Hopefully Berry is the type of person who will trade up or trade down depending on the opportunity and situation.
What? Maybe I am reading things wrong? Berry has proven in spades he is willing to wheel and deal. He has moved up and down the draft board many times. He has made trades for players.
If everybody had like minds, we would never learn.
A name to watch is WR Jermaine Burton out of Alabama who figures to come off of the board around our 2nd round selection. The Tommy Reese connection in the evaluation process might just be enough to persuade the team to take him even tho he will be 23 at the end of Jun.
When asked ... who did he model his game after his answer was ... Davante Adams and OBJ.
Apparently, this a good year to draft a WR or two.
According to PFF it is........
The 2024 NFL Draft wide receiver class is one of the deepest talent groups we have this draft season. Whether teams need an outside “X” receiver on the line of scrimmage, a moving flanker or a slot stud, they can find one.
There is a lot more to the article including a breakdown of the top 10 WR's but this is the portion of the article which states how strong this draft class is at WR.
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
He is not my choice. Him setting a record was news.
I understand why you posted it because it is "news" as far as the media goes. And I don't want you to think I'm intending this for you at all. I'm just trying to put into perspective how much speed has to do with making a great NFL player and just how valuable or not record breaking speed itself actually means. To give some perspective here are the top 10, 40 times ever at the combine....
1. Xavier Worthy, 4.21 seconds in 2024 2. John Ross, 4.22 seconds in 2017 3. Kalon Barnes, CB, 4.23 seconds in 2022 T4. Chris Johnson, RB, 4.24 seconds in 2008 T4. Rondel Melendez, WR, 4.24 seconds in 1999 T6. DJ Turner, CB, 4:26 seconds in 2023 T6. Dri Archer, RB, 4.26 seconds in 2014 T6. Tariq Woolen, CB, 4.26 seconds in 2022 T6. Jerome Mathis, WR, 4.26 seconds in 2005 T10. Marquise Goodwin, WR, 4.27 seconds in 2013 T10. Stanford Routt, CB, 4.27 seconds in 2005 T10. Henry Ruggs III, WR, 4.27 seconds in 2020
Not saying there aren't any success stories on that list but by and large it doesn't seem that having top rated speed is an indicator of success in the NFL. Being fast is important. But the media seems to focus on being the fastest actually has great value. History dictates that in most cases that simply isn't true and I don't think actual NFL GM's give it the attention that the media does.
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
I have to say Xavier Leggett looks really good. I didn't have a problem the last 2 drafts with us not having a #1 pick but this year I miss not having one and wish we did. Having a #1 definitely makes the draft more interesting.
While I'm not one who tries to predict what players will be left at #55 nor even what position we will draft based on the players left on the board, I did see something I thought you may want to see. PFF listed their projection for teams that didn't have a first round pick and had the Browns selecting Legette at #55.
IMO you can find good players in the draft after the first round.
No single position group will be exhausted of talent in the first round. There is always a run at quarterbacks, edge rushers, corners, receivers, and LT's.
Teams put a lot of resources into the draft. Obviously the draft is risky. But great scouting will find players.
Hopefully Berry has learned his lesson drafting WRs. Don't draft A track star trying to play football. Actually watch film and See how WRs coming out did against upper tier competition And draft WRs that don't have mental issues.
Ladd McConkey Looks really good. He stuck out at the Senior Bowl practices. Very smooth guy who is precise in everything he does.
Adonai Mitchell is another guy who was impressive.
This receiver class is loaded.
Originally Posted by Hammer
Ladd's going 1st round for sure.
I like this guy.
I wouldn't say McConkey is going 1st round for sure. For his sake I hope he does.
When looking at top prospect on various sites it looks like he is the 45th best prospect. That puts him in striking distance of our pick ... 54 I believe. He would have to jump 20 plus spots to make the 1st round, and drop 10 to our pick.
Overall it looks like the receiver class is on the weak side. That may Help ladd, or it might hurt. If the receivers don't get much of a run in the 1sr round, he might be there for us. If there is a run, then he might be picked in the 1st or early 2nd.
If everybody had like minds, we would never learn.
I understand why you posted it because it is "news" as far as the media goes. And I don't want you to think I'm intending this for you at all. I'm just trying to put into perspective how much speed has to do with making a great NFL player and just how valuable or not record breaking speed itself actually means. To give some perspective here are the top 10, 40 times ever at the combine....
Not saying there aren't any success stories on that list but by and large it doesn't seem that having top rated speed is an indicator of success in the NFL. Being fast is important. But the media seems to focus on being the fastest actually has great value. History dictates that in most cases that simply isn't true and I don't think actual NFL GM's give it the attention that the media does.
"Fast" is an interesting term. Browns thus far have drafted hands/possession guys. They need someone to stretch the field vertically. Schwartz's skill set fit that requirement. Sadly it did not work.
I think Berry gets a lot of grief with drafted receivers. In the third or fourth round, you are getting situational players. Guys who have a single strength with the hope of developing more. With so many gimmicky college offenses, I think it is difficult to find overall quality receivers. There are reasons these guys fall to the later rounds.
I still beat the drum for having a receiver group built on players who excel in one or two strengths. You can play match-ups each week. It is easier to draft. The downside is it takes longer to assemble.
If you are paying Watson, you need him to be the conductor.
But I heard Daniel Jeremiah say he thought it was a very deep receiver class.
Actually I posted where even PFF says this is a strong draft class at WR. I don't know where people are getting that stuff from.
Quote
The 2024 NFL Draft wide receiver class is one of the deepest talent groups we have this draft season. Whether teams need an outside “X” receiver on the line of scrimmage, a moving flanker or a slot stud, they can find one.
Really liked McConkey, in our range he is the guy I like. I know a few love Legette, but I think his hands are questionable, just my $.02. As late round guys or udfa I like both of these guys.
Jha’Quan Jackson WR/Return specialist 7th or udfa Tulane Luke McCaffrry WR 7th or udfa
But I heard Daniel Jeremiah say he thought it was a very deep receiver class.
Actually I posted where even PFF says this is a strong draft class at WR. I don't know where people are getting that stuff from.
Quote
The 2024 NFL Draft wide receiver class is one of the deepest talent groups we have this draft season. Whether teams need an outside “X” receiver on the line of scrimmage, a moving flanker or a slot stud, they can find one.
I think the consensus is that there is a substantial dropoff between the top tier (first five or so) and the others. I too read several people say this is a strong class, but I think that is the case every year.
Every college team is built around throwing the football! Honestly, it amazes me how colleges find enough good kids to play the receiver position.
The Browns do not have to draft guys to be starters which is a good thing. They restructured Wills so he is staying.
They may look at future guards. IMO value is the goal no matter the position. I think drafting a running back is a must. Nick's return will happen but when and how well is a question mark. I am not a Ford fan. I do not think he is a starter.
Not sure if they will sign Taki. They might be able to find some value at linebacker.
I don't think there is any doubt we will draft a back.
Like you said, you never know how it is going to work out. I think Berry is high on our current receivers. I don't think he is ready to bail on any except maybe Bell. I don't think drafting a receiver is a top priority for Berry unless someone really good is sitting there.
Berry seems to use some picks for next years team. I think OL is going to be fairly high on the priority list because we are bound to lose/cut 1 or 2 of the current starters for various reasons.
If everybody had like minds, we would never learn.
Receiver is still in question because Moore, Cooper and Jeudy will be free agents next year. They may resign all three if that is not the plan then receiver is in play.
I was listening to NFL radio on the way to work Friday and they were talking about the Browns, one of the guys (don't remember his name) on the show was an ex GM or an ex asst. GM and he was saying that the Browns were looking at DL and LB and that they wanted to upgrade the speed of the defense. Also mentioned that we were looking at possibly trading one of our CBs, preferably Newsome, as they don't want to pay 3 CBs big money and with Newsome being the Nickle CB he's the one they would like to move, plus they think they have his replacement in Carlton Mitchell.
I can understand the lack of enthusiasm for the draft but good solid picks will be important to the team's future and we may still get a solid starter or a rotational guy with the round 2 pick. We still have FA and the possibility of more trades. We may be able to get a 3rd round pick for Newsome. I'm sure AB has a plan in place.
Add in it is a relatively weak draft class. NIL money is keeping players in college. Drafts used to be fairly deep in to the 5th round. Now it is 2 or 3 rounds.
We can also add in that our team is better and the draft doesn't have the same gleam of hope as it did in the past. We aren't drafting players who we are going to count on for immediate help. Even requiring them to start. Some might, but for the most part we are drafting players who might be required to start next year or the year after.
We are finally at the point where it should be. We sign FA players to fill immediate needs and are drafting players on a BPA basis and any needs are directed at potential needs in 1-2 years. Berry and staff can look at the spreadsheets and see when various positions are going to be thin in future seasons.
If everybody had like minds, we would never learn.
I think this is the lowest amount of interest in the Draft that we've seen on this board, ever.
I just feel the task at hand makes it very difficult to even come close to nailing down a pick when you don't have a selection until #54. For me it's not so much about not being interested, it's more about I have no idea who will be remaining on the draft board that late along with the fact that the talent on the Browns roster has greatly improved.
In many past drafts it was "Hey, we have a dire need for a QB" or a LT or at CB. The glaring holes we blatantly obvious. While upgrades could certainly be made at some positions the Browns aren't so bereft of talent at 1 or 2 positions that one can accurately say for sure which 1 or 2 positions they may be targeting. So I'm still quite interested in the draft. But with FA yet to go and drafting at #54 that interest is more of a wait and see mode than a prediction mode.
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
It's too easy for me to "fall in love" with guys we have no shot at. Mix that with a bit of its difficult to know who will be available and its hard to get too invested. Having 20 guys you like you can feel pretty confident one will be there with a first round pick. Not picking until 54 there's a decent chance none of "your guys" are there.
Plus, some of the people that tended to carry the conversations aren't around any more.
You mess with the "Bull," you get the horns. Fiercely Independent.