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Here's what some "analysts" said:

Walter Football

3. Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama: A- Grade
This would be an A if Mike Holmgren wasn't duped into trading up to No. 3. Still, he gave up just a fourth-, a fifth- and a seventh-round pick for him, so I'm not going to penalize Cleveland very much. Trent Richardson is the right pick because he's the best player available and fills the greatest need. Colt McCoy was decent with Peyton Hillis before Hillis started dreaming about becoming a CIA agent, so maybe McCoy can become competent again.

22. Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma State: F Grade
I gave the Eagles an F last year for drafting a 27-year-old guard, so I'm dishing out yet another F for a geriatric player. Brandon Weeden turns 29 soon. By the time his first contract is up, he'll be 33. As in, near the end of his career. This move reaks of panic; Cleveland really wanted Kendall Wright, and Mike Holmgren apparently did not know what to do once the Titans made the surprise selection.

37. Mitchell Schwartz, OT, California: C+ Grade
There were three receivers worth taking here, so the Browns selected... a right tackle? What? I like Mitchell Schwartz; he projects as a decent pro. But who the hell is Brandon Weeden going to throw to? And what about Cordy Glenn and Jonathan Martin?

87. John Hughes, DT, Cincinnati: Matt Millen Lonely Night Kielbasa Porn Grade
I mocked John Hughes in the seventh round. He wasn't above No. 249 on any major big board. He doesn't even fill a need. This is a terrible selection.

100. Travis Benjamin, WR, Miami: D Grade
Scouts Inc. had the highest grade on Travis Benjamin than anyone else, and they slotted him at No. 173. This is not the type of pick you make atop Round 4.

120. James-Michael Johnson, ILB, Nevada: B+ Grade
I mocked James-Michael Johnson here to the Browns at this very spot, so I can't exactly bash this pick. It's a good one. The Browns are lacking in depth at linebacker, and Johnson is a good range fit in the middle of Round 4.

160. Ryan Miller, G, Colorado: B- Grade
I thought the Browns would take Ryan Miller in the sixth round, so I think this is a bit high for him. The pick makes sense though. He fits the blocking scheme and will provide much-needed competition for Jason Pinkston, who was terrible last year.

204. Emmanuel Acho, LB, Texas: A- Grade
Cleveland was expected to select two linebackers in the 2012 NFL Draft. Emmanuel Acho is a fine selection. He's versatile and should have gone a round earlier.

205. Billy Winn, DE/DT, Boise State: A+ Grade
Major steal. Billy Winn could have easily gone in the third round. I actually like Winn better as prospect better than Cleveland's third-round selection John Hughes.

245. Trevin Wade, CB, Arizona: A+ Grade
I thought Trevin Wade would be a fourth-round pick. He was actually No. 79 on a major big board. This is great value and fills a need. The Browns need a No. 2 corner, and Wade should be able to compete for that job.

247. Brad Smelley, TE, Alabama: B+ Grade
The Browns don't need a tight end, but Brad Smelley provides a bit of value at the end of Round 7. Ben Watson will be a free agent next spring, so Cleveland needed a contingency plan at the position.

http://walterfootball.com/offseason2012cle.php

Round 1, Pick 3 (3) (From Vikings) Trent Richardson RB 5'9" 228 Alabama 93.5

Pick Analysis: Mayock's take: "I've been banging my head for two months that the Browns needed to draft Trent Richardson. ... They're saying this kid is so special, not only do we believe in him at four, but we're going to give away an extra pick to get a running back in the big-boy division. You play the Steelers, Ravens, Bengals -- bad weather, sloppy fields. What does this kid do for you? He keeps you in the game, he shortens the game, and he gives you a chance to win in the fourth quarter."
Round 1, Pick 22 (22) (From Falcons) Brandon Weeden QB 6'4" 221 Oklahoma St. 83.7

Pick Analysis: Mayock's take: "They got their running back earlier, and now they got their QB. He can make all the throws. People are concerned about Weeden's age at 28 years old, but you draft him because you expect him to compete this year. If he's the more impressive guy in camp, then he will start over Colt McCoy."
Round 2, Pick 5 (37) Mitchell Schwartz T 6'5" 318 California 82.5

Pick Analysis: Mayock's take: "This is a guy that wins ugly -- but he wins. His stock has been rising ever since the Senior Bowl. His technique and the angles he takes are phenomenal. He's a plug-and-play right tackle, so he better be a starter right away."
Round 3, Pick 24 (87) (From Broncos) John Hughes DT 6'2" 309 Cincinnati 48.2
Pick Analysis: Mayock's take: "He's been rising over about the last two months or so. He's not elite in any one solid category, but he will be a good rotational player."
Round 4, Pick 5 (100) Travis Benjamin WR 5'10" 172 Miami 66.5

Pick Analysis: Bucky Brooks' take: Benjamin adds an explosive weapon to the Browns' offense with his speed and burst. He will stretch the field as a vertical threat and adds another dimension to the return game.
Round 4, Pick 25 (120) (From Broncos) James-Michael Johnson ILB 6'1" 241 Nevada 69.0

Pick Analysis: Bucky Brooks' take: Johnson is a heavy-handed MLB with instincts and awareness. He owns the tackle-to-tackle box and could develop into a quality starter quickly in his career.
Round 5, Pick 25 (160) (From Broncos) Ryan Miller G 6'7" 321 Colorado 66.5

Pick Analysis: Bucky Brooks' take: Miller is a physical offensive lineman with size and strength. He should improve the depth along the interior.
Round 6, Pick 34 (204) (Compensatory selection) Emmanuel Acho OLB 6'1" 238 Texas 57.0

Pick Analysis: Bucky Brooks' take: Acho is an edge player with athleticism and quickness. He is raw, but shows the potential to make contributions as a situational rusher.
Round 6, Pick 35 (205) (Compensatory selection) Billy Winn DT 6'4" 294 Boise St. 84.0

Pick Analysis: Bucky Brooks' take: Winn was arguably the most talented defender at Boise State, but a suspect work ethic prompted some teams to cool on his potential. However, his upside makes him a great value pick at this point.
Round 7, Pick 38 (245) (Compensatory selection) Trevin Wade CB 5'10" 192 Arizona 82.5

Pick Analysis: Bucky Brooks' take: Wade is an enigmatic corner with underrated cover skills. He struggles with consistency, but could develop into a quality No. 3 if the light comes on.
Round 7, Pick 40 (247) (Compensatory selection) Brad Smelley TE 6'2" 237 Alabama 48.5
Pick Analysis: Bucky Brooks' take: The Browns nab a tough, physical tight end with soft hands. Smelley is a scrappy competitor capable of making contributions as receiver or blocker as a No. 2 tight end.
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2012/tracker#dt-tabs:dt-by-team/dt-by-team-input:cle

Let's grade the draft one hour after it was finished. Let's not wait for the players to play first.

Draft Countdown:

3 CLEVELAND BROWNS (f/MIN): TRENT RICHARDSON, RB, ALABAMA

Scouting Report
- There is some debate about whether it is wise to select a running back this early since you can find productive players at the position later in the draft. In fact, I am usually the first one to make that argument. However, if there is an exception to the rule it’s Richardson, who was one of the truly elite prospects in this class and the best running back to come along since Adrian Peterson. The Browns play in a rough and tumble division where the ground game is very important and Richardson will fit right in. Cleveland was criticized by some for giving up a few mid and late round picks to swap spots with the Vikings but the Buccaneers also coveted Richardson and there was a real possibility that Tampa Bay would have leap-frogged them and stolen their guy. Why even take that chance? The Browns now have an extraordinarily competitive workhorse they can build their entire offense around it'll be an upset if Richardson does not emerge as one of the leagues premier runners sooner rather than later

22 CLEVELAND BROWNS (f/ATL): BRANDON WEEDEN, QB, OKLAHOMA ST.

Scouting Report
- Let me start by saying Weeden is a great guy and I believe he is a first round talent. However, I think it was a mistake for the Browns to pull the trigger in round one because he is going to be a 29-year-old rookie. That means Weeden may only have a five or six year career. By the time Cleveland is hopefully ready to compete Weeden will be 32 or 33. When Kirk Cousins of Michigan State is entering his prime, Weeden will be holding a retirement press conference. Then again, I suppose this Browns regime felt that if they didn’t get better play from the quarterback position soon they wouldn’t be around in five years to worry about it anyway. I do like Weeden as a player though and he really impressed me at the Senior Bowl. I have no doubt that Weeden will be an upgrade over Colt McCoy and the offense will be able to do a lot more with him under center, I just would’ve preferred to see the Browns wait until their next pick in early round two. In fact, that is actually where I had Weeden going in my final mock and there were definitely plenty of rumors out there that this might indeed happen.

37 CLEVELAND BROWNS: MITCHELL SCHWARTZ, OT, CALIFORNIA
Scouting Report
Solid blocker with good bloodlines should step in as the starter at right tackle immediately.

87 CLEVELAND BROWNS (f/DEN): JOHN HUGHES, DT, CINCINNATI
Scouting Report
Major reach was considered to be a late rounder and nothing more than a two-down backup.

draftcountdown.com

It's funny switch the Hughes and Winn pick and the draft value looks pretty good.

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Let's grade the draft one hour after it was finished. Let's not wait for the players to play first.

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Exactly what I thought when I read the thread title.....

I am not going to grade it as that is way early, but we got 3 new starters and some depth, at least on paper.

I don't have any real problems at this point.

While I think most if not all agree you can't truly grade this draft right now, you can certainly grade the potential and I think that's why they are doing.

I can't do a player by player grade, it's just impossible until you see these guys in regular season action. Yeah, you can't even get a real look when they play garbage preseason games.

You have to love Richardson though. No brainer pick, and worth the extra picks to make absolutely sure we get him. That guy is going to be good. No doubt about that.

We took a shot at a QB, and unlike when we drafted Quinn in the first round, we didn't mortgage a bunch of future picks. I had my doubts about Weeden and how committed he was to football because he took time off for baseball. Bottom line? If this guy is good next year, nobody will care how old he is or where he was taken.

The rest of the draft I just like that we filled some needs. Tackle, a receiver (would have liked to have seen one more taken) and a few guys to take special teams jobs.

I love that we bolstered our DT group. Phil and Rubin have to be thrilled to have some guys who look like they can step right in and give spot duty and give those guys the occasional play or two off. That makes the whole defense better if you ask me.

I wanted to see a rush-end added, but hopefully Rucker can fill that.

I think next year you absolutely have to look at DE. I want a rock solid 3 man rotation of good good DE's. I want to see Jauron able to just keep cycling guys in who are trying to eat the QB.

I like the speed of Travis Benjamin. But wow at his size he better watch it going over the middle.

I know people are upset at the fact that we didn't go WR at 2 or 3, but you just have to trust Tom Heckert and his people. If he had guys rated higher than some of the recievers that were available, you just can't have a problem with that. You have to continue to do the right thing.

If Weeden is the real deal, we'll have a better idea of some of these WR's we have now.

Channeling Shep here (come back, Shep) ... why not put this thread in the Draft Forum?

Eh.. just copy and paste the analysis to the Draft forum.. we can take it from there. No biggie

There is only 1 way I know to grade a draft, and that's how much and how well did the team upgrade their targeted positions.

So ......

1) Richardson: Current players on the roster are Ogbonnaya, Hardesty, and Jackson. This position now has a guy with "top 2 in the past decade" type talent. He can run, catch, and block. This position now has the best player in our division manning it, and maybe the best player in the entire AFC. Love the pick.

1b) Weeden: Current players are McCoy, Wallace, and Lewis. This was a desperate position on the Browns roster. Really there was no NFL starter level player here. Now there is. This is so vitally important in the NFL. Weeden can make all of the NFL throws. We have upgraded here in a huge way. Love the pick.

2) Schwartz: May the Schwartz be with you. We had "OC" here. Now OC can be banished to the bench. Some reports had Schwartz as the best RT in the draft. We had 3 enormous needs coming into this draft, RB, QB, and RT. We filled all with high end, high quality players, and people. Love the pick.

3) Hughes: Well, he will be a backup, and is supposed to be outstanding against the run. Listening to the way he has been described by his coaches and such, he reminds me some of Rubin. He does make a lot of tackles, as Rubin does, and seems to be a high effort type player. His competition is Tripp, Sanford, and Paxson. He should be an upgrade to the DT rotation. I am cautiously optimistic here.

4) Benjamin: Seems like he will be Cribb's eventual replacement. He is also a guy with 3 speeds, fast, faster, and fastest. He will likely be competing against guys like Windsor, Spencer, Mitchell, and Norwood. I think that he will beat out one of these guys, and will probably take over either punt returns or kick returns. He can also probably fill a role as a rookie on certain down as a deep threat. I am mostly optimistic here.

4b) James-Michael Johnson: We have had great luck with LB named Johnson, so I hope this continues. He seems like a real steal to me, and a guy who might start on the outside sooner rather than later. He might well force Fujita into "former player" status ...... even if he is allowed to continued to play. I am very optimistic about this pick.

5) Miller: Depth for the OL. Has great size, and a mean streak. The OL is now set with starters, and I think that Miller will be our main backup at RG and RT. I am optimistic about this pick.

6) Acho: We needed to upgrade the LB corp, and I think that he will compete for a job here. Can he beat out guys like Smith and Jacobs? Probably. His strengths are listed as an ability to read and react, and has an ability to stay with RB and TE in pass coverage. Sounds like a 3rd down player for starters. Seems like good value in the 6th. I am somewhat optimistic about this pick.

6b) Wynn: Great rotational end who will immediately upgrade the position behind Sheard. Stevens, English, and Schaefering should all be on immediate notice. I am very optimistic about this pick.

7) Wade: A CB, projected as a 3rd rounder available with a 7th round compensatory pick? He will compete against a pretty well stocked CB roster ..... with guys like Brown, Patterson, Dockery, Skrine, and Haden. Could Brown be a surprise cut this year? If not, do we carry 6 CB this year? I am somewhat optimistic about this pick.

7b) Smelley: We draft the best RB in college football in years and years .... then we draft his FB. Nicely done Browns. These 2 should know each other really well, and Richardson should have no problem working off Smelley's blocks. His hands were described as "vacuum like" on one report I read. I think we will bid adeiu to Marecic. He had his chance last year, but never really showed up well in games, with drops, and a general "out of place" look about him. Smelley should be a substantial upgrade here. I am very optimistic about this pick.

Overall, I am very optimistic about 6 players we took. I see value in most of the others, though I do have some concerns about guys like Hughes, (mainly because no one had him rated anywhere near the 3rd) Benjamin, (size) Acho, (do we keep 2 rookie LB out of 5 or 6 spots?) and Wade. (whose job does he take?)

However, overall I see most of these guys making the final cut, with many either starting or contributing in a big way.

I see almost certain starters in Richardson, Weeden, and Schwartz.

I see a probable starter in Smelley.

I see a potential starter in Johnson.

I see a probable return man in Benjamin.

That's 5 guys who very well might start week 1, depending on what happens with Fujita. Each guy will be a huge upgrade over last year's player at the same position. I also see a guy who could be the main returner.

To me that's a pretty damn good draft.

I agree with almost everything you said. It's good to have players at positions where you actually got to think "Who is going to make the team? " That fuels competition, and brings the best out of everyone. Most likely if these guys don't make the team they will go to the practice squad, which they can compete next year, or be brought up during the season.

Just based on potential, usually we draft positions that are head scratchers with people that are head scratchers , but at least we are drafting positions that we need depth at , even if there are a few head scratchers in there.

Just based on that alone, I love the potential for this draft more then any that I can truly remember. I think they are finally getting it.

I am so happy about this draft based on several spots alone ..... RB, QB, RT, FB, and LB. The other players have value, but we did a complete overhaul of the offense in one draft. That's impressive. I think that Johnson will help almost immediately at OLB as well. Other guys will be backups and maybe help on special teams.

If Benjamin takes off on returns, a guy like Cribbs might be traded for value. Brown, who was once our best secondary player, might be a casualty this year.

I am so excited about this year's draft that I cannot wait for training camp to get started! I think that we are going to see some really good things this year.

I am angry we didn't get a #1 WR.

Well, last year Heckert said that he fully expected Little to become our #1 receiver .... and it appears that he usually doesn't lie a whole lot.

That's a big reason why I expected us to take Weeden high. He loved him as a QB so much, and was so over as far as praise, that he had to be our guy.

I can understand that logic.

I disagree, because trading up for Floyd means missing out on Weeden. (Lots of talk today that there were teams trying to trade back into the first for Weeden. If we wanted him, we had to take him at 22).

As far as Blackmon, I think he's overrated. I don't think he'll turn into the legit #1 that everyone thinks he's going to.

I do see your point, however.


The point I don't understand is the people who keep complaining we weren't drafting 3rd-7th round receivers.

We still have roster cuts where we might be able to pick up a vet or two which will really help our receiving corp also

I (Incomplete)

See me after class. Too soon to grade.



I didn't like last years draft and most of the picks turned out well. What do I know? Nothing.

I'd really like to see someone like Donald Driver brought in here.

We need to scour the waiver wire or talk to a team like GB that has a glut of WCO veterans.

I was thinking maybe Colt McCoy for James Jones, but it appears the Packers aren't interested in McCoy.

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I didn't like last years draft and most of the picks turned out well. What do I know? Nothing.

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Then you should give this one an F.

I don't believe in draft grades either, but this is the best I've felt about a draft since the return.

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87. John Hughes, DT, Cincinnati: Matt Millen Lonely Night Kielbasa Porn Grade
I mocked John Hughes in the seventh round. He wasn't above No. 249 on any major big board. He doesn't even fill a need. This is a terrible selection.

100. Travis Benjamin, WR, Miami: D Grade
Scouts Inc. had the highest grade on Travis Benjamin than anyone else, and they slotted him at No. 173. This is not the type of pick you make atop Round 4.

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jc...

These two picks...head scratchers for sure.

I would like to hear the thinking behind picking Hughes and Benjamin, when we took them.

The Hughes pick was via a trade with the Broncos, who moved up from #87 to our #67 pick in exchange of an extra 4th round pick #120, which netted the Nevada LB, Johnson.

The Travis Benjamin pick, the 5th pick of the 4th round...I just don't know what to think.

If they turn out to be good football players, worthy of their picks...fine. We have to wait to see how both perform on the field before giving a final grade.

Other than those two picks, Heckert did a heck of job.

The Browns said that they really liked Benjamin as a receiver, and that he has incredible speed. The reason that they picked him is because he is so different from the rest of their receivers .... being small and flat out fast. They said that he is the fastest player on the team right now.

Someone asked if it was a goal to get faster, given Benjamin and some of the defensive players, and they just said that their goal was to get better players.

When they spoke about Benjamin, they kinda hinted that while he might not be a starter, he could find a really nice role with a lot of opportunities, and implied that he was underused in college.

j/c

People always say that you can't judge a draft until 3-5 years later.

Does anyone actually do that? Are there Draft grades being compiled now for the 2007 - 2009 drafts?

Usually ESPN or someone will do a review of a past draft from time to time. Ours have been really easy:

1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 ..... we have no one left.

2006: DQ

2007: Joe Thomas

2008: Rubin

2009: Mack, Massaquoi, and Maiava

Pretty easy stuff there.

Unfortunately.

I thought overall, outside of Hughes--whom I don't understand--we did pretty well. Can't argue with Richardson, Schwartz started his entire career at Cal--that in and of itself speaks volumes and Weeden is a huge upgrade over Colt. They added some tremendous gems in the later stages--Acho and Wynn was nice and we absolutely need a guy like Benjamin on this team.

I get that people expect franchise QB's to have a 10 year shelf life but I get the sense that H&H don't fancy themselves as having that long. Most regimes are given half that time to do something in this league now so it's win in the short term or go bust.

I like our receivers. I may be in the minority but I think this group is better than given credit for.

I have no idea how you can apply a grade to a draft without the players never having played a down in the NFL??

Every player drafted has to prove he can play at the NFL level.

What I believe to be interesting is this:

Going into this draft Cleveland and Washington were faced with pretty much the same choices.

The Browns won four games and were looking to the draft to improve on offense. Wanted to upgrade the quarterback, running back, receiver, and right tackle positions.

The Redskins won 5 games and wanted to upgrade the quarterback, and receiver positions.

Washington signed free agent receiver Pierre Garcon and made the monster trade to get RG3. They gave up (this years 6th pick but they got the second pick to select Griffin)this years second rounder, 2013,and 2014 first rounders.

The Browns added two defensive linemen in free agency Frostee Rucker, and Juqua Parker.

In the draft the Browns drafted:
Trent Richardson - RB
Brandon Weeden - QB
Mitchell Schwartz - RT

Next year they still have a first rounder. The Redskins do not. 2014 the Browns have a first rounder. The Redskins do not.

Both teams made their choices to win now and sustain it in the future.

Who made the right choices only time will tell.

I would have chosen to select Griffin. Trading this years 4th (but getting Griffin at the two spot), 22, 37th and next years first rounder.

The only real grade that counts is who wins championships.

As long as MoMas is starting on this team we are weak in the WR department. He has absolutely no fight in him. I've never seen a starting WR with so little desire to 'attack' a ball that is in the air. I want receivers that act as though they are the only one with rights to a ball that is coming their way. MM is pathetic in this department. He allows DBs to continuously out hustle him. It's infuriating to me.
I don't care who the QB is. As long as our WRs are that apathetic we're in need of an upgrade.
Little is the only WR on our roster that I feel plays with the tenacity of a true NFL WR.

Richardson will be THE MAN here no doubt about it.

The Weeden pick however worries me.....too many of you people are buying into the hype...Weeden is NOT the qb many of you think he is going to be.

Weeden is DA 2.0 with a weaker arm...Weeden has a stronger arm then McCoy, but he DOES NOT have a cannon like DA had.....as for Weeden being able to make "all the throws"..im not so sure...The film i have seen on Weeden, Weeden didn't make very many "nfl open" throws....i didn't see him put the ball on a rope 25+ yards fitting it into tight windows like DA did in 2007....Weeden just don't have that kind of arm.

Weeden is incredibly AVERAGE thats what he is....all you people thinking he is going to be some franchise QB because we took him at #22 are in for a rude awakening...Weeden is merely average...thats what he is...yes Weeden is an upgrade in talent over McCoy, but not by very much.

Fact is...if the Browns have a shot at Barkley next year, they better pull the trigger...because fact is Weeden is nothing more then a average QB who is old by NFL standards to boot...and you don't win Superbowls with average QB..you win Super bowls with great QB

I bet the Browns are in the Barkley sweepstakes next year...and they would be smart to pull the trigger on Barkley....Weeden is just an average QB...a stopgap....he is not the longterm answer here.....

So yes...we will be in the running for Barkley next year...who is a real franchise QB....that would have been a Top3 pick this year had he declared.....

I just don't want folks getting unrealistic expectation sof Weeden...the kid is merely average...he is not even as good as Dalton down in cinci (whom i deem Dalton as an Above-average NFL QB) Weeden doesn't even grade out that good. He is merely average...i don't want to see the fans calling for Weeden's head come week 6....its not his fault....he should have not been taken as high as he was....and Weeden is not the longterm answer here...it is what it is....We will be looking to get Barkley next year....bank on it....we will pretty much have no choice. Weeden was bigger reach at #22 then Tannenhill was where the Dolphin's took him....