Welcome to the most important draft in Browns’ history: While We’re Waiting
April 23, 2018Indians Coverage Moving Forward and Looking Back
April 24, 2018It feels centuries away, but the NFL Draft is FINALLY upon us. This Thursday we will all know for certain which players the Browns will draft. Most importantly we will know who the hopeful future franchise quarterback of the long-beleaguered franchise will be. I’ve always wanted to know what it’s like to be a general manager in the NFL, so I put my mind inside all 32 of the general managers and coaches in the NFL. I went team-by-team and decided, who I’d draft if I were inside each respective teams war room.
Round 1
1. Cleveland Browns: QB Sam Darnold, USC
We have heard it all. Every reason why and every reason why not each quarterback is and is not the future of the Cleveland Browns. At the beginning of draft season I had in my mind “Sam Darnold no matter what” and I’m sticking with it. He is not the perfect prospect but his leadership ability, confidence, smarts, intangibles, personality, and on-field play all make me quite comfortable with this pick. This would be the best prospective quarterback the Browns have drafted in the franchise’s history.
2. New York Giants: QB Josh Rosen, UCLA
Eli Manning is not re-defining Father Time, and the Giants are not either. I don’t feel confident with Davis Webb leading my franchise moving forward, and New York should not either. Manning is the perfect quarterback for the cleanest on-field prospect in the draft to sit behind and challenge. It is a match made in heaven.
3. New York Jets: QB Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
Speaking of matches made in heaven, this exactly what I define as just that. I mentioned on Twitter that if I’m a Jets fan, I’m in love with having Josh McCown mentor Baker Mayfield. His fiery leadership and character are perfect for the big city bright lights, and a team desperate for a future quarterback. Baker fits the mold of what I am looking for if I am the Jets.
4. Cleveland Browns: DE Bradley Chubb, NC State
It was REALLY hard not picking Denzel Ward here but it was even HARDER passing on Bradley Chubb. The thought of Myles Garrett and Chubb on the same field at the same time is nostalgic.
5. Denver Broncos: OG Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame
This was a difficult pick for me to make as I am giving Paxton Lynch one last opportunity to succeed at quarterback. I just do not like Josh Allen. Pairing Nelson with Garrett Bolles is the meanest left side in the NFL for at least the next decade.
6. Indianapolis Colts: RB Saquon Barkley, Penn State
Barkley is a generational talent, and the Colts need generational talent on their roster. Andrew Luck is going to have to ease his way back into the starting role and he needs a running back to carry the workload.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CB Denzel Ward, Ohio State
If I’m Tampa Bay, I try to trade up with the Colts for Barkley. If they are not able to successfully complete the trade, Denzel Ward is the best player on the board. Someone has to stop Michael Thomas and Julio Jones in this division, and Ward is their best bet at bolstering the secondary.
8. Chicago Bears: LB Roquan Smith, Georgia
The former teammate of Leanord Floyd is reunited back once again in Chicago. Smith is regarded as one of the best players in the draft, and I do not have any worries about adding him to my defense.
9. San Francisco 49ers: LB Tremaine Edmunds, Virginia Tech
No one knows if Reuben Foster is even going to be playing football next year, and if he is no, he leaves a huge void at the linebacker spot in San Francisco. Edmunds has the ability to fill that void and be the best potential replacement to the former Alabama stud.
10. Oakland Raiders: DB Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama
Speaking of Alabama, Fitzpatrick is regarded as one of Nick Saban’s most respected players among those he has coached. This is a guy Jon Gruden would fall in love with on his football team, and help fill a glaring need in the secondary for Oakland.
11. Miami Dolphins: DT Vita Vea, Washington
Ndamukong Suh acts are now in Hollywood, and there is a question mark lying in his spot. Vea is certainly the best defensive interior player in the draft, and the best player on the board at this pick.
12. Buffalo Bills: QB Josh Allen, Wyoming
I even had a hard time drafting Josh Allen here but if I am Buffalo, I am desperate for a young quarterback. Allen seems like the guy the Bills are looking for at the position, and I believe they could even trade up for him on Thursday.
13. Washington Redskins: DE Marcus Davenport, UTSA
Davenport is one of the draft’s best pass rushers, and Washington needs one of his caliber on their defense Dallas, Philadelphia, and the Giants all have a powerhouse coming off the edge of their own.
14. Green Bay Packers: DB Derwin James, Florida State
I would be mildly surprised if James fell this far but if he did, this is a no-brainer pick for the Packers. The former Florida State standout is an elite prospect, and one that Green Bay is seeking in the back end of their defense.
15. Arizona Cardinals: QB Lamar Jackson, Louisville
Word on the street is the NFL is enamored with Lamar Jackson, and Arizona needs a young quarterback. The NFC West would not be the worst division for the former Heisman winner to play in, and I love this pick if I am an offensive coordinator.
16. Baltimore Ravens: WR Calvin Ridley, Alabama
Ridley is being overlooked as the best receiver in this draft, but I still believe he is. I don’t feel comfortable being a team filled with washed up veteran receivers if I’m Baltimore. I want the top young pass catcher in the draft.
17. Los Angeles Chargers: DT Maurice Hurst, Michigan
With Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram flying off the edge, the Chargers have one of the deadliest pass rushes in the league. Imagine placing Hurst in that mix on that defensive line.
18. Seattle Seahawks: CB Jaire Alexander, Louisville
No Sherman, no problem? Alexander missed half of last season due to injury and that has hurt his stock in the draft. He is one of the most intriguing players out of the defensive back group, and a guy Seattle needs to begin re-creating their secondary with.
19. Dallas Cowboys: LB Leighton Vander Esch, Boise State
The Cowboys need a receiver but I do not feel comfortable enough with any of the players on the board at that position with this pick. Instead, I snag one of the most efficient linebackers in the draft to pair with Jaylon Smith moving forward.
20. Detroit Lions: RB Derrius Guice, LSU
I have grown tired of watching Detroit have a stale running game year-in, and year-out. I’m begging the Lions to make this pick to fix their backfield, that has not had a solid running back since Barry Sanders.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: OL James Daniels, Iowa
Cordy Glenn is not enough to fix the offensive line problems in Cincinnati. They need interior stability and Daniels offers just that at the center position.
22. Buffalo Bills: OL Will Hernandez, UTEP
Like Cincinnati, Buffalo needs a boost inside with Richie Incognito retiring. Hernandez is the best guard and best player available.
23. New England Patriots: CB Mike Hughes, USF
The Patriots need young players on their defense and Jason McCourty is not entirely going to make all things right in New England. Hughes is one of the best pass defenders the draft is providing.
24. Carolina Panthers: WR DJ Moore, Maryland
There are things I get sick of in the NFL (like the Lions running back situation) and Cam Newton having no receivers is one of them. Moore would look dandy to me in black and blue, and he’d look beautiful making his mark in the Panthers offense.
25. Tennessee Titans: DE Harold Landry, Boston College
Temneseee is doing cart wheels in their draft room if Landry is still left on the board. The Titans land their desired pass rusher in a solid edge player in Landry.
26. Atlanta Falcons: DT Da’Ron Payne, Alabama
The Falcons need replacing inside their defensive line, and they need it now. I’m keeping Payne close to home, and stealing one of the early draft sleepers.
27. New Orleans Saints: TE Hayden Hurst, South Carolina
Here is another’s one I’m sick of, Drew Brees not having consistency at tight end. If I’m Brees, I’m sick of it too. Hurst is solid and would be a nice fit in New Orleans’ offense.
28. Pittsburgh Steelers: S Justin Reid, Standford
There has been lots of talk about Reid ending up here for Pittsburgh, and rightfully so. The Black and Gold are undergoing remodeling in their secondary, and I refuse to stop now by passing on Reid.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars: LB Rashaan Evans, Alabama
Paul Posluszney hung em’ up, and he leaves behind a hole at linebacker in Jacksonville. I do not feel comfortable without adding talent at linebacker if I am the Jags, and Evans is a fierce possible upgrade.
30. Minnesota Vikings: OT Mike McGlinchey, Notre Dame
I have noticed that Minnesota loves Notre Dame players, and I am not overlooking it. I also am not overlooking Minnesota needing an offensive tackle. McGlinchey is the best one available, and solid value pick for the Vikings.
31. New England Patriots: RB Sony Michel, Georgia
No more Dion Lewis in New England. Michel is one of my favorite players in the draft and he reminds me of a guy Bill Belichick would like too.
32. Philadelphia Eagles: RB Ronald Jones III, USC
I love this pick for Philadelphia, adding Jones to the back-field. Jones belongs in Philadelphia, and I am placing him where he needs to be alongside Carson Wentz.
Round 2
33. Cleveland Browns: OT Connor Williams, Texas
I am terrified at the thought of no more Joe Thomas. Williams is the best available replacement, and one the Browns desperately need. I need this player on my roster if I am Dorsey.
34. New York Giants: OT Tyrell Crosby, Oregon
The Giants need a replacement for Ereck Flowers at right tackle, and Crosby is a machine at the position. I like adding him upfront if I Am Gettleman.
35. Cleveland Browns: CB Josh Jackson, Iowa
I would be devastated if Guice, Michel, and Jones are all not here, but this could be the best situation for the Browns. Jackson is a guy the Browns need in their secondary and is a solid fit in the defense.