DawgTalkers.net Forums The Archives 2013 NFL Season NFL Draft (2013) Your 2013 Cleveland Browns NFL Draft

I heard people on the radio whining simply because we didn't take enough players. It didn't matter whether or not we had players to fill the holes we have ..... it just mattered that we didn't add bodies.

Frankly I expect next year's draft to be better than this year's, and I expect a "slot to slot" draft pick to be a better value next year than this year. This draft was historically weak. I could be wrong, but I cannot imagine having another really weak draft next year. Usually there is a rebound to a strong draft. We're well situated to take advantage if this is the case.

I heard people on the radio whining about the kid the Steelers took and how he would have been "perfect" for the Browns. Well, except that he's a SS, and we need a FS ..... and that he's already had numerous concussions from leading with his head into tackles. Other than that he would have been perfect for us.

People complain that we never give our players the chance to develop ..... and that is clearly the plan here, especially on offense. You can't develop players by replacing them with similar (or worse) players. Many people were worried that the new brain trust would come in and clean house of the young base we have, and now they seem disappointed that we didn't.

I guess I'm just confused.

Maybe a lot of browns fans who remain do so because they like being freely able to *whine* and moan about something. Maybe if we start becoming a serious playoff contender a lot of the current fans will disappear, or at least their complaining will start to look silly. I'm sure plenty of people complain about the Patriots drafting.

As a side note about the Patriots.. Their drafting really isn't that impressive at all. I want to harp on about this or make it my sig..but they win because they have Tom Brady. We can write off this season if Weeden doesn't become elite because that is 90% of the game now adays. Mingo vs. Milliner is significantly less important than Weeden vs. Manziel.

When you have the QB in place it makes everything, and I mean everything, easier. Receivers become better. The OL becomes better. Even the defense becomes better. It's so hard to win in the NFL without the QB. Look at the Niners. They had to have the best running game, and the best defense in order to win in their first year under Harbaugh. (#1 in both areas, IIRC) That's kind of what it takes to win without the right QB.

I heard the whining too.

My guess was that it would have been confined to us taking Mingo over Milliner or a trade down but I didn't hear much of that. One of the radio personalities was pitching a fit because we didn't take Honey Badger but bashed us for taking the 7th round flyer on Bryant. I know both have troubles, but its a completely different ballgame taking a 3rd than a 7th when it comes to that stuff IMO. He would have had a better argument if he fell further....even still, I'm glad we didn't draft him.

I did hear a bunch of concern about the trade with Pittsburgh, not necessarily the person Pitt drafted. I tend to surf all those radio shows and perhaps I missed it, but some callers shared my concern, that we simply did a deal with Pitt regardless of the draft pick. Either way, we'll find out later who wins this one.

To your reference about giving our players time to develop, if you are referring to the current roster, I agree. I think evidence of the trades allow more of this to happen. It will be interested to see what happens and #2CB, FS, ILB now...

One person I am interested in seeing more of is this Gilkey guy. Very raw it seems but with a big mean streak.

Having a good offense sure does help your defense when you're able to put them in positions where they know the other team has to throw.

How would the Steelers or Ravens defense look if they were always down 7-10 points like it always seems like we are?

Actually we saw that in 2007 with the Ravens when they had a horrible offense and we swept them.

Yeah, I saw a few references to "Why didn't they take the Honey Badger" ....... then later in the same article, "Why did they take a chance on a kid caught selling pot?" Maybe because one was a 3rd round pick and the other was a 7th round flyer?

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This is where guys seeming come out of nowhere and turn into rock stars, because every now and again a coach is able to get a guy who just pretty much perfectly fits what it is that he is trying to do. Meanwhile, every other coach is racing against the clock trying to find that guy before their tenure is ended.

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And some coaches take what they are given, analyze the strengths of the players, and tweak up their system to take advantage of the players abilities... that's the kind of coach we need...

So true King Cob...Winning is the cure all.

When we become winners...most of the whining will stop not all but most.

Lets take a real good look at Gipson before everyone starts lamenting about us not having a FS.

Let us see what youngsters step up...Cameron could be an upgrade on Watson??? We don't know.

JMJ, Roberson , Sheard - I think one of these players will step up n into the role of ILB.

McFadden is going to surprise many n I think he will win the RCB starting position n look good doing it. In a season or two later we might have the Bryant Dawgs terrorizing the NFL on each side of the field. So much depends on our coaches now n getting these kids to all believe in their Systems...

We are getting closer to that competitive Browns team we once knew or for the newer Browns fans...the team they always envisioned us to be!

Woof! Woof! Woof!!
JMHO

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When we become winners...most of the whining will stop not all but most.

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Personally, I think your being optimistic

I don't think any of the whining will stop. LOL

I agree Eo.

You have to give Banner and Lonbardi credit. As Banner said, we have some young guy who don't know what they will become, so we are giving some another year.

Now we have extra picks next year if they don't become who they want to become.



To steal a line.....Brilliant!

I was really hoping we would get Tyler Bray after the draft since he was an UDFA. I feel he would have been a great guy to coach up. I think we missed the boat on him. He has great size and decent numbers.

Oh well, that is why I work Construction and these guys acquire players.

'Early returns on Cleveland Browns draft rate it average at best'

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2013/04/early_returns_on_cleveland_bro_1.html

By Mary Kay Cabot, The Plain Dealer on April 28, 2013 at 10:32 PM, updated April 29, 2013 at 7:13 PM

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- National experts weighed in on the Browns' draft Sunday, and the general consensus was that CEO Joe Banner and General Manager Mike Lombardi were very average in their inaugural selection meeting together here in Cleveland.

Most graders gave the Browns a C, with a couple of highly respected sites -- Sporting News and Sports Illustrated -- dinging them with D's. However, two analysts from Fox Sports liked what the Browns did, one giving them a B and the other a B-plus.

Most of the analysts seemed to like the first-round selection of Barkevious Mingo but some were puzzled by the pick considering the Browns signed pass rushers Paul Kruger and Desmond Bryant in free agency. Many didn't see the wisdom in the Browns surrendering fourth- and fifth-round picks this year for third- and fourth-rounders in 2014.

But third-round pick Leon McFadden, the cornerback out of San Diego State, was a popular choice among the pundits.

A look at the national grades and some of the comments:

Chris Burke, SI.com

Grade: D-plus

Burke described it as "bit of an unusal draft for the Browns, who landed an impact defender in OLB Barkevious Mingo at No. 6 and then picked just once more (CB Leon McFadden) in the next 167 selections." He noted the two selections for 2014 and feels the gamble on Josh Gordon in the supplemental draft paid off. "Strictly in terms of the 2013 draft, though, there's not much to go on here -- slightly disappointing for a team hoping to make big strides," he wrote.

Rob Rang, CBS Sports

Grade: C

Brugler, who accurately predicted the Browns would select Mingo in his draft day mock, wrote: "I understand the passion to attack the quarterback, but I wonder why the Browns elected to pay for Paul Kruger if they were going to draft Barkevious Mingo at No. 6 overall. Where does that put Jabaal Sheard, who was one of the team's better players a year ago? I love cornerback Leon McFadden's athleticism as well, but he's just 5-10. Frankly, I thought the Browns got their best value in the seventh round with intriguing developmental pass rusher Armonty Bryant and Garrett Gilkey, a developmental offensive lineman who impressed me at the Senior Bowl. Adding picks for the 2014 Draft helps what otherwise I thought was one of the least impressive draft classes."

Mel Kiper, ESPN

Grade: C-plus

Kiper has his doubts about Mingo, which hurt the Browns' grade.

"I don't know if it's a good thing, per se, but the guy who will impact the Browns most in 2013 might not be the player they took at No. 6 overall," he wrote. "At No. 68 overall, they took Leon McFadden, a much-needed CB who knows how to operate on an island. As I look at the depth chart, I don't see a reason why McFadden can't break camp as the starter across from Joe Haden. That's not a small deal because it also maximizes Buster Skrine, who will be able to spend more time in the slot, where he's much better."

Consistent with his pre-draft evaluation, Kiper felt Mingo should've had more than 4.5 sacks last season despite drawing double teams and being asked to contain mobile quarterbacks instead of attack them at times.

He described Mingo as "a player I'm at once infatuated with as a talent, but skeptical of because of what I considered production that didn't match up with his talent. Now, Mingo adds depth at outside linebacker, but he's going to need some developmental work because he played with his hand on the ground at LSU. After that, there isn't a lot here that you'll see in 2013. Jamoris Slaughter could provide depth at safety. The lack of a second-round pick really hurt the Browns, who could have used a higher-rated guard -- though I do think Garrett Gilkey has the chance to start eventually -- and I thought would have been wise to add another inside linebacker. But Josh Gordon is developing and Davone Bess should provide Brandon Weeden with another solid target in the passing game. The hope is Mingo becomes a star, and McFadden can perform early. The good news is, both could happen."

Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News

Grade: D

Iyer was puzzled by a couple of Browns' decisions, including not taking a quarterback and selecting a cornerback whom he feels is more of an inside guy than a starter opposite Joe Haden.

"For a young team with multiple issues, it's odd the Browns worked their way down to just five picks," he wrote. "LSU first-rounder Barkevious Mingo is a high-risk, high-reward edge pass rusher for their 3-4. They needed a corner for the outside, yet took one, San Diego State's Leon McFadden, better suited for the slot. The biggest head-scratcher was the fact Cleveland officials, not all in on Brandon Weeden, didn't at least take a chance on one of the quarterback prospects after most of them slid.

Peter Prisco, CBS Sports

Grade: C

Prisco's favorite pick was McFadden, whom he deemed a bit undersized "but a solid cover corner who fits a need."

He also questioned the Mingo pick.

"They had two outside rushers and had some other bigger needs. He's a good player, but not a great fit."

He granted Notre Dame safety Jamoris Slaughter, who's coming off the torn Achilles tendon, his "third-day gem" status, acknowledging that he's a risk, but worth it if he can bounce back.

"In his first draft as general manager, I just didn't get the wow factor from Mike Lombardi," Prisco wrote. "I like Mingo, but I thought they had other needs. They did add receiver Davone Bess in a trade (with Miami) for very little.

Evan Silva, Yahoo Sports

Grade: C

Silva excluded Gordon from his evaluation, but included Bess. In exchange for Bess, the Browns moved down seven spots in the fourth round and gave Miami a fifth-rounder for a seventh. He did like the idea of stockpiling picks for next season.

"Mingo was the most naturally explosive edge presence in this draft," he wrote. "McFadden may be stretched covering outside receivers in the NFL, but projects as an upgrade on Buster Skrine at nickel back. Bryant has some upside as a small-school project. Slaughter can be a core special teamer if his Achilles' is right. Lombardi's first draft haul underwhelms on paper, but the Browns can capitalize on his forward-minded thinking next year."

Jen Floyd Engel, Fox Sports

Grade: B

Of all the experts, Engel was the most complimentary of Lombardi and his first draft after five years as an NFL Network analyst.

"There is little not to love about what Mike Lombardi did, even the Barkevious Mingo gamble, which is the best part of this draft for them. They have a GM, a real-deal GM."

Alex Marvez, Fox Sports

Grade: C-minus

Marvez wasn't overly impressed with the Browns' "wait 'til next year" strategy in the middle rounds.

"Outside linebacker Mingo provides some bark to Cleveland's Dawg Pound, but the Browns added only one more player (San Diego State cornerback Leon McFadden) before Round Six," he wrote. "On the positive side, they secured extra third- and fourth-round choices in next year's draft through trades and have already started reaping the dividends of using its 2013 second-round pick in last year's supplemental draft on budding wide receiver Josh Gordon."

Peter Schrager, Fox Sports

Grade: B-plus

Schrager gave the Browns a higher grade than anyone else, particularly for parlaying the fourth- and fifth-rounders into third- and fourth-rounders in 2014.

"You can only do so much when you don't have a second-round pick, and I think Cleveland brass is awfully happy with Gordon, essentially their second-round pick," he said. "Mingo will complement Paul Kruger well in Ray Horton's 3-4. This was a productive draft for the long term."



(end)

It's way to early...

But I was talking the draft today with a buddie. I ask him one simple question and he really couldnt come right out and give me an obvious yes/answer. At which position did we no doubt get better at?

I like what the FO did in FA, but the draft is a different story. I think we got better at our 3rd wr and back-up OLB. If that's all you can take away from a draft, then I think the FO did a very poor job.

Combine that with our glaring needs at CB and S, they give up to 2 mid rd picks for next year w/out addressing those needs??????? Really makes me question whoever is making the calls.

In fairness to judge H&H post year ...
Gordon - good
TR- solid/potential
Hughes- solid
Winn- solid/potential
Weeden- struggling/potential
T Benjamin - solid
Schwartz- good/potential
Fort- solid/potential
JMJ- solid

All these players contributed and have potential. I know I'm missing someone.

Is there a rule against signing free agents after the draft?

nope... and I do believe we still have room in camp for more bodies

Then I don't think it is fair to judge the new guys when they haven't been given a full off-season to complete their objectives.

If we go out and sign Kerry Rhodes, Karlos Dansby, and Quentin Jammer tomorrow I'm guessing people would have a different view of the draft.

Very objective grades on last year's picks.

Now, I get why you don't think why we haven't improved at any position this year. LOL

I've been having fun listening to people on the radio who obviously don't follow the Browns or fully understand where they are, discussing the draft... it's pretty funny.

j/c

I simply don't get it. Browns draft is a bust because they turned down fourth round safety Shamarko Thomas!

I guess Banner/Lombardi/Farmer/Chud can salvage their careers quickly signing Quintin Mikell for a year!

Is this truly what people think a fourth and fifth rounder will break this team? Really?

Frankly I could care less what a bunch of TV guys say about a teams draft results. They are grading a team based on their individual draft board. With that said, Mel Kiper pretty much nails it with this...

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"I don't know if it's a good thing, per se, but the guy who will impact the Browns most in 2013 might not be the player they took at No. 6 overall," he wrote. "At No. 68 overall, they took Leon McFadden, a much-needed CB who knows how to operate on an island. As I look at the depth chart, I don't see a reason why McFadden can't break camp as the starter across from Joe Haden. That's not a small deal because it also maximizes Buster Skrine, who will be able to spend more time in the slot, where he's much better."

Consistent with his pre-draft evaluation, Kiper felt Mingo should've had more than 4.5 sacks last season despite drawing double teams and being asked to contain mobile quarterbacks instead of attack them at times.

He described Mingo as "a player I'm at once infatuated with as a talent, but skeptical of because of what I considered production that didn't match up with his talent. Now, Mingo adds depth at outside linebacker, but he's going to need some developmental work because he played with his hand on the ground at LSU. After that, there isn't a lot here that you'll see in 2013. Jamoris Slaughter could provide depth at safety. The lack of a second-round pick really hurt the Browns, who could have used a higher-rated guard -- though I do think Garrett Gilkey has the chance to start eventually -- and I thought would have been wise to add another inside linebacker. But Josh Gordon is developing and Davone Bess should provide Brandon Weeden with another solid target in the passing game. The hope is Mingo becomes a star, and McFadden can perform early. The good news is, both could happen."

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Mel brings up solid points. Mingo's numbers should have been better. Mel states he is skeptical. Fine, I can live with it. Compare that with Jarvis Jones and Dion Jordon both have medical concerns. Nobody from the top three was perfect. Lombardi is gambling the medical concerns are a bigger issue.

For the Milliner crowd, he too had medical concerns. In the end, Lombardi decision is take the healthy athletic player trusting his coaches can make it work.

Next year Lombardi needs to find better players than Shamarko Thomas in the third and Montori Hughes in the fourth. I'm thinking it may take a whole Saturday afternoon this fall to make that happen! BrowŸs already have better QB's than any available in the fourth round. They traded a third round QB, so people are saying get a fourth or fifth rounder as a replacement! How is that improving the roster?

For all you Shamarko fans, you do realize he was ranked 7-10 best safety. Troy Polamalu replacement...gosh I hope so! Last year full back was the critical area. I guess the make or break position this season is free safety!! What will it be next year long snapper? If these are the biggest areas of concern, Browns would have more than 5 wins every year.

Thanks for the reads...I love these Bozos n Draftnicks all I got to read to know they are idiots is...Why did we take Mingo when we already picked up KRUGER...ummm really like we only play football on ONE side of the field...are these guys joking??? That Kruger solved our inefficient pass rush??? Amazing what these guys come up with...oh we didn't take a QB

Back in '07 the Giants won the super bowl, in large part because they had 4 legit guys that could get pressure.. they had 3 guys with more than 9 sacks and Kiwanuka who was young and disruptive....

All of these guys keep saying we didn't fill our needs.. none of them suggest who we should have taken at 6 to "fill a need"... many of them, I even wonder if they have watched enough of the Browns to know what our needs are.... my guess is most look at stats, see what the national media says, then parrot that.

I especially like the ones that say our defense wasn't the problem last year, our offense was and we didn't address the offense.. we have JT, we have a 1st round center playing well, a 2nd round RT playing well, 2 2nd round WRs playing pretty well, a 1st round QB and a 1st round RB, all drafted in the last 3 years... other than possibly TE, where were we supposed to go at #6?

Kiper came right out n said we should have taken Eifert...yeah I'm sure we would have been praised for selecting a TE at #6... Kiper = seasonal Bozo lol

Who the hell wants to be fair?