Getting to know Carlos Hyde with former Ohio State Buckeye Zach Boren
March 20, 2018Wins are great, but life is fragile: While We’re Waiting
March 21, 2018The 2018 NFL Draft is just six weeks away and the Cleveland Browns are set to be big players in the draft, especially over the first two rounds. WFNY’s Joe Gilbert and Jake Burns have been getting you ready for the huge draft from the end part of the Browns season. The duo went through their initial position rankings for each of the draft’s position classes and the two are now working through their initial big boards. These big boards are based on their thoughts currently and could ultimately change in the final version after the two take in more film and results from the pre-draft process.
So, with that the two are continuing their big board series today. Without further ado, here are the players who stand 20 through 11 on Joe Gilbert and Jake Burns’ big boards.
2018 NFL Draft Early Glance Series: Quarterback, Running back, Wide Receiver, Tight End, Offensive Tackle, Offensive Guard/Center, Interior Defensive Line, Edge Rusher, Linebacker, Cornerback, Safety
2018 NFL Draft Big Board 1.0 Series: 50-41, 40-31, 30-21
No. 20
Joe: OT Connor Williams, Texas (Joe’s No. 1 OT)
Connor Williams is the cleanest offensive tackle in the class. He has good technique, along with power and quick feet to be a balanced blocker in both run and pass situations.
Jake: OG Isaiah Wynn, Georgia
A tackle for the Bulldogs, Wynn will transition to guard in the NFL as that better fits his size/frame structure. Helped himself immensely in Mobile where his quickness out of his stance and abruptness with his hips were drawing rave reviews. Cerebral lineman who will do well understanding blitz schemes.
No. 19
Joe: LB Roquan Smith, Georgia (Joe’s No. 2 LB)
Roquan Smith plays sideline to sideline using his great instincts. He finishes off plays with a superb ability to tackle, even in space.
Jake: OT Mike McGlinchey, Notre Dame
McGlinchey has played both right and left tackle at Notre Dame and I believe his future is still at left tackle. He is a massive human (6’7, 300lbs) who moves well for his size. He has to work on quickness out of his stance, and keeping his base wide, but the skill set is there to anchor the left side of an offensive line for years to come.
No. 18
Joe: QB Lamar Jackson, Louisville (Joe’s No. 4 QB)
Lamar Jackson is the biggest wildcard in the quarterback class. His running ability overshadows his passing, which is on a first round level.
Jake: DE Marcus Davenport, UTSA
Raw edge rusher with the size and quickness combo that scouts love to see. Plays with solid leverage and bend around the edge for his size. Needs to continue to refine his craft as he stalls if his initial plan fails. Can be a traditional 4-3 end or a stand up 3-4 outside backer.
No. 17
Joe: WR Anthony Miller, Memphis (Joe’s No. 3 WR)
Anthony Miller is probably my favorite receiver to watch. He has great hands and runs crisp routes, but his ability after the catch can change the game.
Jake: CB Jaire Alexander, Louisville
Despite battling injuries last season, Jaire Alexander is known for his ability to play in both one on one press, and off-ball breaking on routes. He is quick and plays with a toughness that scouts love. His durability and size are a concern, but the physical skills will be tough to overlook.
No. 16
Joe: S Derwin James, Florida State (Joe’s No. 2 S)
Derwin James is a freak athlete at the safety position. He is a player who has the physicality to play in the box, but the speed and agility to play in coverage.
Jake: DT Da’Ron Payne, Alabama
Run stuffing defensive tackle who dominated inside at the college level. Payne is powerful, quick, and aggressive in the right way. He doesn’t excel is pass rush but he has the speed of the ball and the quick swim to make some plays in the area. He will be a steady pro in league full of team’s a needing strong interior presence.
No. 15
Joe: QB Sam Darnold, USC (Joe’s No. 3 QB)
Sam Darnold has the ability to be a franchise quarterback. He can make the amazing pinpoint throws in the pocket or when fleeing away from pressure.
Jake: WR Courtland Sutton, SMU
Sutton has the size (6’4, 215) and speed combo that can project to a number one type in the NFL. He is raw in his running ability and needs to work on his hip level, but the physical tools can’t be ignored and he produced well at the college level.
No. 14
Joe: WR Calvin Ridley, Alabama (Joe’s No. 2 WR)
Calvin Ridley is just a smooth route runner. Ridley is able to separate from the coverage using his athleticism and intricate route running nuances.
Jake: RB Derrius Guice, LSU
Guice is going to be a really good NFL running back. He is explosive in his attacking the line of scrimmage and runs with power that is unique to him in this class. He is always using low pad level and a solid feel for one-cut movements between the tackles.
No. 13
Joe: IDL Maurice Hurst, Michigan (Joe’s No. 3 IDL)
Maurice Hurst is one of the most explosive interior defensive linemen in the draft. Hopefully, his medical concern will come out clean and he will not be negatively affected by it.
Jake: DE Harold Landry, Boston College
Landry is slightly undersized for the position but he makes up for it with elite athleticism. Can play in a two-point stance or with his hand in the dirt. One of the best speed to power players in this class, Landry’s ability to bend and get home will make an NFL team happy. Plays the pass best, but holds his own against the run.
No. 12
Joe: WR Courtland Sutton, SMU (Joe’s No. 1 WR)
Courtland Sutton is a huge receiver, but with really impressive athleticism. He is able to gain separation from the coverage at his size and is a huge mismatch in the red zone.
Jake: DT Vita Vea, Washington
The best interior defensive lineman in this class. Vea is a massive human who plays with the speed of a player nearly 50lbs lighter than himself. Can take on double teams with his power, and has the lateral range to handle a two gap scheme. Can activate the hips for an interior bull rush on opposing passers.
No. 11
Joe: RB Ronald Jones II, USC (Joe’s No. 3 RB)
Ronald Jones is probably my favorite running back to watch. He is so explosive with breakaway speed to turn any run into a touchdown.
Jake: S/CB Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama
I’m slightly lower on Minkah than most. He is a special player who produced well at Alabama, but he didn’t test as well athletically as most hoped, and he is limited in his experience at the most important positions teams will need him to play. Fitzpatrick probably ends up at safety where his range is best used, but he has said he is most comfortable as a slot corner. A quality football player who might just end up a tweener for where his value is best used.