May 22, 2013

NFL Draft: RB David Wilson to Visit Cleveland

March 22, 2012 by 33 Comments

Though free agents have apparently been steering clear of Berea, reports are circulating that place Virginia Tech running back David Wilson in front of Mike Holmgren and company in early April.

According to Scout.com’s Aaron Wilson, the draft hopeful will visit both the Browns as well as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, owners of the fourth- and fifth-overall picks in the upcoming NFL Draft, respectively. Wilson will also visit the Atlanta Falcons, but their first-round pick belongs to Cleveland following last year’s trade wherein the Falcons subsequently acquired wide receiver Julio Jones.

The 5-foot-10, 205-pound Wilson ran the 40-yard dash in the mid 4.3 range during his campus Pro Day.  He rushed for 1,709 yards last season, his junior campaign, amassing nine touchdowns and  averaging 5.9 yards per carry. Wilson was named first-team all-conference, second-team All-American and Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year.

With Alabama’s Trent Richardson a lock to be the first running back selected this spring, Wilson could very well be the second ball-carrier off of the board. With Peyton Hillis signing a one-year contract in Kansas City and free agent options dwindling, the Browns could very well be a player in the running back market come draft day.

[Related: A simple solution for Mike Holmgren and the Browns]

(Source: Scout.com)

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  • Eric G

    Especially now that Mike Bush is gonzo. Really? The Bears? Forte isn’t enough? Sure, he’s not “signed” yet, but I’m sure he will. And this just means another seemingly good FA that the FO missed out on. #FaithIsDwindling.

  • MrCleaveland

    “Though free agents have apparently been steering clear of Berea . . .”

    I don’t think that’s the problem. I think the problem is that they aren’t being invited to visit Berea. 

  • http://twitter.com/MHPshow Melissa @ MSNBC

    …

  • mgbode

    Lamar Miller or David Wilson.  That is the question.  I’ve seen more Miller and I really like him.  Interesting question for our FO to answer though (assuming they even have that choice at some point).

  • http://1369lightbulbs.com/ Jamil Smith

    Forget all these games. Pick Trent Richardson, the best player that will be left on the board, and use the 22nd pick and the 2nd rounder to bolster other areas. Get the star for once. 

  • BisonDeleSightings

    I’d much prefer Wilson at #22 over Richardson at #4.

  • Vindictive_Pat

    I have a pretty huge man-crush on David Wilson, as some of you know.  I mean, he ran down a rabbit on the VT drillfield and caught it.  That’s sweet.  Besides his stellar personality and parlor tricks… he has crazy athleticism, breaks tackles at a high rate, and can catch the ball well (VT’s offense has never thrown to running backs very much, but when they did Wilson showed good hands).  He put up big numbers behind an offensive line that really was one of the worst in the ACC last year.  I know I’m a homer, but I don’t see a lot of downside with him… maybe that he fumbled the ball too much last year, but that can be corrected.  His fumbles were the result of valuing an extra couple of yards over ball security.

  • TSR3000

    I’m with you.  T Rich a stud.  Grab him and then the best WR left at 22. 

  • TSR3000

    I respect that but the WR pool is so much deeper and I think Richardson’s ceiling is higher than Blackmon’s. 

  • http://www.cinpleweb.com/ stin4u

    I’m gonna go all Mel Kiper and say that’s the better “value pick”. Agreed.

  • Jaker

    I would like T Rich if we could get Floyd at 22, but after him I’m not sold on any WR’s. I’d rather have JB and a Wilson/Miller/Martin rather than TRich and  Hill or Wright.

  • TheRobot57

    Why pick Richardson when we haven’t seen him run? Wilson or Miller is the best bet and are worth where we can get them.

  • mgbode

    I like Sanu.  But I agree that the gulf between Blackmon and Sanu is greater than Richardson and Miller/Wilson

  • jewpants

    no way they should take Richardson #4 – no RB should go that early bc their short careers, plus he’s had knee surgery. yikes.  It’s Claiborne or trade down.  Blackmon is far from a stud and the next 3-5 WRs are pretty comparable to take who evers left at 22 or 36. 
    Where do we think Wilson is getting drafted?

  • mgbode

    I love how we all are coming back to the same conclusions.  If I can interject that we also need a RT (I think we all agree there as well), then we need to come up with WR/RB/RT in some fashion with our first 3 picks.

    Blackmon/WilsonORMiller/Osemele
    Richardson/Sanu/Osemele
    Kalil/Sanu/BPA-RB (could still be Wilson or Miller or Martin or Polk)

    It just depends which of those guys are your favorites.

    #WeWillFixQBLater

  • TSR3000

    I am satisfied with Richardson’s success against SEC schools throughout his career. I think he is as close to a sure thing as anyone in the draft.

  • TSR3000

    I vote option #2 then option #1.  I just don’t believe Kalil will be an option.  

  • The_Real_Shamrock

    Richardson’s injury history and the fact he’s coming off knee surgery make me pause but it would be a killer to pass on an elite RB for the second time.  The first being when Joe Thomas was selected over Adrian Peterson.  Love Thomas but Peterson was a beast. 

    Maybe they could trade a TE since they have 4 and don’t know how to use more then one at a time.

    Whatever the combination if it’s Richardson/Floyd/OT or Blackmon/Wilson/OT or Kalil/WR/RB or even Claiborne/WR/RB I’d be happy.

  • TheRobot57

    Except for injuries…

  • Hypno_Toad

    I’m still on the Cedric Benson bandwagon. He’s out there. Somewhat similar style to our boy Peyton but, and here’s the kicker, he’s proven it over multiple seasons.

    Let’s just hope he and Frostee don’t go to the casino together.

  • TheRobot57

    Even Peterson hasn’t been able to make the Vikings decent. Running backs are overrated. Kalil or Blackmon make the most sense at that spot.

  • mgbode

    how much did Calvin make the Lions decent before they had a more solid base of a team around him?

    you can’t draft magic beans

  • Kildawg

    If Kalil is available at #4, I think the Browns should trade down to some team desperate for LT (St Louis, etc.) We should still have a decent pick plus the #22 and another #1 next year.

  • TheRobot57

    That more solid base of a team didn’t include a stud RB though. The passing game is what’s important, especially in our division. At the 4th pick you have to make your team much better than you do at 22 or later, so a RB doesn’t seem to make your team as good as a QB, WR or even a T.

  • Co811809

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeCSlinagXc Cool video of Wilson. wouldnt mind him

  • Co811809

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeCSlinagXc Cool video of Wilson. wouldnt mind him

  • Foghorn Leghorn

    I just saw on ESPN that Forte is none too happy with the Bears.  The Bush signing might be the sign that they dont plan to pay the man.  Matt, you are more than welcome to come to Cleveland.  We’re also the “Good Guys” and we’ve been finishing last for years!

  • Team Brady

    no way!  Wake alum here!  Proud of you!

  • Eric G

    You’re forgetting taking Gerrard Warren over LaDainian in ’01. The Browns are awesome at neglecting talented RBs.

  • Eric G

    As delightful as that would be, he is franchised, so he can’t sign anywhere else. For this year, at least.

  • Jewpants

    40% incoherent

  • mgbode

    i agree on a whole passing game is more important overall.  doesn’t mean it has to be for any particular team, but a WCO will lean on it.

    strange you selected a division that in 2010 had 4 of the best 8 backs in the NFL – and may have last year too except for injuries.  NFCN proves that point better. GB and Detroit made the playoffs, Chicago was in line until Cutler got hurt.  Minny w/ Adrian Peterson was in the cellar.

  • Brownstowner

    Like Wilson potentially as a value pick at #37 versus using #4 on Richardson. I like the possibility of getting the Panthers Jonathan Stewart for our third-rounder even more.