Browns share a “May 4th” Star Wars-themed video
May 4, 2016Beer and Roaming in Draft Town: Three Days Lost the NFL’s Pop-up Municipality
May 4, 2016The 2016 NFL Draft has come and gone. It was a busy and wild few days for the Browns; selecting fourteen new players. Cleveland’s new front office was active on the trade front both acquiring multiple picks this year and picks for the future. It was definitely not a slow start for the newly formed organization. Here is my breakdown of the 2016 draft class for the Cleveland Browns.
The Browns took eight offensive players, nabbing WR Corey Coleman, OT Shon Coleman, QB Cody Kessler, WR Ricardo Louis, TE Seth DeValve, WR Jordan Payton, OT Spencer Drango and WR Rishard Higgins.
For the defense, the Browns drafted six defensive players, taking EDGE Emmanuel Ogbah, DL Carl Nassib, LB Joe Schobert, S Derrick Kindred, CB Trey Caldwell and LB Scooby Wright III.
Favorite Pick: WR Corey Coleman
Corey Coleman is my favorite and I know that he is the obvious choice. But, what he will bring to the offense is something the Browns have not seen from a receiver let alone any other position on the offense since Josh Gordon. I had Coleman as my No. 5 receiver in the draft, but the difference between the top five is not very wide. Plus, Coleman’s fit may be better than the others who were available because he has the big play ability and speed that the team desperately needed. With one move, he could take a five yard gain and make it a 30 yard gain using his speed, athleticism, and elusiveness. I can’t wait to see his impact on the offense and how Hue Jackson will utilize him.
Least Favorite Pick: WR Ricardo Louis
Ricardo Louis seems like a huge project and a player taken just because of his size and athleticism. He did not fit the high production type player the Browns seemed to be targeting throughout the draft. The Auburn receiver is a project who needs to learn how to be a receiver and utilize his talents. The Browns could have taken others at that spot, like Andrew Billings of Baylor, who I believe are better options. Louis just seemed like a player who did not fit their philosophy that they followed throughout the draft.
Best Fit: DL Carl Nassib
Carl Nassib fits a huge hole for the team, the five technique on the defensive line. The Penn State star has the prototypical length that teams want at that position. He has the ability to shed blocks and fill in the gaps of the running game. The Browns needed defensive ends, especially ones who can rush the passer. Nassib has pass rush ability, using his strong hands and athleticism to beat blocks and get to the quarterback. But, he needs to get bigger to survive at the five technique. Luckily his frame should be able to take on more weight, adding much needed strength to be stout at the point of attack. He has the hands to disengage from blocks and spot the ball carrier, but his ability to be tough at the point of the attack will be key to his development. I love his upside and his potential to be a key cog on the defensive line for many years.
Best Under-the-Radar Pick: OT Shon Coleman
Shon Coleman could be the starting right tackle immediately for the Browns. He was overshadowed by the selection of QB Cody Kessler, but his impact could be felt right away on offense. The Auburn tackle has great size and length that teams look for in a starting NFL offensive tackle. He is a really strong and physical blocker who can road grade defenders out of the way. He is best as a run blocker, but he has adequate feet and quickness to be a good pass protector, too. I believe he can help solidify the right side after losing Mitchell Schwartz in free agency. Yes, he will probably not be as good as Schwartz right away, but he has the potential to be just as good. I also love his toughness and character, beating cancer and never giving up his NFL dream. His time away from football also means he has development to do and that he could get a lot better with more experience.
Biggest Instant Impact: WR Corey Coleman
In my opinion this is not even a question. Corey Coleman will be a huge weapon for the offense. His speed and after-the-catch ability allows him to be an immediate impactful player. He will not need to be a refined route runner or crafty receiver right away because his athleticism can help him make plays right away and gain an advantage against the defense. Coleman will be a big time playmaker who could have some long touchdown plays because of his skill set. Also, I cannot wait to see how Hue Jackson will use him. He could be placed into some favorable positions to help facilitate big plays.
Best Late Round Value: WR Rashard Higgins
Rishard Higgins is a great value in the fifth round. CBS Sports ranked him as the tenth best wide receiver in the draft and No. 80 overall player, while ESPN’s Mel Kiper as him as the 15th best receiver. Those rankings show the value the Browns got in the fifth round. Higgins is a great route runner, showing quick and abrupt cuts that help him gain separation from the coverage. To go along with his route running is his reliable and strong hands to make tough catches, even through contact. He has solid athleticism and elusiveness that also makes him a player who make things happen after the catch. The Colorado State receiver could immediately see playing time for the Browns because of his refined game and strong hands.
Best Special Teams Contributor: LB Joe Schobert
Joe Schobert was a special teams star in college, so he will definitely transition well to NFL special teams. He can contribute on both the punt and kick coverage teams. He is a tough player, who plays hard every snap, having the mentality of a walk on player. He has solid athleticism and fluidity to move in space. The Wisconsin linebacker can slip blocks pretty well, which bodes well for a player on coverage teams who needs to break multiple blocks to get to the returner. He is a sound tackler who can make the tackle in open space like when he is running down field on special teams coverage. He should be an immediate contributor on the special teams coverage unit.
Biggest Need Area Filled: Wide Receiver
How can you not say that this was the biggest need area filled. The Browns added four new receivers, including the first round pick, Corey Coleman. The front office added an array of skill sets that will give the unit more diversity. Coleman adds big play and speed to the unit. Jordan Payton adds physicality and good hands. Rishard Higgins gives the team crisp route running and good hands. Lastly, Ricardo Louis gives the team a big and athletic raw talent. The Browns added much needed talent and depth to a position that needed it a lot. The receiver position has long been overlooked by the previous front office, so the intense pursuit of receivers this season was a sight for sore eyes. The receivers group now has a potential number one receiver with big play ability, along with three other interesting prospects who could develop into high contributing players.
Biggest Need Not Filled: Running Back
In my opinion, Isaiah Crowell is not good enough to be the compliment to Duke Johnson. I thought the Browns needed to get another back to put next to Johnson. I also thought that this draft class had some interesting options to get to be the compliment running back. Devontae Booker, Paul Perkins and Kenneth Dixon were all available in the fourth round. I believe that it would have been a good value to get one of them to put next to Johnson. Crowell is just too inconsistent and his vision is just not great. The Browns needed a sturdy back to carry the load with the Browns do-everything Duke Johnson. The running back position was the only position that was not selected by the Browns during the draft. It was a lost opportunity to give the Browns another playmaker on offense and to improve the running game.
12 Comments
Love your optimism, Joe, wish there was a reason to share it in early May other than a fan’s need for hope. What I did like was an apparent internal logic that made sense even to a dummy like me: football skills evidenced by on-field production, fierce work ethic. The few odd exceptions were maybe bones tossed to the personal favorites of certain scouts or coaches. And maybe that’s not so terrible when 14 draftees won’t make the team and you’re trying to build camaraderie. If they’ve scored 1 true star and 3 above-average starters, because that would be the best draft they’ve had. And I’d be thrilled not because Pitts and Balt or trembling but because that might demonstrate a dollop of competence in the area of player eval. And then the FO nerds can rub their hands gleefully and tweak their evaluation software using this year’s booms and busts.
Just for giggles, here’s a mainstream site’s pre-draft profile of an “ideal possession receiver,” with Biletnikoff finalist bona fides. http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/vince-mayle?id=2552431. Alas, though chosen where projected, couldn’t secure a roster spot on a team in desperate need, or on any team for that matter.
“…demonstrate a dollop of competence…”
We are a simple fanbase; our needs, at present, are few.
I’ll have to respectfully disagree with you on 2 points….
One being that I believe the best under- the- radar pick is Jordan Payton. I’ve got this stinking feeling that not all is well with Andrew Hawkins. There’s no news that he’s fully recovered from his concussions and he’s decided to complete his master’s this summer. Could be an omen. Don’t believe that this staff is all that sold on Taylor Gabriel either. Payton’s solid physique, good hands and route running will come in very handy should they have to move on from Hawkins and Gabe is not their answer in the slot. Plus he could also be Hartline’s replacement in 2017.
Second- Biggest need not filled. Austin Pasztor is already penciled in at RT with the departure of Mitchell Schwartz. Much more nasty if not technique. Alvin Bailey was also signed to be a super sub on the right side. A little more nasty and better in run blocking than pass pro. Kaleb Johnson was signed to take Pasztor’s spot as left side back up to Joel Bitonio. Coming over from Baltimore, it is said that he, too, is a brute. Add to that Sashi has already said in the media that Shon Coleman could be a swing tackle until he gets acclimated and works out some bugs. I really think he was drafted to replace Ol’ Joe when the time comes. It was obvious that Mitch and Alex were so-so on playing here and did not fit Hue’s preference of big, mean run blockers. So he let them walk and replaced them with some pieces that better fit his ideal. Ad to that, Flip’s scheme in 2015 passed at a 2 to 3 clip. Hue has never operated an offense in that way. Always as close to 1 to 1 as he can get. Blah, blah, blah…
The point I’m trying to make on the second is that not only did this staff transform the line from a pass blocking, technique heavy corps to being much nastier, bloody- your- nose run blocking unit, Hue will be running the ball more. Hell be damned. This could very well turn Isaiah Crowell into a 1,000 yarder.
He believes that he can replicate the Hill- Bernard tandem. He’s also said to not sleep on either Glenn Winston or Terrell Watson. Winston must finally be 100% and Watson, who he coached in Cincy, was his first addition to this offense. We’re gonna run whether it’s Crowell or not.
“my room mate Mary Is getting paid on the internet 98$/hr”..,……..!wc327ctwo days ago grey MacLaren P1 I bought after earning 18,512 DoIIars..it was my previous month’s payout..just a little over.17k DoIIars Last month..3-5 hours job a day…with weekly payouts..it’s realy the simplest. job I have ever Do.. I Joined This 7 months. ago. and now making over. hourly 87 DoIIars…Learn. More right Here !wc327:➽:➽:➽➽➽➽ http://GlobalSuperJobsReportsEmploymentsSuperGetPayHourly$98…. .❖❖:❦❦:❖❖:❦❦:❖❖:❦❦:❖❖:❦❦:❖❖:❦❦:❖❖:❦❦:❖❖:❦❦:❖❖:❦❦:❖❖:❦❦:❖❖:❦❦:❖❖:❦❦::::::!wc327………
hi TOJB … i see at least 3 of the 4 WR’s drafted making the team , if not all 4. i like your points about the O-line. the last depth chart i saw had bailey starting at C … they also brought in a couple of undrafted rookie free-agents that may be worth keeping an eye on : C mike matthews (jake’s brother & clay’s cousin) & rutgers RB paul james.
hi JOE … again , we have all enjoyed your hard work all year. i had posted yesterday that many / some feel that louis , kessler & devalve may’ve been “reaches” that could’ve been had later in the draft.
keep an eye on these 3 guys … this should shed a little light on the HBT’s talent evaluating & analytics skills , as we see how these 3 progress.
louis was a bit of a head scratcher , but he has nice size , nice speed & played on a team that didn’t have a great passing game … there must be something there.
an ideal possession receiver with hands of stone? wow.
the actual text in the scouting portion though is dead-on for Mayle:
Unsound fundamentals as a hands-catcher. Had 13 drops in 2014. Will trap
ball against body and struggle with focus drops. Basic route runner at
this stage. Below-average separation out of breaks. Predictable releases
off snap allow cornerbacks to manipulate his routes. Inconsistent
effort as run blocker
I saw the discrepancy as well. This is why I don’t trust these scouting reports. Of course, I don’t trust my own eyes either: on the rare occasions I’ve seen a lot of a college player it’s hard to project him playing at NFL speed and against consistently better opponents. On the other hand, hands don’t magically improve against better competition.
Just have to learn who to trust in their reports. Some are honest, some are just trying to drive clicks. One of the reasons I gravitated towards insidethepylon.com was that they demonstrate why they believe things with accompanying video clips.
“my room mate Mary Is getting paid on the internet 98$/hr”..,……..!wc205ctwo days ago grey MacLaren P1 I bought after earning 18,512 DoIIars..it was my previous month’s payout..just a little over.17k DoIIars Last month..3-5 hours job a day…with weekly payouts..it’s realy the simplest. job I have ever Do.. I Joined This 7 months. ago. and now making over. hourly 87 DoIIars…Learn. More right Here !wc205:➽:➽:➽➽➽➽ http://GlobalSuperJobsReportsEmploymentsDigitalGetPayHourly$98…. .❖❖:❦❦:❖❖:❦❦:❖❖:❦❦:❖❖:❦❦:❖❖:❦❦:❖❖:❦❦:❖❖:❦❦:❖❖:❦❦:❖❖:❦❦:❖❖:❦❦:❖❖:❦❦::::::!wc205……..//
I think that something is going to be his blocking ability. Coming from a run- heavy offense, he is said to be a very good blocker. Another aspect is his stellar ST play. Made too many to count big plays as a gunner and return option.
He didn’t get many chances as a receiver because of a kid named Duke Williams. Williams could be the best receiver in CFB if he wasn’t so flaky. But, when Duke flaked out as expected Ricardo got his chance and ran with it and didn’t exactly show the stone hands that he is believed to have.
I think he will be the primary competition for Terrell Pryor for the developmental “Sanu-like” trick play/ red zone threat that Jackson used in Cincy.
thanks … good post.