Buckeyes Roundball Roundup: Swept by Sparty, Cornhuskers
February 21, 2017High hopes, what ifs, and fake news: The NBA Trade Deadline
February 21, 2017The Cleveland Browns could make history. USA TODAY’s Draft Wire has the Browns taking a safety with the first position of the 2017 NFL Draft. While the consensus pick across the draft analysis industry is for the Browns to take the highest rated pass rusher in the past decade in Myles Garrett, there are a few outliers having them reach for a quarterback. Luke Easterling, however, is the first to have them go outside the realm of either and choose another player without a trade down.
Defensive backs are considered to be of lesser value than quarterbacks, pass rushers, or those who excel in pass protection. As such, only one defensive back has ever been drafted No. 1 overall. Gary Glick was the Pittsburgh Steelers first pick in the 1956 NFL Draft. He also served as their backup halfback and kicker.
The Browns themselves have had mixed success taking defensive backs high in the draft. Eric Turner was the No. 2 overall pick in the 1991 NFL Draft and Antonio Langham was the No. 9 pick in the 1994 NFL Draft, who both went on to have fantastic careers. Justin Gilbert was the No. 8 selection in the 2014 NFL Draft, who went on to have a less than stellar career.
No. 1 Jamal Adams, S, LSU
First off, don’t tell me the Browns aren’t crazy enough to do this. Second, Adams is the most polished, complete player in this entire draft, and that includes Myles Garrett. If there’s a flaw in Adams as a prospect, whether it’s between the lines, off the field or in the locker room, I’ve yet to find it.
Easterling goes on to have the San Francisco 49ers take Myles Garrett and calls it a dream scenario for them. Indeed, any scenario that has Garrett not being taken with the first selection—Browns or not—might well be considered fantasy.
Still, Adams is an incredible prospect who is worthy of being a Top 5 selection and could well be a target of the Browns should they listen to WFNY’s Craig Lyndall and consider a trade down. Adams is the son of former New York Giant running back George Adams, who was a noted vocal leader for the LSU Tigers defense. He is a fierce hitter who should become a feared strong safety. His range and coverage abilities will limit him to the strong side and he was limited in turnovers generated, but there is still a major place in any defense for a talent such as Adams.
No. 12 Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
If the Browns don’t take a quarterback with the top overall pick, they’d love to see one of the top passers still be available here. In this scenario, only one quarterback is off the board, and I think Trubisky would get the edge here.
Deshaun Watson went to the Chicago Bears in this mock draft, but most analysts are selecting quarterbacks more based on the team than the player in the first round. Watson, Trubisky, Patrick Mahomes, and DeShone Kizer have been seen in almost any order. The team tendencies and preferences might decide which quarterback is taken amongst this group.
Former Mr. Ohio Football only started one season for the North Carolina Tarheels, but he proved himself worthy enough for an early look by NFL teams. His pocket mobility has helped give him a calmness in the pocket. He also is capable of making all of the NFL throws with accuracy. But, his offense being a mixture of Air Raid and read-option limited his progression maturity even more than only starting a single season. He has footwork to learn and complicated defenses to read, which he struggled with even in his limited system. Trubisky would have a few passes a game that would be true “wow” throws, but his overall consistency was lacking. The question would be how quickly Hue Jackson can clean up his game.
Other Browns selections
No. 33 Jalen Tabor, CB, Florida
No. 50 Curtis Samuel, RB/WR, Ohio State
No. 65 Bucky Hodges, TE, Virginia Tech
44 Comments
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I want a safety very, very badly, but taking one at No. 1 seems like a risk. That said, I assume the Rams would’ve gladly had Eric Berry in 2010 all things considered.
Translation: https://68.media.tumblr.com/72ebf29dba0b3e0a39ae453ad6c5856f/tumblr_nyrq2rvmHo1v0fpvco1_400.gif
Bucky Hodges… noooooope. No. No.
Significant pot “habit”. A trusted source of mine has crossed paths with Bucky several times at VT.
“God’s” and “Gift” tattooed on his triceps. Holy Ego, Batman!
Maybe worth the gamble that late (the talent is certainly there), but I think the likelihood this guy can sustain much of an NFL career is minimal.
http://i.giphy.com/MlXJM9iKKrjuE.gif
Trade down to 5 and take hooker? I still think hooker is better than Adams but I have seen a lot more of hooker than Adams. Wouldn’t we get a bounty for trade down to 5?
Hooker is having labrum surgery this offseason – seems a bit of a risk to draft him Top 5. I still remember many assuming that Jaylon Smith’s injury wouldn’t drop him out of the Top 10 last year – he went 2nd round.
I wonder if it is more boredom with the consensus. Trying to visualize more interesting scenarios than the reality put before us.
So you prefer:
https://media.tenor.co/images/9babf62a0cc4542d6d4d73c07eb02ba5/raw
Even then, Suh would have been the top rated defensive player (went No. 2) and has more career AV than Berry. Whether or not AV is fair to safeties is another question though.
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DRAFF DEM BOFF!!
Predicting a different pick every time gives you more opportunities to say, “I was right”.
If someone is really serious about starting a legit conversation, then have the Browns taking Allen at #1.
Everything else is just clickbait.
I can’t decide which of these are summed up more perfectly by this GIF… Trump’s campaign or
Lil’ Johnny’s NFL career
I know they need things to write, and simply writing Garrett #1 is uninteresting…but when he writer knows it’s crazy, what’s the point? Doesn’t that invalidate the remainder of the work?
#2 and #3 are Geno Atkins and Antonio Brown (4th and 6th round).
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In any other draft, this pick would wouldn’t even be in doubt.
But, Browns.
TRADE ALL PICKS FOR GARAPALO.
It doesn’t matter. He’s got our attention…just the same way my 5 year old will do something utterly stupid and/or destructive to get my attention. Also, neither one cares that much about their reputation or has well-thought out the future consequences.
Fair point.
Ok, I’ll go ahead and set the over/under on Kiper Mock Drafts…5.5
Educational purposes. The purpose of a well-thought mock draft is to address all logical scenarios. One could argue that this is not one without a trade down. If he had said the 49ers trade to No. 1 and the Browns take Adams at No. 2 though – I could see that happening (would not be happy about it though).
Easterling tends to be thoughtful in his work, so I’m willing to give him some rope here.
There he is! Glenville High School, class of ’74.
Sure. There’s always going to be the prospects with more risk who hit their ceiling better than expected. The amount of Round 1 guys near the top is pretty indicative that the NFL scouts are earning their keep. Tons of variables both in college & NFL.
A QB at No. 1 even though I would completely disagree could also be debateable just from the inflation of said position in the NFL.
All I meant by that is that those two guys got plucked that far down, have performed that well, and are in our friggin division… because of course they are.
well, yeah
No kidding? He’s also a gif machine. I think he’ll be my new “go to.”
https://media.giphy.com/media/12XMGIWtrHBl5e/giphy.gif
That being said I think Adams will be a stellar NFL player and if for some reason we trade out of #1 and Garrett is gone, Adams will likely be atop my personal board… But if Garrett is available, he needs to be the pick
LMFAO !!!!
over …
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you wanna make a big splash ?? … then go make Eric Berry the highest paid safety in the NFL … they can make this happen.
Well this is just dumb
It’s not like he’s throwing anything, though.
Ding ding!!!
Think how all of you will thank me for saying trade down when they still get Myles at #2
Show me how Langham had a fantastic career. He was a major bust.
trading down and STILL getting Myles? that is living the dream, my friend.
hip labrum, not shoulder
It’s not like he’s throwing anything, though.
How are the Browns going to afford their 27 rookies though?
All of this.