Browns playoffs, Cloud Nothings, and ear plugs… While We’re Waiting
January 16, 2015Cardale Jones: The most improbable of stories adds yet another chapter
January 16, 2015The down side to the end of the college football season and knowing which players are declaring for the NFL draft means that mock drafts are going to be published entirely too early. We’re talking before the combine, pro days and any interviews and background checks can be done, the guys at ESPN.com (and other outlets) are already doing their best to address team needs.
While I’d be shocked if Mel Kiper’s 1.0 Mock Draft ends up being anywhere near accurate, it’s interesting to see that he has the Cleveland Browns addressing the defensive and offensive line with their two first-round picks.
According to Kiper, the Browns could add nearly 700 pounds of human with their first two selections:
12. Danny Shelton
COLLEGE: Washington | Class: Sr | HT: 6-1 | WT: 332 | POS: DTAnalysis: In Mike Pettine’s system, you really can use powerful bodies up front who can hold blocks but also create some movement and occasionally penetrate, and the massive Shelton is a nice fit for a team that struggled to consistently stop the run. The Browns really missed an injured Phil Taylor, and Shelton comes in ready to play and give them more depth at a position in which every team could use it. This guy didn’t just cause way more backfield havoc than his size would indicate is possible, but he has incredible awareness in the run game and actually led the Huskies in tackles for most of the season, which is pretty incredible for a guy at that position.
19. Ereck Flowers
COLLEGE: Miami (FL) | Class: Jr | HT: 6-6 | WT: 325 | POS: OTAnalysis: I can obviously see the Browns looking at a pass-catcher here given the issues they faced in 2014, when Josh Gordon was off the field (and when he was on it, for that matter), but I also think they know that if they can build a dominant offensive line and make Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell arguably the league’s best two-headed running back attack, they’ll be able to help stabilize the passing game and allow any QB to succeed. Flowers offers insurance for Joe Thomas and Mitchell Schwartz, and also at guard in a year after the injury to Alex Mack (and subsequent shuffling up front) was quietly devastating if you look at Cleveland’s ability to run the ball. Anybody who assumes an O-line or D-line is in great shape without considering depth should watch what happen to the Browns when Mack went down.
There’s been plenty of consternation about Kiper forecasting the Browns to avoid taking a wide receiver after failing to do so in one of the best receiver drafts ever and having little in the way of pass-catching weapons that stand taller than six feet. But if we know Ray Farmer, he’s a general manager who will stick to his draft board and uncover gems like Joel Bitonio while the rest of the league is reaching to address need.
There is little doubt that the Browns need to address the defensive line after it was one of the team’s worst performing groups in 2014. Shelton does just that with his Vince Wilfork-like frame and ability to make tackles despite having multiple blockers attempting to stop him from doing so. Though the offensive line was one of the best units in the NFL, shoring up the depth is never a bad idea. Doing it with a first-round pick, however, may raise a few eyebrows.
145 Comments
“If it takes a talented CB who gives effort a few years to learn the trade, how long does it take one who’s dogging it? For an expert analysis, let’s go to Eric Wright … Eric?”
I don’t know. Haden probably warped the expectations. But, I definitely don’t want a guy being on the inactive list at the end of the year and having the veteran defensive guys telling the media he needs to grow up and lose his sense of entitlement (paraphrasing Dansby there, but it’s what I got out of his quotes on JFF and Gilbert).
That’s definitely my biggest concern for Gilbert… he can be really great if he puts in the effort. He doesn’t even need to drop the ego because that seems to be something that really drives the CB position… he just needs to show up and be “committed to his craft” (I hate that phrase, but oh well).
Sigh. If only they had been in the room last year were able to subdue the southern squealing brothers, Jimmy H and Loaginns. (Then again it would have been like greased pig catching contest). Sigh. have had Sammy…
did the salary cap disappear?
damn, man….you got it down tight. I have no idea how you have such a good feel for all this stuff.
and you know I’m the biggest Phil Taylor fan here. Dude just has to get healthy. But that’s why I would pay Suh. You know what you’re getting: the best interior D-Lineman in the league.
too good. just too good.
http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/af/c4/e5/afc4e5b72e766480e65ee1dd37f270a4.jpg
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that’s a terrible name for a character. NO way a guy named Sonny Weaver becomes GM of anything other than a Tire World.
well, that is usually the stepping stone to becoming coach of a Cleveland team. I guess he just out shot his coverage on that one.
https://chesapeakechiliandsports.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/lou.jpg
RGB and myself would likely have gotten into fisticuffs over that one. While I had Sammy just as high as he did, I would have absolutely have taken the Bills offer. When a trade causes the other team’s coach to quit his job despite not having a guarantee of another job elsewhere, it was a good trade.
going honestly off my board, I would have still had Gilbert at our slot (no extra trade-up though, so we keep the #145-5th) and I would have sat tight with Indy’s pick to get Teddy or Jordan Matthews (keep the #83-3rd). Bitonio still in the 2nd round.
#9 Justin Gilbert (Eric Ebron was my 2nd choice there and he struggled as a rookie too)
#26 Teddy Bridgewater (2nd chioce: Jordan Matthews)
#35 Joel Bitonio
#83 **would have been trying really hard to use this to trade up for Allen Robinson
we have rebates
No matter how I put this, it will sound bad… but New England would never draft that “style” of quarterback.
Wow. Yep….
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Sorry, I will go to my death bed believing that was a Jimmy pick.
Would Pittsburgh? The Roethlisberger comparisons for Cardale Jones are silly to me, as are the Culpepper comparisons. Other than being big with a big arm, he hasn’t shown any reason for us to believe that he can stand in the pocket, avoid the rush, and complete passes. I’d be more on board with “a poor man’s Cam Newton” or “a slightly richer man’s Logan Thomas”. (Phew I’m glad I said this buried all the way down here where most of the OSU fans won’t see it).
Heisman winner. Super Bowl MVP. Greatest college football highlight of all-time.
Yeah, he can have that big head.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYjjPIsMDlU
Good trade.
Questionable pick.
I’ll leave it at that. :/
We’ll see how it works out after they use this pick they got.
Scratched cornea…I can barely see the keyboard, much less tiny little avatars. lol
Am I the only person that likes Dray and Barnidge?
They both block decently, and can catch better than people give them credit for.
I don’t care if they can’t stretch the field like Cameron. They’re better all-around TEs.
proof that Michigan ever won anything. i almost forgot.
You’re joking on the “stand in the pocket, avoid the rush and complete a pass” part right?
Cardale plays from the gun, because that’s Urban’s offense, but when I have time I’ll dig up the video for Wisconsin, Bama and Oregon.
Cardale shows in all three games his ability to sit in the pocket, step into the pocket, move in the pocket and finally move out of the pocket.
He progresses through each game where in Wisconsin he was straight one read to the Oregon game where he makes multiple reads before choosing.
I see your “greatest college football highlight of all time”, and I raise you the “Ohio State versus, Wisconsin, Alabama and Oregon game tape”.
I call.
Not eligible. No Keith Jackson commentary. đ
Anyone else notice how quickly all those freshly dusted off UM hats seemed to disappear after Monday night?
Guess that is like just a side bonus.
Mine’s still in rotation with the Browns and Cavs.
All three will be replaced with the Tribe in a couple of months.
If we have Suh and Skrine, there will be many free first downs…
Yeah, I have zero concerns about Cardale’s potential to stand in the pocket, make reads, avoid the rush, and complete passes. He just needs time to develop.
from what we have seen thus far, that is a reasonable assessment.
in pure hindsight, had we taken OBJ with that pick, Buffalo would truly hate us now.
not at all. I like the idea of Cameron, but I don’t like what he did last year. The idea of a TE being able to be an H-Back is great. Not so great when he doesn’t get open or block.
also, really weak TE class in the draft this year. at best, you get a guy to develop (like Cameron was).
I am closer to your assessment thus far on Cardale than cmm or Garry’s. However, I also think that had a bunch to do with Herman really locking things down to “just what we needed” rather than “all he could do.”
The good thing is that we’ll get to see next year.
Fair enough. Culpepper made pretty huge strides in his last college season, so perhaps Jones will as well.
they have a ton of cap space.
Parker from Louisville that’s the kid.
Logan Thomas? Cardale not Cardell or Cordell said it himself that three games wasn’t enough so we can’t really tell right now. I think however in the end should he (a)play more in college and (b)end up in the NFL his game will resemble more of Big Ben then Cam Newton. With his size it’s no wonder Urban Meyer ran him as much as he did but lets also keep in mind that was the style of offense the Buckeyes ran with both Miller and Barrett. What I’d like to see if Cardale is indeed the QB next year at OSU is a few more under center formations. That more then anything would give us an idea of his overall skill talent.
I wanted Teddy too actually anyone but Manziel which I repeatedly posted. I laugh now I actually heard one of these TV people say that nobody could forsee what happened with Manziel. Wrong. A lot of people including myself could see anything with him resulting in a crash and burn scenario. I just didn’t envision it being as bad as it was and I get to look forward to Johnny Drama again next year!
I don’t think they’re waiting for a late round diamond in the rough to address depth on the offensive line, but unless somebody good enough to displace Schartz and start right away happens to be there I don’t think they do it in the first round since there is serviceable depth almost always available a little later. Shelton I agree with though, and wouldn’t be completely surprised if they actually used BOTH their first rounders improving the biggest weakness on the team, but I’d only bank on one.
I have that hat
you’ll get JFF and like it!
http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view4/3143418/you-ll-get-nothing-and-like-it-o.gif
even if there’s someone that may be able to displace Schwartz and we don’t trust Michael Bowie, I still don’t think we draft OL in the 1st round unless they are significantly the BPA. If it’s very slight difference on ranking, then we have to go with the guy that is real close between WR, OLB, DE, DT, right?
Is that Anna Kendrick?
Yeah, I suppose that’s true. In hindsight I qualified my comment to avoid making an absolute prediction. OL would not be where I’m looking in the first unless lightning strikes and it’s very clear BPA.
Kiper such an “expert”…see, e.g….”Blaine Gabbert is a can’t miss prospect that comes along once a decade”…REALLY Mel????
Another 2015 Comment of the Year nomination.