Out of the Rafters at the Q
Out of the Rafters
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With our mock draft finished and the NFL draft almost upon us, here are some of the guys I like at each position group on defense. Personally, I hope the Browns come out of the draft this weekend with at least one player at every group.
Interior Defensive Lineman
There isn't a player I'd love to see drafted at 26. My top two defensive tackles are Christian Barmore and Levi Onwuzurike. I don't think I'd spend the pick and the money on either of them instead of just spending the money to bring back Sheldon Richardson and using the pick in a better way. If you make me pick between the two of them, I think Barmore is the safer player. I like Levi and I think his tape is better. I see a guy who has more flex, wiggle and ability to slip by offensive linemen... but I'm watching Levi go against PAC-12 interior linemen while Barmore is doing it against SEC guys.
After that top tier, some guys I really like on day two are Bobby Brown III, Milton Williams and Tommy Togiai. Brown is my favorite of this group. Go watch his tape against South Carolina. There's one play that stands out where he blows up the guard in front of him, knocking down both that guard and the pulling guard behind him, and the running back. Brown gets the tackle for a loss and I'm not sure he ever touched the running back. If you want an athletic freak who has day one potential, Brown is it. He's certainly more 1-technique than anything else, and can push Andrew Billings for playing time in year one.
After my day two guys, two guys I like on day three are Jonathan Marshall and Osa Odighizuwa. I feel Osa can be a disruptive, penetrating three-tech, while Marshall is a raw ball of clay that you hope you can mold into a quality player.
Edge Defenders
Sorry @Randolphkeys, but there is one guy that I have in a tier above all other edge rushers in this class--Jaelen Phillips. I am aware that he was forced to medically retire by UCLA due to head injuries. I am aware that means he's more likely to suffer a concussion, and more likely that concussion is more severe, going forward. But, everyone in the NFL is one bad hit away from being out--just ask Ryan Shazier. Phillips is, by far, the best edge in this class and if I can get a talent that's similar to Joey Bosa in the back half of the first round, I'm taking that risk.
After Phillips, other edge guys I'd be fine with at 26 are Joe Tryon, Kwity Paye and Payton Turner. Tryon is my favorite of the bunch. I think he has the athletic gifts to do it all. Turner is the biggest reach of this group, but I don't think he'll be there at 59.
On day two, Ronnie Perkins, Elerson Smith, Gregory Rousseau and Jonathan Cooper are all guys I have my eye on. I think they're all very effective, productive edge guys. I feel Cooper probably has the highest ceiling of this group to actually be an every down defensive end, while Perkins might be the best pass rusher, but I wouldn't put him on the field outside of third downs.
After that tier, I like some athletic profiles like Dayo Odeyingbo, Joseph Ossai and Janarius Robinson. I also like some productive guys like Malcolm Koonce and Cameron Sample. I wouldn't be upset with taking a look at Charles Snowden either.
Linebacker
For the second group in a row, I have to start out by apologizing to @Randolphkeys. I know JOK has been our guy, but I think I have to move him out of the number one spot for the Browns. My number one guy is now Zaven Collins.
Collins is massive, 6'4" 270 pound linebacker with some of the greatest athletic gifts at linebacker that we've seen. A former gymnast, his strength, core and body control are unreal and he gives me major Brian Urlacher vibes. Collins profiles to be an every-down linebacker, and even if he can't run with a receiver the way JOK can, I can't get the image of his massive frame dropping into zone and picking off crossing routes behind him... or the fear in a running back's eyes when this monster is staring him down pre-snap in a snowy January playoff game at First Energy Stadium...
Jeremiah Owusu-Koromoah is the second linebacker I'd take at 26. It's rare to find someone who can run with a slot receiver while still being able to make plays behind the line of scrimmage in run situations. Brett Kollmann's video on him says everything I want to say, so go watch that. My only concern with JOK is that, on day one, I'm not sure I see him as an every down type of player. Because he's shown the ability to do everything in college, I might want to start him out in a more focused role, let him thrive there, and then slowly open up his role in the defense. I don't value the linebacker position highly, but both of these guys are so good that I'd be happy with either at 26.
Outside of that top tier, my next two guys that I'd be okay with at 59 are Jamin Davis and Cam McGrone. Davis blew up his testing, while McGrone has fantastic tape that I think compares favorably to the trio of linebackers that went at the end of day one last year.
In the next tier, I have a bunch of guys, but the guy that I've warmed up to lately is Pete Werner. I think he can sort of succeed at the next level as an everydown linebacker. He's not good in coverage, but he's good for a linebacker--and maybe that's all you need. I see him as someone who plays in nickel, but maybe not in dime. Keep an eye out for production, like Tony Fields, or athleticism, like Baron Browning.
Cornerback
Ah, cornerback. Possibly the most glaring need in our defense, depending on your views of Greedy Williams. Let's get it out of the way: Jaycee Horn is my number one defensive player in this draft and I'd trade up for him. If you ask me for an NFL comp, I stare blankly for a few seconds and say "I guess Jalen Ramsey?" Horn is that good, tested off the charts, and is CB1 in a tier of his own for me.
After Ramsey comes a big group of guys I'd be okay with at 26. Surtain leads the group, but likely won't be on the board. I have Farley, Campbell and Newsome all tightly grouped. Obviously, Farley (if healthy) and Newsome (who also has durability concerns) are the better man coverage guys. They both play off coverage and do it really well, but when I watch tape, I see guys who have great athleticism--great speed, great closing ability. It allows them to recover after getting beat, or close on questionable decisions by the QB. I'm not sure how that plays at the next level when they're not faster than the receiver, and the QB makes better reads with more zip on the ball. There's a reason these guys aren't touted as top-10 picks like Marshon Lattimore, and that's it. I don't see them sticking to guys.
That brings us to the name you're all a bit shocked by... Tyson Campbell. I think Campbell is the best zone corner in this class to play on the trips side of a modern NFL offense. With more offenses running one X receiver on one side, and three threats (2 receivers and 1 tight end, or just 3 receivers) on the other, I think we're going to see a lot of Denzel Ward playing press man on the X, and the rest of our defense playing match zone on the other side. Tyson Campbell gives me some Marlon Humphrey flashbacks. He's not as good as a man coverage guy as Humphrey, but he's just a guy I want sitting in a flat zone and making plays on the ball or attacking in the run game. He's big, athletic, and is a surprise pick I'd be okay with at 26.
My next tier is Melifonwu, Asante Samuel, Kelvin Joseph and Paulson Adebo. Out of this group, Kelvin Joseph is last for me. I think he's a pure off-ball CB2 who only can line up on a team's Z receiver. Melifonwu is the highest upside here, as his athletic profile is nasty, and he has some of the best coverage snaps of this tier. Unfortunately, he's also probably the worst football player of this group at this time, and it's hard for me to project him learning how to be a better football player. My favorite of the group is Paulson Adebo. I think he can do it all, and is an ideal second round pick.
Later on, your guess is as good as mine. I guess give me Tay Gowan on day three, but to be completely honest, I haven't watched much outside of the day two CB prospects.
Safety
Finally, maybe my favorite group of this class. There is not a single player I want at 26--if Trevon Moehrig is the first safety off the board as many suspect, I'm not touching him. I think he's fine, but there are so many treasures in this class that are projected to go later. I want that value.
First up for value is Andre Cisco. He is, without a doubt, the most talented safety in this class. Not even Moehrig can touch Cisco's gifts on the field, and if he makes it down to 59 he might be my number one target. He would give us someone with the size and ability to play all over Woods's defense, but also is one of only two safeties in this class who I think could play Delpit's center field, single-high role if anything happens to our second-year safety.
The other safety who could play single-high in this class is Jevon Holland. He's the next best free safety in this class. If you want insurance against a Delpit injury or setback, he's the only guy besides Cisco who ticks that box for me.
Now, my two favorite safeties: Jamar Johnson and Tyree Gillespie. Gillespie is someone I view as learning the John Johnson role. Let him line up anywhere, and do anything. He should be closer to the line of scrimmage, and after watching him put good tape down covering Kyle Pitts, covering DeVonta Smith, and attacking the Alabama run game, I just love this dude. He hits hard, isn't scared to take on anyone, and is the kind of guy I want to add to my defense. Jamar Johnson is probably the smartest safety in this group. If you want a safety who can play mind games with opposing QB's, and isn't afraid to do anything asked of him, Johnson is your guy.
Outside of the already mentioned guys, I like Richie Grant, Ar'Darius Washington, both Cincinnati safeties and Hamsah Nasirildeen as my athletic profile dark horse.
Interior Defensive Lineman
There isn't a player I'd love to see drafted at 26. My top two defensive tackles are Christian Barmore and Levi Onwuzurike. I don't think I'd spend the pick and the money on either of them instead of just spending the money to bring back Sheldon Richardson and using the pick in a better way. If you make me pick between the two of them, I think Barmore is the safer player. I like Levi and I think his tape is better. I see a guy who has more flex, wiggle and ability to slip by offensive linemen... but I'm watching Levi go against PAC-12 interior linemen while Barmore is doing it against SEC guys.
After that top tier, some guys I really like on day two are Bobby Brown III, Milton Williams and Tommy Togiai. Brown is my favorite of this group. Go watch his tape against South Carolina. There's one play that stands out where he blows up the guard in front of him, knocking down both that guard and the pulling guard behind him, and the running back. Brown gets the tackle for a loss and I'm not sure he ever touched the running back. If you want an athletic freak who has day one potential, Brown is it. He's certainly more 1-technique than anything else, and can push Andrew Billings for playing time in year one.
After my day two guys, two guys I like on day three are Jonathan Marshall and Osa Odighizuwa. I feel Osa can be a disruptive, penetrating three-tech, while Marshall is a raw ball of clay that you hope you can mold into a quality player.
Edge Defenders
Sorry @Randolphkeys, but there is one guy that I have in a tier above all other edge rushers in this class--Jaelen Phillips. I am aware that he was forced to medically retire by UCLA due to head injuries. I am aware that means he's more likely to suffer a concussion, and more likely that concussion is more severe, going forward. But, everyone in the NFL is one bad hit away from being out--just ask Ryan Shazier. Phillips is, by far, the best edge in this class and if I can get a talent that's similar to Joey Bosa in the back half of the first round, I'm taking that risk.
After Phillips, other edge guys I'd be fine with at 26 are Joe Tryon, Kwity Paye and Payton Turner. Tryon is my favorite of the bunch. I think he has the athletic gifts to do it all. Turner is the biggest reach of this group, but I don't think he'll be there at 59.
On day two, Ronnie Perkins, Elerson Smith, Gregory Rousseau and Jonathan Cooper are all guys I have my eye on. I think they're all very effective, productive edge guys. I feel Cooper probably has the highest ceiling of this group to actually be an every down defensive end, while Perkins might be the best pass rusher, but I wouldn't put him on the field outside of third downs.
After that tier, I like some athletic profiles like Dayo Odeyingbo, Joseph Ossai and Janarius Robinson. I also like some productive guys like Malcolm Koonce and Cameron Sample. I wouldn't be upset with taking a look at Charles Snowden either.
Linebacker
For the second group in a row, I have to start out by apologizing to @Randolphkeys. I know JOK has been our guy, but I think I have to move him out of the number one spot for the Browns. My number one guy is now Zaven Collins.
Collins is massive, 6'4" 270 pound linebacker with some of the greatest athletic gifts at linebacker that we've seen. A former gymnast, his strength, core and body control are unreal and he gives me major Brian Urlacher vibes. Collins profiles to be an every-down linebacker, and even if he can't run with a receiver the way JOK can, I can't get the image of his massive frame dropping into zone and picking off crossing routes behind him... or the fear in a running back's eyes when this monster is staring him down pre-snap in a snowy January playoff game at First Energy Stadium...
Jeremiah Owusu-Koromoah is the second linebacker I'd take at 26. It's rare to find someone who can run with a slot receiver while still being able to make plays behind the line of scrimmage in run situations. Brett Kollmann's video on him says everything I want to say, so go watch that. My only concern with JOK is that, on day one, I'm not sure I see him as an every down type of player. Because he's shown the ability to do everything in college, I might want to start him out in a more focused role, let him thrive there, and then slowly open up his role in the defense. I don't value the linebacker position highly, but both of these guys are so good that I'd be happy with either at 26.
Outside of that top tier, my next two guys that I'd be okay with at 59 are Jamin Davis and Cam McGrone. Davis blew up his testing, while McGrone has fantastic tape that I think compares favorably to the trio of linebackers that went at the end of day one last year.
In the next tier, I have a bunch of guys, but the guy that I've warmed up to lately is Pete Werner. I think he can sort of succeed at the next level as an everydown linebacker. He's not good in coverage, but he's good for a linebacker--and maybe that's all you need. I see him as someone who plays in nickel, but maybe not in dime. Keep an eye out for production, like Tony Fields, or athleticism, like Baron Browning.
Cornerback
Ah, cornerback. Possibly the most glaring need in our defense, depending on your views of Greedy Williams. Let's get it out of the way: Jaycee Horn is my number one defensive player in this draft and I'd trade up for him. If you ask me for an NFL comp, I stare blankly for a few seconds and say "I guess Jalen Ramsey?" Horn is that good, tested off the charts, and is CB1 in a tier of his own for me.
After Ramsey comes a big group of guys I'd be okay with at 26. Surtain leads the group, but likely won't be on the board. I have Farley, Campbell and Newsome all tightly grouped. Obviously, Farley (if healthy) and Newsome (who also has durability concerns) are the better man coverage guys. They both play off coverage and do it really well, but when I watch tape, I see guys who have great athleticism--great speed, great closing ability. It allows them to recover after getting beat, or close on questionable decisions by the QB. I'm not sure how that plays at the next level when they're not faster than the receiver, and the QB makes better reads with more zip on the ball. There's a reason these guys aren't touted as top-10 picks like Marshon Lattimore, and that's it. I don't see them sticking to guys.
That brings us to the name you're all a bit shocked by... Tyson Campbell. I think Campbell is the best zone corner in this class to play on the trips side of a modern NFL offense. With more offenses running one X receiver on one side, and three threats (2 receivers and 1 tight end, or just 3 receivers) on the other, I think we're going to see a lot of Denzel Ward playing press man on the X, and the rest of our defense playing match zone on the other side. Tyson Campbell gives me some Marlon Humphrey flashbacks. He's not as good as a man coverage guy as Humphrey, but he's just a guy I want sitting in a flat zone and making plays on the ball or attacking in the run game. He's big, athletic, and is a surprise pick I'd be okay with at 26.
My next tier is Melifonwu, Asante Samuel, Kelvin Joseph and Paulson Adebo. Out of this group, Kelvin Joseph is last for me. I think he's a pure off-ball CB2 who only can line up on a team's Z receiver. Melifonwu is the highest upside here, as his athletic profile is nasty, and he has some of the best coverage snaps of this tier. Unfortunately, he's also probably the worst football player of this group at this time, and it's hard for me to project him learning how to be a better football player. My favorite of the group is Paulson Adebo. I think he can do it all, and is an ideal second round pick.
Later on, your guess is as good as mine. I guess give me Tay Gowan on day three, but to be completely honest, I haven't watched much outside of the day two CB prospects.
Safety
Finally, maybe my favorite group of this class. There is not a single player I want at 26--if Trevon Moehrig is the first safety off the board as many suspect, I'm not touching him. I think he's fine, but there are so many treasures in this class that are projected to go later. I want that value.
First up for value is Andre Cisco. He is, without a doubt, the most talented safety in this class. Not even Moehrig can touch Cisco's gifts on the field, and if he makes it down to 59 he might be my number one target. He would give us someone with the size and ability to play all over Woods's defense, but also is one of only two safeties in this class who I think could play Delpit's center field, single-high role if anything happens to our second-year safety.
The other safety who could play single-high in this class is Jevon Holland. He's the next best free safety in this class. If you want insurance against a Delpit injury or setback, he's the only guy besides Cisco who ticks that box for me.
Now, my two favorite safeties: Jamar Johnson and Tyree Gillespie. Gillespie is someone I view as learning the John Johnson role. Let him line up anywhere, and do anything. He should be closer to the line of scrimmage, and after watching him put good tape down covering Kyle Pitts, covering DeVonta Smith, and attacking the Alabama run game, I just love this dude. He hits hard, isn't scared to take on anyone, and is the kind of guy I want to add to my defense. Jamar Johnson is probably the smartest safety in this group. If you want a safety who can play mind games with opposing QB's, and isn't afraid to do anything asked of him, Johnson is your guy.
Outside of the already mentioned guys, I like Richie Grant, Ar'Darius Washington, both Cincinnati safeties and Hamsah Nasirildeen as my athletic profile dark horse.
