2014 NFL Draft Thread

[I'mWithDan]

The one thing about Watkins is he gained many yards from screen passes. Just look at the OSU game, how many screens did he bust open for big gains. NFL defenses will catch on to that and is he a complete receiver as people say? Not sure. He has the speed and size but is everything else there for him to succeed.

He also wouldn't be a #1 here, which would immediately take a ton of pressure off of him.

Most college corners didn't have the skill or stupidity to play him without a huge cushion.

The screens were merely a "take the easy 5-6 yards" cause and effect.

He'll see more one-on-one coverage at the next level and also tighter coverage. Both should lend itself to the potential for more big plays.

I love Watkins....and would be fine with taking him but he's also a guy I could easily pass on. This draft has a ton of really good #2 WR prospects and if that is a priority, #26 should be a sweet spot for it.

Marqise Lee, Brandin Cooks, Odell Beckam Jr., Kelvin Benjamin, Davante Adams, Abbrederis, etc.

Any of those guys would be a quality #2 IMO.

I really like Watkins but the argument is there for far better value (WR) with that second pick.

 

[EdMonix11]

I don't see why we'd waste value on a 2nd or 3rd option receiver and never get full value/production out of the player when we can just sign a Golden Tate or draft a Cooks, Beckham, etc.....

 

[Randolphkeys]

Right now I'm at Bortles/Bridgewater at #1 target, Watkins as the fallback. Of course I want them to look at a potential franchise QB before Watkins... but I don't know if those two are anything better than POTENTIAL franchise QBs, and I'm pretty certain there is a big dropoff after them.

I'm hoping to hear more from people I trust on the differentiation between the two top QBs, but I have the feeling another team is taking one of them before the Browns draft anyways.

 

[getBUCKED]

I don't get why everybody is so down on Bridgewater as a prospect... Is there something average about his game? Accuracy, footwork, mechanics, poise, leadership, toughness all check the boxes for me.

 

[AZ_]

I don't get why everybody is so down on Bridgewater as a prospect... Is there something average about his game? Accuracy, footwork, mechanics, poise, leadership, toughness all check the boxes for me.

Ceiling.

 

[getBUCKED]

Ceiling.

That's what I've been hearing but what exactly is limiting his ceiling? His arm strength isn't amazing but he definitely can put some zip on the ball. To me he's a better thrower than RG III already without the risk of injury because he doesn't run unless he has to, so I really just don't get it.

 

[AZ_]

That's what I've been hearing but what exactly is limiting his ceiling? His arm strength isn't amazing but he definitely can put some zip on the ball. To me he's a better thrower than RG III already without the risk of injury because he doesn't run unless he has to, so I really just don't get it.

Just a guy who does everything well, but doesn't really do anything great. He's athletic, but not a great runner. He's got a good arm, but not elite. He's got OK size, but it's borderline.

Honestly he reminds me of a young Donovan McNabb. I think he'll fill out similar to how Donovan did while adding a bit of arm strength and eventually becoming purely a pocket passer.

Don't get me wrong, I'm taking that all damn day. I just don't know if he'll ever be elite in a hyper-passing league the NFL has turned into.

 

[SixPACK]

Honestly, they could trade back and potentially still get Watkins in the 8-12 range if the chips fall correctly.

Here's your chips falling correctly seeing Watkins falling past 8.

I hope I am wrong too. If Bortles/Bridgewater get taken and we CAN trade back to get Watkins, then I will donate to the AZ_ fund.

 

[A Squared]

Here is a list of Pro Days with players who could be of interest to the Browns:

-Thursday, March 6, Clemson (Sammy Watkins, WR)
-Friday, March 7, Ohio State (Carlos Hyde, RB)
-Monday, March 17, Louisville (Teddy Bridgewater, QB)
-Wednesday, March 19, Central Florida (Blake Bortles, QB)
-Thursday, March 20, Fresno State, (Derek Carr, QB)
-Thursday, March 27, QB Johnny Manziel Pro Day at Texas A&M
-Wednesday, April 2, South Carolina (Jadeveon Clowney, DE)

 

[Prime 1978]

Something to think about with taking Watkins is that eventually you are going to get rid of either he or Gordon. Historically if you look at teams that have to prime WRs, one gets paid and the other gets moved when it's time for the second WR to get his pay day. Think Arizona Fitzgerald/Boldin, even to a lesser extent with the Giants probably letting Nicks walk this year, Denver likely letting Decker walk etc.... I love Watkins as a prospect but I think using this early of a pick on him while already having Gordon devalues him and the pick.

The one argument I do listen to for Watkins is that he's a great insurance policy for the two strike Gordon, but then I talk myself out of that by saying...is the #4 pick a good place (value) for an insurance policy?

Also, Super Bowl winning teams don't draft WRs in the top 10... If you go back to 2000, I think the only top 10 WRS drafted by a team winning a super bowl is Tory Holt (Rams) and Travis Henry (Baltimore) and I had as much to do with B-more winning that super bowl as he did.

Usually WRs are added in the 1st after a team is already established and are solid in the trenches. Like Reggie Wayne, Hakeem Knicks, Tory Smith etc... those guys are mid to late 1st round picks meaning that the team drafting them were pretty good already when they decided to pick them.

Why not follow the blue print for the majority of Super Bowl winning teams???

 

[getBUCKED]

Still my favorite comparison

Bridgewater will be a great pro. Reminds me of Aaron Rodgers coming out of Cal. - Bucky Brooks

(Making quarterback comparisons) Teddy Bridgewater: Aaron Rodgers – Matt Miller

I saw embryonic Rodgers aspects to (Bridgewater’s) game when he was on the move. – Doug Farrar

(Referring to Bridgewater) I really like (Doug Farrar’s) comp to Aaron Rodgers. I see it. - Joe Bussell

 

[bob2the2nd]

Something to think about with taking Watkins is that eventually you are going to get rid of either he or Gordon. Historically if you look at teams that have to prime WRs, one gets paid and the other gets moved when it's time for the second WR to get his pay day. Think Arizona Fitzgerald/Boldin, even to a lesser extent with the Giants probably letting Nicks walk this year, Denver likely letting Decker walk etc.... I love Watkins as a prospect but I think using this early of a pick on him while already having Gordon devalues him and the pick.

The one argument I do listen to for Watkins is that he's a great insurance policy for the two strike Gordon, but then I talk myself out of that by saying...is the #4 pick a good place (value) for an insurance policy?

Also, Super Bowl winning teams don't draft WRs in the top 10... If you go back to 2000, I think the only top 10 WRS drafted by a team winning a super bowl is Tory Holt (Rams) and Travis Henry (Baltimore) and I had as much to do with B-more winning that super bowl as he did.

Usually WRs are added in the 1st after a team is already established and are solid in the trenches. Like Reggie Wayne, Hakeem Knicks, Tory Smith etc... those guys are mid to late 1st round picks meaning that the team drafting them were pretty good already when they decided to pick them.

Why not follow the blue print for the majority of Super Bowl winning teams???

because its not just 'following a blue print' you also have to take the pieces given to you. there are only a couple of players worth the number 4 pick and in this case you're left to choose from turning a left tackle into a right tackle, a olb into a mlb, or a second dominant wide receiver .

 

[Gimme Some Mo]

We haven't had a good QB in 15 years. Draft a QB in the 1st round every fucking year until you get it right. Bridgewater or Bortles or bust.

 

[Shakalu M.D.]

I think the Blackmon comparison isn't really fair. The only thing they really have in common is size and good hands. Blackmon wasn't nearly the athlete that Watkins is. Watkins has the same elite athleticism that Green and CJ do, he just don't have the freakish size to go with it.

In this order I want:

Bortles
Bridgewater
Clowney
Watkins
Mack

To be honest I'd be content with any of the above, but anybody else would make me sick. Like I said before, I really like Watkins a lot as a player, I just think that in a draft that has this much WR talent it doesn't make a lot of sense to draft a guy top 5 to be a secondary target.

Mike Evans is basically a TE with the skills and athleticism to play WR. He'd look just as nice lining up next to Gordon and Cameron and you don't need to grab him at 4. We already have a guy who can blow the top off of a defense, Evans' skills would fit perfectly.

I have no idea if he'll last until our second first rounder, but if we could come out of that round with Bortles and Evans I'd do a fucking jig(o).

I also really like the RB from BC, Williams. Not sure why he isn't getting the love he should be. I know he didn't play the greatest competition, but you don't put up those numbers by accident. He's currently projected to go in the fourth round, he'd be a total steal there.

 

[MGMT]

I mentioned Williams a few pages ago but no one really responded. I think he would fit perfectly here.