2017 Draft Prospects Thread

[Douglar]

On the eve of the draft, how are you guys feeling?

I'm feeling like the people who only listen to the 92.3 morning show are going to be really confused and angry. People who listen to Jeff Phelps or read this board will be better prepared emotionally for the inevitable outcome.

 

[MoFlo]

My guess is that the Browns FO (especially Big Jim) are dead set on selecting Trubisky. For a few reasons, they are going to attempt to trade up from 12 to take him. If there's no deal to be made, then they will simply take Trubisky at 1 and not risk losing out on him to another team that selects before 12. We shall see, but Haslam's fingerprints would be all over this decision if it happens. Schefter's latest seems to make this scenario more realistic.

1.) Haslam needs to stay the hell away from football operations

2.) If they decided on the outline you described, then whatever. I won't agree with it, but whatever. It still doesn't make any sense whatsoever to tell the top 8 teams you're trying to trade up with who you're targeting with the trade up.

 

[SixPACK]

Smells like a lie. I'm not doubting that they may trade up.... but perhaps it's not for Trubisky like they'll have us believe.

Fournette? Watson? Hooker?

Although I think Fournette, Adams, and Hooker are going to be serviceable players in the NFL, are they worth giving up what it would take to move up?

To move up to #4/5, it would take our #12, #33, #65 for it to be "equal value."

With our "many" needs, and how they value picks/analytics, I don't think it would make sense to trade 3 high picks in a deeper draft for the likes of Adams, or even Fournette.

28 MORE HOURS.

 

[Soar]

With Schefter saying two weeks ago that the Browns were suddenly undecided and Silver through Sashi saying today that the Browns have known for two weeks... it just makes it seem like the Browns decided on Garrett and are blowing smoke with Trubisky.

Why?

Option 1)

Some in the Browns FO like and want Trubisky.

Browns are doing their best to determine what teams are actually interested in Trubisky. If they make it seem like they could take him at 1, you would bet teams are likely calling the Browns asking about the top pick.

Now the Browns have a much better shot at knowing who they have to get in front of to get him or any QB.

Option 2)

The Browns have no interest at all and want to make sure Trubisky is taken before 12 to get a player to drop that they like more at 12.

The only wildcard that concerns me is Haslam.

I feel very 2011 Cavs like. We all wanted Kyrie but Gilbert was supposedly all in on Derrick Williams...

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

With Schefter saying two weeks ago that the Browns were suddenly undecided and Silver through Sashi saying today that the Browns have known for two weeks... it just makes it seem like the Browns decided on Garrett and are blowing smoke with Trubisky.

Why?

Option 1)

Some in the Browns FO like and want Trubisky.

Browns are doing their best to determine what teams are actually interested in Trubisky. If they make it seem like they could take him at 1, you would bet teams are likely calling the Browns asking about the top pick.

Now the Browns have a much better shot at knowing who they have to get in front of to get him or any QB.

Option 2)

The Browns have no interest at all and want to make sure Trubisky is taken before 12 to get a player to drop that they like more at 12.

The only wildcard that concerns me is Haslam.

I feel very 2011 Cavs like. We all wanted Kyrie but Gilbert was supposedly all in on Derrick Williams...

The other possibility, which is essentially a variant on Option 2, is that the Browns may want to encourage a team that wants Trubisky to trade up with them. In particular, I'm thinking of Arizona at 13. If Arizona wants a QB, and Trubisky is available at 12, the Browns might want them to think that they have to trade with the Browns to get that pick because the Browns will take him otherwise.

My personal WAG is that the Browns really do like Trubisky, but a whole lot of people are making assumptions/guesses/speculation based on that.

 

[Binkster]

Making teams think we desperately want Trubisky + Garrett, maybe getting other teams who want Trubisky to either take him with their top pick or overpay ridiculously to get to #2 to take him, allowing guys we want to fall.

Bingo. The draft is a poker game.

Plant the notion that you almost took Trubisky at #1 and may trade back into the top 8 to nab him. Make a team overpay and/or reach and fuck up their entire draft board thus resulting in a domino effect.

Sashi is playing chess, people.

At the end of the day, the biggest hit you take from this is your public reputation but who gives a shit if the public/media thinks you're misaligned as long as things are fluid behind the scenes.

 

[Randolphkeys]

I'm not writing off the possibility that the Browns are eyeing an offensive playmaker with that second first, but not necessarily a QB.

Getting Fournette or McCafferty would transform an offense just as much as drafting Trubisky. Fournette would establish an identity in the run game, making play action off his rushing more effective. A running back with potential to rush for over 1,500 yards on the ground makes a quarterback's job easier and shortens the game for the defense.

With McCafferty, Hue would be able to use his full arsenal of shifts to create mismatches, using McCafferty as a single back, slot, or split wide on any given play.

I know it's blasphemy to suggest to a fan base that survived the Trent Richardson draft that a running back at #12 makes sense, but with a weak crop of signal callers I could get behind the reasoning.

 

[Spectre]

I just cannot see why the Browns would let it be known to teams in the top 8 (as Silver, I believe, has stated) that they want Trubisky there.

That'd be insanely stupid.

I think it's Silver connecting the dots.

He's stated that he's getting info about the Browns' calls from the teams themselves so we know that's external.

I bet he's gotten the FO's Trubisky preference straight from Hue because it sounds like Trubisky's not his top guy (Watson). Hence the "it's Sashi's pick" tweets.

Just have to wonder if it'll bite them in the ass but having Silver in Berea is doing anything but keeping a lid on whatever is going to happen.

 

[MoFlo]

I think it's Silver connecting the dots.

He's stated that he's getting info about the Browns' calls from the teams themselves so we know that's external.

I bet he's gotten the FO's Trubisky preference straight from Hue because it sounds like Trubisky's not his top guy (Watson). Hence the "it's Sashi's pick" tweets.

Just have to wonder if it'll bite them in the ass but having Silver in Berea is doing anything but keeping a lid on whatever is going to happen.

I would agree that it's Silver connecting the dots, except he didn't just say "it's for Trubisky", he came out & said the Browns have made it known to those teams they want to move up for Trubisky.

Big difference between reporting it's for Trubisky and saying the Browns have made it known to the top 8 teams that it's for Trubisky.

He's also said Hue hasn't talked to him about the draft.

 

[Los216]

View: https://twitter.com/MikeSilver/status/857329929217867777

View: https://twitter.com/MikeSilver/status/857330169589227521

View: https://twitter.com/MikeSilver/status/857330345078919168

 

[Matches]

I'm not writing off the possibility that the Browns are eyeing an offensive playmaker with that second first, but not necessarily a QB.

Getting Fournette or McCafferty would transform an offense just as much as drafting Trubisky.

Probably more so, certainly short term, since Trubisky will likely be at best mediocre if he even plays.
I look at the gaping holes in the secondary, and everyone on here saying Gregg Williams wants to run 5 DBs on basically every play, and I'm thinking we have at best one "plus" level guy at that position, and he can't stay healthy. I also see depth at cornerback and safety valued in the mid-late first round, early 2nd. Conley, Awuzie, Jackson, Humphrey, King, White, Wilson, Moreau, Baker, Melifonwu. Moving back 10 spots is unlikely to take out out of the picture for any of those guys, and I think it's likely you could end up with 2 defensive backs you really like in the 20s and 33, and come away with another asset to play with later.

 

[Dinner Bell Mel]

Bingo. The draft is a poker game.

Plant the notion that you almost took Trubisky at #1 and may trade back into the top 8 to nab him. Make a team overpay and/or reach and fuck up their entire draft board thus resulting in a domino effect.

Sashi is playing chess, people.

At the end of the day, the biggest hit you take from this is your public reputation but who gives a shit if the public/media thinks you're misaligned as long as things are fluid behind the scenes.

If the draft is a poker game, and Sashi is playing chess, then I'm a little concerned that our GM is apparently playing the wrong game. Or is it bingo? Or dominoes? Too many game references in your post for me to understand which one Sashi should be playing.

 

[FiveThous]

If the draft is a poker game, and Sashi is playing chess, then I'm a little concerned that our GM is apparently playing the wrong game. Or is it bingo? Or dominoes? Too many game references in your post for me to understand which one Sashi should be playing.

Clearly it's a lottery and Depodesta and Co have the most tickets.

 

[TheISHT]

No way I take Trubinsky in round 1 with limited data. Not at #1 or #12. Where would Cardale have been drafted if he would have been smart and came out a year earlier?

 

[billmac91]

No way I take Trubinsky in round 1 with limited data. Not at #1 or #12. Where would Cardale have been drafted if he would have been smart and came out a year earlier?

I think Warriner and Beck would've hurt his stock too, so tough to say. I do think he probably falls into late first/early second range based on his size and measurables.

I'd avoid Trubisky too. Just so far from an undeniable talent....he's certainly no Andrew Luck.

I understand I'll get crushed for it, I just don't see a huge drop-off from a guy like Trubisky to a guy like Nate Peterman who showed a lot of really great traits while at Pitt.

I just hope the Browns let Kesler drive the bus next year, and if it goes sideways, we are in position to get a FA or top draft pick next off-season. We all know Sam Darnold is elite but there are a couple guys behind him who could easily rival what we see in Trubisky or Watson, IMO.