DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk 2025 NFL Draft Draft

I'm normally in Stefanski's corner, but I can't in this case.

Name me a player that has developed while KS has been HC (preferably on the offensive side of the ball since he tends to be more hands-off for the defense). List is below. And to be clear, I mean draft picks that have stuck with the team and had their role grow over time. Grant Delpit is definitely a hit (he started out slow/injured and has grown into a very good starter). I'd argue Alex Wright and even Tony Fields have developed somewhat (Fields isn't on the Browns anymore, but he grew from a low draft pick into a pretty ok backup... progress is progress).

There aren't any names on that list that really pop out at me. The ones I would highlight would be Tillman and Jones, but even those guys are still ?'s.


So that's a lot of words to say that I don't really like the idea of trying to recreate the Lamar Jackson experiment here. Give Stefanski a QB that can just throw accurately and on-time and then continue to build the rest of the roster.


Here is a list of players he's drafted, per Google AI. Pretty sure this isn't the entire list, though. I didn't include this most recent draft.

Jedrick Wills: Left tackle selected 10th overall in 2020
Grant Delpit: Safety selected in 2020
Greg Newsome: Cornerback selected in 2021
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah: Linebacker selected in 2021
James Hudson: Offensive tackle selected in 2021
Tony Fields: Linebacker selected in 2021
Martin Emerson: Cornerback selected in 2022
Perrion Winfrey: Defensive tackle selected in 2022
Cade York: Kicker selected in 2022
Alex Wright: Defensive end
David Bell: Wide receiver
Jerome Ford: Running back
Michael Woods II: Wide receiver
Isaiah Thomas: Defensive end
Dawson Deaton: Offensive lineman
Tommy Togiai: DT who appeared in 18 games but never started
Richard LeCounte: S
Cedric Tillman: WR
Dawand Jones: OT
Isiah Mcquire: DE
Cameron Mitchell: CB
DTR: QB
Luke Wypler: OC

Here are my early (pre-playoff) thoughts:

I'll start with the Qb position then go to particular draft picks.
I would not take any Qb with our 1st pick.

Sanders hold the ball way too long.
We've seen how that is a prescription for disaster.

Ward to me feels a lot like a Jamies Junior.
I think he could be good in the right system but if we keep KS they won't mesh.

I think MIlroe, Aller, and Nussmeyer should go back to school for another season.

My favorite Qb in the draft? Dillion Gabriel Oregon
I think he has good vision and throws with precision, timing, and accuracy.
I think he arm is good but not great - definitely more than adequate.
Why does he drop? He is listed at 6'0 even
That means he is probably 5'10, but if you look at him I am guessing closer to 5'9
The way he moves and being a lefty #8, hard not to think Steve Young.
Watch him in the playoffs and let me know what you guys think.

Round 1
Great draft to trade down
Lots of very good players
Few great players
Who would trade up though?

The guys I like with this pick are:
Mason Graham DT michigan but don't think positional value will have us draft him

Will Johnson Cb michigan
Benjamin Morrison ND ws my top Qb before the hip injury

Abdul Carter PSU
Listed as an Edge he was a Lb before this season
I would move him back to LB and have him do what JOK has been doing
If JOK comes back healthy I move him to a SS role and use him like Palomalu
Jok is too small to be used at LB like he is

I don't think any offensive linemen are worth the pick
I actually like some of the late round 1, early round 2 guys better
Josh Simmons OSU - drops because of the injury otherwise likely the top LT
Both Oregon tackles

And I really like Jonah Savaiinaea Arizona
He is big strong and mean. He can move the pile
He drops because of position value - listed as an OG
But he can play RT and in a pinch LT

Round 2
I would like to get one of those offensive linemen

Round 3
I am hoping for Billy Bowman S Oklahoma
He is a ballhawking safety - something we have needed for a long time

We have 2 picks in round 3
I would take Qb Gabriel - personally
I really liked Russell Wilson when he came out
I was hoping we would take him in round 5
He went round 3 Learned a lesson.

Round 3 pick #2 and Round 4
One of these picks need to be a Rb
This draft is super deep with quality Rb's

Beyond here? Who knows?
Definitely not me

2 other 2nd round oline guys that I liken but omitted:
Wyatt Milum WV and Cameron Williams Texas

It really feels like our round 2 pick is the sweet spot for offensive line
I cannot see 8 oline going in round 1
OA quality guy will be there

I'm not trying to insinuate that he's directly responsible for individual player improvement/development, but just pointing out that that doesn't really seem to be a strength/trend while him and his coaches have been here.

I agree about the QB’s in this draft. Let’s draft an impact player with our 1st rounder at whatever position we need.

I don't really think the Vikings are about to let Darnold walk. But I did quote his name for a reason. You can look at both him as well as Geno Smith to make the point that where you are drafted makes all the difference in the world. A discussion being had a little earlier in the thread. At this point in time both are playing like franchise QB's. They were considered borderline busts and certainly over drafted considering the return on the investment until they were signed by their current teams. When put in the right system with the right coaching staff their abilities have been brought to light.

I suppose anyone can make an argument to the contrary on any given QB if they so choose but who is coaching them, the situation they put them in, who it is that's trying to develop them as well as the support staff goes a very long way in getting the potential out of any QB. These two QB's are prime examples of that.

I don't know what the Browns will do, but most every team, including the Vikings have more money to sign Darnold than we do and there will certainly be a market for his services. Cousins is in quite a slump right now.

If the Vikings like Darnold and sign him to a multi-year contract at starter money, do they trade McCarthy?
Should the Browns trade their #1 for McCarthy if he were to become available?

I'm most certainly speculating here as we all are. But I think there's a consensus that this year is a pretty weak draft class for QB's and there are most certainly teams in dire need of a QB. When doing the math there it would seem likely to me that Darnold would be pursued by some of these QB needy teams rather than them take an unneeded gamble by reaching for a QB in a weak draft class.

Of course we will have to see how this all plays out but I would find it more likely than not the Vikings will either keep him or he will be highly sought after by teams in need of a QB.

I would rather acquire McCarthy

I would imagine that is what they would do if they decided to stick with Darnold. That said, I would be VERY surprised if they stuck with Darnold, even after this season.

I believe the Browns don't trade for a quarterback. Berry will re-sign Winston or another FA quarterback for a one or two-year deal. Make their hay in the draft.

Berry has draft options at the quarterback position and a chance to fortify other positions. He has a playoff team with consistent play at quarterback, so there is no need to force it.

There is no sure bet at quarterback in this draft or free agency. Berry will use the draft to position the team back to what it was in 2023.

Watson was a risk, but his resume read better than any option available now or before. I'm sure they planned around Watson not working out. Execute the plan and move on.

The only QB I could get behind trading for would be Cousins. I think he'd be really good in a KS-led offense (I'm also assuming that the Watson experiment is effectively over and therefore Dorsey is out as well).

Otherwise, I imagine that Berry positions us to get Watson off the roster and starts getting us ready for our post-Watson future. I think another FA QB (could be Winston) is the most likely outcome. I love Winston and all, but I'd be disappointed if we didn't try to at least marginally improve on his tendency to throw picks.

At QB, I would draft Dillon Garbiel. The guy is a winner. He has the stats. He might be a bit undersized, but in todays NFL I don't know that the size matters as much.

j/c

After last weekend's games, our draft position remains at #7 (yes, NFL.com!) with only the Jets moving behind us. Comparing the strength of schedules and who is playing who, I believe only the Jaguars are likely to move below us. The most realistic draft spot for us is between #5 and #7, only a 49% chance of moving into the top 5. Yes, I am a draftnik....lol.

I have not watched Alabama play this year but I understand your interest in Milroe. I just viewed a few highlights and was quite surprised how quick and fast a man that size is...wow.
I will tune in and see how he performs against Michigan on New Year's Eve.

Yes, that's well understood as I've been following this team for over 50 years and lived through all the QB carousels.
If Stefanski is the guy you trust to evaluate QB's I hope he works extremely close with our top scouts in that area.
I don't know how scouting works but would assume some scouts are better evaluating certain positions over others.
Maybe bring in Childress or other respected QB evaluators if needed. We don't want another Manziel or Weeden.

If we're trying to line up needs with our draft slot, I think our biggest need on O is a legit LT. I don't think we want to move down to make that happen.

Quantity over quality rarely turns out to be a legitimate answer.

The game I am looking forward to watching, or I should say team, is Penn St.
The have 2 guys I am very high on that I want to get better evaluations on.

With our 1st round pick, at this point in time, I have my heart set one getting one of 3 players:
Abdul Carter PSU edge
Will Johnson UM Cb
Mason Graham UM DT

In the 3rd round I think we should take a Rb with one of those picks.
There should be several pretty talented Rb available to choose from.
The guy I am currently liking is Nicolas Singletary RB PSU
Good size - 6'0 and 227# (per Espn)
He runs with power and aggression
Has decent hands and underrated speed.

To complete My ideal draft - combined with the above post
Round 2 OT - There should be several good ones to choose from - my top pick would be:
Johan Savaiinaea Arizona

Size and power - 6'5 and 336#
Listed as an OG but cold be a great RT or OG
I think he could also be a good LT

May not fall to us but there will be multiple others to choose from

My other round 3 pick - Xavier Watts ND safety
Alt billy Bowman Oklahoma safety
I am a big believer in the benefits of a ballhawking free safety

Round 4 - Dillion. Gabriel - Oregon Qb

That would be my ideal draft as of today

I don't ascribe to your train of thought. While there are certainly exceptions the cream usually rises to the top and everything below the cream is not as rich.