Never too early 2014 top prospects

2014 potential 1st round picks

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If the just-completed draft was lacking in sexy players, 2014 could bring just what NFL fans are craving: Big names and big-time skill position players.

So tear up those 2013 mock drafts and start looking ahead to 2014. Here are 15 players who could be walking across that stage at Radio City Music Hall as first-round picks next year:

Jadeveon Clowney, defensive end, South Carolina: Clowney could have been the first player taken in 2013, but he wasn't old enough to leave school yet. It certainly isn't too early to begin picturing him as the No. 1 pick – the first defensive player to be drafted there since Mario Williams in 2006.

Teddy Bridgewater, quarterback, Louisville: Bridgewater, like Clowney, will only be a junior this fall, but he is already regarded as the best NFL quarterback prospect for the next year. Had he been able to leave after 2012, when he led Louisville to a Sugar Bowl win, he might have been the first quarterback in 2013 as well.

Marqise Lee, wide receiver, Southern California: Lee, who caught 118 passes for 1,721 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2012, won the Biletnikoff Award last year as the nation's best receiver. He easily could go higher than this year's first receiver – Tavon Austin at No. 8.

Jake Matthews, left tackle, Texas A&M: Matthews considered leaving the Aggies last year, but decided to stay for his senior year and replace 2013's No. 2 pick Luke Joeckel at left tackle. Matthews has a stellar NFL pedigree as the son of Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews.

Cyrus Kouandijo, left tackle, Alabama: If the Crimson Tide's former right tackle, D.J. Fluker, was a first-round pick in 2013 (to San Diego), Kouandijo could be an even more impressive prospect should he decide to enter the 2014 draft after his junior year. Kouandijo started every game for Alabama last season.

Sammy Watkins, wide receiver, Clemson: Watkins will get scrutinized by teams for character issues after serving a drug-related suspension for two games in 2012, but he has undeniable first-round talent. Watkins was a first-team All-America selection in 2011 as a true freshman.

David Fales, quarterback, San Jose State: You probably haven't heard of him yet, but Fales is already on the NFL's radar after completing more than 72 percent of his passes and throwing 31 touchdowns last season. At 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, Fales certainly looks the part of an NFL quarterback.

Bradley Roby, cornerback, Ohio State: Roby seriously considered entering the 2013 draft, but decided that with one more year in Columbus, he would be a more NFL-ready player next year – and one that could wind up in the top 15.

Taylor Lewan, offensive tackle, Michigan: The 2013 draft was all about the offensive lineman, yet Lewan decided to return for a fifth year in Ann Arbor despite being considered on par with Eric Fisher and Luke Joeckel. Hopefully for Lewan, he doesn't end up regretting his decision to play another year.

Kyle Van Noy, outside linebacker, Brigham Young: Van Noy had 13 sacks last season for the Cougars but needed another season to become a more NFL-ready player. With a similar season this fall, Van Noy could follow his friend Ziggy Ansah as a first-round pick.

C.J. Mosley, outside linebacker, Alabama: Nothing has become a better bet in recent years than Alabama defensive players going in the first round, and Mosley is expected to headline Alabama's next crop. Mosley has played well against spread offenses, a skill increasingly coveted by NFL defenses.

Anthony Barr, defensive end/outside linebacker, UCLA: A converted running back, Barr has a bright future as an NFL pass rusher, and attracted plenty of attention after recording 13 sacks in 2012. His UCLA defensive line teammate Datone Jones was a first-round pick in 2013 by Green Bay.

A.J. McCarron, quarterback, Alabama: We know McCarron can win, and he certainly seems primed to have more NFL success than his predecessors at Alabama. But who will get more predraft publicity: McCarron or his girlfriend, Katherine Webb?

Johnny Manziel, quarterback, Texas A&M: Manziel doesn't have the basic measurable of a classic NFL quarterback, but in this era of option football, and with the success of players like Russell Wilson, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner should be able to convince at least one team he's worth a first-round pick if he leaves after next season.

Tajh Boyd, quarterback, Clemson: If E.J. Manuel can be a first-round pick, why can't Boyd? Boyd would have been a mid-to-late pick in this draft, but by returning to school for his senior year, has the chance to significantly boost his draft stock.

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I'd throw in these names as well:

Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Washington
Stephon Tuitt, DT, Notre Dame
Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon
Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State
Loucheiz Purifoy, CB, Florida
Ed Reynolds, S, Stanford
Scott Chrichton, DE/OLB, Oregon State
Deshazor Everett, CB, Texas A&M
Aaron Colvin, CB, Oklahoma

If you don't have a franchise QB you need to get one. If there is one available and you have the need it precedes every other need or player.

(Not saying there is a franchise QB available next year, just in general.)

5 tackles isn't exactly getting owned for a DE.

If tackles were any indication whatsoever of how good a DE is you'd have a point. But it's not.

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If you are in position to draft a premium QB, I believe that you have to take it. (especially on a team like ours that has been starved for quality starting QB play)

Let's play the card that we are NOT drafting in the Top 3. Which means Weeden was solid. And I expect this to be the case. We win 8 games and sit 15th in the draft order.

You're NOT getting one of these guys at 15. No possible way if everyone thinks these guys are as good as a Franchise QB.

So. Weeden sits well in this offense that is tailored to his talent. We win 8 games. Are you willing to spend what it takes in draft picks to package a move up for a QB? And I'm talking to the #1 or #2 spots. And you can BANK that it will cost us our 2015 and 2016 1st rounders. PLUS.

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If Brandon Weeden does do well and we're able to win 6 or 7 games

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That's my biggest fear....that Weeden will have a mediocre or slightly better year. We still won't know what we've got, and he'll be 32 with question marks the following year. I sincerely hope he either lights it up or falls flat on his face.

I agree, but keep in mind that Weeden could have a great year and the team could still only win 6 or 7 games. QB is only 1 of several positions that are questionable at this point.

As for Y-Town's post above, I wouldn't be opposed to drafting a QB high next year (unless Weeden lights it up this year), but it would never be with the idea to sit him for 5 years. If you take a QB in the first round, I feel he should sit no more than 1. Best case scenario, you have trade bait in either the young guy or Weeden.

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we are NOT drafting in the Top 3. Which means Weeden was solid.

I like the prospects of Weeden...but last year as a rookie he didn't play well at all. And we picked #6 Overall. Too many dawgs believe all the Bozos who tell us that the Browns are #32 or #31 in the NFL...and yet there we are not playing to our best n we are #27. Don't get me wrong I ain't bragging about being # freaking 27

What I am saying is our team is young has some talent even without a Franchise QB WE JUST WON'T BE DRAFTING #1 or #2!

More than likely Bridgewater will be drafted Overall #1. Clowney or another QB #2 all depending who is there an who needs a QB. If there are legit Top 5 QBs they will go as it is the position that is the top priority for those who don't have. We aren't the Colts who SandBag a season at the right time to get a great QB. We fight too hard not to be the worst team and usually win just enough games to do just that.

At our worst case scenario - You can still forget Overall #1 or #2.

Best case scenario is to have Weeden do well n progress....somewhere in our drafting over the next 5 years a Good Prospect Steal will fall to us where we pull the trigger...2 - 4 rounds and we develop him with no rush as we have a Weeden playing well. Similar to a Kaepernick type of situation. Cause we just will not be that TEAM who needs a QB n are picking Overall #1 with a stud QB there for us...or a Clowney.

JMHO

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I'm sorry the more I watched that play it is not at all overhyped. Just a man destroying a bunch of children.

It was overhyped because the TE completely ignored him. It was even discussed after the game. Lewan, who handled Clowney pretty much all game, changed the blocking and the TE didn't hear him, so both players thought the other was picking him up.

Great hit and he is incredibly quick, but Clowney didn't do much that play other than run full speed ahead and blast a RB who is 5'5" and 170lbs.

First off it is my belief that the Browns will be in the quarterback market next year.

Weeden should show some improvement but in the end the talent is not there. The experiment will end.

Of course it is very early. A whole season to look out the windshield. I have watched some tape on three quarterbacks: Bridgewater, Boyd, and David Fales. Not enough to truly evaluate anybody.

First glance:

Boyd has quick feet and moves very well. Very athletic guy.

Bridgewater, watched a game against Florida. Very impressive. Big strong guy with a big arm.

Fales, watched a game against Stanford. Some good things, some bad. Need to see more of this guy.

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First off it is my belief that the Browns will be in the quarterback market next year.

Weeden should show some improvement but in the end the talent is not there. The experiment will end.

Of course it is very early. A whole season to look out the windshield. I have watched some tape on three quarterbacks: Bridgewater, Boyd, and David Fales. Not enough to truly evaluate anybody.

First glance:

Boyd has quick feet and moves very well. Very athletic guy.

Bridgewater, watched a game against Florida. Very impressive. Big strong guy with a big arm.

Fales, watched a game against Stanford. Some good things, some bad. Need to see more of this guy.

I agree I think we will be in the QB market, unless Weeden plays AMAZING. I think even if he plays decent or good and we win 7-8 games, I think the new regime will still want to draft "their guy".

Which Im not opposed to. Because with Weedens age, he will not be able to grow and progress with the rest of our young team. I kind of see him as a stop gap QB until we find the right one. But I think that we need to find the RIGHT one.

I like Weeden, but his age really makes me wonder why we would take him in the 1st round. If he were 5 years younger I would understand because I like his arm talent. But drafting a 30 year old in the first round is just idiotic to me. Your pretty much banking on him coming in and being good right away. Not giving him much room to progress in the NFL.

But I do think Weeden will be MUCH better this season in this offense, and hopefully Trent will step up. Nobody talks about it but Trent has a lot of proving to do this season. As far as Im concerned he was a much bigger disappointment last year than Weeden considering we got him at #3.

j/c

Two not-so-bold predictions:

1. Teddy Bridgewater goes #1 over Clowney because potential franchise QBs are more important to a team's success than all-time great DE/OLBs.

2. Anthony Barr is RG3 to Clowney's Luck and ends up having a comparable career. Barr is an absolute physical freak (smaller than Clowney but a bit faster) and is significantly more productive in college even though he's only been playing defense for one year. Clowney will go above him no matter what (similar to Luck), but thus far, Barr has been the better player and has just as much upside.

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Then the Weeden chapter will be closed for good and we can move on.

...And with ^that^ in mind:

'Cleveland Browns should take notice of bumper crop of college QBs in 2014: Doug Lesmerises analysis'

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2013/05/cleveland_browns_should_take_n.html

Note: There is videos at the above link.

By Doug Lesmerises, The Plain Dealer on May 11, 2013 at 2:39 PM, updated May 11, 2013 at 5:03 PM

OLUMBUS, Ohio -- Two college football teams have the best chance to make it through the 2013 season undefeated, thanks to solid talent, and more importantly, easy schedules.

Football fans in Ohio will have reason to watch both of them. One is Ohio State, home of Urban Meyer and Braxton Miller. The other is Louisville, home of Teddy Bridgewater, who should be on the radar to become the Browns' franchise quarterback.

By the 2014 draft, it will be past time for the Browns to take a shot at grabbing an elite QB, something they haven't tried since drafting Tim Couch with the first pick in 1999. And Bridgewater, for now, looks like the best option as a savior behind center.

Draft analyst Dane Brugler of CBSSports.com has released his early look at the top 50 prospects for next year and among quarterbacks has Bridgewater at No. 2 and Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd at No. 10.

Chris Burke at SI.com compiled his mock draft and put Bridgewater at No. 2, Boyd at No. 3, UCLA's Brett Hundley at No. 9 and Texas A&M Heisman winner Johnny Manziel at No. 18.

Pete Prisco, also of CBSSports.com, has Bridgewater at No. 1 in his mock, Boyd at No. 5 and David Fales of San Jose State at No. 16. Mel Kiper of ESPN has Bridgewater at No. 2 on his board of draft prospects for 2014, with Boyd at 21 and Manziel at 25.

By next April, the names will change. At least some of them. The year before his senior season, everyone knew Andrew Luck was going to be the No. 1 pick. No one knew Robert Griffin III was going to be No. 2.

In his senior season, Matt Barkley went from a franchise quarterback to a fourth-round afterthought. But the lack of quarterback interest in the first round in 2013 was unusual. In the previous 12 drafts, the first quarterback came off the board no later than the third pick.

It's time for the Browns to join that world again. Almost every other team has.

In the 14 NFL drafts since Couch was taken, 29 quarterbacks -- including E.J. Manuel, taken 16th by the Bills last month -- have been taken before the 20th pick. That's a bit of a arbitrary number, but it shows some dedication to taking a quarterback, as opposed to the Browns sort of falling into Brady Quinn and Brandon Weeden in the 20s in 2007 and 2012. Neither was even the Browns' first pick those years.

So they weren't the first priority.

Those 29 quarterbacks have been taken by 23 different teams. So in the last 14 years, only nine NFL teams haven't taken a real shot at a QB in the draft? Why? Seven of the nine managed to find quarterbacks through other avenues:

• New England (drafted Tom Brady in the sixth round);

• Green Bay (drafted Aaron Rodgers with the 28th pick);

• New Orleans (traded for Drew Brees);

• Chicago (traded for Jay Cutler);

• Dallas (hit on Tony Romo as an undrafted free agent);

• Philadelphia (drafted Donovan McNabb No. 2 in 1999, before our timeframe, then signed Michael Vick); and

• Seattle (hit on Russell Wilson as a third-round pick last year).

The other two are the Kansas City Chiefs and the Browns. Those two are a combined 48-112 over the last five years.

The Chiefs had the No. 1 pick this year and certainly would have taken a quarterback if there was one worth taking. It was their bad luck to hit rock bottom going into the worst QB draft since Chad Pennington was the first one taken at No. 18 in 2000. So Kansas City traded for former 49ers starter and overall No. 1 pick Alex Smith instead.

As for the Browns?

There is only one season to not take a quarterback very, very high in 2014. Brandon Weeden must be great this year. Not good. But carry-the-team great, no-doubt-he's-our-guy great.

Otherwise, the Browns should sell out to get a quarterback in 2014.

They've dabbled with Quinn and Colt McCoy and Weeden, expending valuable picks that could have provided starters at other positions. But they haven't gone all in on the most important position on the field since the Clinton years.

They've spent top-10 picks on the three other most important positions on the field:

• Left tackle (Joe Thomas, No. 3 in 2007);

• Shutdown corner (Joe Haden, No. 7 in 2010); and

• Pass rusher (Barkevious Mingo No. 6 this year, Courtney Brown No. 1 in 2000).

They've also tried a top-10 pick at every other offensive skill position:

• Running back (Trent Richardson, No. 3 in 2012);

• Receiver (Braylon Edwards, No. 3 in 2005); and

• Tight end (Kellen Winslow Jr, No. 6 in 2004).

They drafted defensive tackle Gerard Warren No. 3 in 2001, and traded the No. 5 pick in 2009 to draft center Alex Mack at No. 21. They traded the No. 6 pick in 2011 to draft defensive tackle Phil Taylor at No. 21. That's seven top-10 picks since Couch, and two others traded away. So nine shots, no quarterbacks.

While Couch was still proving whether he could be the guy, or not proving it, it made sense not to draft another quarterback with a high pick. But he hasn't been on the roster since 2003. While the Browns have since used 14 other quarterbacks -- Jeff Garcia and Trent Dilfer and Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson and Quinn and McCoy and Weeden -- they've passed on taking a quarterback high in the draft.

Certainly, not every QB drafted before pick No. 20 in the last 13 years has worked. David Carr, Joey Harrington, Vince Young, Matt Leinart and JaMarcus Russell have flamed out. At least those teams took a shot. 'Tis better to try for a franchise quarterback and miss than never to have tried at all.

Too many people point to the high-pick busts and think waiting for the late-round magic of Brady or Russell Wilson is the path to success. It's not. That's just luck.

The path to success is to target your guy, make your pick early and get your quarterback.

Vick, Carson Palmer, Byron Leftwich, Eli Manning, Phillip Rivers, Ben Roethlisberger, Smith, Cutler, Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco, Matthew Stafford, Mark Sanchez, Josh Freeman, Sam Bradford, Cam Newton, Blaine Gabbert, Christian Ponder, Luck, Griffin III and Ryan Tannehill have all turned into starting QBs after going in the top 20, to varying degrees of success.

But, for instance, do you think Sanchez -- taken with the No. 5 pick in 2009 that the Browns traded to the Jets -- is a bust? He's 33-29 as a starter in his four seasons in New York and reached two AFC title games. The Browns have won 19 games the last four years.

So this is overdue.

A 6-3, 220-pound Miami native, Bridgewater has two years of starting experience entering his junior season. He threw for 3,718 yards last year with 28 touchdowns and seven interceptions while completing 68.5 percent of his throws. It's reasonable to think he'll come out early if he's a top-10 pick. He's got the size and the tools.

Heisman winner Manziel is a completely different quarterback. At 6-1 and 200 pounds, and playing against better competition in the SEC, he threw for 3,706 yards with 26 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He completed 68 percent of his passes, and rushed for 1,409 yards and 21 touchdowns. Though he became the first freshman to win the Heisman, he was a redshirt freshman, so this will be his third season of college football. That means he could declare for the 2014 draft.

Whether it's one of them, or Boyd or Hundley or Fales or Georgia's Aaron Murray, some quarterback will emerge and be worth the risk.

It should be the Browns' risk.

The good news is that South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney is projected as the overall No. 1 pick. He'll be the guy. So the whole league won't be clamoring and climbing over each other for the best quarterback. But after taking Mingo, how could the Browns take Clowney?

By trading in this draft for an extra third-round pick and extra fourth-round pick in 2014, the Browns may already be gearing up to do what it takes to get their quarterback next year. This isn't a "Tank for Teddy" situation.

It's a "Be Ready to Get Your Quarterback" situation, no matter what the Browns' record is this season or what draft spot they get.

In 2012, it cost Washington a second-round pick and two future first-round picks to move up from No. 6 to No. 2 to take RG3. Worth it.

If it comes to it, it's time for the Browns to be that bold.

Actually, it's past time.

(end)

J/C

Terrell Suggs is the most dominating college DE I've ever seen.

I'm not sure what the guy is really trying to say here.

The Browns took Couch with the 1st overall pick in 1999.

They took Spergon Wynn in the 6th in 2000.

They did not take a QB in the 2001 and 2002 drafts. They tried the veteran Holcomb in 2003.

In 2004 the Browns brought in Jeff Garcia. In 2005 they brought in Trent Dilfer. Each QB was a reasonable option at the time. In addition to Dilfer, the Browns also drafted Charlie Frye in the 3rd round in 2005.

In 2006, we signed DA, IN 2007 we drafted Brady Quinn in the 1st round, and DA set the world on fire, before flaming out.

In 2008 and 2009, we were trying to find out about Quinn. In 2010, we drafted Colt McCoy, who the "experts" swore was an incredible steal in the 3rd round.

We then drafted Brandon Weeden in 2012.

So, from 1999 to 2012, the Browns drafted 3 different QB in the 1st round. They drafted 2 others in the 3rd round.

The signed veterans Garcia and Dilfer. (and Delhomme, for that matter)

The Browns also tried developing backups to become starters in DA and Holcomb.

However, disregarding those 2, the Browns, in 14 seasons, drafted 3 QB in the 1st round, signed a starting caliber QB in Jeff Garcia, and 2 other veterans in Dilfer and Delhomme. (each brought in to start) That is a significant investment in the QB position in 6 of 14 seasons. How many more QB should we have thrown on the pile?

The writer says that we are one of only 2 teams that " haven't taken a real shot at a QB in the draft". We spent 3 1st round picks on the QB position between 1999 and 2012. Even only counting those1st round picks, that's 3 taken in 14 drafts. How many more should we have taken? 4? 5? 10? Further, I'm not sure that taking a QB at #20 gives you a much better chance than taking one at 22. I also don't know what QBs he wanted the Browns to take?

In 2000, the Browns had Couch, and the only 1st round QB was Chad Pennington.

In 2001, the only 1st round QB was Vick, taken 2 spots before the Browns pick.

In 2002, David Carr and Joey Harrington came off the board prior to our pick. (Yea!) The other 1st round QB was Patrick Ramsey.

2003 saw Carson Palmer go 1st, Byron Leftwich go 7th, Kyle Boller go 19, Rex Grossman go 22, and Palmer, who was out of reach, was the only one I would want to have picked.

What about 2004? Eli Manning and Phillip Rivers went off the board before the Browns pick. They had no shot at either. The Browns could have, and probably, in retrospect, should have taken Roethlisberger. Other than that, the otther 1st round QB was Losman.

I'm not going to go through the rest of the drafts, but in many drafts the Browns simply did not have anyone to pick if they wanted a 1st round QB. They missed on Roethlisberger. That's a legitimate miss. Other than that, in the drafts I just outlined, they simply didn't have anyone to pick.

Further, when you pick a guy in the 1st round, you have to give him a chance before you jettison him for the next big thing.Through Brady Quinn, 1st round QB were more expensive. Couch received a 7 year, $48 million deal. (and that was 1999) The salary cap in 1999 was somewhere around $58 million. That was a consideration in each year until the new CBA took effect.

I do think that we should take a top QB if we have the chance to do so in this coming draft. I think that the value to the Browns is there. Even if the QB we take isn't our long term guy, he could have huge value in a trade.

I also had to laugh when the guy brought up Sanchez. A winner? Really? He was Alex Smith. He had a great run game and a great defense. When the jets tried to rely upon him more, he collapsed. Bleh. He would have been an even bigger bust here than he was in NY. If Sanchez is a pillar of QB virtue, then I want to live a very un-virtuous life.

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Only in Cleveland......the Sunday after the draft we're already thinking about next year's.

There are many sites projecting ahead at this time..Guess what? Scouts and GM's start looking at the next draft class very early.
Next class will be better and the Browns will be loaded with ammo to help themselves.

They're looking at those underclassmen at the same time they're scouting for the current draft. As you know, at the NFL level, there's no way to be proficient at evaluations if you take it one draft class at a time.

By the time the NFL regular season's over they've got their board set for the upcoming draft. Of course the tweak it and second guess themselves constantly but the board is effectively set.

They bring in some college players for a workout, not because they intend to draft a particular player but to get a good, close look at him for any future considerations.

Same with current pro players. They evaluate absolutely everyone under contract, their current contract status and how they could fit our own team. You can't wait until a need arises then go scrambling to find and evaluate someone to fill the need.

I'm sure they have their short list of players who will become FA next year and even the year after that. Maybe beyond, for players to keep an eye on.

Exactly. For these guys it never stops. It really can't if you want to get the leg up on the prospects.

We don't have any big time college programs around us...I know you OSU guys don't want to here this but cause of kids when they were young n their love for X-men...they started following the Wolverines...lol

Still we don't have a program that we follow real close. As a kid I always like LB u Penn State n Oklahoma Sooners.

But now I watch (DVR) college games mostly to see Individual Players...oh I enjoy the game I don't claim to be a scout of any sort. But I would like to watch games in hopes of finding the perfect prospect for my beloved Browns. I loved Greg Pruitt - I wanted us to get Leroy Hoard...those were draft day happiness for me. But I didn't really follow the draft stuff as a kid. Now I do thanks to the Internet I like others are better educated.

So in my Long winded way...I'm trying to state - Thanks for this thread hopefully it will be Archived (hint hint

) So that when Sept comes around we can look around at the TV schedules n set those DVRs to see games of some interesting college prospects.

Game films are the best to evaluate a player or two. So its always good to educate ourselves as fans.

The programs the Browns will be keying on is SEC ,especially Bama and Georgia since Lombardo likes Saban and his program .

Huh??? lol

Was talking about my kids establishing their favorite college team to follow n was on at my house every Sat. My kids are now 24 n 28 so we are talking YEARS AGO...lol

As for SEC, ABC, DEF....Football players come from all over. Just saying nice to see talk about prospects coming up so we can DVR them n look at the player. Don't care about conference just would like to see if they are the real deal or what. I wish to be educated in draft discussion. This past college season I didn't get to see much too many other things so I was pretty ignorant on most Prospects and had to rely on stats n Youtube stuff.

I prefer to look for myself n evaluate. Just to be a little educated. Just like back in Oct. 2011 I was sold on RG3 n hoping that he would be there for our Pick. Taping his games n loving him more n more...seeing him move up from 2nd round prospect to Mid round 1st to eventually out of our grasp

man was a bummer!

But I enjoy taping games - I don't care if its BYU to get a glimpse at a prospect like Ziggy...or Alabama who we know will have 3 to 4 guys going in the first round probably. Its about educating ourselves...that's all.

Not 2014, but this future beast will be in the 2015 draft.

Was talking about my kids establishing their favorite college team to follow

I'm trying to get my sons to do that.
My olderst likes OSU ..the youngest wants to root for whomever we are.
My 11month old likes basketball, she hasn't much football yet.But she will!

U ought to know I'm a college junkie, But I saw a Lombardi quote where he remarked if they could just draft Bama and Georgia players they're be all right.
The bulk of talent is in the SEC but there are plenty of other schools with some good talent.

Quote:

Was talking about my kids establishing their favorite college team to follow

I'm trying to get my sons to do that.
My olderst likes OSU ..the youngest wants to root for whomever we are.
My 11month old likes basketball, she hasn't much football yet.But she will!

U ought to know I'm a college junkie, But I saw a Lombardi quote where he remarked if they could just draft Bama and Georgia players they're be all right.
The bulk of talent is in the SEC but there are plenty of other schools with some good talent.

No doubt, and he got one of the SEC schools wrong, but I am headed off on a tanget.

I was talking to someone the other day and sort of said the same thing. I said I'd pick maybe 30 schools, and only draft players from there.

Yep, you might miss a talent here or there, but if you are playing the odds, which I would, you are probably better off with a 2nd teamer at Georgia as an example over some starter at El Paso State.

It wouldn't be a set rule. Every once in a while some kid really stands out.

I'd take kids from Florida over Georgia

Unless they're a quarterback....

Many seem to like to quote Lombardi from when he was a talking head. Of course we had our first draft n passed up on the Georgia LB n the Alabama CB...lol

Peen that is a move made by a team without scouts - where you have to limit your search. For a guy who never had an allegiance to a football conference (my school had club football) I see college football as a minor leagues to the Pros - but unlike baseball we don't draft them at 18. Football is America's sport (not freaking soccer they are trying to shove down our throats) Every H.S in America has a star player whether he pursues the game whether he was found by the SEC recruits. Every HS has a player or two who if they pursue the game Progress - Grow - get better by leaps n bounds who were not pursued by the SEC. Heck I was 16 when I played Varsity Football as a Senior. I always hoped I would have that one last growth spurt n grow 6inches - not to be - But I would have pursued Football in college not baseball if I did so. I heard of many who after recruiting days Stud out.

If you would like to profile Players...might as go a step back and say I will only bring in players who played HS Football in Florida, Texas n California. Of course we all know that OHIO n PA play football too. Now with the migrating n end of some conferences I do see the SEC getting bigger n stronger with schools coming in...who knows what it will be in 10 years?

JMHThinking out loud.

Something ironic is that you'd think the SEC would produce the best of the best players in the NFL.

Aaron Rodgers - PAC 10
Adrian Peterson - Big 12

Calvin Johnson - ACC
Larry Fitzgerald - Big East
AJ Green - SEC
Rob Gronkowski - PAC 10

Joe Thomas - Big 10
Jaheim Evans - Bloomsburg (no freaking clue)
Nick Mangold - Big 10
Carl Nicks - Big 10
Anthony Davis - Big East

Haloti Ngata - PAC 10
Vince Wilfork - ACC (or was it big east?)
JJ Watt - Big 10

Von Miller - Big 12 (when he was at A&M)
Patrick Willis - SEC
Luke Kuechley - ACC
Aldon Smith - Big 12 (when he was at Missouri)

Darrelle Revis - Big East
Earl Thomas - Big 12
Troy Polamalu - PAC 10
Richard Sherman - PAC 10

I think the best aspect of the SEC is coaches maximizing guys. However it usually means they have peaked before they play in the NFL.

Actually, he said LSU and Alabama:

Quote:

"The SEC is a whole different animal," he says in the story. "If all we did was take guys from Alabama and LSU, we'd be (flipping) great."

And I think it's crap. Guys bust from those schools just as much as they do from any other.

*edit* yeah, just saw Candyman's post. They really don't translate to dominate the NFL.

I do think it's safe to say the CBs of the SEC do fairly well, at the very least, in the NFL.

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I was talking to someone the other day and sort of said the same thing. I said I'd pick maybe 30 schools, and only draft players from there.

I've said the same thing (though I think 30 may even be too many)... you may miss out on the occasional Demarcus Ware type but you would probably always be pretty darn good at most positions. The one exception I would make is QB, rare elite talent QBs tend to not follow the pattern and pop up all over the place.

I agree with DC. How many of the NFLs elite QBs came from a powerhouse school? Brady and Manning? Flacco, Eli, Matt, Aaron, Drew, Ben, Tony, Phillip and etc. didn't come from powerhouse schools.

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I agree with DC. How many of the NFLs elite QBs came from a powerhouse school? Brady and Manning? Flacco, Eli, Matt, Aaron, Drew, Ben, Tony, Phillip and etc. didn't come from powerhouse schools.

One thing I know for certain - USC is golden when it comes to producing NFL Busts

I was thinking of the curse of OJ??? but then I am thinking you meant QBs??? As there is Palo n Matthews n Cushing doing rather well.

well, I did quote and reply to a post talking about QB's

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I agree with DC. How many of the NFLs elite QBs came from a powerhouse school? Brady and Manning? Flacco, Eli, Matt, Aaron, Drew, Ben, Tony, Phillip and etc. didn't come from powerhouse schools.

This is an interesting idea. Someone should start a thread about this.

First off, we have to debate which colleges are "elite," such as USC, Alabama, Florida, Ohio State, etc Then, we could discuss which universities are fairly well recognized, such as Purdue, Michigan State, South Carolina, Clemson, Maryland, etc. Then, we identify the lower tier colleges, such as Miami of Ohio, South Florida, New Mexico, Colorado State, etc.

Wonder what it will prove?

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I agree with DC. How many of the NFLs elite QBs came from a powerhouse school? Brady and Manning? Flacco, Eli, Matt, Aaron, Drew, Ben, Tony, Phillip and etc. didn't come from powerhouse schools.

This is an interesting idea. Someone should start a thread about this.

First off, we have to debate which colleges are "elite," such as USC, Alabama, Florida, Ohio State, etc Then, we could discuss which universities are fairly well recognized, such as Purdue, Michigan State, South Carolina, Clemson, Maryland, etc. Then, we identify the lower tier colleges, such as Miami of Ohio, South Florida, New Mexico, Colorado State, etc.

Wonder what it will prove?

I think a lot of it has to deal with guys have chips on their shoulders coming out of college because they played for a smaller school. They always have to prove themselves. Also they can carry traditionally weaker teams, which helps them as franchise QBs carrying a team. It also helps when you make the best out of what little talent you have around you.

Seriously, you should start a thread on it. It's an interesting concept.

I typically don't start threads. Besides, it was your idea.

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Wonder what it will prove?

Not much of anything one way or another, would be my guess

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Besides, it was your idea.

I'll let candyman run with it, but here's some information to digest. Taken from The Pigskin Report.(I am unable to post a link)...

The breakdown is from 1991 to 2010.

Top 15 # of players Drafted Top 15 # of NFL Starts

1. Miami (FLA)-117 Miami (FLA)-4568

2. Tennessee -116 Florida State-4416

3. Ohio State-115 Ohio State-3899

4. Florida State-114 Tennessee-3778

5. USC-110 Michigan- 3588

6. Florida-107 Notre Dame-3531

7. Notre Dame-105 Florida-3343

8. Nebraska-102 Georgia-3253

9. Penn State-94 Nebraska-3132

10. Michigan-91 USC-2864

11. Georgia-90 Penn State-2801

12. Oklahoma-82 Auburn-2704

13. Colorado-80 LSU-2662

14. Alabama-79 Texas-2619

15. Texas-77 Colorado-2583

Sorry for the spacing; it looks good until you preview it...

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If you are in position to draft a premium QB, I believe that you have to take it. (especially on a team like ours that has been starved for quality starting QB play)

I agree. You can always trade a QB at a permium, because there is always going to be somebody like us who needs one.

That said....I'd take Clowney over anybody. He is the player. A once every 40 years guy.....yes, I say 40 years. He throws the best of the SEC around like they are rag dolls.

Think Bruce Smith/LeRoy Selmon wrapped in to one.....maybe a little Randy White to boot. The guy looks like a good college player playing against a JV football team.

He does what he wants most of the time. Factor in he does it against top competition week after week and that tells me he is "The Deal".

Check this out....just look for the guy in Red who looks way bigger than anyone else , then watch him blow up the play....those with a eye will spot him inside 2 seconds.

can't think of anyone else that should be number #1 overall. anyone who passes on him will make the biggest mistake in nfl history.

Rich I don't know - Pass Rusher is an important position but nothing can compare to a true Overall #1 pick QB unless his name is Couch n Carr (of course with debate that an expansion team should never take QB) both were pummeled.

But for the most part its like do you wish to have Luck or Mario Williams. The most Recent at the perspective positions to go overall #1.

Just remember - Clowney has an amazing Hi-light reel but he is not perfect, definitely a great athlete.

I think Bridgewaters will be #1 I think that is his name - I picture him playing but I don't have a picture of his name in my head...lol

JMHO

j/c

Browns GM Michael Lombardi Tips His Hand on Direction of Future NFL Drafts and Free Agency

– Posted on May 24, 2013Posted in: Cleveland Browns, Draft

By Sam Ingro
Senior Writer

In one simple sentence, Michael Lombardi may have just given fans a hard indication of where they will be looking for player personnel moving forward in both free agency and the NFL Draft.

“The SEC,” Lombardi said in an article on grantland.com, “is a whole different animal. If all we did was take guys from Alabama and LSU, we’d be [expletive] great.”

Lombardi’s comments about how highly he thought of the Southeastern Conference were on full display in the 2013 NFL Draft. Thinking back, analysts predicted the Browns first-round pick was between Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner and LSU linebacker Barkevious Mingo, for good reason. The Browns’ front office pulled the trigger on Mingo and got their prize from the SEC they coveted.

That isn’t all that they have brought in from the NCAA powerhouse, however. In spring practices this season, the team has brought in many ex-SEC players, including: Tackle Chris Faulk (LSU), linebacker Kendrick Adams (LSU), cornerback Akeem Augusta (South Carolina), punter Spencer Lanning (South Carolina), wide receiver Tori Gurley (South Carolina), kicker Brandon Bogotay (Georgia), linebacker Quentin Groves (Auburn), safety Kenronte Walker (Missouri) and wide receiver David Nelson (Florida).

Considering the SEC is currently riding a seven-year BCS Championship title streak, it’s hard to argue with Lombardi’s logic. The conference has been absolutely dominant and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. The SEC is already set to crank out another premier prospect crop of talent in the 2014 NFL Draft, and you can be sure the Browns are watching them closely.

The SEC talent pool tentatively projected to go in the 2014 first round includes: Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (South Carolina), quarterback Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M), offensive tackle Jake Matthews (Texas A&M), cornerback Loucheiz Purifoy (Florida), quarterback A.J. McCarron (Alabama), offensive tackle Cyrus Kouandjio (Alabama), defensive tackle Anthony Johnson (LSU), defensive end Adrian Hubbard (Alabama), inside linebacker A.J. Johnson (Tennessee), safety Ha’Sean Clinton-Dix (Alabama) and offensive tackle Antonio Richardson (Tennessee).

It’s a bit ridiculous, and yes, the rest of the draft is stacked the exact same way. While Lombardi is at the helm, the Browns will continue to be actively involved in bringing in top SEC talent until they put a winner on the field. Establishing a winning culture in Cleveland comes from finding proven winners, and the players that they are bringing in certainly know how to do that. If you are looking to scout where your next crop of 2014 Cleveland Browns are coming from, thanks to Lombardi, you now have a good place to start.

http://www.buckeyestatesports.com/browns...nd-free-agency/

I think an interesting exercise would be to go back through the last 5 drafts, and pick any player only from the SEC available in each round after say, the 8th pick (25% of teams picking higher) and see how good of a roster you can make fully knowing the outcome of the player ahead of time, then compare that to current NFL teams.

That would be interesting. Will you do it?

j/c Let's start only with the Oline:

LT Thomas Tenn
LG Warford Kentucky
C Jones Bama
RG Warmack Bama
RT Fluker Bama

...and that is only this years draft, folks.

2008
1 - Jerrod Mayo MLB (Tennessee)
2 - Early Doucet WR (LSU)
3 - Andre Caldwell WR (Florida)
4 - Red Bryant DT (A&M)
5 - Matt Flynn QB (LSU)
6 - King Dunlap OT (Auburn)
7 - Steve Johnson WR (Kentucky)

2009
1 - Michael Oher OT (Ole Miss)
2 - Mike Wallace WR (Ole Miss)
3 - Arian Foster RB (Tennessee)
4 - Ramon Foster G (Tennessee)
5 - Captain Munnerlyn CB (South Carolina)
6 - Rick Jean-Francois DT (LSU)
7 - Ryan Succop K (South Carolina)

2010
1 - Markice Pouncey C (Florida)
2 - John Jerry G (Ole Miss)
3 - Aaron Hernandez TE (Florida)
4 - Geno Atkins DT (Georgia)
5 - Reshad Jones S (Georgia)
6 - Trindon Holliday KR (LSU)
7 - Jamar Chaney LB (Miss St)

2011
1 - Justin Houston DE (Georgia)
2 - Stevan Ridley RB (LSU)
3 - Ryan Mallet QB (Arkansas)
4 - Denarious Moore WR (Tennessee)
5 - Ahmad Black S (Florida)
6 - Greg McElroy QB (Alabama)
7 - Spencer Lanning P (South Carolina)

2012
1 - Stephon Gilmore CB (South Carolina)
2 - Cordy Glenn OT (Georgia)
3 - Ben Jones G (Georgia)
4 - Vick Ballard RB (Miss St)
5 - Blair Walsh K (Georgia)
6 - Danny Trevathan LB (Kentucky)
7 - Brad Smelley TE (Alabama)

2013
1 - Eric Reid S (LSU)
2 - Kevin Minter LB (LSU)
3 - Damontre Moore DE (A&M)
4 - Tyler Wilson QB (Arkansas)
5 - Devonte Holloman LB (South Carolina)
6 - Bacarri Rambo S (Georgia)
7 - Chris Gragg TE (Arkansas)

Would get a Lineup of
QB: Flynn, Mallet, Wilson, McElroy
RB: A. Foster, Ridley, Balard
WR: Wallace, Moore, Caldwell
WR: Johnson, Doucet
TE: Hernandez, Gragg, Smelley
LT: Glenn, Dunlap
LG: Jerry, R. Jones
C: Pouncey
RG: R. Foster, B. Jones
RT: Oher
K: Walsh, Succop

DE: Houston
DT: Atkins
DT: Bryant
DE: Jean-Francois
OLB: Minter, Trevathan
MLB: Mayo
OLB: Holloman, Chaney
CB: Munnerlyn
FS: Reid, Jones
SS: Black
CB: Gilmore

P: Lanning
KR: Holliday

Sure it's not a world beater lineup but it's not bad.

Thanks for doing all that work. I think the QB position looks to be very weak.

And there is no way to know you are going to pick the right SEC guy at the time. I like SEC players, but only picking SEC players would be ignorant.

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Only in Cleveland......the Sunday after the draft we're already thinking about next year's.

I normally don't start thinking draft until our record is 1-3. I hope this year I can really start forgetting about the draft.

Thanks for the article pblack...Funny thing though although it explains 25-35% of our UDFA or waived player signings to come in n get a shot. I'm pretty sure only Mingo was SEC in our DRAFTED Class of 5. But I can see a high concentration of our First n Second round picks (considered to be the two IMPACT Rounds) being of SEC guys. But I don't think we pass up on a higher valued prospect...just breaking a tie. For example I could see us having Jordan n Mingo valued very close together. The tie breaker (besides the shoulder of Jordan) could be SEC over PAC.

Hey no secret Alabama had a NFL like starting OL - just ask ND. But all these guys bringing in from UDFA or waived players. I'm like ehhhh cause it reminds me of Butch's little black book from HS prospects he recruited.

JMHO