Browns in the 6th and 7th-Gambling on Greatness

The Cleveland Browns finished up their draft with five picks in the sixth and seventh rounds and came up with some interesting picks-three of which I really like.

The favorite was their last pick, which shows the ability to be patient and could wind up being a huge victory as Oregon cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu was tabbed despite a knee injury that could sideline him for 2015.
A three-time All-Pac 12 player and All-American last season.
Ekpre-Olomu tore his ACL in preparations for the Ducks playoffs game vs Florida State and may not be ready to go until 2016.
That said, without the knee injury, he was a potential first-rounder and the Browns may have gotten a steal for the future.
If IEO can return to health at top speed, the Browns have the largest group of young and top talented corners in this league and that goes a long way in the NFL.
These are the type of picks that I like to see in the late rounds-low risk, high reward and the chance of an impact player!

The Browns other seventh-rounder was linebacker Hayes Pullard of USC, who is more of an inside player than an outside player.
The inside backers are often your high motor players that don't always have the physical stature that teams like in higher picks.
Pullard would have been fine in that spot, but I loved the open letter that he wrote to fans and media before the draft.
That is exactly the type of workhorse that our Browns need and I love giving players like that a chance...

The sixth saw another talented corner drafted as Charles Gaines of Louisville slipped from a fourth-round projection to round six.
Gaines has physical gifts as one of the fastest corners in the draft, but being a former wide receiver still has some rough edges to be sanded out.

Cleveland took two tight ends in round six in Malcolm Johnson of Mississippi State and Randall Telfer of USC.
Johnson caught 10 touchdowns in his career and is also reported to be possibly a fullback or H-back rather than a full-time tight end.
Telfer is more of a big run blocker (6'4 265) than a receiver and has had injury issues at USC.
Even though both players are listed as tight ends, they are really two different types of players.

I plan on a post later in the week discussing the Browns draft on the overall...

Browns take two in round four

The Cleveland Browns had back to back picks in the middle of round four and expected to use them.
They used the first and then added an extra 6th and 7th round pick to drop a few spots with Arizona.
I liked that just for the chance to add a few more bodies.

With the first pick,Cleveland took a safety in Ibraheim Campbell of Northwestern.
I have a ton of respect for Pat Fitzgerald and his Wildcats program and despite some observers thinking that Campbell was more of a sixth rounder,I'm OK with it.
I wrote in our preview that a strong safety to groom behind Donte Whitner would be a great idea sometime during the draft and the Browns agreed.
Campbell is a physical,hard hitter and although he might not have been my top choice,he was the type of player that I was hoping to see in Cleveland by the end of today..

After the trade with the Cardinals,the Browns finally tabbed someone to catch the ball and it was an interesting player in Vince Mayle of Washington State.
Washington State under Mike Leach throws a lot,so Mayle has the stats from last season with 106 catches for just under 1,500 yards.
Mayle is reported to have dropped well into double digit passes last season,but pro-rate that with the Cougars offense and that's like a conventional offense's receiver dropping five passes.
The 6'2 Mayle has the size to be a red zone help and maybe even a little more,even if he lacks top speed.
I also liked that Mayle said he was "humbled" by being a fourth round pick and was going to channel that into hard work.
Gotta love that mentality and I see a trend with the Browns picking solid citizens and guys with high work ethic.
Josh Gordon and last season's draft are the type of thing that can do that to an organization,but I like that thinking.
I don't want to root for teams that employ women beaters,drug users and drunk drivers-I would almost rather lose than root for teams that overlook such conduct and the Browns,at least for now,seem to be moving away from that!
I'll be back later tonight with some thoughts on the new Browns from rounds six and seven!

Cleveland Browns Day 2-Pounding the football

I was hoping that the Cleveland Browns would add some receiving weapons to help their less than powerful quarterbacking situation on day two of the NFL draft and they did not even address the situation.

However,they did add an interesting talent to the offense and two more player for a team being built as a defensive bully and I cannot say I'm totally displeased.

Ray Farmer had a chance to select either Jaelen Strong,a wide receiver from Arizona State,who many had going in the first round or the top tight end in the draft in Maxx Williams of Minnesota,but instead chose to trade down eight spots with the Houston Texans and added an extra 4th and 6th rounders for the help.
Both players were still on the board at 51,but the Browns passed on both to take Nate Orchard,a pass rushing linebacker from Utah.
Nothing against Orchard,who is a fine player and will hopefully do what Barkevious Mingo was drafted to do,but I really wanted Williams,who will now haunt Cleveland for years as a member of the Ravens,who traded up to 55 and snatched him away.
The 6'3 Orchard is listed as a defensive end or outside linebacker,although in the 3-4 defense,that position could be really named "Rush End" and led college football in sacks last season against solid competition in the Pac 10.
This was a need and I like the player,but what I don't like is Ray Farmer's opinion that you don't draft guys to catch the ball and his thoughts that the Browns can get away with Dwayne Bowe as a number one wideout with Josh McCown throwing the ball.
This may not end well,the theory that is,not Orchard,who could be very good.

With Strong going to Houston in round three,I had pretty much given up on real WR help,although I liked Chris Conley of Georgia,who the Chiefs traded up in round three for just before the Browns third rounder and I want a day three shot at Maryland's Stefon Diggs,but the Browns did add a offensive skill player as the selection of Miami running back
Duke Johnson could be a winner.

Johnson,the all time top rusher in Miami history,might not be a full time back,but with his ability in the open field and as pass catcher,Johnson adds a dimension that neither Terrence West or Isaiah Crowell has.
Johnson reminds me of Darren Sproles a bit and might be similar to Sproles as the type of player that the offense flows through.
The size (5'9 205) worked in Johnson being a third rounder,but that same size is what works so well among the Browns other backs in a rotation.
The Cleveland running game could be one of those that frustrates fantasy owners,yet is very effective on the field.
Super pleased with this pick and others thought that way too as so many fans of other teams (especially Dallas) groaned with the announcement of the selection.

The evening appeared to be completed after the pick of Johnson,but the Browns then traded up for the final pick of the round (Compensation picks afterwards cannot be dealt) to add Washington State defensive tackle Xavier Cooper.
The 6'2 293 pound Cooper is noted for tremendous speed,although he needs to improve his strength.
Cooper is more a project than Nate Orchard,but should compete to be part of the defensive line rotation.
Cooper's cost was a fourth,fifth and sixth round picks to the Patriots,although Cleveland did add a seventh rounder in the swap.

The Browns have five picks in day three of today's draft-2 in round 4 (back to back at 115 and 116),2 in round 6 (189 and 195) and 1 in round 7 (219),although I wouldn't be surprised to see more dealing up and down that could include picks for the 2016 draft.
I may be back later today with some thoughts on round four's selections,depending on time and if the Browns actually keep two fourth round picks....

Browns select Cameron Erving at 19

The Cleveland Browns didn't make the sexiest pick with the 19th pick in round one,which they obtained from the Buffalo Bills last season in the Sammy Watkins trade,but they might have made a solid one with the selection of Florida State's Cameron Erving.
The 6'6 313 pounder can play all three spots on the line and even though I think he is most likely to play right guard next season,the value of Erving comes into play with the ability to play center.
That would allow the Browns to not allow Alex Mack to to kill them in negotiations when he re-enters free agency.
Erving is built more like a lanky finesse lineman than a squat run blocker,so that has to help in his versatility along the line.
Erving's best position might be center,so even if he never plays there,his presence might help the Browns sign Alex Mack at a buyers market and if Mack really does want to leave Cleveland,Erving can slot right into his spot and do so without the rookie learning curve.

Say what you will,but Cameron Erving was the only lineman that I would have been fine with the Browns taking in round one and they grabbed him.
Considering that I didn't have first round grades on the remaining wide receivers on the board at 19,I like the pick a lot.
Now,I can hope the Browns take Ohio State wide receiver Devin Smith in round two tomorrow and really upgrade their three largest positions of need.....

Browns select Danny Shelton at 12

The Cleveland Browns had two players on the board when the 12th pick arrived in the first round that I liked a lot.
I told the lovely Cherie that I would be very happy with either Louisville wide receiver DeVante Parker or Washington defensive tackle Danny Shelton.
That meant,of course,that the Browns would do what they normally do and take someone else.

This time,they didn't as the Browns selected Danny Shelton to address a run defense that desperately needed someone up the middle to stuff the run.
The Washington Huskie product brings a big body (339 pounds) and should immediately help a Browns defensive weakness.
Shelton is more of a run stopper than a pass rusher,but I watched a decent amount of Washington games last season and his pass rush from the defensive tackle position is a bit underrated,so with some work,Shelton does have the potential to be a three down player,which some scouts doubt.

Very happy with this addition in both quality of player and as a bonus at a position of need...
I'll be back later with the Browns other first rounder later....

Cleveland Browns-Sleepers

Photo Credit:Andrew Weber USA Today

A bit of housecleaning first before I finish our Browns draft series.
Thanks for the notes on this morning's post.
Most of you agreed with my take,but some didn't and that's fine.
I just hope I made you think a bit and maybe look closer at things.
I will not identify the Suns employee because my intent was not to call anyone out-I just wanted to show how some people behave.
Also,for those that wondered about Blair Jewell and how I know her-the answer is that I don't.
I was just sitting nearby when the person walked up to her.
Thanks again for the feedback! I always enjoy hearing from you....

Now we move on to a few players that I like in the draft,but might not be names that you hear tonight.
I'll start at wide receiver with a player that if the Browns took at either 19 or lower in a tradedown scenario that I would love to see is Ohio State's Devin Smith.
With Smith's deep speed (maybe best in the draft) he could open up a lot of lanes for the Browns possession types.
If we are looking at real sleepers at WR for day three,look at Chris Conley of Georgia or the talented Stefon Diggs of Maryland,who could also help in the return game.

I like UCLA's Brett Hundley at quarterback on day two.
Hundley's skills will need a lot of refinement,but I'd take the risk as I like his background and I think with some patience (the Browns may not have that luxury),Hundley has a chance to be a solid NFL passer.

Many are talking runner in round one and I noted earlier about how much I like Todd Gurley and Melvin Gordon,but I also like Indiana's Tevin Coleman and Boise State's Jay Ajayi later on day two.
Want a day three flier? I was always impressed by the toughness of Michigan State's Jeremy Langford against Ohio State and I think he could be a productive part of a back rotation.

A day three tight end I like is Nick O'Leary of Florida State.
O'Leary is all about production and watching his intense nature makes me think of the Giants Mark Bavaro and that was a very dependable and tough tight end.

I'll add two day three types for the offensive line.
Tackle? All in on the huge (6'7 321) Rob Haverstein of Wisconsin.
Haverstein is the type of tackle that improves the running game as a road paver.
He might not be a elite talent,but he reminds of a guy that starts for a while and is very dependable.
Guard? The Browns could do worse than Texas A&M's Jarvis Harrison,who struggled after a shoulder injury.
Big (330),Harrison is athletic and reminded me a little of former Saints (among other teams) guard Ben Grubbs...

On the defense,two sleepers for the line.
I love Clemson's Grady Jarrett on the inside.
I'm a big fan of high energy players and that is Jarrett.
It may take a day two pick to land Jarrett however.
A knee problem dropped Texas end Cedric Reed's play after a great 2013 season,but I'd love a chance on him on day three.
A healthy Reed could be a force at a bargain price..

The linebackers will see an outside and a inside backer.
On the inside,how about Bryce Hager of Baylor,who just makes tackles,
Hager is the son of former Eagle Britt Hager and at worst,will be a special team impact player.
Outside features a player that I've seen a lot in Washington's Shaq Thompson.
The athletic Thompson sometimes has been seen in round one in some mock drafts,but I think he is a better day two fit.
My only worry is that he may be a tweener.Too slow for safety,not big enough to be a three down linebacker...

Utah's Eric Rowe has nice ball skills and could play the corner or safety,while Ole Miss's Cody Prewitt is a hitter that could be a huge help on special teams.
I also would consider Tennessee corner Justin Coleman as a player with loads of talent that could flourish with the right team.
Much like Stefon Diggs,Coleman has day one/two level talent with some consistency issues that drop him down the board...

Keep an eye of some of those names and see what you think for the Browns or your team over the next few days!
Enjoy the draft

Cleveland Browns-Persons of Interest

Feeling a bit better so going to try to get through our Browns persons of interest.
Please be sure to check out our podcast with Jeff Obert-Thorn on the draft.
I apologize for the sound quality not being up to usual standards,but it was hard enough for me to do the show and there were some things that I just missed that day.I apologize for that.

The Cleveland Browns are in a difficult position of picking 12th in a draft that may not be able to hit their top needs.
In our mock draft (available on the podcast),none of the three elite wide receivers and the top defensive tackles were off the board and that could lead the Browns to want to trade down,if someone is interested.

I really like the top three wide receivers in Alabama's Amari Cooper,West Virginia's Kevin White and Louisville's DeVante Parker,but all three could be gone by the Browns selection.
If one of the three is available,it would likely be Parker and I'd be fine with the Louisville route runner.
If all three were available,I like Cooper the best of the three,despite not having the physical assets of White.
I would love to see the Browns have Ohio State's Devin Smith as a possibility in round two or even 19 if the board fell right.
Smith would provide the deep speed that none of the Browns current receivers possess.

I really like Washington's run stuffing defensive tackle Danny Shelton (pictured above) and think he would be an ideal fit for the Browns and the AFC North,but he may not fall to Cleveland.
I prefer Shelton,but Texas defensive tackle Malcolm Brown would a nice consolation prize.
Brown isn't quite as strong against the run as Shelton,but might be a better pass rusher.
If the Browns like Brown,I would hope to see a move down and maybe add a pick or two,but he should be productive.
On the outside,Kentucky's Bud Dupree might be a possibility in an attempt to provide the pass rush from the side opposite Paul Kruger as an end/linebacker.

I know that many observers think the Browns are loaded at running back with Terrence West and Isaiah Crowell,but I'm not convinced,especially if the intent is to run the football even more often than last season.
I'm bigger on Crowell than West,but I love Todd Gurley,the running back from Georgia to be the type of three down back that neither of the current pair can be.
Gurley can put his shoulder down to run over defenders and has breakaway speed with pass catching ability as well.
The only question is a knee injury,but I think that if someone takes it slow in the summer with Gurley,they will be rewarded with an elite NFL back.
I haven't rated a back higher than Gurley since the arrival of Adrian Peterson,so if the Browns decide to take the best player on the board in Todd Gurley,despite the appearance of young backs on the roster-I'd be fine with the selection as I am generally a proponent of the best player on the board theory...
Some prefer Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon over Gurley,I don't,but I like Gordon a lot as being the exception to the rule on Badger backs.
I'd be OK with Gordon at 19...

I don't think the Browns have the need on the O-line that many do,but I wouldn't be against a versatile lineman early like Florida State's Cameron Irving that could play all three positions on the line.
Center would be a wedge against the possible loss of Alex Mack following 2015.so Irving would make sense,especially at 19.
If the Browns would consider current starting guard John Greco as a Mack replacement,Brandon Scherff of Iowa or La'el Collins of LSU would each be excellent additions.
If the Browns like Schreff,they may have to take him at 12.

At quarterback-I like Marcus Mariota of Oregon,but not enough to overpay for,I like UCLA's Brett Hundley almost as much and especially in round 2 or 3,I'd be more willing to select Hundley.
Hundley is loaded with physical skills,but will need some developmental time,so he is not a plug and play guy.

I doubt the Browns take another corner early in the draft,but using best player on the board-I really like three corners with Trae Waynes of Michigan State most of all,but Washington's Marcus Peters and LSU's Jalen Collins have appeal as well.
I think the Browns could consider the best safety on the board at 19 in Alabama's Landon Collins.

These are a few of the names for the Browns on day one,if I have time,I might try to add a post that looks at some players I like for the remainder of the draft..

Podcast! NFL Draft Show with Guest Jeff Obert-Thorn!

It's our NFL Draft Show with special guest Jeff Obert-Thorn!

Cleveland Browns Defensive Needs

Our draft series continues on the Cleveland Browns with a few thoughts on the defensive needs of the team...

The defensive line needs a major addition in the worst way.
The ends are good enough as part of a rotation,but not good enough to put a serious hurting on the passer.
Billy Winn,John Hughes and Desmond Bryant are OK,but I'm looking for more than OK.
Phil Taylor missed time last season,is a free agent at the end of this season and Randy Starks provides pass rushing after being signed from Miami,but lacks the run stuffing ability that one likes to see on the nose.
The Browns will likely address the nose tackle and could add an end as well..

The Browns could use some help at linebacker as well.
Paul Kruger increased his production at one outside spot with an excellent 2014 and the inside player were strong with veteran Karlos Dansby performing well and Craig Robertson surprising me with a breakout season with Christian Kirksey showing promise off his rookie year.
Former first rounder Barkevious Mingo played all last season with bicep problems,but has not delivered the pass rush expected.
Armonty Bryant is being moved from defensive end to attempt the move that Jabaal Sheard failed to make and I wonder if this will be any more successful.
A outside rusher to complement Kruger is a huge need...

The Browns seem safe at corner with Joe Haden and the latest signing of Tramon Williams.
Pierre Desir showed some ability in his late season games and K'Waun Williams was a find as an undrafted free agent.
If the Browns can get anything out of Justin Gilbert,this could be a strength of the team.
Cleveland could use a safety to build up depth behind Donte Whitner and Tashaun Gipson as the Browns really don't have anyone of note beyond special team types in case of injury.

Spencer Lanning is likely to return as punter and although I'm not against challengers,I wouldn't favor a draft pick on one..

Top Defensive Needs
1:Defensive Tackle
2:Defensive End
3:Outside Linebacker

Cleveland Browns Offensive Needs

Our annual prep for the Browns draft begins today with the offensive needs of the team.
I'll also be doing a defensive needs post with a look at my persons (people?) of interest and with time,I'll try a look at some sleepers at each position as well..

Can you make an argument for yet another early round pick at the quarterback position?
Yes,you sure can.
With the questions surrounding Johnny Manziel on and off the field along with the thinking that the team can get by with Josh McCown,yes you could make that argument.
Josh McCown,Johnny Manziel,Thaddeus Lewis and Connor Shaw don't exactly strike fear into defenses or help build Cleveland into a contender/
Would I be thrilled if the Browns tried again? Depends.
But I cannot argue the doubts at the position and for all the draftees since the 1999 return,all except Tim Couch have been guys drafted in the late first round.
I'm not advocating a tradeup for Marcus Mariota or Jameis Winston,but I'd rather see that than another late first rounder.
I have a player that I'd like in day two in mind,but you'll have to wait until the persons of interest post to get a name.

The Browns have two nice second year backs,but neither strike me as true number one backs.
I think Isaiah Crowell could develop into that role and Terrence West is solid,when he feels like playing.Glenn Winston is raved about by the coaches,but rarely sees the field and Shaun Draughn is a veteran that is mainly a backup at this stage.
The position looks strong,but I wouldn't be against a back being taken and even early if the back was the right one.
Mike Pettine is building a team based around the run game and when you look at it as such,two backs aren't enough,especially with the issues surrounding West and his occasional effort issues..

The Browns need a number one wide receiver and no,Ray Farmer-I don't believe Dwayne Bowe is a number one receiver and if the Browns think he is,then there is an issue in itself.
Bowe can be very helpful,but he isn't a number one right now.
Brian Hartline is a nice addition from the Dolphins and Andrew Hawkins should be very strong in the slot.
Taylor Gabriel and Travis Benjamin can contribute,if spotted properly in the right role,but neither are starting material.
The Browns need a number one receiver. Draft one and this bunch doesn't look so bad.
Ignore it like last draft and it looks pretty pedestrian at best...

The Browns looked weak at tight end ,but I liked the addition of Rob Housler of the Cardinals.
Before that,I was hoping that they might look at Maxx Williams of Minnesota with the second of their two first rounders,but now I'm ok with a later round project type.
Housler will surprise some people catching the ball and I'm fine with Jim Dray and Gary Barnidge as the blockers.
I would like to see an athletic pass catcher sometime in this draft in case Housler doesn't work out,but it doesn't have to be an early selection.

I've been surprised with the amount of draftniks that seem to believe the Browns need offensive line help.
They could use offensive line depth as shown after the Alex Mack injury,but with a healthy Mack,the Browns are solid almost line wide.
Joe Thomas is a perennial All-Pro,Joel Bitonio should have been a contender for offensive rookie of the year,Alex Mack is of pro bowl talent and John Greco is solid at the right guard spot.
Mitchell Schwartz improved last season,although he is still the weak link of the bunch,but still I'd rather see him pushed by Michael Bowie,who started for the Seahawks before a pre-season injury saw Seattle attempt to slide him through waivers since he was out of action for the season.
The Browns claimed Bowie and I think they might be better suited to see what Bowie has to offer rather than use a high pick for a right tackle.
I would like to see the Browns take an interior lineman in case Alex Mack leaves via free agency after 2015 to protect against a similar mess as happened last season.
It can be a pure center or a guard,in which case,John Greco could move over to the center as he holds experience there in the past.
And yes,I do have a particular player in mind.

Garrett Hartley was decent in his late season cameo and deserves a full shot at the permanent kicking position,but I'm all for challengers and even a day three pick would be acceptable to me...

Top Offensive Needs
1:Wide Receiver
2:Quarterback
3:Interior Lineman- Center/Guard