've seen his athletic testing. If you don't wish to put in the effort to be informed, I don't really care. Some of us wish to be more/better informed about draft prospects.

There is a reason Mack went in the 5th round. He's a situational player at best and a good special teams player. I'm not going to let his highlight levels fool me into thinking he is the next Ray Lewis. He didn't have a lot of tackles in college, he was nothing more than another cog in the Alabama defense, and his athletic profile doesn't suggest he will ever be anything more.

Disagree with me if you like. I have good, logical, statistical reasons why I do not like Mack Wilson and his selection to the Browns.

I'll just give my 2 cents with Mack Wilson, while truthfully I haven't watched every game of him...But just catch Bama when they are on TV...I will say there was something in a combine interview that took some back (Wilson tends to be flaunty and a little more on the ego side, But with a lot of guys on the Browns with bigger egos...maybe that will work better for him)

Everyone expected more of him this year, he never really put it together...More of Rashaan Evans then CJ Mosley...He probably should have went back for another year to refine his game as he is a rather "New" LB...Good thing is this kid just turned 21 on Valentines, so he should ascend giving he works at it...His main issue is consistency and instincts (I'll tell you what if you watched Devin White...his instincts are iffy as well, however he usually keeps his feet and body moving...Mack Wilson tends to sit at times then attack, which then disrupts his pursuit angle as it changes before him) I won't lie he needs coached up, and he needs to play smarter.


-Guy is really athletic and moves very well...Not in the class of Devin White, but the next tier...Had a hammy injury at combine so didn't run, was expecting to be a 4.50-4.55 guy, ran a 4.65 at his pro day...which would have been the 14th best time at the combine...Was a little disappointing, then again Savion Smith (Bama CB) ran a 4.70 while being 40 lbs smaller...and it was ran on grass which is slower than the track...But everyone expected better...Guy is the most athletic of our LBs (however Sione may be, but I honestly have'nt seen him play)

-His coverage is really really good, specially when he is in spy zone...Look at his ball skills, I think 6 interceptions while never being a full time player until 2018....His play in that LSU game, always caught my eye...as you don't expect that from a LB but a DB...Now I have read he is better than zone than man, which I wasn't aware of.

-A fantastic special teams player...He will make his impact here first...Which our special teams leaves a lot to be desired, so hopefully he brings it.

-Tackling- Like a lot in the modern era, they prefer the sportscenter hit instead of wrapping up and getting low....which I think can be said for roughly 90% of these college guys (heck even a lot of pros do it to) Needs worked on


Overall I didn't think he would be a 1st round pick, as he is not on the tier of Devin White or Devin Bush (they are both more complete and rarities) However I thought he presented great value in round 2-3...He is just raw and still needs to learn more than the other's...

Guy really could be a gem considering he went into the 5th round...I know that is said for a lot of guys, but we can only wait and see.

Yep - there is a reason Tom Brady went in the 6th round too.

And - yes - your posts all smack of Troll. Specially when you tried to tell the world that last year's 7-8-1 record that started 2018 with Hue Jackson and Tyrod Taylor as HC and QB - and had an offensive coordinator who was trying to become the HC .... is going to improve to 8-8 this season. And downplaying the addition of OBJ, Oliver Vernon among other things .... and by using stats from a 12 game season to somehow to and knock OBJ.

Knock yourself out dude. I'll be laughing every time you act offended or try to pseudo talk football while trying to troll the posters here.

Thanks for the analysis, tru.

I am not getting on your case like others may have, but is the above quote such a bad thing for a dude picked in the 5th round, especially how badly we need to upgrade the athleticism of our Special Teams unit?

I think the stats and production will fool you more often than the film will.

I think you have to take into account what he was asked to do and what teams tried to do against them. He was asked to cover guys more than to attack gaps in the running game. He also is definitely a different type of player than a CJ Mosley.

He is young, and he could have benefited from returning to school. However, I think some of Saban's saying he should return is out of self interest. Saban will be able to find someone to replace him, undoubtedly, but the margin for error when pursuing a national championship is thin.

I also can see how having Saban as a coach, while beneficial, would grate on someone.

I also think he's more athletic than he tested. Someone mentioned a hamstring injury. Also, Mack shows good ability to open his hips in coverage on film which is a form of athleticism that isn't necessarily shown in the testing.

Just trying to give a different perspective that might be worth considering. If you go in expecting Ray Lewis, expect to be disappointed. If you go in with our need to cover the intermediate middle of the field in the passing game in mind, you might reach a different conclusion.

Finally a Alabama player drafted here..........




Roll Tideeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Yes sir ...

This is the consensus thought I think and it's an important point, ... and most likely why he was still available in the 5th round.
(can we hit on a LB two years in a row?)

Still we can't fault a man for wanting to help his family.

I really like that we doubled down at the position, and rounded out a/the group of six, and in the process improving our ST units (we hope).

When I looked at the position before the Draft I had a hard time counting more than four on our roster without leaving a bad tast in my mouth.

Trudawg, good post. Well reasoned and objective.

Interesting, Vers. So now I am curious as to some metric or evaluation you might use to get a fairer validation for player evaluation. I have little background to grade out DB's beyond catch or pick, really basic. What is most important in your opinion to measure them?

Don't we have Alabama's D co-ordintor on as a Browns coach now? I would think he knows, and has seen, more of Wilson than anyone on this board. Just a feeling, but I suspect he has given a reccomendation of Wilson that is based on knowledge, not an impression from the stands.

Tosh Lupoi, the Browns new DL coach, was indeed the Tide's DC. Good catch 32.

I don't know a lot about either one of the linebackers we took, but from what little I've seen I think we drafted two guys who are fast and hit hard. I think I'm going to like these picks.

I think you utilize those types of grades, Bard. I am not dismissing them.

But, the number one grade on every team comes after the coaches evaluate the game tapes. They are called "Coaches tapes" for a reason.

They have a much better understanding of where each guy should be on each play and what his responsibilities were. They have a better grasp of what the opponent is trying to do and the level of the competition.

When I scouted, we watched a ton of tape over and over and over again. Your looking at one or two players in particular. Trust me on this one............no way in the world would we be able to evaluate each and every player across a league such as the NFL or across the nation in the NCAA in a week and assign them accurate grades.

Think about that for a moment. How accurate do you think their grades are when they have to evaluate so many players in such a short period of time? LOL

But again, I am not dismissing them. They are cool for us average fans, but I'm fairly confident that NFL scouts are much more thorough.

4.7 speed and didn't run the 3 cone......yuck.

He had a bad hamstring. He doesn't look slow on film.

Bama Pro Day Article Link

Recurring hamstring issues might be a bigger concern than the time. Hopefully it was just a matter of overtraining while trying to impress for the predraft dog and pony show. He shouldn't have to run a 40 or 3-cone ever again.

Now we get to see how he plays football.

And yet Safety Taylor Rapp ran a 4.78 and was selected in the second round.