2019 Draft Prospects Thread

[MGMT]

So what does everyone think is our needs?

I am not convinced LT is a need, Robinson has looked good. I also like our WR core and going WR in the first is such a gamble as WR is the hardest position to develop and takes a couple of years typically before you see return.

And with Ward, do we still want to spend high draft capital on a corner? I am thinking it might be worth it, but would love to find an athletic DT to put in there with the rest of the defensive line.

It’s not that I don’t think WR isn’t a need; I’m just not sure I like the prospects at the slot in which we will be selecting.

I’m not sure how you analyze how much you should specifically allocate to each unit; but imagining the secondary with Greedy/Murphy/Baker added it Oliver injected into our defensive line are...fun thoughts.

It’s really hard for me to place needs in order but I think it’s obvious we need — in no particular:

Defensive line depth
Another good starting corner
Outside linebacker
A downfield threat at wide receiver
A right tackle

 

[Bob_The_Cat]

So what does everyone think is our needs?

I am not convinced LT is a need, Robinson has looked good. I also like our WR core and going WR in the first is such a gamble as WR is the hardest position to develop and takes a couple of years typically before you see return.

And with Ward, do we still want to spend high draft capital on a corner? I am thinking it might be worth it, but would love to find an athletic DT to put in there with the rest of the defensive line.

I’m all for taking BPA between LT/DT/CB in the first and using our 2nd and something else to get back into the 1st for a WR. This is a deep WR class and we could potentially get a steal in the bottom third of the 1st.

Like you said, LT isn’t even really a need per se, but being able to put Robinson at RT would take the line to the next level.

 

[I'mWithDan]

Mock Monday, damnit.

CBS has Ed Oliver out of the top 10. Has us snagging Greedy.

It’s nice not to be frustrated with a win. They sure as fuck don’t feel meaningless this go-around.

Really interested to see how a guy like Byron Murphy holds up against the OSU receiver group in the RB.

The good news is, we have a QB. Drafting becomes a lot easier when you have a franchise player anchored behind center. It's far less important where in the draft order you are IMO (once you have found a guy like Baker).

 

[Randolphkeys]

One matter to also take into account is pay scale for a higher pick. Danny Shelton is a good nose tackle for stopping the run, bit once he demanded a pay raise that pushed him onto the top six players on the team, a two down nose tackle became a bad investment. Cory Coleman, being a fourth receiver who never developed into anything more, had the same fate.

So if either DeAndre Baker or Greedy Williams are still there, I'm in favor of grabbing a guy to play opposite Ward and deliver a potentially pro bowl set of corners even if Mitchell is pretty good. The Browns started the year with great corner depth but reality is every year corners get banged up.

On tackles, the talent tends to drop off quick after the first five prospects or so. If they want a tackle in the first two rounds, go for it or don't even bother.

I would definitely vote in favor of an impact defensive interior player to replace Coley next to Ogbah just because that is a position of great depth in this draft. Again, you are better off finding a guy who deserves the draft slot than reaching. I think Ogbah gets a bad reputation around here but he is young cheap and a solid player, even if his sack totals aren't ideal.

 

[Lee]

I would really like another defensive end or linebacker. I have a few issues with drafting a DT so high... for one, they peak really early, but tend not to be long-term pieces unless you hit a grand slam in drafting the right one. Also, to really have a serious, above-replacement level impact, they either need to be talented pass rushers or really good tacklers.

With that said, they are also the safest pick in the first round. College production translates almost perfectly to NFL success as a DT. Over the last five years they have the second lowest bust percentage. Additionally, if we hit it out of the park, that frees up a lot for Myles Garrett. Finally, because run games are mostly determined by line play and not RBs themselves, a good DT helps us force the other team to pass the ball.

Positionally-ranked, I'd rate left tackle, receiver, pass rushing defensive end, and outside linebacker as bigger needs. Regardless, Browns are in the position where they can just draft the BPOA, so I am pretty much okay with any position as long as it is the best player on the board.

Why Left Tackle? Robinson has been solid, not sure I want to draft LT just to draft one. I get he can move to RT as that is now our weakest position, but we could draft a RT in the 2nd or 3rd and use the first on a DT or DE or stud LB for example.

I don't think Receiver is as much of need as many think. They take very long to develop, plus have a very high bust potential. I think we might have stolen a decent WR in Perriman and Calloway and Higgins are coming along and maybe even Ratley has decent NFL ability. Once again I think we can use draft capital better elsewhere.

I agree the BPA as long as its not a QB or RB, those positions are fine, although a late round RB always helps special teams and depth.

 

[Lee]

One matter to also take into account is pay scale for a higher pick. Danny Shelton is a good nose tackle for stopping the run, bit once he demanded a pay raise that pushed him onto the top six players on the team, a two down nose tackle became a bad investment. Cory Coleman, being a fourth receiver who never developed into anything more, had the same fate.

So if either DeAndre Baker or Greedy Williams are still there, I'm in favor of grabbing a guy to play opposite Ward and deliver a potentially pro bowl set of corners even if Mitchell is pretty good. The Browns started the year with great corner depth but reality is every year corners get banged up.

On tackles, the talent tends to drop off quick after the first five prospects or so. If they want a tackle in the first two rounds, go for it or don't even bother.

I would definitely vote in favor of an impact defensive interior player to replace Coley next to Ogbah just because that is a position of great depth in this draft. Again, you are better off finding a guy who deserves the draft slot than reaching. I think Ogbah gets a bad reputation around here but he is young cheap and a solid player, even if his sack totals aren't ideal.

Ogbah is why I prefer a DT over DE, as Coley isn't worthy of starting but isn't a bad rotation/depth guy.

I pretty much agree with everything. CB is not necessarily a need high up, but having 2 Pro bowl corners would be nice, and nickel corner is basically a starting position that we could move Mitchell too.

Since we wont be top 10, top LB's are found in the middle first and really think we could use better impact at our LB. Schobert is the only starter I feel confident in moving forward and Avery is also looking good, but may end up rotational not starting some day soon when we improve the position.

Also we have free agency to go, so we might improve things there.

 

[Lee]

I’m all for taking BPA between LT/DT/CB in the first and using our 2nd and something else to get back into the 1st for a WR. This is a deep WR class and we could potentially get a steal in the bottom third of the 1st.

Like you said, LT isn’t even really a need per se, but being able to put Robinson at RT would take the line to the next level.

You can find a stud RT in the 2nd and 3rd, and I would add LB to your list, so tackle in general not just LT and lb and your list is good imo.

 

[Randolphkeys]

Why Left Tackle? Robinson has been solid, not sure I want to draft LT just to draft one. I get he can move to RT as that is now our weakest position, but we could draft a RT in the 2nd or 3rd and use the first on a DT or DE or stud LB for example.

With the high fail rate of drafted tackles the past half dozen drafts, chances are a future LT with all the right measurables is best off starting out on the right side.

 

[red.]

DL, LB, CB, WR, OL.

In no particular order, but I lean more towards defense with the first round pick. I think the Browns need a speedy LB like the Cowboys and Bears have.

Another good defensive lineman.

TJ Carrie blows. Maybe his replacement somewhere in the draft.

I’d love to come away with two WR. Can never have enough weapons.

Is TE becoming a need? Seth hasn’t really shown much. Someone to pair with Njoku?

 

[Triple-S]

The good news is, we have a QB. Drafting becomes a lot easier when you have a franchise player anchored behind center. It's far less important where in the draft order you are IMO (once you have found a guy like Baker).

Yeah at this point? The draft becomes a bit more "boring", but that's really a good thing.

That's been my hope for a long time that the next couple of years is us just looking up to see some random guard bolster the offensive line.

 

[Lee]

Yeah at this point? The draft becomes a bit more "boring", but that's really a good thing.

That's been my hope for a long time that the next couple of years is us just looking up to see some random guard bolster the offensive line.

If Dorsey has as good of a draft as last year (even his non top of the first picks were solid except one), then every draft with him can be exciting. He really has a knack for the middle rounds although he is clearly swinging for the fences as we can see with the big ole swing and a miss with Chad Thomas.

Then again we don't know how good Chad Thomas can be since he hasn't played since having hernia surgery. He is slow for an end, but maybe he can be converted to DT with 10-15lbs of muscle added?

 

[natedagg]

No draft need analysis can be complete without the free agents available, and we will continue to learn more over the next 3 games.

There’s many mighty tempting directions to take this, but at this point I’d say DT is our biggest weakness, but I wouldn’t mind another CB or LT or stud WR. So many options.

I think we could patch up the OL w Bitonio out at tackle and Corbett inside or just keep it as is.

Honestly it’s whatever keeps Baker happy, and that will be winning, so we better fucking hit on our 1st and the hopefully get a few more surprises that can develop enough for the playoffs next year.

 

[I'mWithDan]

Honestly it’s whatever keeps Baker happy, and that will be winning, so we better fucking hit on our 1st and the hopefully get a few more surprises that can develop enough for the playoffs next year.

Certainly, with the benefit of hindsight, that is why the Cooper non trade stings a bit.

We missed out on, what appears to be, a talented young player (at a position of need) who was merely a prisoner of his situation.

Browns pick, even without an upgrade there, is trending in the 14-18 range. Had the Browns exited this year with a true, proven #1 receiver for that selection, that would have been a huge win. Especially given his age and our cap situation (front loading a long term deal).

Anyway, it's just awesome to have QB in tow. We appear to have found the hardest piece to find and are an incredibly attractive destination for a new coach. Just have to make good decisions filling out the roster and the franchise will have some pretty special potential moving forward.

 

[Jack Brickman]

Certainly, with the benefit of hindsight, that is why the Cooper non trade stings a bit.

We missed out on, what appears to be, a talented young player (at a position of need) who was merely a prisoner of his situation.

Browns pick, even without an upgrade there, is trending in the 14-18 range. Had the Browns exited this year with a true, proven #1 receiver for that selection, that would have been a huge win. Especially given his age and our cap situation (front loading a long term deal).

Anyway, it's just awesome to have QB in tow. We appear to have found the hardest piece to find and are an incredibly attractive destination for a new coach. Just have to make good decisions filling out the roster and the franchise will have some pretty special potential moving forward.

I'd still rather not be the team that gives Cooper a monster contract.

 

[I'mWithDan]

I'd still rather not be the team that gives Cooper a monster contract.

He's dominating with just an upgrade to a mediocre QB....

4 of his 5 games he's gone for at least 6 for 75.....twice he's gone for 150+.

Do I think he's that far in to the stratosphere? No but it's pretty clear he's a true #1 that was being suffocated by a terrible system and bad QB play. I wouldn't feel great about a huge contract but our cap would have allowed us to give him much of the money up front.

Again, it's hindsight but damn......how good would we all feel if he was doing that with Baker and we headed in to this off-season with a franchise QB, a #1 WR, cornerstone pass rusher, cornerstone DB....we still have an amazing situation but stealing a player like Cooper, who is only 24 years old, would have been an incredible coup (based on his early returns, simply in a better system with a bit better passer).