DawgTalkers.net Forums The Archives 2015 NFL Season The NFL Draft 2015 Positions of need

The season is over and the draft is coming.... What positions do we draft/target in the up coming draft?

IMO our overall talent and depth is at the best its been in years. we still need some upgrades but we close to being able to draft bpa and not for need.

TE- Jordan is overrated and never healthy. We will probably lose him to fa.

WR- I love our young guys but we definitely need someone to overtake Austin and be able to fill in for Gordon.

S- We have 2 good safeties, but have very little depth behind them. Poyer made strides and Leonhard filled in nicely but I think its imperative to find the next guy up to replace Whitner in a couple years.

CB- I think its important to find a functional, doesnt need to be superstar, in every draft at CB.

OL - We have a nice starters but absolutely no depth.

DL- Like with CBs, We should be drafting a DL in every draft. At one point during the season we had 1 of our top 5 DL starting and went into one game with only 4 healthy DL. A 0 technique DT is important to find in this draft.

QB- Last but not least, I dont want Winston or Mariota. They say you learn from the past, well Lets not draft a kid with only 2 years college exp, who didnt play under center, who never huddled, who primarily played in a quick look first option offense using hand signals... i.e. Weeden/Manziel.

We are set at Long Snapper, which is nice.

Immediate starters...

Right Tackle - I'm tired of watching Schwartz get beat. Draft a right tackle (Brandon Schreff out of Iowa) in the 1st round somewhere. Move Schwartz to backup or let him compete for the right guard spot.

Wide Receiver - I like Hawkins and Gabriel but they're small and better suited for the slot. I have no idea what we're doing with Josh Gordon or Miles Austin. Either way, we're in desperate need of a big time receiver. If it were up to me we would go sign Cecil Shorts in free agency AND draft Jaelen Strong the WR out of Arizona State.

Defensive Tackle/Defensive End - I really like John Hughes, Phil Taylor and Desmond Bryant but collectively the group just sucked at stopping the run all year. We need another meat eater up front, maybe even two. I don't really think Sheard and Rubin are worth re-signing at this point. Go sign Dan Williams from Arizona and then draft another defensive tackle to add to the rotation. Seeing as injuries killed us we need to have 5 or 6 capable bodies on that defensive line.

Positions we need depth/competition...

Cornerback - If we lose Skrine we need to add another corner somewhere either via free agency (Kyle Wilson from New York) or draft one in the middle rounds somewhere. I'm hoping Skrine comes back but I do feel pretty good about Gilbert, Williams and Desir behind Haden.

Tightend - I think the Browns will be willing to make Cameron a fair offer, but won't pay him big time money due to his injury history. If we lose Cameron we'll need to sign someone else or draft somewhere. I wouldn't mind Charles Clay from Miami or going and drafting Devin Funchess from Michigan.

Right Guard - I think John Greco would benefit from playing next to a better right tackle, but he still isn't that great. I hope we go after that stud right guard from the 49ers in free agency, Isaputi (Spelling?). If we can upgrade the right guard spot then do it, if not we HAVE to upgrade the right tackle spot.

I could go either way...

Pass rusher - I'm not sure if we'll go after a pass rusher or stick with Kruger and Mingo. Mingo came on at the end of the year, as did Scott Solomon. We'll also be getting Phil Taylor and Armonty Bryant back healthy, so it wouldn't shock me if they don't think pass rusher is a big need.

Fullback - I didn't like Ray Agnew at all. Just use a 5th or 6th round draft pick on that fullback out of Alabama, Jaleston Fowler.

The million dollar question...

Quarterback - My gut tells me that Manziel will be back in Cleveland next season and at the very least will get to compete for the starting job. I sincerely believe (and hope) that we sign a veteran free agent quarterback to create REAL competition for him, or we draft Bryce Petty, the quarterback out of Baylor (whose my favorite prospect). If we go after a free agent quarterback I would have no issues with Mark Sanchez, Jake Locker or bringing Brian Hoyer back. I'm also not opposed to trading for Sam Bradford, Mike Glennon or Kirk Cousins. Either way, Manziel cannot be the ONLY guy next season.

Overall...

I think we have a very talented young team, but we still have some positions that need upgraded. If we come out of the offseason with only three or four free agents, I think we HAVE to address RT, WR and DE/DT more than anything. Those were our BIGGEST weaknesses this past season.

Our list of weaknesses is actually as small as it's been in a long time.

Hard to answer that. I mean, do we need someone to replace Gipson? Wjat of we resign him?

I guess outside of QB and another receiver and a couple of folks for the Oline, I can't decide. I don't know who will be leaving.

OLB
WR
DL
OL
K
TE
QB

1. QB. If you don't have one, you need one. We don't have one, but I don't think that we will be able to move up enough to be able to get a guy who can come in and start right away.

2. Pass Rushing DL. Look at how the Bills defense ran with Williams, Dareus and Hughes. Even with a 3-4 front as the base, I think that Pettine wants at least 1 major pass rushing threat on the DL.

3. Pass Rushing OLB. We have one in Kruger. We have a guy who can be a situational OLB in Mingo. We need another pass rushing threat at OLB. Frankly, if we can add 3 pass rushers in free agency and the draft, then I would be happy.

4. WR. Do I think that we need a 1st round pick here? No.I think that we can add a 2nd/3rd pick and have him be an effective addition. (as long as he gets the mental side as Gabriel did last year)

5. TE. I do not think that Cameron will be back. he is a valuable weapon, but he cannot block worth a darn. I think that we want a more rounded TE, but with better receiving ability than Dray and Barnidge.

6. ILB. A developmental guy with plus tools who can compete with Robertson when Dansby retires.

7. OL. This could flip with 5. I think that we want a developmental guy for the OL. I think that the team should always have a guy with physical skill who needs to develop. Our starting 5 proved to be darn good. I do not think that we need to replace any of them. For those who complain about Schwartz, how many "great" RT are there in the NFL? Not many. I strongly disagree that RT is somehow our biggest need. It's not even close. If a team has 5 capable to above starters on their OL, then they are doing well. We are doing better than that, and are actually doing darn well.

8. DB. Why? Because we can always add a quality DB. No team every has too many good DBs.

I agree with the whole post.

QB is the only NEED, I think.


After that, I'd look at OL, DL, TE, CB, OLB, ILB, SS, WR depending upon who/what is available when we pick.

We need to invest - somewhere, somehow - in a plus-level 6th man swing player.

For as deep as our DLine seemed coming out of preseason, it went to crap in a hurry.

TE could use some shoring up as insurance against losing Cameron.

CB is still a bit of a question mark with Gilbert & Skrine being the current faces of the future.

OLB should be listed higher... we don't have much.

ILB - we need to start thinking about reloading and building depth here. making a high investment here is definitely something to think about.

SS - ditto on the thinking ahead to reloading, Whitner isn't getting younger. He ain't over the hill, yet, but we shouldn't be wanting to wait until he's gone before starting to bring someone along.

WR - I'm seriously beginning to buy into the whole "you just need a bunch of guys" mentality, as long as they can run the routes they are supposed to and have decent hands. I'm not seeing the need for the prototypical "beast" player that everyone loves to fall in love with.

QB is a need.. from what Manziel showed this year.. he can not be trusted to have his head into anything but social media.

I think we need Defensive line.. yes we had depth.. and EVERYONE got hurt.. now we have several going FA. We do need run stoppers. There are good DTs in Free Agency. Would rather see us pick up a stud there, then draft a backup.

We need WRs.. maybe not the Superstud.. but do need good hands and height. Someone who can go up and pull down a throw above the CBs head.

resign Gipson.. Skrine

find some depth on the OL

beyond that.. BPA

So, this is based off of who the Brown's have under contract for next year. Asterisks mean I don't expect them to make the 53 man. Brackets mean offers for FAs (ours only). if it's in bold, it means I think it happens and is signed. If it is italics I think that it will not get signed. At the bottom is what it looks like we would have to add through the draft and free agency.

QB (2) -- Manziel, Shaw, [Hoyer -- 3 yr, $12 Mil]
RB (3) -- West, Crowell, Winston (FB?)
FB (0) --
WR (3) -- Hawkins, *Gordon*, Benjamin, Gabriel, *R. Smith*, *Bates*
TE (2) -- Dray, Barnidge, [Cameron - 5 yr, $33 Mil, $15 Mil guaranteed {Pitta, M. Lewis, Cook}]
OT (3) -- Thomas, Schwartz, *McQuistan*, Bowie, *A. McDonald*
OG (3) -- Bitonio, Greco, Painter
C  (2) -- Mack, *N. McDonald*, [Seymour - 2 yr RFA deal]

DL (5) -- D. Bryant, Taylor, Hughes, Winn, *Meder*, [Kitchen - 1 yr RFA deal]
OLB (3) -- Kruger, Mingo, A. Bryant, [Solomon - 2 yr, $4 Mil]
ILB (4) -- Dansby, Kirksey, Carder, [Robertson - 2 yr ERFA deal]
CB (4) -- Haden, Gilbert, Desir, Nelson, [Skrine - 4 yr, $20 Mil]
S  (4) -- Whitner, *Eubanks*, Poyer, [Gipson - 1 yr RFA deal], [Bademosi - 1 yr RFA deal]

K  (1) -- Hartley
P  (1) -- [Lanning - 1 yr RFA deal]
LS (1) -- Yount, *Hughlett*



18 offense
20 defense
3 specialists

41 total

+12 players for 53-man

+1 QB
+1 RB/FB
+3 WR
+1 TE
+1 OL

+2 DL
+1 OLB
+1 CB

+1 core ST

I believe the vast majority of us agree with that, YTown. It is our #1 priority! I don't know how we will obtain one; that is the job of our FO and why they get paid the bucks...

Re-sign...

Buster Skrine CB
Jordan Cameron TE (to short, low cost deal)
Miles Austin WR (short, low cost deal)
Tashaun Gipson FS
Craig Robertson ILB
Scott Solomon OLB
Brian Hoyer (short, low cost deal, let him compete again)

Free agency...

Cecil Shorts WR/Jacksonville.
Mike Iupati RG/San Francisco.
Dan Williams DT/Arizona
Charles Clay TE/Miami

Big splash free agent...

Brian Orakpo OLB/Washington - He's had some injury issues the last few years, which is why I bet Washington lets him test the market. Bring him in to start opposite of Paul Kruger. If he's healthy that would be a nasty combo rushing the edge together.

Draft...

1st Round - Brandon Schreff OT/Iowa
1st Round - Danny Shelton DT/Washington
2nd Round - Bryce Petty QB/Baylor (Might end up being worth a 1st round pick depending on pro-day/combine)
3rd Round - Dorial Green-Beckham WR/Oklahoma
4th Round - Stafan Diggs WR/KR/Maryland
4th Round - Ramik Wilson ILB/Georgia
5th Round - Durrell Eskridge FS/Syracuse (This kid is BIG at 6'3 and we need someone to replace Leonhard on the depth chart).
6th Round - Jaleston Fowler FB/Alabama
6th Round - Jared Roberts K/Colorado State
7th Round - Michael Dyer RB/Louisville

Stay put in the draft.

Take the BPA.

This right here would be a slam dunk of an offseason in my own personal opinion.

If we don't draft a QB in the 1st or 2nd round I think we HAVE to take a WR with one of our first three picks.

I only put that one in there because it is so self evident. I think that we will go after pass rushers 1st though.

I think your right but I hope your wrong.

We need skill players imho. WR,CB,TE

We put a lot into defense last year in the draft. The few we picked on offense turned out really well... except Manziel(verdict still out for my opinion on him).

I would invenst in a WR and TE in the first round. Then go CB, OLB, or G/T in the 2nd.

Who do you see as a first rounder at TE? I think Maxx from Minnesota is overrated, but a lot of people like him.

It is my opinion (for whatever it is worth!) that a lot depends on whether we stick to a 3-4 defence. Assuming that we do and that we don't package picks to move up (Heaven forbid that happens) then I would go WR and NT in the first and a versitle OL guy (Cameron Ewing?) in the 2nd. After that - depth.

Maxx is nice but im with you as being overrated. Not sure who I'd take but I feel its a definite need to target someone that high if its not reaching too far. We really lack someone who can stretch the middle and can block on this team. Jordan was absolute horrible blocker and he is always injured.

I know I am a Alabama homer, but here goes:

Fowler from Alabama would solve our FB need big time. Not only can he block, but he can actually run and catch the football effectively.

We also need a punt and kick returner desperately!
Christion Jones from Alabama could help, but he had a pretty bad senior season.

I would love for us to get Amari Cooper somehow. He and Gordon (if he is even here) could be an awesome combo. We would have a great slot receiver in Hawkins.

Got to find a QB. I have already given up on Manziel for now. I sure wish we could make a big splash and sign Cutler or Bradford.

Need a LB and OL to groom.

Why do you people worry about TE? I like Dray and Barnidge a lot! They can both block and catch. If Cameron will sign with us great, but I don't see it happening. I think he will want too much and we know about his health and blocking issues.

We must sign Skrine and Gipson. Not signing them cannot be an option.

I like our current roster of LB's and DLmen. When all are healthy, I think we are ok.

1a Amari Cooper WR
1b Best OT available
Best player available the rest of the way with a late round pick of
Fowler.

Dray and Barnidge dont stretch the field. If we have a valid threat at TE, then it puts pressure on the safeties on who to double/cover. TE threat = more 1on1 coverage for our WRs

As far as Tight Ends go I'm not sure who some of the top prospects in this years draft is. I wouldn't be opposed to taking Devin Funchess who is kind of a WR/TE hybrid cause of his big frame. Having him AND Cameron on the field as receivers could be really dangerous. If Funchess were on the board in the 2nd round I could justify Farmer taking him.

I'm on hold in regards to O needs. I think a lot will depend on who will be running our new O. How do they use the TE position? What do they think the importance of a big #1 WR?

Until we know who will be running the O and what they use as their major weapons, I'm not sure we can accurately say what our targets are more likely to be.

JMHO

j/c

Kansas City Chiefs signed Terrelle Pryor. Hmmm, I wonder if they plan on trading QB Chase Daniels.

I'd rather have Murray or Bray personally.

[quote]Right Tackle - I'm tired of watching Schwartz get beat.[quote/]

I think RT is near the bottom as far as OL is concerned, really I feel MS had a over-all better year than Joe. How many times did Joe have a false start or a hold that brought back a good run or pass? Quite a few. Mitchell's not perfect but he is more than good enough, it would be a waste of a 1st rd. pick on OL, maybe another G in the 2nd.

Joe Thomas had 9 penalties, and gave up 3 sacks...

In 16 games...

Sure, a little more than usual as he was learning his 3rd system in 3-years, but still a VERY GOOD year overall.

Schwartz has been a weak link since 2012 when he was drafted. He just hasn't panned out or been consistent. I have no clue how we can justify keeping him as a starter unless it's at RG.

I also consider what we do in the FA market. That's why I really don't get caught up in a lot of the draft talk until we have signed our FA's. Often times that dictates our needs. I don't mind the draft forum being up and people speculating, but to me often times some of it ends up being an exercise in futility.

You say he was learning his 3rd system in 3 yrs. So was MS. I just don't see the big need as you do. To each his own.

We need very soon to think about Joe Thomas's successor. I would not be adverse to taking the best OT (if the value/skillsrt/potential is there) in the 1st along with a WR with our other 1st. A versatile OG/OC such as Cameron Ewing (Seminoles) in the 2nd followed by...

Im with you on this but I disagree with most on Schwartz. He still young and has showed he can play. I wouldnt use a 1st rd pick on the oline this year either. We need weapons.

I would prefer to draft a run plowing RG in the 2nd or 3rd. I just think we should focus more on replacing Greco right now and not Thomas.

Paco, I agree with you about Schwartz, I thought he really improved over his rookie year, and I also agree on not drafting OL in the 1st, maybe 3rd rd ...

Schwartz is freakin god awful. Have to get a RT either first or second round!

I don't think you draft a T with "the plan" that he's the guy that will eventually take over for Joe. Because I don't even think Joe knows how much longer he's going to play...

And here's the thing..

If you get a Great, maybe even a Good QB.. That makes your O Line "better" and the "need" for a Future HoF LT can be pushed down the list..

I'd love a big TE with good hands ..seems like teams that are trying to get better and improve quickly have a big TE that can catch and make big plays down the field - due to LB mismatches. IF we start JM or a new QB having a TE in the middle of the field would be a huge asset on those 3rd and longs...

Free Agent TEs (guys I'd be interested in Bold)

Alex Smith TE 32 CIN TBD $635,000 UFA
Andre Smith TE 26 CLE TBD $333,000 RFA
Anthony McCoy TE 27 SEA TBD $1,350,000 UFA
Aron White TE 26 ATL TBD - RFA
Bear Pascoe TE 28 ATL TBD $570,000 UFA
Brett Brackett TE 27 TEN TBD $183,882 ERFA
Brian Leonhardt TE 24 OAK TBD $420,000 ERFA
Brian Linthicum TE 27 NYG TBD - RFA
Charles Clay TE 25 MIA TBD $1,459,000 UFA
Chase Coffman TE 28 TEN TBD $469,411 UFA
Collin Franklin TE 26 TB TBD - RFA
Daniel Fells TE 31 NYG TBD $570,000 UFA
Dante Rosario TE 30 CHI TBD $570,000 UFA
David Ausberry TE 27 OAK TBD $656,475 UFA
Demetrius Harris TE 23 KC TBD $371,824 ERFA
Ed Dickson TE 27 CAR TBD $635,000 UFA
Fendi Onobun TE 28 JAC TBD $333,000 UFA
Garrett Celek TE 26 SF TBD $572,000 RFA
Jacob Tamme TE 29 DEN TBD $2,200,000 UFA
Jermaine Gresham TE 26 CIN TBD $4,832,000 UFA
Jordan Cameron TE 26 CLE TBD $1,550,350 UFA
Julius Thomas TE 26 DEN TBD $741,000 UFA
Kellen Davis TE 29 DET TBD $100,588 UFA
Kevin Brock TE 28 CIN TBD $436,764 RFA
Lance Kendricks TE 26 STL TBD $1,344,614 UFA
Larry Donnell TE 26 NYG TBD $495,000 ERFA
Lee Smith TE 27 BUF TBD $688,401 UFA
Luke Stocker TE 26 TB TBD $763,172 UFA
Matt Spaeth TE 31 PIT TBD $1,037,500 UFA
Matthew Mulligan TE 29 TEN TBD $67,508 UFA
Michael Palmer TE 26 PIT TBD $570,000 UFA
Niles Paul TE 25 WAS TBD $690,413 UFA
Owen Daniels TE 32 BAL TBD $1,000,000 UFA
Phillip Supernaw TE 24 BAL TBD $98,823 ERFA
Richard Gordon TE 27 KC TBD $151,764 UFA
Robert Housler TE 26 ARI TBD $1,602,023 UFA
Steve Maneri TE 26 NE TBD $67,058 UFA
Tony Moeaki TE 27 SEA TBD $303,529 UFA
Virgil Green TE 26 DEN TBD $661,236 UFA
Zach Miller TE 30 CHI TBD $373,000 UFA

I change my mind daily, but today I am thinking that since Farmer is green, and he completely blew the first round last year, I would like to see him play it safe and go front seven and/or OL in the first round. If we got Danny Shelton and a linebacker or edge rusher, and they both stepped in right away, we would have a dominant defense. We are much closer to having a dominant defense that and good offense. And I would love to watch the Browns sacking Ben and Flacco and just beating up on out=r opponents while we figure out the QB thing.

We need a guy to put opposite of Kruger, and someone in the middle who can dominate the point of attack.

Then we need a WR that doesn't get high and is over 5'9'

Then we need to build some depth on the Oline. I would start looking at LTs. Joe isn't going to be here forever, and a gaurd like Bitonio for the other side.

If you are saying Cameron is overrated then I think he is underrated. He is one of the most talented players at his position in the league. I franchise him and get him to stick around for at least one more year.

I think the wide receiver position will be addressed this off-season in one way or another. Josh Gordon cannot be relied upon (if he is even here).

While finding Whitner's eventual replacement might be nice, I don't think it can be classified as a need. Leonhard filled in admirably for Gipson when he was out and we got him off the scrap heap.

We need a punter and a fullback. Although we currently don't know what type of offense we will be running, so we may not need a fullback. Lanning is not good. There has to be better players than him available at his position.