May 25, 2013

2014 Mock Draft has Browns missing out on quarterbacks yet again

April 30, 2013 by 37 Comments

The Cleveland Browns will once again just miss out on a quarterback and select a skill player in the 2014 NFL Draft, says Sports Illustrated’s Chris Burke.

In an entirely-too-early mock draft posted at SI.com, Burke has the Browns selecting fourth, representing a finish of roughly three or four wins in 2013. This said, the Orange and Brown are presently forecasted to miss out on the two quarterbacks slated to lead the pack at this time next year, Louisville’s Teddy Bridgewater and Clemson’s Taj Boyd. Instead, they address the wide receiver position with USC’s Marqise Lee.

“Lee is just 6-feet tall, so we’re not talking about a Calvin Johnson-type that’s going to win jump balls consistently,” writes Burke. “What Lee will do, though, is get open and make plays. He caught a whopping 118 passes last season for 1,721 yards and 14 touchdowns. You’re looking at a Heisman frontrunner for 2013 and a player that could dramatically improve an NFL offense.”

If the Browns do finish among the five worst teams in the NFL, it will undoubtedly be due to poor play or a disastrous injury suffered by quarterback Brandon Weeden. Accumulating a slew of picks in 2013, it is widely expected that the Browns will attempt to trade up in the instance they are in need of a passer come next spring. If Boyd’s name rings a bell, it is because the Clemson star was slated to attend Ohio State but opted to go south once it appeared he would have to wait for Terrelle Pryor to finish his tenure with the team.

In 2012, with sure-fire quarterbacks Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III going first and second, respectively, the Browns picked third and selected running back Trent Richardson. Acquiring a third- and fourth-round selection this past weekend, the Browns will head into the 2014 NFL Draft with nine selections at their disposal.

[Related: WFNY weighs in on the Cleveland Browns’ 2013 draft]

 

 

Filed Under: Headlines Tagged With: , , , , ,

Mock NFL Draft: ESPN’s McShay changes Browns’ target to Dee Milliner

March 28, 2013 by 10 Comments

Jumping ship after months of having the Cleveland Browns pegged with a pass-rusher, ESPN’s NFL Draft expert Todd McShay says that the Orange and Brown will now land cornerback Dee Milliner with the sixth-overall pick this spring.

Per McShay:

Analysis: I wasn’t as high as some others on Browns QB Brandon Weeden during last year’s draft process, but even I believe he deserves at least one year to prove what he can do under new offensive coordinator Norv Turner, whose system should play to Weeden’s strength as a big-armed passer who can drive the ball downfield. That leaves cornerback as a top need area, and Milliner is a no-brainer if he’s available. His instincts, recognition skills and discipline are impressive, and he’s reliable in run support. Milliner would be an excellent complement to current Browns starter Joe Haden.

Ignoring that giant first sentence that is just a way to say “no” to West Virginia’s Geno Smith, this would provide the Browns with one of the draft’s highest-rated prospects (Millner is No. 2 on Kiper’s Big Board) with the sixth pick in the draft. Consider that it not only addresses a need, but does so via a 6-foot-1-inch play maker with top-flight speed who would provide the Browns with a pair of high-profile backs to help bolster their pass-rush even more.

McShay, as well as colleague Mel Kiper Jr., had the Browns selecting the edge-rushing Dion Jordan in his most recent mock draft, but the class’ top pass rusher has seen his name skyrocket to the No. 2 spot which belongs to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Others who presently have Millner to the Browns in their respective mock drafts include Sports Illustrated’s Don Banks, and NFL.com’s Charlie Casserly and Daniel Jeremiah.

[Related: Fun with Numbers: New Browns Edition]

Filed Under: Headlines Tagged With: , , , , , ,

2013 NFL Mock Draft: Browns continue to be linked to defense

February 8, 2013 by 34 Comments

With ESPN’s resident draftniks releasing their second iterations of their 2013 NFL mock drafts, the Cleveland Browns continue to be pegged with having a strong focus on a pass-rushing linebacker.

Mel Kiper Jr did not waiver from his first mock draft, placing Florida State’s Bjoern Werner as the next big thing to wear Orange and Brown.

The Browns regressed on defense in 2012, and the pass rush was a culprit. This was, by every standard, a bottom-10 unit, and they simply need to add talent. If they want the best player available at this spot, and a guy who fills a void, it might be Werner by the time we get to April. In fact, by then he could be expected to go higher. A late arrival to football, he has a high ceiling, but already has a decent portfolio of pass-rush skills. What’s great about Werner isn’t just the explosiveness as a pass-rusher, it’s also his awareness. He keeps his eyes up and disrupts passing lanes. He’s a good fit for the Browns.

Todd McShay, conversely, has Werner being selected second-overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars. In turn, he gives the Browns a player on whom many fans have set their collective site: LSU’s Barkevious Mingo.

New defensive coordinator Ray Horton will run a versatile scheme that likely will employ a base 3-4 front, and while the Browns have good depth along the defensive front they need more talented edge rushers. Mingo fits the bill. He is raw, but is the fastest, most athletic edge rusher in the class and could be part as a disruptive perimeter duo with Jabaal Sheard.

The 6-foot-5-inch Mingo has drawn heavy comparison to San Francisco’s Aldon Smith due to his physicality and tenacity. There are, however, questions about his technique. Kiper has him being selected 10th overall by the Tennessee Titans.

Kiper continues to have Gerogia’s Jarvis Jones being taken one spot before Cleveland while McShay him sliding past Cleveland and landing in New York with the Jets who select ninth.

[Related: Cleveland primer for new athletes in town]

Filed Under: Headlines Tagged With: , , , ,

While We’re Waiting… A Tale of Two Cities, Matt LaPorta’s Future, Will Barton, Rivalry BBQ

June 15, 2012 by 7 Comments

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.

Literature and summer baseball. What could be bad? “To that end, I’ve been reading Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities, to be specific. It’s a gorgeous novel about love, both unrequited and not, about sacrifice and atonement. The plot of the book revolves around the French Revolution of 1848. It is not a baseball novel. Now you may ask what A Tale of Two Cities has to do with the Indians 12-5 loss to Cincinnati. As it turns out, there are a number of surprising parallels.” [Susan Petrone/It's Pronounced "Lajaway"]

[Read more...]

Filed Under: General Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Mock NBA Draft: Chad Ford with Bradley Beal, Fab Melo to Cavs

June 14, 2012 by 6 Comments

Addressing two major weaknesses with two first-round picks, ESPN’s Chad Ford has adjusted his mock draft and has Florida’s Bradley Beal falling to the fourth-overall spot.

Kansas’  Thomas Robinson has unseated Kentucky’s Michael Kidd-Gilchrist as the second-overall selection, presently owned by the Charlotte Bobcats, allowing Beal to slip down to the fourth spot where the 6-foot-4-inch shooting guard would instantly provide a backcourt scoring threat in Cleveland to go alongside Kyrie Irving.

“The Cavs need a wing and like [Kidd-Gilchrist], Beal and Harrison Barnes,” sayd Ford. ”Andre Drummond is also in the mix, but the Cavs don’t yet have a comfort level with him. If this comes down to Beal or Barnes, I think Beal will have the slight edge here. But it’s not a given. The Cavs have been interested in Barnes for the past year and could decide that his size is what they need.”

Beal recently surprised many pundits when he measured in north of 6-feet-3-inches. He’s striving to make his mark as a dynamic player, repeatedly saying that he can work on or off of the basketball, but continues to compare his game to that of shootin guards Ray Allen, Eric Gordon and Dywane Wade. He will only work out for the top-four teams in the draft, heading to Cleveland later this month.

With the 24th-overall selection, Ford has the Cavaliers addressing the front-court needs that would be prevelant having passed over Drummond with the first pick. The player of choice, per Ford, is the seven-footer out of Syracuse, Fab Melo.

“The Cavs could really use more help at the 5,” says Ford. ”Anderson Varejao is around for a few more years but after that the cupboard is bare. Melo might need a few years anyway before he’s ready to be a serious contributor at the next level.”

Melo, 22, averaged 7.8 points and 5.8 rebounds in his lone season for Syracuse, providing physical toughness and good mobility. As insinuated by Ford, Melo’s offensive game needs a lot of work while his dedication and motivation will continue to be questioned until he shows what he can do at the next level.

The other potential center who could be selected at the end of the first round, Vanderbilt’s Festus Ezeli, went 30th-overall to the Golden State Warriors. 

[Related: An NBA title: What does Cleveland have to do?]

Filed Under: Headlines Tagged With: , , ,

NFL Draft: McShay and Kiper Peg Browns with Richardson, Weeden

April 25, 2012 by 60 Comments

Cleveland Browns fans who didn’t approve of some of the selections in the recent NFL.com seven-round mock draft can now set their sites on the version compiled by ESPN’s Todd McShay.

In his latest endeavor, McShay has the Browns selecting the following 13 players:

1 (4) Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
1 (22) C0rdy Glenn, OT, Georgia
2 (37) Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma State
3 (67) Ty Hilton, WR, FIU
4 (100) Nigel Bradham, OLB, Florida State
4 (118) Sean Prater, CB, Iowa
5 (139) Jake Bequette, DE, Arkansas
5 (160) Dajohn Harris, DT, USC
6 (204) Coryell Judie, Texas A&M
6 (205) Antoine McClain, G, Clemson
7 (245) Markus Kuhn, DT, NC State
7 (247) Bradie Ewing, FB, Wisconsin

McShay’s partner in NFL Draft crime Mel Kiper Jr. went with his final one-round edition, penning the Browns in with Richardson at No. 4 (citing instant success) and Weeden at No. 22, providing a bit of a corroboration between the two analysts. “If you don’t get Weeden here, you risk losing him,” said Kiper on the Browns potentially not waiting until the second round. 

[Related: Is Jason Pinkston the Browns true plan at right tackle?]

Hey! Come to our draft party!

Filed Under: Headlines Tagged With: , , ,

Sporting News mock draft has Browns taking familiar name

April 25, 2012 by 21 Comments

Another seven round mock draft is out, and this one has the Browns selecting a very familiar name-

“Round 5

1. Indianapolis Colts: Tommy Streeter, WR, Miami (Fla.)

2. Denver Broncos (from St. Louis): D’Anton Lynn, CB, Penn State

3. Minnesota Vikings: Marcus Forston, DT, Miami (Fla.)

4. Cleveland Browns: Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia”

Again, not to put any stock in such a forecast, but it would be an interesting PR move at the least to select Frank Minnifield’s son.

[Related: NFL.com reveals ever-ridiculous seven round mock draft]

Filed Under: Headlines Tagged With: , ,

Mock NFL Draft: Sporting News Says Tannehill at No. 4

March 12, 2012 by 55 Comments

With the dust beginning to settle on the order for the 2012 NFL Draft, Sporting News’ draft guru Russell Lande has the Cleveland Browns selecting Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill with the fourth-overall selection.

Per Lande:

By making a strong attempt to trade up, the Browns made it clear they don’t believe in Colt McCoy, so they reach a little bit and grab Tannehill to build around him.

Stanford’s Andrew Luck and Baylor’s Robert Griffin III go with the first two selections. The Browns would inherently select the third-best quarterback with the fourth pick. Not expecting the Browns to re-sign Peyton Hillis, Lande follows up the selection of Tannehill with Virginia Tech running back David Wilson with the 22nd-overall pick.

Chris Steuber, formerly of Scout.com, lists Tannehill as the 40th overall prospect, but states that he will certainly go higher due to team desperation.

ESPN’s Todd McShay recalibrated his latest mock draft to reflect the recent trade between the Redskins and Rams, landing Alambama running back Trent Richardson in Cleveland with the fourth pick. Defensive tackle Michael Brockers is McShay’s pick for 22nd.

[Related: With RG3 Gone, Browns fans prefer McCoy, Blackmon]

Filed Under: Headlines Tagged With: , , , ,

Scouts Inc. is Not Impressed with the Browns

May 5, 2011 by 40 Comments

Here’s a good discussion point for today. While reading through a few things in the ole Google Reader, I come to a Todd McShay 2012 mock draft (which is pretty ridiculous admittedly to be reading a mock draft before the season even begins) in which the Browns pick first and take Andrew Luck.

Now before anyone starts getting excited about bringing in Andrew Luck, and I better not hear any ‘tanking’ talk (I’m looking at you Brendan), I have to ask how the Browns are supposed to be picking first next season? McShay uses the inverse power rankings from Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. for his order, which was compiled ‘after the draft’. So let me get this straight, the Browns are the worst team in the league after the draft?

I understand that there are question marks about this Browns team. We have a new coaching staff. We have holes yet to fill on the defensive line and right side of the offensive line. We have a young QB in Colt McCoy, backed up by Seneca Wallace and Jake Delhomme. without OTAs it could take this team a while to get up to speed on a new defensive alignment and a different style of offense.

But dead last in the league?

(Photo: Tracy Boulian/The Plain Dealer)

 

Filed Under: Browns Tagged With: , , ,

Browns Should Try to Add Picks This Year

April 27, 2011 by 9 Comments

There is a generally accepted NFL Draft Pick Value Chart that most NFL front offices use to gauge value of picks for trade purposes.  It is a point system where the first pick is worth 3,000 points and Mr. Irrelevant is worth two points.  The idea being that if you wanted to trade the 25th pick in the draft with a value of 720 points for the 6th pick of the draft worth 1600 points, you would have to make up somewhere in the neighborhood of 880 points.

If you have the 25th pick in the first round, chances are you have the 57th pick in the second round which carries a value of 330 points.  In essence, when you add up your first and second picks (720 + 330 = 1050) you are still drastically short of the 1600 you need to get into the sixth spot.  In other years, a team could make up ground like that by trading a veteran player.  Without that option this year, teams will have to mortgage the future and trade future picks.

It is 100% worth it to mortgage the future for this year’s draft. [Read more...]

Filed Under: General Tagged With: , , , , , ,

NFL Mock Draft: Julio Jones at Sixth Overall?

April 6, 2011 by 35 Comments

It’s already being characterized as being unpredictable as ever, but the 2011 NFL Draft continues to be one of the more anticipated events of the upcoming spring. 

Whether by fans looking to see who shows up despite union wishes or others hoping their team lands a top prize, this year’s three-day event should be full of unknowns. 

Case in point, the mock draft released today by ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr who has the Browns selecting a wide receiver – a position widely considered to be “of need.”  The only issue, said wide receiver (typically a high-risk position at the top end of drafts) is the second of his kind to be taken in the top six as Kiper has Tom Heckert and Mike Holmgren going with the sure-handed Julio Jones out of Alabama.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Browns Tagged With: , , ,

The NFL Draft: Best Athlete Available or Position of Need?

March 2, 2011 by 28 Comments

With the 5th pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals select OLB Von Miller.

And just like that the Browns are on the clock. But what should they do?

Using Mel Kiper’s latest mock draft strictly for the purpose of establishing an order, we see that Fairley, Bowers, Newton, Green and Miller are off the board. Mel has the Browns selecting J.J. Watt, DE from Wisconsin. That would certainly fill a need, but is Watt the best player available? Is he even the best player available that fills a need?

The Browns will certainly be taking a hard look at Watt, as well as other defensive linemen such as Marcell Dareus and Robert Quinn. Wide receiver is also a need however, and many say that Julio Jones’ excellent performance at the combine may have vaulted him up draft boards.

It has been inferred that the Browns might not be opposed to taking one of a few top tier defensive backs as well, even though that isn’t perceived as a big area of need. Guys like Patrick Peterson and Prince Amukamara could potentially give the Browns the best young CBs in the league paired with Joe Haden.

So who would I like to see the Browns select? [Read more...]

Filed Under: Browns Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Want to Get Excited About Marcell Dareus?

February 11, 2011 by 16 Comments

Now that the Browns have vacated a good portion of their front seven, the mock draft people are starting to take that cue and associate the Browns with defensive linemen. First up as Rick pointed out in WWW this morning is Marcell Dareus from Alabama. Obviously these guys will have nothing but highlights on Youtube, but still it is fun to see what visual evidence is out there that potential Browns draft picks could be beasts in the NFL. So, I put together a clip reel that might just get you excited at the prospect of having Dareus lining up next to Ahtyba Rubin next season for Dick Jauron and the Browns.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Browns, General Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Browns 2011 NFL Draft Update: Marcell Dareus Emerging as Favorite at No. 6

January 29, 2011 by 11 Comments

This is the second of a two-part segment on the 2011 NFL Draft: The first edition from three weeks ago previewed the overall forecast of the draft. This second article takes a closer look at the stories behind the potential first round draft picks by the Cleveland Browns.

It’s been a few weeks since my last update of the NFL Draft, but just like with the Cleveland Cavaliers record in the win column, nothing really has changed that significantly. As I published my last report, Andrew Luck had just announced his intent to stay at Stanford University, and this was shaping the makings of the top of the draft’s first round.

That has certainly happened, and there is a solid group of about five players that seem to be the most likely fits for the Browns at the No. 6 spot. What follows is my analysis of each of these folks and yet another look at what sources around the web are saying right now.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Browns Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

NFL Draft News: Mock Roundup Sees Eric Berry’s Name Pop Up In Cleveland

March 10, 2010 by 23 Comments

Eric BerryJust as it is with NBA Trade Rumor season, so to is NFL Draft Rumor season one of those things you either like or loathe. I personally love everything about the NFL draft because to me it represents unlimited possibilities. There’s nothing but hope and ambition in the air when I read about prospects, mock drafts, etc.

In the latest mock draft by Pat Kirwan for NFL.com, he has our beloved Cleveland Browns taking Tennessee safety Eric Berry with the #7 pick. Seeing as how that’s the guy I have wanted since day one, this is obviously pleasantly exciting to see. But how does it compare to some other notable mock drafts? Let’s take a look around the web and see, shall we? [Read more...]

Filed Under: Browns Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

While We’re Waiting… Varejao’s Importance, Browns’ Vicious Circle, and Firing Tribe Fans

September 28, 2009 by 15 Comments

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 in the sidebar.

anderson-varejao-brazil 

A big year for The Chosen 2: “Anderson Varejao admitted he was feeling a little tired at the end of last week, especially after a long flight from Brazil. He played 13 games with Brazil in August and September as part of the FIBA Americas and a warm-up tournament. Including the training camp, he had the most active summer of any Cav. For that reason, coach Mike Brown may take it a little easy on him early in camp.  But Varejao believes working on his game will pay off this season, which he knows could very well be the most important of his career.” [Brian Windhorst] 

[Read more...]

Filed Under: General Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Report: Chris “Beanie” Wells to NFL

January 8, 2009 by 29 Comments

Chris Beanie WellsWe mentioned last week that Ohio State’s Chris “Beanie” Wells may have simply been delaying the inevitable with his “undecided” answers.  Not even 72 hours after the end of the 2009 Fiesta Bowl, we get word that Wells (along with Texas Tech’s Michael Crabtree) will declare for the NFL Draft.

Wells issued a statement Thursday saying the move is in the best interest of his family.

The Post thinks that Wells will challenge recently declared Knowshon Moreno for first back taken in the draft.  I personally think that a lot of people will be intrigued by Iowa’s (23-year old!) Shonn Greene – though he’s not exactly Craig Krenzel when it comes to academics.  I also know that a lot of Browns fans would love to see either Wells or Crabtree in the Orange and Brown come next season, and while I’d love to have either of them, running back and wide receiver are definitely not positions to address with the fifth overall selection in the upcoming draft.

Sources: Wells, Crabtree, Maclin to Declare [National Football Post]
Ohio State RB to Enter NFL Draft [WKYC]

Filed Under: Browns Tagged With: , , , , ,

Ridiculous Upside SBNation Mock Draft

June 19, 2008 by 5 Comments

Cavaliers Draft Pick

Ridiculous Upside, a great NBA site dealing with D-League, draft, minor leagues, prospects, etc (run by the same folks who brought you Hardwood Paroxysm) has been conducting a blogger mock draft and they were kind enough to ask us to represent Cleveland’s pick. It wasn’t easy, as most of the guys I had been targeting were unfortunately already taken earlier in the draft by other teams, so I was left to reach a little bit more than I wanted to. So who did I select? Head over to Ridiculous Upside and find out by clicking here.

Filed Under: Cavaliers Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

NBA Draft: The Jury’s Still Out

June 16, 2008 by 5 Comments

With all of the mock drafts going on out there, I want to shoot a big thanks to 3 Shades of Blue, who took the time to aggregate several of the recent mocks on a team-by-team basis.  Included in the report are those done by ESPN’s Chad Ford, Ridiculous Upside and Draft Express.  So what say they?  It looks like a roll of the dice to me…

3 Shades of Blue Mock Aggregation

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Cavaliers Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,