Cleveland’s Very Own
May 9, 2014Brian Hoyer is “not pouting” as he talks about Johnny Manziel
May 9, 2014
Have you all recovered from the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft? As you all know, the Cleveland Browns stole the show with their trades and the selections of Justin Gilbert and Johnny Manziel. In doing so, the Browns addressed two of their biggest needs with at cornerback and quarterback. They have bolstered the secondary of the defense and in turn could have potentially made it one of the best in the league. They also addressed the position that has plagued them for so many years with the selection of Manziel, but the draft is not even close to being finished. The Browns still have many more picks to use and several other needs to address.
Barring any additional trdes, the Browns will have two picks today in rounds two and three—they will select at No. 35 in the second round and No. 71 in the third round. The holes remaining include wide receiver, offensive line, inside linebacker and possibly running back. There are many top players left in these positions—Mel Kiper Jr. recently said as many as 18 have first-round grades—so the team will have a great variety to pick from. Here are the top three players from each group I see the Browns considering with their next two picks.
Top 3 Wide Receivers
1. Marqise Lee, USC
USC’s Marqise Lee was my third-rated wide receiver in the 2014 NFL Draft. He has the big play ability the Browns would love to get to pair with Josh Gordon. Lee can take a catch and break it up field for a touchdown. He could possibly make the offense even more explosive. I hear he may be the pick at #35 for the Browns.
2. Jarvis Landry, LSU
LSU’s Jarvis Landry is one of my ten value picks I wrote about in one of my earlier articles. Many consider him the surest handed receiver in the draft and one that could be very productive in the NFL. He is a tough receiver that will do anything for the team in order to win. He would be a great possession receiver for the Browns and give them someone else to rely on in the passing game.
3. Allen Robinson, Penn State
Penn State’s Allen Robinson is a tall receiver with good athleticism. He was very productive in college in a pro-style offense. He runs good routes that help him separate from defensive backs. Robinson can be a very solid player in the NFL. Robinson would give the Browns another big target for the quarterback to throw to in the end zone.
[Related: So, you want to draft a wide receiver?]
Top 3 Offensive Linemen
1. Cyrus Kouandjio, Alabama
Alabama’s Cyrus Kouandjio was my fifth-rated offensive linemen in the draft. He has the size and athletic ability to possibly be a dominating tackle in the NFL. He was a little inconsistent last season, but he can improve with better technique and coaching. He would be an ideal fit at right tackle for the Browns because of his great size.
2. Xavier Su’a-Filo, UCLA
UCLA’s Xavier Su’a-Filo is considered by many to be the best offensive guard in the draft. He has great feet that allow him to block well in the passing and running game. He is a strong player that can play multiple positions on the line if needed. He could play immediately at right guard for the Browns.
3. Morgan Moses, Virginia
Virginia’s Morgan Moses is a tall offensive tackle with ideal length. He is very strong and has good hands to keep defenders away from the backfield. Moses could be a starting tackle next season because of his ideal size and strength. Moses could fit right in at right tackle for the Browns.
Top 3 Inside Linebackers
1. Chris Borland, Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s Chris Borland was my fifth-rated linebacker in the draft. He is a great tackler with good technique to take down the ball carrier. He has good instincts that help him get to the right position and make a play. He could learn from the Karlos Dansby and be a starter right away.
2. Shayne Skov, Stanford
Stanford’s Shayne Skov was one my ten value picks for the Browns. He is very good at reading the offense and timing up the snap count to get past linemen and get to the ball carrier. He would fit well next to Karlos Dansby because of his good run stopping ability that complements Dansby’s great coverage skills.
3. Preston Brown, Louisville
Louisville’s Preston Brown is a physical player with good instincts. He can play next to Dansby and form a very good combination that with Browns’ run-stopping ability and Dansby’s coverage skills. He is a very smart player that can learn and improve in the NFL.
Top 3 Running Backs
1. Carlos Hyde, Ohio State
Carlos Hyde was my number one running back and one who can produce right away in the NFL. Hyde has the strength to break tackles and also great vision to read where the hole will be. Hyde hits the hole very quickly and with a lot of power. He would be the incumbent to Ben Tate because of his similar skill set.
2. Andre Williams, Boston College
Boston College’s Andre Williams is a big back with lots of power. He reads the defense very quickly and hits the hole without hesitation. He was very productive in college and I believe he will translate well to the NFL. Williams could right away be a short yardage back that could give Tate a blow once in a while.
3. Bishop Sankey, Washington
Washington’s Bishop Sankey has the prototypical size and speed of a NFL running back. He can break big plays because of his speed and agility. He also is very versatile because of his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. He would probably be the best complement to Tate because of his different skill set. He would give the team more speed and agility to go along with Tate’s power.
—
Photo: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images
40 Comments
How about either a bookend TE to accompany Cameron or a blocking TE to help out Tate and our new FB?
I forgot about Landry at WR but I still like Lee and also Matthews. I like that OL from Alabama as well maybe round 4. I like all 3 RBs mentioned plus a few others. I’m guessing the Browns can add depth at RB late. I also liked Bullough from Michigan State at ILB.
3 man deep big board. go.
1. G Xavier Su’a-Filo
2. G Bitonio
3. WR Ray’s Favorite – (Robinson/Lee/Mathews for me)
I would assume it’s got to be Lee or Su’a Filo at 35.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d0KjP-xaD5w/USaM84OxoTI/AAAAAAAAKzY/ajaDh-K5I3s/s1600/dont-care.gif
I’d be happy with Lee or an OL probably Filo personally at #35 although I’m leaning towards Lee. Maybe Farmer can trade up snag two seconds. I’d love Lee and an OL.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x-fkSYDtUY
Yup. I’d prefer Lee as well, but so long as they get a good G and WR today I’m happy.
If Cameron doesn’t get that extension soon, you may be looking at a bookend to become the TE1 before too long.
missing jordan matthews.
Cameron shouldn’t be greedy right now he’s more hype then production.
Agreed.
me too. Reminding myself that they cannot bolster every position of need in a single draft. If they snag a legit starting QB, corner and WR in one dfraft that’s epic. Well, at least for the Browns.
Not me!
love that movie
don’t think it’s greed. Sounds like he wants to go to west coast to be closer to his young child. If true the Browns will be wise to start thinking about a replacement.
I’d call that a catch in traffic.
I was saying unlike Mack Cameron doesn’t have anything remotely close to a portfolio. He’s more highlights and potential IMO.
I think this year will tell us where he is. My point is that whatever the fair value of his next contract, he may not want it here. And if they would franchise him, guessing that would cost them a major pile o’money.
I’d like to go O-Line and then explore Donte Moncrief at WR. 6-2, 220, 4.40 40, 40-inch vertical, 11-foot broad jump. Explosive and big.
Time will tell ideally I of course would like to keep him but not if it’s at some crazy cost. I’m more interested in locking up Haden now.
I’ve been eyeing Su’a-Filo, because I think he’d be an awfully good fit for Shanahan’s zone blocking scheme (very athletic and versatile) and would both start and improve our running game starting in week 1. However, I can see how it might be tough to pass up Lee, who will almost certainly be there when we pick.
I could see Jacksonville snagging Lee to give their new QB something to work with, but I agree it doesn’t seem very likely that either the Texans or Redskins would take him. Then again, you never know when Dan Snyder is at the helm. I’m with you though, I’d love for the Browns to draft Su’a-Filo
This is one of the all-time great improvised lines in cinema.
I prefer Marquise Lee, but if his knee doesn’t check out, then Jordan Matthews has my vote too. No to Landy, no to Allen Robinson.
it’s a shame that Quincy Morgan…oh, sorry, Donte Moncrief, cannot catch the ball. he’s great at getting open though.
if we go OL, then I prefer Bitonio. Sua-Filo’s biggest weakness is his first step, which is the most important part of the ZBS. He is a very good OL anyway, but I prefer Bitonio.
ILB would be good too if they have BPA
I don’t think any of the guys get extensions until July. if they don’t have one by camp opening, then that is when to worry.
I would not be upset grabbing Amaro though (TxTech) whether or not Cameron’s contract is an issue.
It’s such a deep receiver group, so we’re all bound to have our favorites—it’s a choose your flavor kind of thing. Paul Richardson jumps out at me. When I watch his tape I see Mike Wallace attributes with a more aggressive mindset to attack the middle of the field. He’s regarded as a third-rounder, I believe, but I think his production will prove his selection to be a steal.
the mcginn report on richardson was very very positive and sounded like a mike wallace description.
hmm. Matthews, ASJ, SJB.
i think seferian-jenkins would be most interesting.
yep, same issues with ASJ as Lee. If you can get past his medical and character red flags, then he could be a bargain pick.
I’m torn (TORN, I TELL YOU!!). I would love Sua-Filo. We stabilize the line. But on the other hand, the WR choices will dry up soon. With my back against the wall, I’d choose WR at 35. ILB at 71. Then maybe Steen or Watt in the next round (but it’s killin me!)- followed by RB.
PS- Remember the Clemson guard as well for later rounds. He wont contribute this year but a nice piece for the future.
It wouldn’t shock me if we grabbed an unheralded LB to be our Kiko Alonso (maybe Van Noy or Kirksey)
Lee dropped for a reason. He has knee problems and is rumored to have a poor attitude. Plus his small size makes him more of a slot receiver instead of a #2.
As for what I’d do. I’m greedy, and I want more offense. How about Sua-Filo or Bitonio at 35 then packaging a 4th rounder and some change to trade up from 71 into the bottom of round 2 to grab Matthews/Robinson/Latimer? With our remaining 4th round pick we should able to find either a RB or ILB to compete with Robertson.
I’m not excited about Lee. His drop percentage concerns me.
http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/cfb/46006/349/out-of-the-box
Gordon popped for weed. Looks like we’ll be drafting a WR.
I’d say multiple WRs. Thanks Josh, you dumb (all the expletives I can think of).