Where is the [Kevin] Love?
May 3, 2018Silence in the North: Cavs-Raptors Game 2, Behind the Box Score
May 3, 2018The Cleveland Browns have underwent possibly their most important offseason since their return as an expansion franchise. Only one win over the previous two seasons combined and continual changes along the leadership of the front office, coaching staff, and players has left the fanbase more exhausted than leery at this point. There is somehow still excitement and hope because Cleveland fans are the best in the world, but it was important general manager John Dorsey added a big influx of competent players to the 53-man roster so that Sundays in the fall would not be so painful.
A large part of that influx had to be the 2018 NFL Draft where he held two of the top four picks and five of the top 64. Here is how the WFNY staff felt he did with them followed by fan polls with each question:
Who was the Browns “best value” selection of the 2018 NFL Draft?
Gilbert: The best value in the entire Browns draft is quarterback Baker Mayfield at No. 1. The quarterback is the No. 1 most important position in all of sports, let alone football. So, the value of choosing what the team and many experts believe to be the top quarterback prospect is immensely high. I had him as my No. 2 rated quarterback, but he was so closely bunched with my No. 1 quarterback, Josh Rosen, and my No. 3 rated quarterback, Sam Darnold. The value of getting a quarterback, who I think has franchise quarterback level talent, cannot be understated. It is the best value in the Browns draft.
Josh: He may have been the No. 1 pick in the draft, but if Baker can turn into a franchise quarterback, he’s by far the best value for the Browns. You can’t get more value than finding a guy that will lead your offense for the foreseeable future, no matter who the pick is or where he was selected. Now, we just have to wait.
Dave: Nick Chubb. The fans were all sold on Saquon Barkley and it wasn’t a terrible notion, but the idea of spending that kind of draft capital for a running back doesn’t usually work out in the NFL. With Chubb, not only do we have one of the best jersey purchases going, we have a running back who I think has a skill set that translate more into the NFL than Barkley. Maybe Barkley will be the second coming of Barry Sanders, but I’m projecting more of a Reggie Bush.
Pat: The easiest choice is Genard Avery given his athleticism and explosiveness, as well as his production in college. His frame is perfect to play at either the Sam or Mike linebacker positions, and I think he’s going to give Jamie Collins a run for his money if he gets lazy. The guy sure knows how to fill out a uniform. Avery easily could have gone a couple rounds earlier and I don’t think anyone would have batted an eyelash. He played at the University of Memphis, which likely dropped his potential position in the draft as opposed to playing at one of the power conference schools.
Bode: I’m going to switch it up and say Baker Mayfield because if a team selects a player who winds up being a franchise quarterback on a rookie contract for five years, then there is no better value in the sport. While he does have his issues he must prove he can overcome (size, on field attitude, concussion history), the merits to his game far outweigh them. The Lake Travis Cavalier alum should prove worthy of being the first Top 21 quarterback pick of the Cleveland Browns since Tim Couch (and only the second in the regular draft since 1970).
Jim: Antonio Callaway is hellacious talent value in the fourth round, but I would never have picked him, nor will I pick him here. For me, it comes down to Baker Mayfield and Genard Avery, and at the end of the day, Baker Mayfield is my pick. I hate taking the first pick in the draft here, but for the first time in recent (and not so recent) memory, the Browns took the best quarterback in the draft, even though there’s a substantial group of people that doubt his character, and even his ability. He’s going to prove a lot of people wrong, and enjoy doing it. Great pick for the Browns, even though a lot of people won’t give him a chance until he proves them wrong. Save those tweets folks…save those tweets.
Gerbs: Next question.
Who was the Browns 'best value" selection of the 2018 NFL Draft?
— WaitingForNextYear (@WFNYCLE) April 30, 2018
Who was the Browns biggest reach in the 2018 NFL Draft?
Gilbert: As I wrote in my Browns draft breakdown, defensive end Chad Thomas was my least favorite pick and the biggest reach for the Browns. I thought there were better edge rushers at that point of the draft like Sam Hubbard and Arden Key. Also, the Browns are saying he will play a lot inside on the defensive line. But, if the Browns wanted an interior defensive lineman, they could have had Harrison Phillips or Maurice Hurst (if he was medically cleared by the Browns) at that point of the draft to fill the interior defensive line spot. It was just a confusing pick for me.
Josh: Antonio Callaway. I know he’s talented, but due to all of the off-the-field baggage that he has, there were rumors that many teams didn’t even have him on their draft board anymore. It was only a fourth-round pick, but teams still find plenty of value in those picks as well. Then there’s the Browns, who not only drafted a guy like Callaway there but traded up in order to do so.
Dave: None. In Dorsey we trust.
Pat: It’s Chad Thomas at the beginning of the third round, and I will not be convinced otherwise. If the Browns had been unable to trade down a couple of spots, he would have been their selection at the end of the second round, and I just don’t get that. I’m not even going to say, “They easily could have waited for a few rounds to grab this guy.” I see him as a special teams player and backup run defender at defensive end, which is not a position to take where he was taken. Yes, apparently Eliot Wolf and Andrew Berry believe he can develop into an interior pass rusher on passing downs, but the Browns already brought in Chris Smith for that role and we have already seen him be productive doing that. Thomas plays with a stiffness akin to rigor mortis, and I don’t see much upside with this pick at all. It’s a wasted pick for me, especially when the Browns could really use another defensive end to bend the edge.
Bode: It pains me to write an offensive lineman as a reach in the draft, but the speculation on Austin Corbett was much, much lower than where John Dorsey had him on his Big Board. Perhaps NFL teams had him higher than draftniks, but the refusal to commit to a single position thus far (it is early, maybe they will after OTAs in late May / early June) worries me they will go the Cam Erving route and have him attempt to learn many positions on the offensive line. Just stick him next to fellow Wolfpack alum Joel Bitonio and let him compete for a starting spot (either at center against J.C. Tretter or left tackle against Shon Coleman).
Jim: You can make a good case that four or five picks in this draft were “reaches” based on predicted placement in the draft. I think we also have a fairly good understanding that predicting placement in the draft for nearly every player is a ludicrous attempt for many of us to make without actually seeing them play professional football. While I LOVE the pick, I’m going to go with Austin Corbett. I still haven’t seen anything that makes me think the Browns couldn’t have gotten him with a later pick. That said, I think he’ll be successful regardless…so reach in theory, but in the end, that’s all talk for us writers and draftniks.
Gerbs: Next question.
Who was the Browns biggest reach in the 2018 NFL Draft?
— WaitingForNextYear (@WFNYCLE) April 30, 2018
Which player from the Browns 2018 NFL Draft class will make the biggest on-field impact in 2018?
Gilbert: I think this is a pretty clear answer, cornerback Denzel Ward. Ward should have the biggest impact on the field in 2018 because he may be thrust into the No. 1 corner spot from Game 1. He has the talent to start right away, with the combination of man coverage skills, technique, and athleticism superior to any other corner on the team. He will be immensely impactful to the defense, who really needed a true shutdown corner.
Josh: Seems obvious, but much like the others here, it’s Denzel Ward. He should be immediately inserted as CB1 and due to Baker Mayfield (most likely) sitting out a year, Ward making the biggest impact on the field this fall is an easy answer.
Dave: Nick Chubb. I don’t think it will be long before Chubb starts getting the carries over Carlos Hyde. I think near the goal line he’ll be a touchdown machine.
Pat: Denzel Ward is going to be the selection for this honor. I see him stepping immediately in the top cornerback spot and playing close to 100% of the snaps in every game this season. He’s going to bring some desperately needed athleticism to the position. He’s an instinctual and intuitive player who knows when to turn his hips, where to place his hand to jam a receiver, when to cut off his route and go stick a guy, and when to reach across to defend a pass. He gets compared to Joe Haden a lot, but Haden can only dream of being this fast.
Bode: Denzel Ward is the easy choice due to an assumed starting role (assuming the Browns stick with their plan of Mayfield not playing at all– or at least much in 2018), but I think it will actually be Nick Chubb. He should be able to carve out a significant role to garner enough carries to earn this prize. Corners do not necessarily make as much immediate impact, and they also do not always control the impact they can have on a game. Running backs (as long as Haley runs the ball) get the ball put in their hands.
Jim: I absolutely loved the Denzel Ward pick, and think he’s going to be impact personified from day one. I’ve heard some knocks on his size, but that’s not anything that won’t get fixed in the first year of his tenure with the Browns. They’ll get him to the size they want him at, and 5’11” isn’t “short” for a defensive back. His speed is going to be a huge game changer for that secondary, and I think it will begin to fix one of the team’s biggest weaknesses from jump.
Gerbs: Next question.
Which player from the Browns 2018 NFL Draft class will make the biggest on field impact in 2018?
— WaitingForNextYear (@WFNYCLE) April 30, 2018
Which Day 3 selection of the Cleveland Browns in the 2018 NFL Draft will have the best career?
Gilbert: You may think I am crazy to believe in him, but I think wide receiver Antonio Callaway will have the best career for the Browns. Callaway has by far the best talent of any of the Day 3 draft picks. On just talent alone, he was thought of as one of the best receivers in the draft. But, his off-field character will decide this answer. If he can stay clean, he will be the best pick for the Browns on Day 3. If he continues to fail off the field, I will look completely dumb for believing in him. Though at the end of the day, I cannot overlook his immense talent.
Josh: Don’t know of one player specifically, but if the Browns have at least one player selected in Rounds 4-7 make an impact in Year 1 or 2 of their career, that could mean very good things forward. It’s so hit and miss, so finding someone that will have a good career on Day 3 is tough sometimes.
Dave: Antonio Callaway. Antonio Brown seems to be good at football and he seems (despite playing for Pittsburgh Football) to be a good person. He’s taken Callaway under his wing and is helping him get his life together. That combined with what shockingly could be a great culture for him to grow in the WR room in Cleveland could lead him to a nice rookie season.
Pat: I like Antonio Callaway for this honor. There’s been a number of players who dropped due to drug or character concerns who were not malevolent people, and I believe this is one of them. Callaway seems to have made a number of incredibly poor decisions while attending the University of Florida, but a new child and a new life coach in Pittsburgh Steeler Antonio Brown could be the push he needs to get onto the right path and stay there. His vast array of skills and talents got him into the NFL, but good help will allow him to stay and thrive there.
Bode: Genard Avery was such a sneaky good pick from the team. He boasts great speed and athleticism and pairs it with some solid college production. His ability to rush the passer and is projectable to be able to stay with backs and tight ends in coverage. He will start off as a special teams ace and a nickel linebacker, but I suspect his career will be far brighter than those meager roles.
Jim: Antonio Callaway has the talent to be a HUGE get, but I don’t think character will allow it to happen. So I’m going with Genard Avery here. He has some technical issues which kept him from getting drafted, but man does he have a nose for the football and is way too athletic to be a fifth-round pick. I think Gregg Williams can make him a pretty versatile linebacker down the road and could be a sneaky starter for a long period of time. Absolutely love the value here in the fifth round.
Gerbs: Next question.
Which Day 3 selection of the Cleveland Browns in the 2018 NFL Draft will have the best career?
— WaitingForNextYear (@WFNYCLE) April 30, 2018
What other thoughts do you want to add about the Browns 2018 NFL Draft?
Gilbert: The first thing I want to say is this: Thank you, John Dorsey, for not taking Josh Allen. If he had been the pick, my faith in this organization may have evaporated completely. So, thank you. Second, I really like how Dorsey hid his desires throughout the draft process. Not many people had the Browns targeting Mayfield and Ward with their first two picks. Dorsey was able to keep people guessing up until the pick was announced. Finally, I loved how the Browns were able to address some of the biggest needs on the roster, but also not get out of control and reach for players to fill the needs. It was nice to see them maneuver through the draft and find players who were worthy of the pick and who filled holes on their team.
Josh: Give Baker a chance and Denzel Ward may have been a reach, especially with Bradley Chubb still on the board, but it’s clear that Ward was their guy and why trade down multiple picks and risk losing a guy like the former Buckeye? So many people have already written off Mayfield because of his height and that he’s Johnny Manziel 2.0. Can we stop with that comparison, please? Thanks. If Mayfield turns into at least a decent quarterback for the next 10-plus years and Ward becomes a dominant cornerback the Browns can count on for the foreseeable future, the 2018 draft will be considered a successful one no matter what the other picks may do.
Dave: I wanted to draft Bradley Chubb and Nick Chubb. Mostly so we could have a B. Chubb and an N. Chubb on jerseys. It has nothing to do with football. Well, we got one Chubb and that’s good enough for me. Also, I was a non-vocal Baker Mayfield supporter, and I’m very happy we got him. And no-offense to Josh Allen, but I’m glad he went somewhere else.
Pat: I already gave you one thing I hate (the Chad Thomas selection), so I’ll now give you one thing that I love. I love the selection of Baker Mayfield with the top pick in the draft. Regardless if you are an analytics wonk or a “football guy,” there is something about him for you to revere. The former will love his accuracy to all areas of the field and his turnover rates (among other things). The latter will love his arm strength, magnetism, and leadership (among other things). Yes, he is “only” 6’1″ and his competitiveness on the field can sometimes lead to somewhat embarrassing, immature outbursts, but there is so much more to like than dislike about him as an NFL prospect. I have been incredibly wrong about so many Cleveland Browns NFL Draft selections in the past, but I have a hard time seeing how a guy with this kind of drive, determination, physical ability, and skills would not be successful.
Bode: The Browns had a solid if unspectacular draft (after the first two picks). They aren’t winning crazy awards as they did in 2017, but those did not seem to help the on-field results anyhow. Dorsey had a board much different than the consensus, so it will be really interesting to see how that plays out. Fixing quarterback and finding an elite corner (if that is what he did) would do wonders for this team.
Jim: They took the best quarterback. THEY TOOK THE BEST QUARTERBACK. If you made it down to this part of this post, and if you’re a Baker Mayfield hater, I want you to do me one favor…give him a chance. I understand the character concerns. I understand the easy desire to lump him in with that asshat Johnny Manziel, but there’s more to this kid than any of that. Just give him a chance before you judge him. He plays with a chip on his shoulder…he works hard…he shows up to watch film…and he wants to be a football player. That’s a HUGE fundamental difference in character traits between Mayfield and Manziel. Past that, he’s a pocket passer who is always looking downfield to make a big play. He’s not going to bail and run, just because he likes to. I like this draft a lot, but the Browns finally got it right and picked the best quarterback with the right pick. The rest is noise.
Gerbs: I’m here so I don’t get fined.