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THIS is how u draft folks...

Browns GM Heckert to stick with 'best' draft strategy

By Nate Ulrich
Beacon Journal sports writer

BEREA: Browns General Manager Tom Heckert obviously can't ignore his team's needs while preparing for the NFL Draft, but he doesn't want them to cloud his judgment, either.

Heckert is from the draft-the-best-player-available school of thought. And even though the Browns need to bolster several areas, including their defensive line and wide receiving corps, Heckert vows to stand by the draft philosophy that brought him success in his previous job as the general manager of the Philadelphia Eagles.

''This year will be interesting,'' Heckert said earlier this week during an interview in his office at the team's headquarters. ''We have to be really careful that we don't panic and [draft strictly based on needs]. . . . We've got some holes to fill. There's no question. I don't think anybody's gonna deny that. But I don't think we can say just because we need some defensive linemen, 'All right, we're gonna take defensive linemen with our first three picks.' I think you're crazy.''

The Browns have eight draft picks — one in each of the first five rounds, two in the sixth and a recently awarded compensatory choice in the seventh. Their conversion to a 4-3 scheme calls for more defensive linemen, and the draft is loaded with elite prospects, including Da'Quan Bowers of Clemson, Marcell Dareus of Alabama and Nick Fairley of Auburn. Their transition to the West Coast offense could be aided by a play-making wide receiver such as A.J. Green of Georgia or Julio Jones of Alabama.

Top talent at either position could be up for grabs when the Browns are put on the clock April 28 with the sixth overall pick. Still, Heckert is keeping an open mind.

After all, the player he considers the best available might not be a defensive lineman or a wide receiver. It could be someone like LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson or Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller.

The possibilities, of course, extend beyond the aforementioned players and positions. Earlier this month, Browns President Mike Holmgren said ''don't discount anything'' when he was asked about the team's chances of choosing a quarterback — the top prospects are Cam Newton of Auburn and Blaine Gabbert of Missouri — in the first round.

''If you go with the best available guy, you'll eventually [get what you need],'' Heckert said. ''We'll get defensive linemen. We'll find those guys. Don't worry about that. Whether you get them in the draft, free agency, waiver wire, trades, you'll find ways to do that. You just can't automatically say just because we need these — offensive linemen, corners, safeties, whatever it is — you can't just say, 'We have to get these guys,' 'cause then you're just [going to create] a disaster. You're probably gonna move guys up [your draft board] that you shouldn't.

''Everybody was clamoring in Philadelphia every year, and you think it's bad here about [fans wanting] receivers. We had Todd Pinkston and James Thrash, good football players. But everybody wanted the great player all the time, and we went to five NFC championships. Maybe from the outsiders looking in, they don't perceive that, but I think we have pretty good receivers.''

Some of the public comments the Browns' brass make before the draft might be viewed as smoke screens because NFL teams often try to disguise their true intentions before the players are picked. Heckert's draft philosophy, though, is not a decoy.

When Heckert was the Eagles' director of player personnel in 2002, he and coach Andy Reid collaborated on a draft that has been praised ever since. With their first three picks, they selected defensive backs Lito Sheppard, Michael Lewis and Sheldon Brown, even though they already had solid veterans in their secondary. Sheppard and Lewis became Pro Bowl players, and Brown became a longtime starter for the Eagles before joining the Browns last year.

''The thing that really kind of made a case for my philosophy is we had one Pro Bowl guy and one pretty good guy, Troy Vincent and Bobby Taylor, as our starting corners, and we still took two corners,'' Heckert said. ''I think that just goes to prove if you do that, you're gonna be good. If you get good players — you can't have enough at quarterback, corners, offensive linemen and defensive linemen — I think you can't go wrong.''

Now if the Browns can just use their picks to nab the best available players and fill major needs at the same time, they might find a perfect balance. Heckert said there's a chance he could select six players who will contribute next season, and he'll be using his draft philosophy as his guide.

http://www.ohio.com/sports/browns/118959454.html

I agree. I have always felt that way.

I have no problem with this strategy. However, fact is, we're SO bad in so many places, whoever Heckert takes first will make him look like a genius.

This could also be a smokescreen to provide cover for something stupid like take Cam Newton,....

He still has to temper the pick with an actual need. In my opinion, the Browns do not need to take a QB, but Newton or Gabbert 'might' be there at 6 and actually be the BPA,....

Interesting comment he made,..."I think we have pretty good receivers." That sounds like goodnite AJ Green. Or,....it's more conspirical smoke,....

''If you go with the best available guy, you'll eventually [get what you need],'' Heckert said. ''We'll get defensive linemen. We'll find those guys. Don't worry about that. Whether you get them in the draft, free agency, waiver wire, trades, you'll find ways to do that. You just can't automatically say just because we need these — offensive linemen, corners, safeties, whatever it is — you can't just say, 'We have to get these guys,' 'cause then you're just [going to create] a disaster. You're probably gonna move guys up [your draft board] that you shouldn't.



Well Heckert didn't exactly do that last year did he?
C'on he moved around to get Hardesty earlier whom was not the BPA ..maybe on his list .
Ward in the second.eh uh..I know what he means but everything shakes out on who the Browns consider BPA not what the overall consensus thinks is BPA.
Essentially he's right..if you look at BPA ,then you won't reach ,like two former coaches of ours did ..Botch/Gini.

You're right...Ward and Hardesty looked like need reaches but their tape was very, very good...so maybe they really were BPA...then again, who knows how much Holmgren and/or Mangini pushed Heckert to fill certain positions....I think that without Mangini's Ego next to him and with a 1st time greenhorn HC Heckert will have more power this draft and probably will feel more comfortable because a) he had more preparation time and b) he now drafts again for Offense and Defense systems he knows inside out from his time in Philly....he will only have to again sacrifice a 4th to 6th rounder for Holmgren's EGO-QB selection

I hope it's more than just draft day posturing....BPA is the way to go, esp. for a rebuilding team...you shouldn't (early rounds) and can't (later rounds, mostly not ready) fill needs via draft, just take the best available talent

I hope he doesn't feel too comfortable ..... because no matter how you felt about persons no longer with the organization ...... and no matter how much you want to deride their input ..... last year's draft was extraordinarily good. I would be astonished if we reach that same level again this year.

I think that most drafts would be considered successful if you get 2 plus starters, and a couple of quality backups/special teams types. Last year's draft has already potentially surpassed that on the starter side .... and could blow it away with a year's seasoning if Lauvoa and Hardesty come on in year 2.

The truth is though, we didn't know (nor do we) what our board looked like. When they went through character evals, drug screens, and every other parameter it honestly could have been set up that TJ ward was the 25th best player on our board. It definitely wouldn't be a reach to take him. For all we know then, Hardesty could have been 26th ... and as soon as they saw him falling, they were on the phones to trade up to get him because at that point it's excellent value ...

Don't forget that just because we all know the mocks and what we like ... some of our top prospects could be ready to fall completely out of the draft or to the bottom ala Bruce Campbell, Donovan Warren, and Jon Dwyer last year who all could have been 1st to 2nd rounders.

Ward and Hardesty shouldnt have been sniffed before the 4th round. Ward was an extremely raw, injury prone safety that lacked cover skills and Hardesty was a one hit wonder, injury prone running back.


Players with the greatest potential upside seems to be what Heckert is looking for and not necessarily best player available. I think this holds true as you go back and look at those Phily drafts as well with guys like Bunkley. Even Haden was someone you saw getting better and better and no where near the finished product.

I start looking at potential upside and my eyes automatically go to Nick Fairley.

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Even Haden was someone you saw getting better and better and no where near the finished product.

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I think I get your point but what draft pick has anybody ever made and thought, "We are so happy to draft him, we don't think he needs to get better."

Good point...Heckert is def a HR slugger...all the way through the draft...Geathers and Mitchell had high ceilings too, probably that's why he didn't like McCoy, lol...from a scout's perspective I understand, McCoy had little to no ceiling

Also, YTown:

I liked last year's draft class too, in fact I was probably the front runner, especially on the Ward pick. That said...last year's class was extremely deep....we had a lot of picks and most teams have found 2+ starters out of this class already...it's nice when you improve but you gotta consider the rest of the league too....also, Lauvao and Hardesty have done nothing in their rookie year...Lauvao is a bust if he doesn't become an AVG starting NFL G...a 3rd in a G has to become a starter, it's a low value position, you're probably get a top 5 G there, has to be a starter...those 2 were high selections and have done nothing....he hit on the top 50 picks, but 80% of the teams do...we just aren't used to it....the later picks have done nothing too....McCoy was a nice bonus in round 3...he's already ok value even at backup level, if he becomes a franchise QB then you're right it's an A draft...but for now, considering where we picked and the quantity of picks it's a solid B "only" for me...

but let's wait another year or 2....imagine Hardesty never seeing the field, Ward also starting having injuries and Lauvao being a backup only and McCoy not stepping up into AVG QB play...what's left then? Of course it's a worse case scenario...but not too far fetched imho

True, but early indications are promising.

I just hope that Robiske and Massaquoi can take a huge step forward in their 3rd season .... because that would fill a huge hole.

I'll take Heckert at his word that he's going after the BPA, especially at the top of the draft. However, it all depends on his definition of the term BPA and how he's got his board set up. He obviously loved the big hitter Ward last year. Hardesty looked like a great RB prospect on paper. Injury histories plagued both guys. Ward stayed healthy and had a great season. Hardesty got hurt. So you just never know how things will shake out once these guys get on the field.

It makes me feel better, however, to know that if Peterson or Miller are available, for example...and he thinks they are the best football player available...that he'll take them and not compromise because they don't play DL or WR. More than anything, the Browns need great football players. Stock us up, Heck!

This whole BPA vs Draft for Need thing is a lot like what kinda offense or defense are they planing on running.

For me, it doesn't matter what you call it, as long as it works.

you shouldn't (early rounds) and can't (later rounds, mostly not ready) fill needs via draft, just take the best available talent

Misconception because every team fills a need within a draft..and even draft analysts will tell you when a selection is made if drafted player fills a need.
I say that because if you go into several rounds where a RB/WR/TE are the actual BPA sitting there ,you're not gonna keep selecting those positional players..you got to look elsewhere.
What a team should not do is use a need to overreach for a player who should taken later vs getting some talent sitting right there.
But you know where I'm coming from.


Mourg.. I do know the Browns wanted the FS the Eagles took before we took Ward..makes me think that once again they were so annoyed to see their guy go(and needing a FS) went to the next player..but the consensus was that Ward was a 3rd-4th rounder and only a few teams had him rated as a second rounder.
I would not have given up the second third to get Hardesty..just wouldn't have.

Nice info there....so Heckert and I were on the same page as I picked Haden and FS Nate Allen in my mock last year....funny thing is in all but 1 draft (guess which one, lol) I had 2 players picked in my mock that the Browns actually ended up drafting (last year it was 3 with Haden, Ward in the 4th and Geathers in the 6th...and we start this mock in March without all the interview infos at the start) and I hope to keep this streak alive

I've really been thinking the Browns do this...

1) Patrick Peterson - CB- LSU
2) Brandon Harris - CB - Miami

Move Peterson to safety and our secondary is locked and LOADED!!!

CB:
Haden
Harris
Brown

S:
Ward
Peterson

dang...

Can't say I'm a big fan of using the #6 pick on a guy that you plan on moving to a different position. I know it's not that uncommon with DE/OLB in 3-4 set ups but if I'm taking Peterson it's to play corner until he can't play corner any more, THEN I consider moving him to safety.

Besides, he'd be way better at DE... imagine how fast he could get to the QB!

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I just can't imagine any GM looking at talent like a Ray Lewis, or a Peyton Manning, or a Reggie Bush, or a Chad Johnson, and thinking, Well this is a really good football player but there's no way he can play in our system.

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So say there is a player that can only play outside linebacker in a 3-4. A team that runs a 4-3 should draft that player because he can play football? I don't think so.

As long as Heckert isn't in charge of picking pass rushers for us, we should be Ok