Who will be the new Browns starting QB? While We’re Waiting
April 27, 2017Browns should trade up for safeties Malik Hooker or Jamal Adams, not a QB
April 27, 2017The 2017 NFL Draft has finally arrived.
The Cleveland Browns are expected to be highly active, including four picks in the first two rounds and possibly a slew of trades through the three-day event. Winning just one game a season ago, the Browns begin the draft with the No. 1 pick. Over the past couple months we have showcased the talent of the 2017 NFL Draft and gave our opinion on who they are as future NFL prospects. Now it is time for the show.
Before the 2017 NFL Draft begins, as I have in years past, I took a stab at the first round of the draft, along with every pick the Browns will make during all seven rounds. After some internal debate, I included trades I felt made sense for all parties, so you’ll find some moving and shaking to go with some teams reaching for need and others having gifts land in their respective laps. Here’s a look at what I believe could happen during Cleveland’s Christmas in this year’s NFL Draft.
Round 1
1. Cleveland Browns: EDGE Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
The Browns do not overthink the pick, taking the best player in the draft. Garrett instantly gives the Browns a dangerous pass rusher to pair with Emmanuel Ogbah to form one of the best young pass rushing duos in the league. All the smoke about quarterback, the Browns stick to their board drafting the top player in this year’s class.
2. San Francisco 49ers: EDGE Solomon Thomas, Stanford
The 49ers look to upgrade their pass rush taking the second best rusher in the class. Thomas is a physical freak with the explosive ability teams dream of in the edge rusher. San Francisco has a lot of holes, so picking one of the best players on the board at a position of need is a smart move. He’s not Garrett, but Thomas has the makings of a multi-time Pro Bowler.
3. Chicago Bears: CB Marshon Lattimore, Ohio State
The Bears upgrade their secondary, selecting the best cornerback in the draft. While they’re rumored to be in on one of the top-ranked quarterbacks and defensive linemen, Lattimore can immediately come in and be the team’s No. 1 corner on the depth chart. He will pair well with newly acquired Prince Amukamara.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars: RB Leonard Fournette, LSU
The Jaguars try to get more balanced on offense, selecting many expert’s top running back. Fournette is a bruising back, who can set the tone for an offense and really cause havoc on a defense. The Jaguars need to be more balanced to help QB Blake Bortles. While offensive line help would be a start, it’s tough to pass up a guy who can help shoulder the load offensively.
5. Tennessee Titans: TE O.J. Howard, Alabama
The Titans give QB Marcus Mariota a big time weapon on offense. Howard is the best offensive skill position player on my board outside of Patrick Mahomes. Howard is a complete tight end who will form a great tight end duo with Delanie Walker. He could fall and be a gift in the middle of the round, but Howard is certainly good enough to go this high.
6. New York Jets: S Malik Hooker, Ohio State
The Jets grab one of the best safeties in the class and a great fit for their defense, sniping him just ahead of the Chargers. Hooker is a player who can control the backend of the secondary and help cover mistakes from the cornerbacks. The Jets may target a quarterback, but it is hard to pass up this Buckeye.
7. Los Angeles Chargers: S Jamal Adams, LSU
The Chargers luck out and get my second best player in the draft and No. 1 safety in the class. Adams fits a huge hole on the Chargers defense, finally finding a replacement for Eric Weddle. While it would be fun to pair Hooker with former Buckeye Joey Bosa, Los Angeles would gladly turn in this card if Adams was on the board still.
8. Carolina Panthers: RB Christian McCaffrey, Stanford
The Panthers add a huge weapon for QB Cam Newton to play alongside. McCaffrey is a do-it-all running back who can make big plays as a runner, receiver and returner. His playing style fits nicely with the way the Panthers run their offense, giving the team another multi-faceted skill player on that side of the ball.
9. Cincinnati Bengals: IOL Forrest Lamp, Western Kentucky
The Bengals reach a bit to find an upgrade for their depleted offensive line. Lamp is a versatile lineman, who has the ability to play multiple positions along the offensive line. The Bengals are in dire need for offensive linemen after losing multiple linemen in free agency and the desire to protect their investment in Andy Dalton. Bonus points for having a lamp-based endorsement deal.
10. Buffalo Bills: LB Haason Reddick, Temple
The Bills upgrade their linebacking corp with one of the most athletic linebackers in the class. Reddick is another versatile defender, who I believe is best suited as an inside linebacker, but also has pass rushing skills. This is a reach in my opinion, but not having a quality ILB since a healthy Kiko Alonso, Reddick’s explosion is too enticing.
11. New Orleans Saints: CB Marlon Humphrey, Alabama
While they’ll certainly be licking their chops to add to the offense, the Saints finally upgrade their poor defense, snatching one of the top cornerbacks in the draft. Humphrey has the size and athleticism teams love to have on the outside. The Saints need to upgrade their secondary, and Humphrey is a solid way to do so.
12. Cleveland Browns: QB Mitchell Trubisky, North Carolina
The Browns stay patient and still get their man, nabbing their reported top quarterback. Trubisky is highly accurate with the size and athleticism to fare very well in the NFL. I would take Patrick Mahomes with this pick, but the rumors are swirling that Trubisky is their top quarterback. I am fine with Trubisky and think he has the talent to be a franchise quarterback.
13. Arizona Cardinals: QB Patrick Mahomes, Texas Tech
The Cardinals pick my top quarterback in the draft, looking toward the future with the selection. Mahomes has the arm talent that not many others have on the entire planet. Arizona needs to find their eventual replacement for quarterback Carson Palmer, and they have the luxury of giving the kid a year learning from the veteran. Must be nice.
14. Philadelphia Eagles: RB Dalvin Cook, Florida State
The Eagles add yet another playmaker on offense to help their young QB Carson Wentz. Cook is my top running back in the draft with the ability to make big plays both as a runner and receiver. He can be their featured back to help solidify the balanced offense in Philadelphia, and would immediately slot in ahead of Darren Sproles and Wendell Smallwood.
15. Indianapolis Colts: OT Ryan Ramczyk, Wisconsin
The Colts add the best offensive tackle in draft to help protect QB Andrew Luck. Ramczyk is an athletic tackle who has the talent to be a left tackle in the NFL. The Colts must protect their best player, Luck, so adding the Wisconsin tackle does just that. They won’t be able to stop anyone defensively, but at least Luck will remain upright.
16. Baltimore Ravens: DL Jonathan Allen, Alabama
The Ravens get a huge gift, selecting my No. 1 interior defensive lineman in the draft. Allen was a supper productive lineman who has the movement skills to really be a disruptive force. Allen slips because of questions about his position and health, but leave it to Baltimore to be the beneficiaries of such a concern.
17. Washington Football Team: EDGE Derek Barnett, Tennessee
The Washington Football Team adds a much needed pass rushing talent by selecting my No. 3 edge rusher. Barnett does not have the explosive athleticism, but he makes up with it with good hands, get off and awareness. The Washington Football Team’s defense needs more depth in their rushing attack, getting off the field to allow their franchise QB to do his job.
18. Tennessee Titans: WR Corey Davis, Western Michigan
The Titans get another offensive playmaker, making out with my No. 1 wide receiver in the draft. Davis has good size, along with crisp route running to gain separation from his coverage. Davis gives Tennessee a heck of a haul after selecting O.J. Howard earlier in the round. Marcus Mariota has to be thrilled with these results.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: OT Garett Bolles, Utah
The Buccaneers add protection for QB Jameis Winston, selecting my No. 2 offensive tackle in the class. Bolles is a super athletic tackle, who has the makings of being a left tackle in the NFL. The Bucs have to keep Winston upright and healthy while letting Mike Evans run longer routes. Bolles is a solid way to get this done.
20. Denver Broncos: OT Cam Robinson, Alabama
The Broncos upgrade their offensive line, selecting the huge Alabama tackle. Robinson is an offensive tackle who can manhandle defenders with size and strength. The Broncos are forced to reach for the tackle because of the lack of depth in the draft. It’s certainly not a sexy pick, but they could do a lot worse than this SEC product.
21. Detroit Lions: WR Mike Williams, Clemson
The Lions add a big body on the outside to help upgrade the talent around QB Matthew Stafford. Williams is a huge receiver with the ball skills to win any 50/50 ball in his area. The Lions need a bigger receiver alongside Golden Tate and Williams can presumably be a light version of what they had in Calvin Johnson.
22. Miami Dolphins: CB Tre’Davious White, LSU
The Dolphins add help to their secondary, selecting my No. 4 cornerback in the class. White is one of the smoothest corners in the draft, with the ability to move with any receiver. The Dolphins add a nice complement to Byron Maxwell as they look to compete with Tom Brady and the rest of the AFC East.
23. New York Giants: RB Joe Mixon, Oklahoma
The Giants add one of the most controversial players in the entire draft. Mixon has the talent to be a star, but his character is a huge question mark along with the PR that comes with him. The Giants need to upgrade their backfield and are willing to roll the dice on the once highly-touted prospect. The question will be: Can he handle the NY spotlight?
24. Oakland Raiders: LB Reuben Foster, Alabama
The Raiders get a steal based on talent, nabbing my No. 1 inside linebacker. Foster has great athleticism to both play well in run and pass defense. The Raiders have the talent to take a chance on the falling linebacker, even with Foster’s troubled pre-draft process. He’ll be a nice complement to Khalil Mack and will allow Derek Carr’s unit to get back on the field much quicker.
25. Houston Texans: QB Deshaun Watson, Clemson
The Texans find their starting quarterback in the highly productive Clemson star. Watson has the winning mindset, along with good athleticism. The Texans are in dire straights at the quarterback position, possessing a playoff-calibur team that simply needs a QB who can take them to the next level. They hope Watson can be that guy.
26. Seattle Seahawks: CB Teez Tabor, Florida
The Seahawks add my No. 2 cornerback in the class to the Legion of Boom. Tabor may not be the most athletically gifted corner, but he has good size and fluid movement skills to cover all over the field. Tabor fits the Seahawks type for a cornerback and will be able to learn from some of the best defenders in the game.
27. Cleveland Browns (from Kansas City Chiefs): S Obi Melifonwu, Connecticut
Browns Receive: No. 27
Chiefs Receive: No. 33, No. 108 and QB Brock Osweiler
The Browns make their first trade of the draft, getting a third first-round pick to get their starting safety. Melifonwu has the freakish athleticism to play multiple positions in the secondary and be a real playmaker in the Browns secondary. Safety is a huge need for the Browns and so the Browns grab my No. 3 safety in the class, before he is gobbled up by one of the teams at the end of the first round.
28. Dallas Cowboys: EDGE Takkarist McKinley, UCLA
The Cowboys upgrade their pass rush, selecting my No. 4 pass rusher in the draft. McKinley is one of the most athletic edge rushers in the draft with the potential to be a real game changer. The Cowboys need to put more pressure on the quarterback and the UCLA product is a natural fit for their defensive scheme.
29. Green Bay Packers: DL Malik McDowell, Michigan State
While running back has been an issue, the Packers upgrade their line with my No. 2 interior defensive lineman. McDowell is a unique defensive lineman with the length and athleticism few possess at the position. The Packers could get a steal with him if he falls to 29 and a guy like McDowell will certainly come in handy come the winter months in Lambeau.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers: TE David Njoku, Miami (FL)
The Steelers find a playmaker for QB Ben Roethlisberger, snatching my No. 2 tight end in the class. Njoku has the playmaking ability after the catch that not many tight ends have in their game. Much like the Ravens with Jonathan Allen earlier in the round, the Steelers would run to turn in their card if Njoku was still on the board.
31. Atlanta Falcons: LB Zach Cunningham, Vanderbilt
The Falcons upgrade the center of their defense with the selection of my No. 2 inside linebacker. Cunningham plays sideline to sideline with the ability to cover all types of offensive skill players. Cunningham and Deion Jones makes a great 1-2 punch in the linebacker group looking to get back to the Super Bowl.
32. New Orleans Saints: WR John Ross, Washington
The Saints find a true playmaker for QB Drew Brees, grabbing by No. 2 receiver in the class. Ross has elite speed to burn past any defender and create huge momentum changing plays. With the loss of Brandin Cooks, the Saints look to replace him with similar skilled receiver at a much lower cost. He should be fun to watch on the turf.
Round 2
42. Cleveland Browns (from the New Orleans Saints): CB Gareon Conley, Ohio State
Browns Receive: No. 42
Saints Receive: No. 181 and a 2018 2nd Round Pick
The Browns continue to upgrade their secondary, selecting my No. 5 cornerback in the class. Conley will likely slip due to the report of his possible alleged sexual assault, but if the Browns can be reasonably certain of his innocence, grabbing him here would be a steal. Conley has the size and movement skills teams cherish in their corners. The Browns have really upgraded their defensive secondary with the last two picks.
Round 3
65. Cleveland Browns: DL Larry Ogunjobi, Charlotte
The Browns get a steal in my opinion, nabbing my No. 4 interior defensive lineman. Ogunjobi is a player with good strength and athleticism, but he is in need of some development. He would be a good player to put alongside Danny Shelton in the defensive front, providing interior pressure while Garrett and Emmanuel Ogbah provide the outside rush.
66. Cleveland Browns (from the San Francisco 49ers): WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, USC
Browns Receive: No. 66, No. 109 and a 2018 3rd round pick
49ers Receive: No. 52
The Browns upgrade their wide receiver position, targeting the highly productive USC receiver. Smith-Schuster has good size along with a physical playing style. The Browns need size on the outside with the loss of Terrelle Pryor.
Round 4
109. Cleveland Browns: CB Corn Elder, Miami (FL)
The Browns continue to upgrade the secondary, selecting the Miami corner. The Browns are highly familiar with Elder, after coaching him on the South team in the Senior Bowl. In this selection, they are able to also add one of the best names in the draft.
Round 5
145. Cleveland Browns: TE Jeremy Sprinkle, Arkansas
The Browns upgrade their tight end group, selecting the Arkansas tight end. Sprinkle is a complete tight end, who will help as a receiver and blocker. While it would be a gift for a playmaker like O.J. Howard to fall to No. 12, the Browns are still able to address a weakness in the later rounds. If they can’t grab a WR earlier, that could also be an option in this spot.
175. Cleveland Browns: ILB Ben Gedeon, Michigan
The Browns focus on the defense again, selecting the Michigan linebacker. Like Elder, the Browns have a good view of Gedeon after he competed on the North team in the Senior Bowl that played against the Browns’ South team. Inside linebacker isn’t a need, necessarily, but depth is a good thing.
Round 6
185. Cleveland Browns: CB Brandon Wilson, Houston
The Browns continue their run on picking cornerbacks, selecting the Houston corner. At his recent Pro Day, Wilson did both cornerback and running back drills while running in the mid 4.3s in the 40-yard dash. He is a highly athletic player who provides upside in the later rounds of the 2017 draft. The Browns could to much worse than rolling the dice with Wilson at No. 185.
188. Cleveland Browns: Trade
Browns Receive: 2018 5th round pick
Jaguars Receive: No. 188
30 Comments
if Conley is there in the 2nd – wow. I like the ideas here. I think the Browns will trade down from 12, especially if all the QBs are still there. I can also see them trading back up into the 20’s if Conley is still there.
Just curious, Joe – why do you think the Chiefs would want Brock? They have a competent-ish backup already in Nick Foles.
Trubisky at 12? No no no, a thousand times NO. Take someone who’s worthy of a 12 rather than someone who’s worthy of the second round.
There is nothing special about Trubisky — nothing. Brady Quinn and Colt McCoy had better resumes than he does. This would be a completely wasted pick in the finest tradition of Ray Farmer.
I think/hope/pray that Sashi and the boys are too smart to waste a 12 on any of these QBs.
No Trubisky, NO Melifonwu!
http://nooooooooooooooo.com/
Myles!
It’s the siren song of an unstable org without a QB. The latest green GM fears that even if he amasses buckets of high picks but never finds the QB he will be fired sooner rather than later. And the fact that other teams have found The Guy in the late first round, the second round or even the fourth round ratchets the pressure higher, rather than setting an example of how competent GMs objectively evaluate and let the players fall to them while others get panicky.
Steady, Sashi, steady. If you ride the wrong horse you’re toast no matter when you grab him.
I love this haul. Garret, check. Top QB, check. Immediate starters at S and CB, check. Especially love the triple dip at CB with Elder and Wilson. Juju and Sprinkle are nice adds as well…. Larry O fills a need at 3tech and Gedeon seems like a good special teamer. Assuming we take some of BO’s contract, but it’s worth the move up.
A+ draft haul Joe
Remember when Trump said that Manziel was going to be really good? Just a little Throwback Thursday…
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/464595378990747650
I’ve voiced my displeasure with these auto-start videos above, but now I’m totally done.
“Top 5 Players in 2017 NFL Draft”
1. Jamal Adams
2. Solomon Thomas
3. Reuben Foster
4. Myles Garrett
5. OJ Howard
Wait…is that your top 5, or the top 5 from the video? I just scroll right past them.
nice job … i’m curious as to why you refer the them as the Washington “Football Team” instead of the Redskins … are you part Indian ??
this article has more “bold” stuff in it than your recent “10 Bold Predictions” article.
Mock Draft with J. Gilbert would be an amazing idea for a TV https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/d45904ba68d71e028901bb302568fc45886e655ada80532c71ea2308f3479034.jpg show. Especially if we can get William Hung to sing the theme song.
this is a real good list … i like Allen & Fournette as well … which means if the Browns don’t get too cute they will end-up with 2 really good players at #1 & #12.
enjoy the draft , HARV !!
Melifonwu, Juju, Sprinkle, Ogunjobi? Throw in a Corn Elder? Gareon my wayward son??
This would be the greatest draft ever, if only because of the names!
actually, I think I’ll try to pass and watch more of the excellent Tribe-Astros series. If you think about it, there’s actually nothing happening on the draft broadcast other than announcements that can be read on twitter. Now, if we could watch a feed of Dee telling Jimmy to sit down and stop spit-shouting over Sashi’s shoulder .. that would be great television.
surprised Wilson doesn’t get more love – he looks capable from what I have seen of him.
that is “a list” alright
Justin or Joe?
need to find a way to get Adoree in there
Chris Berman retired too soon!
Help us, Larry Ogunjobi. You’re our only hope.
http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view8/20131209/4918351/princess-leia-hologram-o.gif
Can’t make a joke about this guy’s name that he hasn’t already heard:
http://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2017/story/_/id/19250958/charmin-drops-load-toilet-paper-michigan-wolverines-te-jake-butt
“Every Butt loves Charmin” is such a great campaign slogan.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/dc/48/cb/dc48cbd6b277fa610ad16a4ba07a9ee3.jpg
I think they want a young backup option behind aging Alex Smith. Osweiler is a player who could develop under Reid
Great stuff here, but if it were me I wouldn’t take a QB at 12. Assuming both Adams and Hooker are off the board I would take the best player available that isn’t another edge rusher, even if it’s Ramczyk or Allen. I’d love Foster at 12 if they did their homework on the potential drug test issue, although last year the HBT showed a reticence to draft players with character concerns. Need a safety badly, though I’d be surprised if they trade up for Obi.
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