DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum NFL Draft thread

Sorry, as with every Browns season, it makes sense to start this thread around week 8 or 9

I project the Browns to draft 3rd (behind KC and Jacksonville) after finishing with 4 wins (win vs KC and Washington) ....Depending on your point of view, this is either a really weak draft for offense or a really strong draft for defense or maybe both. Browns get their pass rush threat with one of these 5 guys:

Super strong draft for DTs as well

(1) Jarvis Jones (OLB) - Georgia - comparisons to Von Miller...play him as a OLB on run downs and pass rush specialist on passing downs
(2) Barkevious Mingo (DE) - LSU
(3) Bjoern Werner (DE) - FSU
(4) Sam Montgomery (DE) - LSU
(5) Damontre Moore (DE) - Texas A&M

Whether your a fan of Weeden or not, I don't think Barkley or Geno Smith is much better and there is no top 10 talents at CB or WR this year IMO

Anybody else thinking about it?

I've thought about it quite a bit the past few weeks actually. I really think we will go defense this year. That being said, I'd like one of the following:

1. Jarvis Jones
2. Teo
3. Milliner


I used to want Mingo, but not any more. I also wish Clowney was eligible, but that's not happening.

I could make a strong argument for selecting any one of those 3 guys.

Quote:

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I really think we will go defense this year.

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We don't know who will be our GM, we don't know who our coach will be, we don't know what systems we will run on offense and defense.

How can anyone have any clue what we will be doing in the draft?

I want to get Marquise Lee to fake some documents and somehow fall to whereever we draft. Then, get Clowney to do the same for the supplemental and rig the draft for him to come to us.

Best 2 players in college this year aren't even eligible for the draft.

My top five.

1. Te'o
2. Te'o
3. Te'o
4. Te'o
5. Trade down and draft Te'o

I really haven't paid a huge amount of attention to college football this year, but I have followed the Browns way too closely.

I see several areas of dire, desperate need.

1) Pass Rusher. This can be either a DE, or a OLB. Frankly, I don't care which. All I do care about is that we get a guy who can put the fear of God into opposing QBs. That one guy would make our defense so much better that it's disgusting.

2) FS. This is one of the hardest positions to fill from the college ranks, because teams seem to play either spread offenses, or archaic run heavy offenses. Opposing defenses tailor their defenses to match. Playing against a spread may lead a team to play 5 or 6 DBs, many of which are CB types, with a SS who can play a pseudo LB/SS position. Defenses that play run heavy offenses tend to have FS who are more SS. There are very few truly balanced offenses in college football these days, and thus very few balanced defenses. I cannot recall such a massive abyss at a particular position like there is for quality college FS. If we can get one, I would be ready to jump. (I would still go with a great pass rusher first)

3) TE: This could easily be Watson's final year. Cameron is very raw. Smith is a blocking heavy TE. That's our group. Bleh. We need an upper level type here. Imagine if we had a Rob Gronkowski, or an Aaron Hernandez to burn teams up the seams. We need to look for a quality TE this coming off-season.

4) OLB: I think that the group we have could be OK if we get that great pass rusher ..... but this group is serviceable, rather than exceptional. This position is way down the list behind the rest though. We have some quality youth, players that have shown some promise, so they could well grow into quality starters.

5) CB: I think that we could use another CB, but I believe that we'll be fine once Patterson comes back from injury. I like the top 4 of Haden, Patterson, Skrine, and Wade as a potentially solid foursome. A ferocious pass rush would help these guys a great deal.

6) WR: I am hopeful that the group we have will progress and grow. However, there are still questions. That being said, I feel better about this group than any I have in a very long time.

7) G/T: We need to be able to replace Cousins with a better quality player. I am horrified thinking about what would happen if he has to play. Ugh.

I'm hoping Jarvis Jones is drafted before our pick... I just don't have a good feeling about him. That being said, I haven't watched nearly as much football this year as I usually do, so I feel much less confident in picking guys than usual.


Just going off of some online rankings, I'd like to be able to sell our first for a first and second to someone who wants to draft Barkley or Smith (assuming KC and JAX haven't already drafted them both...) and take:

1) DE Damontre Moore
2) TE Tyler Eifert (though I expect he'll go in the first... maybe FS Matt Elam)
3) FS Tony Jefferson (or WR Aaron Dobson/ Da'Rick Rogers if Elam in 2nd)
4) FB Trey Millard (yes. A FB in the 4th round.)
5) RB Kenjon Barner

BPA untargeted after that. We have so many young players that need to grow into their positions that its hard to target specific positions to draft.

I want a vet offensive guard and free safety. We don't need more youth at those positions.

I was assuming Pinkston would be back. I think Lavaou has started to come into his own and been playing well. Greco has look solid. If pinkston doesnt come back... a vet would be nice.

Someone that can bring the heat to the opposing Qb would really make this defense tough. When was the last time we had a pass rusher other teams feared? Chip Banks? By far our #1 need. Whether DE or OLB, we need a guy to keep opposing oline coaches up at night.

D'quell is solid at MLB and I would not be upset in the least if we stayed with him but a thumper in the middle that other teams fear would be nice. Teo is good but that Minter kid from LSU can bring it. Minter is only a junior this year.

An upgrade at FS is also much needed.

True or false: our best pass rusher since the return has been Kenard Lang.

Too early to know what kind of changes (if any - never know it could happen), but assuming we don't get someone in here who wants only his own people and players and doesn't recognize some of the players we do have, my priorities would be; FS, CB, DE, TE, OL.

I would resign Dawson for whatever he is asking for (realistically of course), to a 2 or 3 year deal. Hodges might be resigned, but I wouldn't go too high, and would still look to the draft for a replacement. Yount I would resign also.
I would talk to Cribbs and MoMass' people about resigning, but more on team friendly terms than on high priced stuff. Ideally I get Cribbs locked up long-term so he can retire a Brown as he is a good return man and gunner, but I do not break the bank on him at all.

I let Fujita, Brandon Jackson, Ventrone, Cousins, Parker, Maiava, and Sheldon Brown walk. I might be tempted to bring BJax and Maiava back, after FA opens and has run for a bit and they haven't signed.

I would, if possible, sign Jarius Byrd to fill my FS spot. Would take some serious money to get him from buffalo (which might franchise him, thus I wouldn't touch him), but we have the room and it would solidify the spot. 26 years old as well, so a nice long term deal sets us up nicely here. Five or more years.

I would also try to sign Martellus Bennett, TE from the giants. He is considered the best in-line blocking TE in the game, and he can catch as well. Also 26 years old, gives us a good blocker and receiver for long term deal (5 years perhaps). Watson and Alex Smith are both FA's this year, so I would add another via draft. I would consider bringing back AS, but not guaranteeing a roster spot.

Not knowing Pinkston's prognosis: If it doesn't look good for Pink I go after Andy Levitre (buf), if it looks like he will be back 100% I go after another far cheaper option, because Levitre will not come cheaply.

I would also target a DE and OL in free agency, backup mostly, so I wouldn't break the bank on either, mainly because I don't see (from the few lists I've seen) any great impact guys available. I wouldn't be afraid to draft here as well and to cut the signees if the draftees outperform them.

IF I could do the above my draft priorities should fall more into a true best available, with an eye on certain positions first.

If I could trade down I would of course. Currently we sit at #3, I do not think that is where we will end up, I am realistically optimistic and think we will be picking around 6th. We also do not have a 2nd rounder, or we do if you count Gordon, so that changes what we do a little bit... i.e. what positions are deeper in the draft that we can still get quality in 3rd round, if we pick another position in the 1st.

Not knowing who will declare right now; some will that shouldn't, some won't that should, same as every year. I target the remaining positions.

CB, DE, TE, OL, LB, WR/KR, I might (big might) take a late round QB to develop as Weed's backup down the road. (McCoy goes to FA in 2014, doubt he stays here beyond, trade him if I can this draft if possible, but unlikely).


Milliner is the top CB, he would be great teamed with Haden.

Jarvis Jones is the top OLB, would be a great selection, but not holding my breath we go that way.

Several DE's that are good picks at the top of the draft, but with Sheard and Rucker (signed long-term) I don't see it as our biggest need, backups yes, but not necessarily top of the first round. However I look at who's available and take one if he is the highest rated by a lot over a position of greater need.


The other thing I would do this off-season at some point is open negotiations with Alex Mack, TJ Ward, Skrine, and possibly Lauvao. All are free agents in 2014, but I would like to lock them up before the season starts, so these can wait til after the draft picks are signed.

After all that, I doubt each of my target FA's actually make it, either resigned or franchised, but those would be my wish list right now. Which of course changes draft strategy, so time will tell where we pick and who will be there when we do pick.

I'd give best single season to wimbley

I'm pumped that you mentioned Wreh-Wilson DJ ... he's one of my best friends and he will be a STEAL for somebody. He has the size, athleticism, and intelligence to be a great NFL player.

If we draft Blidi, I'll be THRILLED

Hehe, nice

I now expect some inside info on him going forward, since I'm going to pimp him for the next 6 months on here

and tell him I think his teammate CB Gratz is a draftable spec too, very underrated...actually forgot to list him but I could have written 50 more names in there, but it's early and probably nobody but me is caring about possible late rounders, lol

For me with the first pick: Jarvis Jones, Jordan Poyer, Dion Jordan or Manti Teo anybody else would disappoint me greatly.

Te'o Te'o Te'o Te'o Te'o

Great player, guy, leader...the kind of player you build a defense around.

He was the best athlete to play high school football since I've lived here (2003) but more than that he was known as one of the best high character kids in high school sports. The team that drafts him is going to sell a million of his jerseys in Hawaii. Might as well make them all Browns fans! We'd get Browns games here too!

If he's gone then I want a top talent RDE. That would really help our defense in so many ways.

This draft (currently) suuuuucks.

The draft is 7 rounds, plus supplementals. The team has already sacrificed the 2nd rounder for Josh Gordon, so he doesn't count.

If they don't find a way to draft 8 or more players, not counting Gordon, then it will be less than what I'd hope for.

The good teams are going to find a way to draft 8 or 9 or more players in April, settling for the 7 picks you get, is just not going to give you enough of a competitive advantage.

Some options for our picks? (Using CBS rankings for approximate round)

1st
Jarvis Jones OLB UGA
Bjoern Werner DE FSU
Damontre Moore DE A&M
Manti Te'o LB Notre Dame

3rd
Brandon Jenkins DE FSU
John Simon DE OSU
Arthur Brown OLB KSU
TJ McDonald FS USC
Andre Ellington RB Clemson

4th
Ryan Swope WR A&M
Bacarri Rambo FS UGA
Aaron Dobson WR Marshall
Trey Millard FB OK

5th
DJ Swearinger FS SoCar
LeVeon Bell RB MSU
Michael Buchanan DE Illinois
Rex Burkhead RB Nebraska

6th
Etienne Sabino OLB OSU
Michael Dyer RB Ak Baptist
Jake Stoneburner TE OSU

7th
Travis Howard CB OSU
Rod Woodson FS North Alabama

I'll have a Werner in the 1st ..... (except I think that he'll be gone when we pick)

Give me McDonald in the 3rd and I'd be ecstatic, elated, and euphoric.

I'd like to find another TE and another CB in the draft ... and maybe another OL. I think that's very possible.

We'll also have free agency .... and maybe we can find a couple of young veterans to swipe from another team. Can we grab the Patriot's TE Herdandez in free agency yet? (Nope, at least another year to go)

Kenny Phillips, FS, Giants.

And while you were talking about Defense...

Theres a lot of talk of bringing in a vet WR.

There is a lot f talk that GB may not be resigning Greg Jennings. And whilehe has had some injuries, he could come in and take Little and Gordon under his wing, and I think would have a solid impact on them..

He has a skill set that can play CB, FS, and SS.

I think NYG has moved him between FS and SS.

Unless theres a quality FREE Safety in this draft, I think he could be the best fix available..

I haven't really paid a ton of attention to him, so I'll defer.

After having watched more...Werner is incredibly overrated...while I think he has a high floor, I don't see that high a ceiling to warrant a Top 10 selection

He's a high motor guy, but isn't even the best DE on the FSU roster...Carradine is outplaying him and been far more consistent...before his big game against Florida Werner had 9 sacks with 5 of them coming against Murray State and Savannah State

Also, not a fan of McDonald...he reminds me too much of Taylor Mays...same school, same style of prospect

I still want Moore over Werner...same motor, same high floor, but slightly better vs the run (Werner is ok there too, though not as strong as Carradine) and much higher ceiling imho

My man Wreh-Wilson had 2 strong weeks in wins over Louy and Pitt...

So, Moore in the 1st and W-W in the 3rd are still my wet dream scenario...talk about a killer defense: Let the young Offense continue to grow and finish the rebuilding job on defense...add Zeke Motta or Swearinger for FS in the 4th/5th range

So here's my late November mock draft (I think I had Blackmon-Weeden last year at this time):

1 DE Moore
(2 WR Gordon)
3 CB Wreh-Wilson
4 FS Motta or OLB Long
5 WR C.Vernon or FS Swearinger
6 TE Otten or FS Holley
7a TE Griffen or OLB Lawrence or CB M.White
7b P Allen or TE M.Rivera or RB Rouse or FS Boyett or TE Kelce

Starting to like the FS and TE prospects in the mid to late rounds, probably because those are the 2 biggest needs on D and O and I deep scouted these positions the most...this class isn't as good as last year's at the top, but once you get in the mid-late rounds there's always talent to unearth...I really hope we draft 2 of Otten, Griffen, Rivera, Kelce and sign a stop gap FA at TE...with Cameron that should be enough talent to weed out for 1-2 seasons.

I hope we somehow get a late comp pick to secure P Allen, would be a huge upgrade to Hodges and he's been a consistency machine the past 2 seasons

Have a question to all you OSU fans: What are your opinions on CB Howard, FB Boren and FS CJ Barnett? Are they NFL material? Would you like any of those on the Browns?

I like your late November mock. I would be happy with those picks. Though I suspect that we win at least 2 more games this year. More than that and we might be out of the running for Moore. Things will also change a bit after FA signings (if there are any).

You mention the punter upgrade which raises another special teams point of consideration. At some point in time we will need to replace Dawson. When will that be? He is getting up there in age. Though currently still performing quite well. How many years left on his contract? How many years do we think he will continue to kick at this level?

What I would hate to see is that the Browns continue to improve every year and in 2-3 years we are competing for the super bowl only to find out that Dawson had jumped the shark. Then we need to find a replacement and get stuck looking at the kickers' scrap heap.

The kicker at FSU - Dustin Hopkins - is awesome. If we were to draft him in the later part of the draft we would be replacing our kicker for the next 3 years with our kicker for the next 15 years.

Not advocating it at this time. Just throwing the thought out to see some other peoples opinion.

Moore is my top option at DE too. Tough to take a dude with a recently-torn ACL in the top 10, or Carradine would be up there as well.

I like Howard at corner. Covers well, plays tough. He'd have a shot at the roster, but I don't see him being a significant upgrade over Haden, Patterson (maybe with time), Skrine, or Wade.

Boren is nothing special at FB. He's "OK" and Smelley is better in that role IMO. Boren almost made a better LB in emergency duty this year than FB, but as we should all know now, you don't draft a guy because of his play at a position you're not going to use him. The only guy I'd look at drafting to play FB is Millard. He is an animal and a huge asset in the passing game. Like a Marcel Reece or Delanie Walker.

*edit* if Jenkins and Simon are gone when we pick in the third, I'd try to move back and pick up an additional 4th. I really like Swope, Dobson, and Millard and would like to get two of them. I haven't seen the UConn corner, so I couldn't talk about him. If, somehow, Amerson were to fall to the third after getting beat a few times this season, I'd jump all over him. Doubt he will, though. His size and ball skills are a pretty danged good combo. Mike Glennon would make a decent option as backup QB to Weeden. (Is McCoy a free agent after this season? Don't see him getting tendered here.)

Agreed. I keyed on him in the Florida game and I think his tippy top ceiling is Kyle Vandenbosch.

If I'm taking a RDE in the top 10 I want him to be freaky athletically and Werner is not that.

The Honey Badger is entering the draft