Cavs in trouble and the Browns on the rise? What? While We’re Waiting…
January 19, 2016Horton to be hired by Hue? Ray Horton to interview for Browns DC opening
January 19, 2016The real football season has started for the Cleveland Browns. Sure, there are still four teams competing for a trip to Super Bowl 50, but the Browns’ Super Bowl has been the NFL Draft since their re-inception in 1999. For the first time since the year 2000, when they took defensive end Courtney Brown with the No. 1 pick, the Browns have a top-two pick. The only team ahead of them is the Tennessee Titans, who happen to have Marcus Mariota manning their quarterback position. Barring a major trade, that means the Browns will have their choice of any signal-caller in the draft. To that end, NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks has the Browns filling their most obvious need by selecting University of California quarterback Jared Goff.
In a bit of a surprise, Brooks has the Titans taking University of Mississippi offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil with the first overall selection. The pick has some merit given Tunsil can help protect the investment the Titans have already made in Mariota, and newly minted head coach Mike Mularkey is an offensive-minded sort. However, Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa is widely seen as the best talent in this draft, so the move would give the Browns an interesting choice. Would the Browns take the potential Best Player Available from the nearby school, or the desperately needed quarterback?
The answer would likely come down to the answer to two other questions: Is there a quarterback the Browns believe is worth spending the No. 2 pick on? And, are the Browns at a point where they can properly nurture such a drafted quarterback?
For his part, Brooks believes the answer to both of those questions is affirmative, as he notes his reasoning for the Browns selection:
Hue Jackson’s esteemed reputation as a quarterback developer could prompt the Browns to make the Cal standout their new quarterback of the future.
Brooks then has the San Diego Chargers selecting Notre Dame offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley with the third pick, as Philip Rivers was battered from a lack of protection in 2015. That would allow the Dallas Cowboys to possibly get the pass rusher they need in Bosa by staying in the fourth slot.
Other notable picks from Brooks’ mock draft include the now-Los Angeles Rams selecting North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz with the No. 15 pick, while Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch falls out of the first round entirely. Ohio State leads all teams with five projected first-round selections, with offensive tackle Taylor Decker (No. 18 to the Colts), linebacker Darron Lee (No. 20, Jets), running back Ezekiel Elliott (No. 22, Texans), and cornerback Eli Apple (No. 25, Steelers) joining Bosa.
Of course, these mocks are mostly academic exercises of figuring out potential fits with teams based on the players the analysts believe are best at each position. One big move can change the entire dynamic of the draft and shake up the entire lot of players available. The Titans are already discussing making such a move that might not even allow the Browns first dibs on a quarterback.
New Titans' GM Jon Robinson already has put the No. 1 pick up for sale. "We will look at any and all offers that come this way," he said.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 18, 2016
So, yeah, it’s draft season. Are you ready?
84 Comments
I’m giving Hue the benefit of the doubt which is a win with me.
How high has Treadwell gone in mock drafts? I thought I remember someone saying the WRs even top guy was mid-round 1 at best. In a perfect world, yes a dream in other words, I’d like to use that #2 pick (right now it’s Goff) and move up back into round 2. Then perhaps if you want to load up on offense you look for Treadwell if available. Goff can sit and learn meanwhile offense has Duke, Barnidge, Treadwell, Benjamin nad hopefully Gordon. If I was McCown I think I’d smile.
This. I am tired of seeing all the players we didn’t pick so that we could trade down for Phil Taylor and Justin Gilbert.
“They have Manziel and McCown already on the roster.”
http://i.imgur.com/SYJnNoE.gif
Then Buh-Bye to Joey.
I’m sure people in Dallas need second hand shoes as well.
If Tennessee drafts Tunsil MAYBE the NFL will feel so bad for the Browns they’ll let them just go ahead and take both Bosa AND Goff?
WHHHHHEEEEERRRRRESSSSS MYYY QUUAARRRTTTEEERBAAAACKKK????
http://i.imgur.com/iv0as.gif
I flip flop A and B in your alternative options.
there is a reason those guys can be had later in the draft
few drafts have the top WR not in the Top 10. some have multiple WRs in that tier.
AJ Green was, Julio Jones was and RGB’s Sammy Watkins were all top 10 if not top 5. You can say what you want about Treadwell but everything I’ve seen written about him does not have him in those players class.
That still stings…
Well if you trade down you don’t trade down low enough to miss out on players and more importantly you don’t miss when you finally select. But I can still remember that draft when they moved down and ended up with Taylor. I just held my head, common theme, while muttering, “What?”
It was lessened by just missing out on Green but even worse not selecting Jones instead trading that pick. That’s why when they didn’t choose Watkins it barely even registered because what else was new.
I wouldn’t mind. Like I said the new people will have their work cut out for them and we should all get a very good idea pretty fast of just how good those people are at doing their jobs.
Goff seems like a huge risk to me at 2. Screwing this pick up would put Hue Jackson in a hole. If he was a 2nd round pick I would be excited. Otherwise, I would say pick someone with less risk.
What’s the deal with Carson Wentz? I watched some video of him today including a large part of the FCS championship game and he looks pretty good. Made good decisions and operated from behind center pretty often. Saw him throw guys open a few times. It’s tough to determine how much better he looks by playing against DII defenses and how much worse he looks by playing with less talented and less physically gifted players. He *might* be the best QB in the draft from what I can tell. Has nice touch on both the long and short passes and he’s the only QB who you can see operate out of a pro-style offense besides Connor Cook.
He’s more similar to Julio/AJ than Watkins. Guy I compare him to more though is Mike Evans (another Top 10 pick). Different types of WRs. He’s a guy people complain isn’t fast enough, but is incredibly quick. If he puts a good 40-time at combine, all of a sudden everyone will have him Top 5.
Ray Farmer, from Hell’s heart, I stab at thee…
Well unfortunately the Browns have more pressing needs as you pointed out. I say lets start with another QB.
i hated that pick then. I hate it more now.
phil taylor was good. when he wasn’t hurt. but a healthy Taylor coincides with the last time the Browns could stop the run at all.
not saying it was the right pick – just that he wasn’t a Gilbert-level pick.
that’s not what I personally see. i think he’s right there. and only getting better.
true , but brady & many others were had later in the draft … i will have faith that our new geniuses will get it right.
No gingers.
But man, wouldn’t Julio Jones look better?
Can’t believe Laremy Tunsil is taking a pay cut to enter the draft early.
Watch yourself RGB… my mom and siblings are gingers. You’re about to enter a world of pain.
We shouldn’t draft them either, then.
http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/scratchpad/images/8/8d/Io_Anger_profile.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20150801022141
You should also add “and when he would allow the Browns to play him at nose tackle.” Big Phil complained about playing the nose, his best position, and we had a mostly-healthy yet terrible season from him as he proved ineffective at the 3 and 5 techniques while Rubin floundered at the 0 and 1 techniques.
Like in a swimsuit?
Well duh.
Excellent. I concur.