May 23, 2013

Pick #205: Browns Select DT Billy Winn

Sure, this is a late round pick, but the front office must be really excited about finding a backup defensive tackle, eh? This time around in the sixth round it is DT Billy Winn from Boise State, who stands about 6-feet-4-inches and was graded much higher overall by the scouts. He was ranked as the No. 96 overall prospect by ESPN, significantly higher than Cleveland’s third round selection of John Hughes.

Winn picked up 33 tackles last season along with eight tackles for loss and three sacks. He is a bit smaller for most defensive tackle prospects at only 294 lbs, but has impressive speed, is an outgoing personality, is a disruptive run defender and has active hands.

Honestly, it seems Winn could have been the pick in the third round and folks would have been much happier. Either way, this seems to be a solid pick of a productive player who might have just slipped because he isn’t the ideal size and lacks prototypical upper body strength.

On ESPN, Todd McShay said there likely were durability or medical issues with Winn that led him to the sixth round. McShay said Winn was never really that productive in college, but his initial burst against the run is his best value.

After these recent back-to-back picks, the Browns are up again for a pair of compensatory picks at the seventh round (38th and 40th).

[Related: NFL Draft: Cleveland selections talk about being Browns]

While We’re Waiting… Browns’ Curious Calls, Cavs’ Departures, Bryce Stowell Emerges

While We’re Waiting serves as the early morning gathering of WFNY-esque information for your viewing pleasure. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email at tips@waitingfornextyear.com.

Very strong arguments made in this recap of the Browns drafting so far: “Do you know what we found out today? The front office must be pretty content sticking with the likes of Greg Little, Joshua Cribbs, Mohamed Massaquoi, and Jordan Norwood at wide receiver for another year. … Position-wise, there is nothing wrong with taking a defensive tackle. Phil Taylor and Ahtyba Rubin are the clear starters, but both of them, particularly Rubin, has been overworked in his young career.” [Chris Pokorny/Dawgs By Nature]

Looking back to Thursday night, at least some optimism still reigns: “Giving up three “precious” mid-to-late-round picks for Trent Richardson was easy math. The Browns need quality over quantity, particularly on offense. Getting the best running back in the draft, an impact guy who won’t even turn 21 until July, is more than worth a few picks who would likely serve as depth for their first year or two of service, should they pan out at all.” [Doug/Cleveland Sports Torture]

Byron Scott’s recent quote hesitation has a former WFNY weekend scribe thinking about what could be the future for two upcoming Cavs free agents: “It was that fourth “if” that had me standing there thinking that maybe it’s possible one of these two guys do come back next season afterall. Hopefully that’s Jamison then, I thought, in a reserve role off the bench where he provides a scoring punch and veteran leadership as a sixth or seventh man on a one-year $5 million deal. Because there’s now way he can be referring to the possibility of bringing Anthony Parker back next season with all those “if’s”, right?” [Brendan Bowers/Stepien Rules]

Some instant analysis on what it means for the Cavs in winning the coin tosses Friday: “This may not seem like a huge deal, but to me, it is. In my opinion (which could be changed as I watch more and more film as the draft approaches), there are six really good players in this draft. Those players are Anthony Davis, Bradley Beal, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Thomas Robinson, Harrison Barnes, and Andre Drummond. After that, it gets a bit murky. By having a top-6 pick guaranteed, the Cavaliers can draft one of those players if their board is similar to mine.” [Conrad Kaczmarek/Fear The Sword]

One of my favorite basketball blogs makes a great point about ESPN’s role in stopping tanking: “However, television companies could take another route. They could refuse to put up with tanking. What if after a certain mark in the season (how about the All-Star break, we use it for everything) TV stations are allowed replace “bad games” and the team they replace doesn’t get paid?” [Dre/Wages of Wins]

Great to read more about this prospect re-emerging with the Tribe: “It is early, but it looks like Double-A Akron right-handed reliever Bryce Stowell is back to the dominating pitcher he was during the 2010 season. Stowell, 25, has been near-perfect and flat out dominating in the early going at Akron where in four appearances covering 7.0 innings he has yet to allow a run and has given up three hits, no walks, and has 15 strikeouts.” [Tony Lastoria/Indians Prospect Insider]

To end today, Kyle Dodson, an incoming freshman offensive tackle from Cleveland Heights, said the recent Sporting News report on Urban Meyer was filled with lies. This quote was particularly poignant: “‘No they did not. I do not know where they come up with these lies; they are probably making them up so they can attract readers for their publication.’” [Michael Chung/The Silver Bullet]

Pick #87: Browns Select DT John Hughes

After trading down earlier in the third round, the Cleveland Browns selected DT John Hughes from Cincinnati. Listed at about 6-feet-3-inches, he was listed at No. 250 on the ESPN Big Board and was a bit of a surprise for most people at this selection.

Of course, the Browns picked DT Phil Taylor in the first round last year after trading down, and also have a stud in DT Ahtyba Rubin. Hughes will provide immediate depth on the line, but who knows if more value was elsewhere, even if Rutgers WR Mohamed Sanu recently was taken off the board and likely was a top target.

Hughes is listed as being quick with good run skills. He has a powerful upper body, but endurance and conditioning are listed as possible future concerns. He appeared in 50 games at the college level, starting 25 of them, but a right knee injury prevented him from participating in the combine and in his pro day.

He picked up 51 tackles total during his senior season at Cincinnati, including 12.5 for loss and five sacks. Likely, this will be another unpopular pick with the Browns fans as the team completes its selections through the first two days of the draft.

[Related: Browns Trade No. 67 Pick to Broncos]