Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal talks about being a beat writer and the Browns draft – WFNY Podcast – 2013-04-23
April 23, 2013The Browns and the First Round: Star Lotulelei
April 23, 2013Tomorrow, in my weekly WFNY Wednesday post called The Diff, I’ll be sharing a detailed analysis of 50 NFL mock drafts and dozens more big boards.
For today, as a special “WFNY Stats & Info” sneak peek of tomorrow’s post, I bring you inside the WFNY email chain for two early items I shared with the group this morning.
Milliner emerging as mock draft favorite at No. 6
Among these 50 mock drafts from around the Internet, Alabama CB Dee Milliner is picked in the top five in just eight of them (16%). Among the other 42 mock drafts, he’s picked by the Cleveland Browns at No. 6 in 28 (66.7%).
Obviously, for clarity, there are so many factors at play when mock drafts include trades. Thus, those mocks have been ignored for this early analysis. But for now, let it be known that Milliner is emerging as the clear favorite if the Browns actually do stay at No. 6 — so study up.
After Milliner, there are five other players — BYU DE Ezekiel Ansah, Notre Dame TE Tyler Eifert, Oregon OLB Dion Jordan, Utah DT Star Lotulelei and LSU DE Barkevious Mingo — that were picked by the Browns in 3-5 of the mock drafts.
Mock draft confusion with the Eagles at No. 4
While the first three picks in the NFL Draft have shown a relatively consensus pattern per these 50 mocks, there’s no favorite at all for the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 4.
Lotulelei was picked the most times (13) overall, but both Central Michigan OT Eric Fisher (35%) and Texas A&M OT Luke Joeckel (33%) were picked more frequently when available.
Overall, there are five players with picked-available rates between 24-35% at the No. 4 slot for Philadelphia. That’s by far the most tightly contested among the top seven. And if folks recall, Milliner was an early favorite here as well.
[Related: Hooray! NFL Network and ESPN agree not to tip draft picks via Twitter]
10 Comments
Interesting that so many had the Browns taking Star Lotulelei. It seems to show clearly that many people make up their mock drafts without even glancing at the team rosters. Unless they truly go by BPA with no regard to positions. That seems like a silly way to do a mock draft because even though many teams say they take BPA, it seems that they take players who coincidentally enough also fit a need.
honestly, and I say this with love, it’s completely silly to do a mock draft with the new CBA anyway. without the financial penalties of the top10 picks, it has become a free-for-all on trades. 6 of the first 7 slots were traded last year (all but Andrew Luck).
so, people can mock whoever they wish for the Browns at #6 because the odds are we won’t be drafting in that slot anyway.
Don’t poop on my lawn, man. I’m trying to get amped up for the draft over here! (But with that said, not only are you most likely correct, but I’m hoping that you are correct… I’d really like the Browns to move back and grab a 2nd round pick if they can… if not, a third will work too).
yes, trade back with AZ for a 3rd, then Miami/SD for a 2nd (and late pick) and take the pass rusher or CB who drops there. or heck, keep trading back (NO? SF?) and take a TE?
I can’t tell if it’s crazy or genius.
why are you limiting it to one of those?
Aristotle said there is no great genius without a mixture of madness.
I have half of that equation down pat.
LoL wait on the heels of the Cavaliers news just wait until you see what the Browns do! This stuff is unreal.
Factory of madness?