Browns select USC linebacker Hayes Pullard with No. 219 pick
May 2, 2015
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May 3, 2015Ray Farmer and the Cleveland Browns surprised many by using the bulk of their Day 3 selections, but no pick may have garnered more ‘wows’ than when they finished off their weekend by adding Oregon cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu with pick No. 241, a pick obtained in a trade with the Arizona Cardinals.
It’s rare that a seventh-round selection draws much in the way of fan fare, but Ekpre-Olomu, yet another player from the Pac-12, was a first-team AP All-American in 2014 and widely regarded as one of the top cornerbacks in this draft class. Unfortunately, a torn ACL in December while practicing for the College Football Playoff caused his draft stock to crater.
From NFL.com:
STRENGTHS
Very fluid mover. He can transition like his hips are on a swivel and he has the foot quickness in tight spaces to match. Instinctive and alert. Will transition from man or zone coverage and become a willing tackler against crossing routes that enter his side of the field. Not a robotic defender — adjusts on the fly as plays unfold. Uses the boundary effectively. Doesn’t shy away from tackling. Competitive and won’t prematurely open up out of fear. Tracks the ball effectively and has plus ball skills. Mentally tough and twitchy. Playmaking tendencies. Aggressive for size in press coverage. Has experience outside and in the slot. Projected as an NFL gunner on special teams.
WEAKNESSES
Suffered a severe knee injury after the regular season in preparation for the College Football Playoff semifinal vs. Florida State. Unorthodox defender who rarely relies on technique. Gets in trouble trying to bait throws. Spends too much time trying to read quarterback and jump routes. Scouting community down on short cornerbacks. Prefers to play trail technique but lacks length speed to recover when challenged over the top against bigger targets. Missed more tackles in 2014 than in any other season. Can get wild and lose technique as a tackler. Tape from 2014 has scouts questioning his long speed.
Once considered a first-round talent, Ekpre-Olomu (whose name means “something that fits you well” in Nigerian) had actually already cashed in having benefitted from an insurance policy he took out last season when he went back to Oregon in attempt to win a championship with the Ducks. ESPN.com reports the insurance policy had him projected as the No. 12 pick before the injury, a selection which would have guaranteed him $10.5 million. The policy kicked in after Day 2 of the draft ended and he was not selected in the first three rounds, ultimately paying him $3 million.
NFL.com’s Lance Zerlien had Ekpre-Olomu (who can be followed on Twitter at @ifo14) projected to be a fourth-round selection. While potentially undersized at the NFL level, there’s no doubt the kid can play when healthy. Say what you want about not addressing the offense, but Ray Farmer made one hell of a brass balls pick with his very last selection.
No doubt, Ekpre-Olomu is grateful for the opportunity he’s being provided.
Thank you @Browns for putting your faith in me. I promise you that this day will always be remembered and will drive me to be great.
— Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (@ifo14) May 2, 2015
With the Oregon product being the last of 12 players selected this weekend, we leave you with this clip of FOX Sports referring to IEO as potentially being one of the steals of the draft. Thanks for sticking with us this weekend. We’ll have plenty more come Monday.
15 Comments
Yes!
Two of my picks got drafted!
I saw this kid sitting with his family on television during round 4 so lets hope besides getting healthy he plays with a chip on his shoulder to prove other teams wrong. I know one thing I bet his family unlike Mariota’s and Davante Parker’s don’t mind him coming to Cleveland.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-mOKMq19zU
Forgot about him. This is my favorite pick of the draft. Also “loved” the 4th round WR who, experts say, will slot in nicely as a #4/#5 WR. Good thing for him the Browns are full of #4/#5 receivers. why even draft that guy?
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Brass balls? Ha. When you’ve already drafted 11 guys you’re not counting on a 7th rounder. Those guys are special teamers if they somehow survive final cuts. If he looks like a keeper but not physically ready they’ll just stash him on injured reserve. Smart move, but zero risk. Surprised someone else didn’t grab him in the 5th given the need for cover corners.
Based on your reasoning: in your opinion, is there a reason that nobody touched Lael Collins? If you have 3 7th rounders why not choose the guy?
I absolutely would have, but think teams shied away because 1) Somebody died, crimes are different, no one’s had time to thoroughly rule out a link to him, but maybe more importantly, 2) His representatives made idiotic statements about his refusing to sign with any team who doesn’t draft him as early as third round. So you have a guy who sounds like he’s ready to be a non-football problem.
Again, I’d take him in the 7th but get why teams don’t want to deal with something unknown, potentially distracting to the team and all wrapped in a confrontational attitude.
I was a little curious about that myself. If something bad comes out of the investigation and you have to cut him it’s not that much of a loss, since low 7th round picks are practically UDFA’s anyway. Now that he went undrafted, it could actually end up costing more to get him in terms of dollars.
Have to keep him on 53 man until week 1 or he can be stolen via waivers. There is a cost.
Him refusing to sign a 7th round deal (or even 4th plus) is not idiotic. He could get cleared, have him sign as a free agent and improve his base and signing bonus. He’d lose service time possibly but could earn more. Not idiotic at all.
I should have been more specific: his reps they threatened to have him sit out and re-enter next year’s draft, which isn’t permitted. So teams knew they were dealing with an issue and reps not even familiar with league rules. I don’t disagree with your point. I believe Josh Cribbs originally signed for better money than most street FAs because there were multiple bidders.
good post TRS …
I had the same question… it’s just an ACL tear, right? That alone shouldn’t scare off any team. I guess it must have been a combination of the ACL tear, his short stature, and his unorthodox method that scared off teams, but shoot this was a win-win for the Browns. You’re hard-pressed to find a better longshot guy to grab towards the end of the 7th round.