Browns have met with duo of speedy wide receivers at the combine
Cory Kinnan March 3, 2023 12:39 pm ET
As the Cleveland Browns look to crawl out of the basement of explosive plays through the air offensively, they may even look to use the 42nd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to accomplish that goal. At the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana this week, the Browns have met with a duo of speedy wide receivers in Cincinnati‘s Tyler Scott and North Carolina‘s Josh Downs.
Downs, an electric route runner who is slippery after the catch, is my third-rated wide receiver in the class. Scott is not far behind him as the fifth-best in this odd class. Either one of these players would be a slam dunk for the Browns in the second round.
Browns meet with potential backup QB candidate at NFL Scouting Combine
Cory Kinnan March 3, 2023 3:00 pm ET
The Cleveland Browns will have to move on from quarterback Jacoby Brissett as he will likely get an opportunity to start again elsewhere in 2023. The Arizona Cardinals, with the hire of his quarterbacks coach Drew Petzing as their offensive coordinator and the injury to Kyler Murray, make a great deal of sense for Brissett. While they still have Kellen Mond on their roster, currently slated as their backup quarterback, they have also met with a candidate at the NFL Scouting Combine in UCLA’s Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
Thompson-Robinson, a four-year starter for the Bruins, racked up nearly 3,200 yards through the air and 27 touchdowns in 2022. He added another 645 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground as well. As the Browns look to transition to more shotgun action, perhaps a quarterback like Thompson-Robinson is a great fit behind Deshaun Watson.
So from what it looks like they will get a WR in the draft, and after they restructure Watson's deal they will have about 37 million in cap room. With that cap room they are looking at Edge and Safety so that they can use the draft picks we do have on a D lineman, TE and LB.
Prospect Grade 6.25 Will Eventually Be Average Starter
Analysis By Lance Zierlein NFL Analyst
Overview The inclination to shrug off Brooks’ production based on level of competition -- or because of questions about his positional fit -- might be a mistake. Brooks’ snap quickness, footwork, hand usage and motor are all translatable play qualities. His movement and counters are intuitive, allowing for quick access into the backfield. Against the pass, he frequently beat tackles as a bull rusher off the edge. Brooks has the size of a three-technique but the versatility and athleticism to move around a defensive front. He flashes disruptive, three-down talent as a future starter in a one-gap scheme.
Strengths Two-time team captain with 48 career starts. Explosive production in major categories. Winning first-step quickness sets the tone. Sets up rush moves with angles and hand usage. Comes forward with a high level of urgency and activity. Possesses plus burst to close in short spaces. Gets sudden wins with slap-and-slide technique. Reads and mirrors blocker’s stretch steps to beat the block. Plays with unified hands and feet.
Weaknesses Build carries shorter arms with smallish hands. Could struggle shedding blocks quickly enough. Below average force to neutralize drive power. Gets pads turned through contact.
Completely off topic but this is the third time I was glancing at this thread and thought it meant the players were having some sort of players-only meeting. For a brief moment it scares me until I remember what it is about.
I actually think we could take Robinson if he is available where we have him slotted. We also met w/him at the Combine. He has a similar skill set to Watson.
On the surface this seems like a very odd visit. He is expected to be a first or early second round pick almost everywhere and the Browns don't have a pick until #74 in the third round. Maybe something is up we don't know about or I can't see how this visit made any sense.
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
It's possible we are thinking about packaging one of our 3,4 and 5's to move into the 2nd round. That might be enough to do so and take a player we like. IMO, we still need a deep threat WR, another run stopping DT and a LB. A developmental OL would be nice too.
At Pro level, those stated weaknesses are SCARY- weak against drive power/ small arms/hands- pass.
Did any Defensive Lineman who ever played at Bowling Green belong on the Browns? You don't go to Bowling Green to get players and ones who play in the trenches especially.
Can Deshaun Watson play better for the Browns, than Baker Mayfield would have? ... Now the Games count.
At Pro level, those stated weaknesses are SCARY- weak against drive power/ small arms/hands- pass.
Did any Defensive Lineman who ever played at Bowling Green belong on the Browns? You don't go to Bowling Green to get players and ones who play in the trenches especially.
You scout the player, not the helmet. You never know where you might find a guy who can help a team.
I'm not saying I'd select Brooks early in the draft, but I wouldn't hold where he played against him. Plenty of "small school" guys have had successful NFL careers.
You mess with the "Bull," you get the horns. Fiercely Independent.
Fresno State QB Jake Haener takes pre-draft visit with the Browns
Cory Kinnan April 5, 2023 8:11 pm ET
It appears the Cleveland Browns may be in the market for a backup quarterback beyond 2023. Despite signing Joshua Dobbs back to the team on a fully guaranteed contract, he is back on just a one-year deal. This means the Browns may be looking for a quarterback to compete with Kellen Mond on a rookie contract. First, they have spent time with UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, and now they have brought in Fresno State quarterback Jake Haener for a visit before the 2023 NFL Draft.
Haener, a gamer who has consistently fought through hits to deliver strikes under pressure, is coming off of a pre-draft process where he was named the MVP of the Reese’s Senior Bowl. His ability to take hits and operate the short game at a high level makes it impossible not to see shades of Ryan Fitzpatrick or Taylor Heinicke.
Projected as a day-three pick, Haener could be the long-term backup to Deshaun Watson in Cleveland.
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