Tag Archives: NFL Draft

Browns add depth options in third day of draft

Posted on by
Advertisements

The Cleveland Browns entered day three of the NFL Draft poised to build upon their strong start. Selecting Martin Emerson, Alex Wright, and David Bell on day two provided a solid base for Andrew Berry and Co. to add to.

Perrion Winfrey 108th overall

Addressing the interior defensive line was a must for the Browns this offseason. The experiment with the Malik’s (Malik McDowell, Malik Jackson) was a complete failure. Adding Perrion Winfrey to the middle of their line is a step in the direction. Winfrey joins a group which features Tommy Togiai, Jordan Elliott, Sheldon Day, and Taven Bryan. The newly added rookie should compete for and win a starting spot.

Cade York 124th overall

Drafting a kicker is rarely considered to be a wise decision. Cleveland decided to go against the grain anyway and draft LSU’s Cade York in the fourth round. Is this a reach? Maybe. But to be blunt he Browns have needed a kicker since Phil Dawson left and he last played for the team in 2012.

Jerome Ford 156th overall

The selection of Jerome Ford in the fifth round provides some intrigue. Cleveland has Nick Chubb signed to an extension with Kareem Hunt having one year left on his deal and D’Ernest Johnson being a restricted free agent. Perhaps a succession plan for one of, if not both Hunt and Johnson is being put together with this selection.

Michael Woods II 202nd overall

After drafting a receiver in David Bell the day before, Cleveland drafts another the next day with Michael Woods II. Woods II should be able to find a way to carve out a role and playing time with the Browns lacking receiver depth.

Isaiah Thomas 223rd overall

Just like the Browns needed help on the inside, they added more help on the outside. Thomas will be the second rookie edge rusher on this team as they drafted Wright in the third round. Cleveland appears to have their contingency plan in place should Jadeveon Clowney not return.

Dawson Deaton 246th overall

If there is anything that can be taken away from last season is that you can never have enough offensive lineman. After letting JC Tretter go earlier this offseason, Cleveland needed to add some younger and cheaper lineman into the mix. Deaton could be a practice squad candidate with Nick Harris and Ethan Pocic occupying the starting and backup center roles.

Browns solid in day two of draft

Posted on by
Advertisements

The Cleveland Browns were not scheduled to make a selection in the 2022 NFL Draft until pick 44. Cleveland then decided to trade back to acquire more picks giving them more shots at filling some needs on both sides of the ball. 

Martin Emerson

Waiting until the fourth selection in the third round, Cleveland selected cornerback Martin Emerson out of Mississippi State. Emerson joins a defensive backfield that features Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome, and Greedy Williams. With crucial pass defense is in the modern NFL, adding another defensive back to the mix will give the Browns defense their best chance to slow them down. 

As far as big picture is concerned, Ward signed a five-year extension not too long ago and Newsome just finished his rookie season. That brings the focus to Williams who has dealt with injuries early on in his career. It’s possible that longevity concerns exist and instead of offering Williams a large deal that they are beginning their own succession plan that will help control costs in a crucial position group. 

Alex Wright

The Browns decided to address one of their positions of need with their own third round selection. UAB’s Alex Wright was the pick at 78th overall which will help bolster their defensive line. 

Myles Garrett is entrenched on one side of the line with consistent production being all-but guaranteed. Last season the opposite side of the line featured Jadeveon Clowney. A reunion with Clowney is still possible, but it is worth noting that Cleveland traded for New England’s Chase Winovich and just selected Wright in the draft. While neither move particularly precludes the Browns from bringing back Clowney, they are ensuring they are not left with their hands in their pockets should he sign elsewhere.

David Bell

At some point the Cleveland Browns are going to draft a wide receiver. At 99th overall David Bell was that wide receiver. Bell joins Amari Cooper as the top two receivers on the Browns roster with Donovan Peoples-Jones and Anthony Schwartz playing roles of some sort.

Bell does not possess top end speed and is most likely to end up being the number two receiver in Cleveland long term. The problem on the short term is that the team still lacks a true number one receiver.

Round 1 a new experience for Browns

Posted on by
Advertisements

Round one of the 2022 NFL Draft presented an unusual set of circumstances for the Cleveland Browns fans. Their perennial search for an answer at the quarterback position is not taking center stage. Instead it is other teams wading the waters of a draft class that is considered weak with a very down quarterback class. While hyperbole is the word used to describe this pattern year in and year out, it is quite accurate this time around. There is not a surefire quarterback going first overall as the Jacksonville Jaguars opted for defensive help in Travon Walker. As Kenny Pickett has been selected and Malik Willis is still waiting for his name to be called one thing is for certain, Cleveland will not be making the call this year. 

The Browns instead made the trade to acquire Deshaun Watson from the Houston Texans in a blockbluster move which essentially will be their first round selection for the next three years. Watson is the franchise quarterback this team has been searching for since 1999. Ironically enough the pick used to select Watson in 2017 by Houston belonged to Cleveland before they traded down for a second time in that draft. Eventually the Browns were able to get the player they should have drafted a few years prior, it just cost three times as much and then some with later picks involved.

With no first round pressure, fans can sit back and enjoy the draft as a whole. There is no nerves to be had and Browns fans can put their trust in Andrew Berry and Kevin Stefanski to supplement their roster with veteran free agents and their selections beginning in round two. 

Browns draft options after the first round

Posted on by
Advertisements

The Cleveland Browns enter days two and three of the NFL Draft with some pretty clear needs that need to be addressed. At this moment in time they are still interested in bringing back Jarvis Landry and Jadeveon Clowney, but they must operate if their returns are not on the table. This puts defensive line and wide receiver at the forefront of team needs. 

With the run on receiver in round one it may be a bit tough for Cleveland to get one of the options they were hoping for when their turn came around in round two. That’s not a reason to panic as they still have Landry as an option in free agency. In regards to the draft they must compare their draft boards (horizontal and vertical) with who is still available. If there is a receiver available that was slotted as an option at 44 (or higher), it makes everything a bit easier selection wise. 

Even if a receiver is not an option, the Browns can still address their defense line. Myles Garrett is still the key pass rusher on the Cleveland defense, but he needs help. Clowney was able to play better than he has in some time, but repeatability is an issue. Additionally, the interior defensive line was about as useful at stopping blockers as saloon doors were at stopping Buford “Mad Dog” Tannen chase down Marty McFly in 1885 Hill Valley. The Browns need interior line help as well and if they were to turn inward with their day two selections they would be draft picks well spent.

Of course the option to trade down exists, but selecting a player who has inexplicably slid in the draft may be a better option rather than punting their pick until later rounds or next year. Simply put, this team has an open contention window and they to infuse young talent into their long term completive vision. 

Browns talked to Kenny Pickett

Posted on by
Advertisements

The University of Pittsburgh quarterback has stated that he has spoken with the Cleveland Browns.

Kenny Pickett to Cleveland? While that is definitely putting the cart before the horse here, it is not as impossible as previously though. Pickett stated that the Browns were one of the first teams he talked to during Senior Bowl week.

Of course there is some unknown information here, notably who initiated the conversation. But either way, the fact that the Browns and Kenny Pickett are linked (in a way) does provide some intrigue for the upcoming draft. Cleveland does have Baker Mayfield on the last year of this rookie contract, but the uneven play four years in leave a lot to be desired. Considering Pickett in the first round is an interesting proposition for a team that needs to address the position one way or another. Whether or not Pickett is available at 13 is a different story and Cleveland may have to trade up if their plan is to draft the Pittsburgh quarterback.

In his fifth and final season at Pittsburgh, Kenny Pickett completed 67.2 percent of his passes for 4,319 yards, 42 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions in 13 games. If the Browns are not able to acquire a new signal caller via trade or free agency, the draft could be their best bet and Pickett may be their selection in the first round.

Garrett Wilson to Browns in CBS Sports mock

Posted on by
Advertisements

A CBS Sports mock draft has the Cleveland Browns selecting the Ohio State receiver 13th overall.

If there is one area that the Cleveland Browns need to improve in it is the wide receiver position. Wit hate uncertain future of Jarvis Landry in addition to only having Donovan Peoples-Jones and Anthony Schwartz under contract next season they need some help in this area. Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports has the Browns selecting Garrett Wilson out of Ohio State 13th overall in his latest mock draft. Wilson provided insight into the selection.

“The Browns have needs at wide receiver, for sure, but the talking points in the coming months will likely concern the QB position. We think Baker Mayfield is much better than he showed last season, in part because he wasn’t healthy. Wilson is one of the the most dynamic players in college football and he’ll give Mayfield another downfield option now that Odell Beckham Jr. is in L.A.”

Wilson mentions Cleveland needing to find a downfield option and identifies Garrett Wilson as a solution to their problem. The 21-year old receiver finished his junior season at Ohio State with 70 receptions for 1,058 yards and 12 touchdowns as he showcased his ability to make big play after big play for the Buckeyes. The latter fact should be a major concern to the Browns considering how dynamic the offenses of the Chiefs and Bills were Sunday night and the fact they nowhere near their level of firepower.

Sliding Garrett Wilson into the Browns starting lineup would be an instant upgrade to a passing attack that needs a lot of help. Granted they will need Baker Mayfield to take a massive step forward in his fifth season, adding a quality receiving target should make that task just a bit easier for the Browns signal caller.

Browns finish off impressive 2021 NFL Draft on Day 3

Posted on by
Advertisements

The Cleveland Browns added some interesting players in the third day of the NFL Draft, capping off an impressive draft haul.

Through the first two days of the NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns already did some impressive work. Selecting Greg Newsome in Round 1 while adding Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and Anthony Schwartz on day two. Cleveland continued their impressive work as they added some more players to their already impressive draft.

Offensive and Defensive linemen in Round 4

The Browns started off with Cincinnati offensive James Hudson with the 110th overall pick. Hudson figures to be a swing tackle for Cleveland and perhaps an eventual starter in the future, but for now they added some depth on a position group that really needed it.

After trading down, it was time to go back to bolstering he defense. The selection? Ohio State defensive tackle Tommy Togiai. Togiai has the potential to be a key impact player for the Browns and part of rotation in the middle of their defensive line. Selecting Togiai will help make up for the fact that the team moved on from Sheldon Richardson.

Another linebacker?

For those clutching to incorrect assumptions about this Browns regime, it may be time to look away for the next pick. Cleveland added their second linebacker of this draft in West Virginia’s Tony Fields. The 5th Round selection is a bit undersized, but plays well in coverage, is able to go sideline to sideline, and is good against the run.

Depth in the secondary and an intriguing selection with their final pick

Understanding the need for depth in the defensive backfield, the Browns 6th Round selection was safety Richard LeCounte. LeCounte is someone who can be aggressive at times, but may be able to work his way into being a backup. Considering there may be a vacancy at backup safety after next season, this could be a good selection for Cleveland.

At pick 211 the Browns made their final selection, the versatile Demetric Felton. Felton is someone who was a wide receiver at UCLA, but was announced as running back when picked. Kevin Stefanski should be able to be creative using him in the passing game. That is if he ends up making the team when it is all said and done.

Browns draft JOK, Schwartz on day two

Posted on by
Advertisements

On day two of the NFL Draft the Cleveland Browns selected two potential impact players.

After nailing the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns came back for more in rounds two and three. Cleveland traded up in order to select Notre Dame linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.

JOK was thought of as a potential first round pick, but questions about his size and exact role led to a slide in the draft. With Owusu-Koramoah still available later than most thought he would be, Cleveland leapt at the opportunity to select the talented linebacker prospect.

Not every pick the Browns made was of the defensive variety as they selected wide receiver Anthony Schwartz in round three.

Schwartz is a selection who provides a skill that none of the current Browns receivers has, speed. Cleveland can use his speed to take the top off the defense or on end arounds which previously went to Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry. At some point Schwartz should slide into the third receiver role behind Landry and OBJ, and the thought of that is quite scary.

Browns pick Greg Newsome 26th overall

Posted on by
Advertisements

The Cleveland Browns bolstered their secondary by selecting the Northwestern cornerback 26th overall.

With how everything fell before them, the Cleveland Browns had their choice of multiple impact defensive players. Their choice? Northwestern cornerback Greg Newsome.

With Greg Newsome now in the fold, the Cleveland Browns secondary is coming together nicely. Cleveland already had Denzel Ward as lockdown option before the offseason. The Browns added John Johnson and Troy Hill to improve that group. Newsome’s selection will add depth to start and eventually allow everyone to play in their best position.

Greg Newsome only accumulated 1 interception during his time in college and 20 pass defenses. The one knock on him is that he missed quite a few games during his time at Northwestern. The difference between Newsome and someone like Caleb Farley is the type and severity of the injuries. While this is something to monitor and be careful with going forward, considering him injury prone is premature at this time.

The Browns hold picks 59, 89, and 91 in rounds 2 and 3. Cleveland would be wise to consider some movement in order to acquire some blue chip players who are still on the board. Acquiring another impact starter would be a huge win for Andrew Berry and the Cleveland Browns.