Last numbers are ranked rounds. First numbers overall rank.
Given the cap space and no firm options for replacement I really do not see the logic in not signing him for another year; then draft a guy who will be his replacement and groom him for the position.
To my way of thinking they created a big whole with no ideal fix.
I like Skov the most out of all of them. It's kind of to the point with me where if we don't get him the draft is a failure. Three guys not on the list that have starter ability (from the same resource):
175 Preston Brown ILB 7 Louisville Sr 6-1 251 5-6 214 Max Bullough ILB 9 Michigan State Sr 6-4 249 6-7 362 Caleb Lavey ILB 18 Oklahoma State Sr 6-2 235 ––
Lavey is not fast but might be the best at diagnosing the plays in the draft. He was always making plays for Oklahoma State.
Here are some guys that are listed as OLBs but are 3-4 WILB candidates, too...
31 *Ryan Shazier OLB 3 Ohio State Jr 6-1 237 1-2 93 Christian Kirksey OLB 9 Iowa Sr 6-2 233 3 116 Jordan Tripp OLB 11 Montana rSr 6-3 234 3-4 169 Kevin Pierre-Louis OLB 16 Boston College Sr 6-0 232 5-6
I want to see us draft two ILBs. If all these WRs jumping up were to cause Mosely to fall to 26, grabbing him and Skov at 3a would be awesome to me. Add a QB at 4 and WR at 37 and that's pretty much the perfect draft in my eyes.
I think there are a few pretty solid guys in free agency too: Brandon Spikes (NE), Daryl Smith (BAL), Karlos Dansby (AZ) and Akeem Jordan (KC). All these guys could be good starters for sure.
Even Paris Lenon (DEN) or Nick Barnett (WAS) could be good vets/fight for starting jobs.
I think we get one or two guys from free agency and one or two rookies we will be fine.
If I had my way I'd like to sign Daryl Smith, Paris Lenon and draft Skov and Barrow.
Quote: I like Skov the most out of all of them. It's kind of to the point with me where if we don't get him the draft is a failure.
I'm with you here, but even Skov has some red flags: coverage ability and medical (knee). If he checks out medically, which he won't 100%, he's as close to Brian Cushing as it gets in this draft.
There are no real Instant 3 down ILB in this draft imho, but that could almost be said about any draft as those guys need to develop into three down players with experience. Anyway, if we let Ward go and with the departure of DQ, it's become mandatory to add an instinctive, smart, gap filling SILB be it Spikes in FA or one of Skov or Bullough via draft.
Then, we can look at ILB/OLB/SS tweeners like Moats in FA or Kirksey, Ch.Jones, P.Brown or Barrow.
I'd also retain Robertson as a cheap ERFA. I think we've seen his worst last season, as he was mentally beat up. I could see him reclaim the WILB job. At worst he's good, experienced depth at minimum money.
I'd stay away from Shazier and Smallwood and am still torn on Mosley and Borland.
My plan would be a cheap reclamation guy like Bishop for SILB in FA and then go one of Skov/Bullough and Kirksey/Jones/Brown in the 3rd to 5th range
#gmstrong
"Players come along at different points in time" - Ray Farmer
I think we'll end up signing Moats in free agency. He's a known quantity by the coaching staff, and will not be expensive. I think we'll end up with 2 more via FA/draft as well, as Moats is a fill-in, and not likely a long term starter.
We might have to think a little out of the box here. MLB is a major need, we need speed, a hitter & someone that can cover. Kyle Van Noy, BYU, & yes I know he is listed as an OLB. If you take a look on You Tube, he played everywhere. He has excellent size, speed, cover skills, with vg sideline to sideline movement, & he'll be there at 35.
Quote: I think we'll end up signing Moats in free agency. He's a known quantity by the coaching staff, and will not be expensive. I think we'll end up with 2 more via FA/draft as well, as Moats is a fill-in, and not likely a long term starter.
I agree with you that Moats will be someone we target in FA. Another possibility is Jameel McClain. He was a LB with Pettine his rookie year. I think he would be a solid pickup to replace DQ.
By Jeff Schudel, The Morning Journal & The News-Herald POSTED: 03/04/14, 6:48 PM EST
Another day, another big Mack for the Browns.
One day after putting the transition tag on center Alex Mack, the Browns were inside the Buffalo Bills fieldhouse on March 4 for a close look at University of Buffalo linebacker Khalil Mack during the Bulls’ Pro Day.
The Browns made the decision on Alex Mack alone in an upstairs office at team headquarters in Berea. They were not alone to watch Khalil Mack’s dazzling indoor workout. Coaches or front-office personnel from all 32 teams were there to see how Mack would run and perform in linebacker drills.
Representing the Browns were head coach Mike Pettine and defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil. They did not need a map to get around because Pettine was the Bills’ defensive coordinator and O’Neil their linebackers coach in 2013.
Mack posted 94 tackles, 21 tackles for loss and eight sacks in 2013 for the Bulls. He opened eyes in Buffalo’s game against Ohio State when he had nine tackles, 2.5 sacks and returned an interception for a touchdown. “He’s as advertised,” Pettine told the Buffalo News. “He’s not just a guy that looks the part. He’s an explosive athlete. He’s had production — one of his best games was against Ohio State — that’s something you have to factor into it. This is a rare guy. You watch it, and he jumps off the tape.”
Mack, 6-foot-2 1/2, 251 pounds, might be available when the Browns make the fourth pick in the draft on May 8, but here is the dilemma: He plays outside linebacker. The Browns are in good shape outside with Jabaal Sheard, Paul Kruger and Barkevious Mingo. They need inside linebackers because they cut D’Qwell Jackson and are expected to seek an upgrade from Craig Robertson, who, like Jackson, started all 16 games at inside linebacker in 2013.
Pettine has been vague about what the Browns base defense will look like in 2014. He said it could be a 4-3 or a 3-4 depending on the opponent and the players they acquire through free agency and the draft. Mack at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis last month said he could play end in a four-man line.
“I don’t want to limit myself to just playing one specific thing,” Mack said in Indianapolis. “I feel like that’s the biggest thing for me. I work outwith the defensive ends, I work out with the linebackers, I also go over and work out with the DBs — just to stay fresh.
“I work hard, and I want to stay loose and don’t want to put a limit on myself.” Mack is unlikely to be switched inside. He and Jadaveon Clowney from South Carolina are regarded as the best pass rushers in the draft. Mack would not compare himself to any linebacker in the NFL, but he said he looks up to Von Miller from the Broncos, Clay Matthews III from the Packers and Aldon Smith from the 49ers.
Mack ran a 4.65 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis last month. It isn’t a bad time, but he was determined to do better and succeeded.
Adam Schefter of ESPN did not attend the workout on March 4, but reported a scout texted him that Mack ran a 4.45 40. Other stopwatches clocked him at 4.53 or 4.55. Either way, he chopped off a tenth-of-a-second on his combine time of 4.65. To scouts, that’s like cutting drive time to work by 30 minutes without moving to a new home or different job.
“I knew I wanted to do the 40 coming in after the combine,” Mack said after his Pro Day workout. “Based on the time that I had, I knew it was important for me and my confidence to go back out and try to get under 4.6, which I knew I’m capable of doing. I decided to do the drills because you can always get work in, especially if there are 32 teams watching.”
Mike Mayock, draft analyst for the NFL Network, said Mack could be the first player drafted.
I 100% agree, that's also why I picked the Oregon game for Skov. Without a doubt one of the fastest teams in country. Skov's timing as an inside blitzer is impeccable.
Again, with Skov, it's all about his medical and we don't have access to that info. If it's bad (torn ACL in 2011), then he will be a day 3 flyer for some team or a mid/late 3rd at best.
What also pushes his "value" down is that many only see him as a fit for 3-4 schemes, which I think is a mistake, but 4-3 LBs have to be more balanced and Skov's weaknesses/strengths do make him more of a 3-4 fit, so teams running that scheme will have him higher.
As for Hyde or Skov: to answer that question you also have to add FAs and draft depth into the equation...and the RB market is much deeper there than ILB imho, so the VALUE question becomes: what's the drop off from Hyde to the next tier of RBs (and FAs). Same with Skov.
I have both in my top 50 for sure, but 26/35 is probably pushing it, although I would not be mad, as both are solid players, but I think it would not be the best value. Best case would be Hyde at 71 and Skov at 83. I would even part with a 4th if that's what it takes to get both. Another scenario, which I prefer, would be to trade dwon from 35 or 26 for a(n) additional mid rounder(s). Both are good enough and day one ready to be good value as our 3rd selection, but if we get them further down in the 2nd AND get an additional pick or two, that'd be squeezing out the best value out of our pick slots imho.
Both those picks, 26th and 35th especially are very attractive trading chips. There's ALWAYS a team who has one of their top 10/15 guys sitting there at 26 or even 35 (especially when they have a night to think and negotiate about it) and who are willing to give you a fortune (as much as a future 1st) for a trade down to high/mid 2nd. I'd be VERY surprised if we stay put with both of those picks. We'll either use them to trade up for a QB. If we get that QB without a trade up, we could be that team trading up again for one of our top 10 targets dropping into the teens (Mosley? Evans?).....OR as I said, trade down. The best value for those picks will be as trade pieces imho
#gmstrong
"Players come along at different points in time" - Ray Farmer
Quote: Given the cap space and no firm options for replacement I really do not see the logic in not signing him for another year; then draft a guy who will be his replacement and groom him for the position.
All reports are that DQ wanted to leave, not that the team wanted him gone.Him leaving was his doing.
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