Could Browns Build Playoff Team For Next Season?
My heart is a cold dark place and I still feel bad for Cleveland fans.There is almost nothing to like about the Cleveland Browns right now. The way the organization has been run, you would think the Milwaukee Bucks are running the team. They continue to make stupid decisions like draft a quarterback that is almost 30 over a quarterback that is “too short.” They also fire coaches after one season even though they have almost no talent and the front office still thinks Brian Hoyer will lead them to a Super Bowl. Not to also mention their jerseys are crap and no big time athlete will want to come to that city, ask Lebron. With all that being said, there are some core players they can build around. They have five players returning to the team that went to the pro bowl last season (Jordan Cameron, Alex Mack, Josh Gordon, Joe Thomas, and Joe Haden), compared to a playoff team like the Packers who had only one. They have the parts, all they need is a quarterback and someone who can put the parts together. If you're wondering why I didn’t put any defensive targets on here, I think they shouldn’t take one. Mike Pettine has never ranked outside the top ten in yards allowed as a defensive coordinator with the Jets and Bills so their defense will be fine.
Early Draft Targets for the Browns!
1st round ( 4th overall )
Johnny Manziel QB Texas A&M
Johnny Football would bring instant excitement to a dull Browns team. He has extreme play making ability and can make all the throws. Throwing 562 yards and 5 touchdowns against a Nick Saban defense is very impressive. He has superstar written all over him.
Blake Bortles QB UCF
Bortles has the prototypical frame of a NFL quarterback and 6’5” and 230 pounds. There is mostly likely going to be at least 2 quarterbacks left on the board when the Browns pick because it is unknown whether the Texans and Jaguars are going defense with Jadeveon Clowney or Khalil Mack, or a quarterback. If they want a prototypical quarterback with a big arm, Bortles is their man.
Teddy Bridgewater QB Louisville
Bridgewater is the most pro-ready and best quarterback in this class. He has all the intangibles you want in a franchise quarterback and has incredible mental and physical toughness. Watch film of how he shredded a SEC defense after getting LAID OUT by Jon Bostic in the Sugar bowl. That defines him as a quarterback.
26th Overall Pick (from Colts)
Kelvin Benjamin WR Florida State
After taking a franchise signal caller, many teams draft an offensive weapon with their next pick to help build around the young quarterback (ex: Andrew Luck and Coby Fleener). At 6’5” 240 pounds, Benjamin has elite length and is a mismatch on smaller defensive backs. He would help take the pressure off of Josh Gordon as the only threat on the field for the Browns
Marquise Lee WR USC
I could make an argument that Lee is the the 2nd most talented receiver in this draft class. Injuries could make him slide on draft day but he has very good athletic ability. If he would fall to the Browns, he could be a huge steal.
Brandin Cooks WR Oregon State
Cooks is a very quick and fast slot receiver. He has significant interest from teams like the Dolphins and Jets so he might not be there when the Browns have to pick. If he is there, he would be an outstanding complement to Josh Gordon.
DO NOT DRAFT IN 1ST ROUND!
Sammy Watkins WR Clemson
Let me make this clear, Sammy Watkins WILL NOT be a bust. He is the best receiver in this class and will turn out to be an outstanding receiver in the NFL. In the interest of Sammy’s career and the Browns future, the browns shouldn’t draft him with the 4th pick. Watkins will never be the player he could be without at least a mediocre quarterback and won’t turn around the Browns all by himself.
Derek Carr Fresno State
Unlike Watkins, Derek Carr will be a bust. 60 percent of his throws are within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage which won’t cut it in the NFL. Carr had a chance to prove himself against real competition in his bowl game against USC but failed. He only completed 53% of his passes and horribly overthrew many balls. This would be a Browns like pick.
Any OL in first round
Jake Matthews and Greg Robinson are very good prospects but the Browns drafting them wouldn’t make any sense. They already have Joe Thomas and Alex Mack to solidify the O-Line. Plus, an O-Lineman isn’t going to bring fans to the game or turn this team into a playoff contender.
2nd Round
Jeremy Hill RB LSU
The Browns need a compliment to Ben Tate and Hill could be the guy. HIll played in a pro style, power running game at LSU and it will easily translate to the NFL. The only issue is his off the field issues but he wrote a letter to all 32 teams about his mistakes so these issues seem to be behind him.
Ka’Deem Carey RB Arizona
The reason Carey is going to be picked so high is because of his production. Gaining 3,814 yards on the ground last season, Carey has been a running machine. He is also a very good pass catcher and will be a solid running back at the next level.
Carlos Hyde RB Ohio State
I don’t think i have ever seen a running back break as many tackles as I saw Hyde break last season. Hyde is easily the best running back in this draft and is incredibly tough to bring down. Watching Chris Borland from Wisconsin and him trying to level each other was great to watch and I can’t wait to watch him going up against some of the best linebackers in the league next season.
My heart is a cold dark place and I still feel bad for Cleveland fans.There is almost nothing to like about the Cleveland Browns right now. The way the organization has been run, you would think the Milwaukee Bucks are running the team. They continue to make stupid decisions like draft a quarterback that is almost 30 over a quarterback that is “too short.” They also fire coaches after one season even though they have almost no talent and the front office still thinks Brian Hoyer will lead them to a Super Bowl. Not to also mention their jerseys are crap and no big time athlete will want to come to that city, ask Lebron. With all that being said, there are some core players they can build around. They have five players returning to the team that went to the pro bowl last season (Jordan Cameron, Alex Mack, Josh Gordon, Joe Thomas, and Joe Haden), compared to a playoff team like the Packers who had only one. They have the parts, all they need is a quarterback and someone who can put the parts together. If you're wondering why I didn’t put any defensive targets on here, I think they shouldn’t take one. Mike Pettine has never ranked outside the top ten in yards allowed as a defensive coordinator with the Jets and Bills so their defense will be fine.
Early Draft Targets for the Browns!
1st round ( 4th overall )
Johnny Manziel QB Texas A&M
Johnny Football would bring instant excitement to a dull Browns team. He has extreme play making ability and can make all the throws. Throwing 562 yards and 5 touchdowns against a Nick Saban defense is very impressive. He has superstar written all over him.
Blake Bortles QB UCF
Bortles has the prototypical frame of a NFL quarterback and 6’5” and 230 pounds. There is mostly likely going to be at least 2 quarterbacks left on the board when the Browns pick because it is unknown whether the Texans and Jaguars are going defense with Jadeveon Clowney or Khalil Mack, or a quarterback. If they want a prototypical quarterback with a big arm, Bortles is their man.
Teddy Bridgewater QB Louisville
Bridgewater is the most pro-ready and best quarterback in this class. He has all the intangibles you want in a franchise quarterback and has incredible mental and physical toughness. Watch film of how he shredded a SEC defense after getting LAID OUT by Jon Bostic in the Sugar bowl. That defines him as a quarterback.
26th Overall Pick (from Colts)
Kelvin Benjamin WR Florida State After taking a franchise signal caller, many teams draft an offensive weapon with their next pick to help build around the young quarterback (ex: Andrew Luck and Coby Fleener). At 6’5” 240 pounds, Benjamin has elite length and is a mismatch on smaller defensive backs. He would help take the pressure off of Josh Gordon as the only threat on the field for the Browns
Marquise Lee WR USC
I could make an argument that Lee is the the 2nd most talented receiver in this draft class. Injuries could make him slide on draft day but he has very good athletic ability. If he would fall to the Browns, he could be a huge steal.
Brandin Cooks WR Oregon State
Cooks is a very quick and fast slot receiver. He has significant interest from teams like the Dolphins and Jets so he might not be there when the Browns have to pick. If he is there, he would be an outstanding complement to Josh Gordon.
DO NOT DRAFT IN 1ST ROUND!
Sammy Watkins WR Clemson
Let me make this clear, Sammy Watkins WILL NOT be a bust. He is the best receiver in this class and will turn out to be an outstanding receiver in the NFL. In the interest of Sammy’s career and the Browns future, the browns shouldn’t draft him with the 4th pick. Watkins will never be the player he could be without at least a mediocre quarterback and won’t turn around the Browns all by himself.
Derek Carr Fresno State
Unlike Watkins, Derek Carr will be a bust. 60 percent of his throws are within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage which won’t cut it in the NFL. Carr had a chance to prove himself against real competition in his bowl game against USC but failed. He only completed 53% of his passes and horribly overthrew many balls. This would be a Browns like pick.
Any OL in first round
Jake Matthews and Greg Robinson are very good prospects but the Browns drafting them wouldn’t make any sense. They already have Joe Thomas and Alex Mack to solidify the O-Line. Plus, an O-Lineman isn’t going to bring fans to the game or turn this team into a playoff contender.
2nd Round
Jeremy Hill RB LSU
The Browns need a compliment to Ben Tate and Hill could be the guy. HIll played in a pro style, power running game at LSU and it will easily translate to the NFL. The only issue is his off the field issues but he wrote a letter to all 32 teams about his mistakes so these issues seem to be behind him.
Ka’Deem Carey RB Arizona
The reason Carey is going to be picked so high is because of his production. Gaining 3,814 yards on the ground last season, Carey has been a running machine. He is also a very good pass catcher and will be a solid running back at the next level.
Carlos Hyde RB Ohio State
I don’t think i have ever seen a running back break as many tackles as I saw Hyde break last season. Hyde is easily the best running back in this draft and is incredibly tough to bring down. Watching Chris Borland from Wisconsin and him trying to level each other was great to watch and I can’t wait to watch him going up against some of the best linebackers in the league next season.2014 NFL Draft Steals
This years NFL Draft has a deep and talented class coming off of an entertaining college football year. This post contains my thoughts on 5 under the radar draft prospects that will be a steal for whoever drafts them, whether they make an immediate impact or even an impact in a few more years.
Gator Hoskins
Gator Hoskins
Gator Hoskins from Marshall did it all for the Thundering Herd last season. His athleticism allowed him to always be on the field while on offense, whether it be as a fullback or as a tight end. Although he didn't record as many receptions or receiving yards as other Tight Ends, Hoskins was the leader within his position in touchdown receptions. His 13 touchdowns this year were a product of his ability of having red-zone awareness, or being able to find holes in the red-zone that can lead to easy touchdowns. NFL teams love tight ends with this ability, especially on 3rd down. So why is Hoskins not projected very high in the draft? Part of the reason is because he is from a small school; as will some of the players on this list. Small schools get less exposure which leads to people not being aware of him. Another reason why he isn't projected very high is because he isn't totally fit for a specific position in the NFL. He could play Tight End, but standing at 6'2, Hoskins would be considered very short for that position. That reason is possibly why NFL teams may try him out as a Fullback, where his 244 pounds can be utilized very well. All in all, Hoskins is a safe, low-risk pick in the late-rounds that can outperform others drafted ahead of him.
Shaquil Barrett
Shaquil Barrett of Colorado State is projected to be a late 7th-rounder by CBSsports.com, but I myself would easily spend a 4th-round pick on this guy. The only thing restricting him from being a mid-round draft pick is his size. At 6'2 and 260 pounds, Barrett is a huge Outside Linebacker. He also doesn't have ideal NFL size and lacks good strength which at times can limit his play. With all of his physical features aside, Barrett is a great linebacker. He has great play recognition along with his ability to adjust which makes him a very instinctive linebacker. Along with being very instinctive, he is very aggressive on the point of attack and also sets the edge very well. He also played well against top-tier NCAA teams. Against Alabama, he was accounted for 1.5 sacks against a top Offensive Tackle in Cyrus Kouandjio. As long as Barrett gets in better NFL-shape, he can certainly be a steal for the team that gets him.
Jerick McKinnon
The Georgia Southern athlete started 5 games at Quarterback and 4 games at Running Back this year. At the 2014 NFL Draft Combine, he worked out with the Running Back group and was a top-performer in all categories for the group. He's also monster in the weight room; he can bench press twice his body weight and can squat three times his body weight. On the field, he can change direction quickly and accelerate fluently, which along with his quickness, can help him strive in the NFL. McKinnon is also a complete team player, filling any role needed whether it be Quarterback, Running Back, or on Special Teams. His only weakness is his lack of experience as a traditional Running Back, which is something he can easily improve on during training camp and the preseason. A team could possibly draft him as early as the 4th round, but McKinnon can have the impact of a 1st rounder in a few years.
Dion Bailey
A projected 4th round pick, I can see Dion Bailey as a possible All-Pro after a few years of experience at the safety position. After starting 2 years at linebacker and 1 year as a safety at USC, Bailey recorded an impressive 222 tackles in his career. Dion is an unselfish player, he will take out blockers to set up a teammate for a tackle. Being a former linebacker, he's really well at reading plays quickly, tackling technique, and having on-field awareness. These are great qualities to look for in an NFL safety, especially with the way safeties are currently tackling in the NFL. CBSSports.com compares him to All-Pro Safety Eric Weddle from the San Diego Chargers, which isn't a bad comparison at all. If you're a team who lacks a tough, play making, and aggressive safety, this is the perfect player for you.
Jacob Pedersen
There is no doubt that NFL teams love Tight Ends from the Wisconsin Badgers. The Badgers currently have 5 Tight Ends in the NFL which includes Owen Daniels (Texans), Garrett Graham (Texans), Jake Byrne (Chargers), Lance Kendricks (Rams), and Travis Beckum (Seahawks). Pedersen is a great blocker in the Badgers running offense, he helped James White and Melvin Gordon each earned 1,000 yards rushing this year. During his sophomore year in 2011, he was one of Russell Wilson's favorite receivers, catching a superb 8 touchdown passes. In 2012 and 2013, his touchdown receptions went down from his sophomore year, mainly due to lackluster Quarterback play. But in 2013, Pedersen bounced back with a 551 yards on 39 receptions, an average of 14.1 yards per catch. I believe that if Pedersen is matched up with an elite NFL Quarterback, he can make quite an impact on that team. If he isn't even drafted, I still expect Pedersen to be on an NFL 53-man roster by the first regular season game.
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