2020 Draft Prospects Thread

[Vee-Rex]

I think there's a lot more to offensive line play than the talent on paper.

I don't think Trent Williams or Tristan Wirfs is best suited for the ZBS that Stefanski appears to prefer.

That's not necessarily a problem, especially if you have a coaching staff that's willing to adjust their scheme to fit the team's strengths.

IIRC, Trent was blocking in a ZBS with Kyle Shanahan before Shanny came to the Browns. Made some pro bowls in that system too.

 

[Jordan]

I think our RG position needs addressed as well. Assuming a trade for Williams, are any of the top tackles able to play guard until Williams is gone in a year or two? Or would that be a waste of a #10 pick?

From PFF about our RG position:

Right guard Wyatt Teller? Allowed 16 quarterback pressures - in just 11 games! - and posted a run-blocking grade of 48.2 for an overall grade of 56.7.
Right guard Eric Kush? Allowed 19 quarterback pressures in seven games before being benched for Teller, and a run-blocking grade of 46.8 for an overall grade of 45.4.

My gut says the Browns have a tentative deal in place for Williams should the draft go sideways and their choices at 10 for a tackle are gone.

I think this could very well be a strategy if they draft Wirfs or Becton.

 

[I'mWithDan]

I think our RG position needs addressed as well. Assuming a trade for Williams, are any of the top tackles able to play guard until Williams is gone in a year or two? Or would that be a waste of a #10 pick?

Given the glut of talent at a few positions, that is sure to push some good interior lineman down the board, I'm not sure why the Browns would spend a top 10 pick on a guy who would play inside for a few years.

I think if you are pulling the trigger on Williams, it is to free up the pick at #10 to take the top player on our board, potentially regardless of need. The Williams trade, if I am guessing, seems like a pressure release to select someone like Lamb at #10.

Then you could address OG at #41 or #74, then LB or S with whatever pick is left. If you were to exit the first 3 rounds with:

#10 - Lamb
#41 - Winfield / Chinn
#76 - Biadasz
#97 - Trade for Williams

That seems like a really nice mix of BPA / Luxury and plugging holes. Will be interesting to see what they do.

 

[Surge]

Given the glut of talent at a few positions, that is sure to push some good interior lineman down the board, I'm not sure why the Browns would spend a top 10 pick on a guy who would play inside for a few years.

I think if you are pulling the trigger on Williams, it is to free up the pick at #10 to take the top player on our board, potentially regardless of need. The Williams trade, if I am guessing, seems like a pressure release to select someone like Lamb at #10.

Then you could address OG at #41 or #74, then LB or S with whatever pick is left. If you were to exit the first 3 rounds with:

#10 - Lamb
#41 - Winfield / Chinn
#76 - Biadasz
#97 - Trade for Williams

That seems like a really nice mix of BPA / Luxury and plugging holes. Will be interesting to see what they do.

I would definitely be on board with this. OBJ, Landry, Lamb, Higgins (assumed) would be a lethal WR group. Plus Hooper and Njoku? Fuhgettaboutit

 

[Jordan]

so if the browns dont get one of the top 4, is your choice just not to take a left tackle? Knowing that if you do take one outside of the top 4, there is a high likelihood that the player wont be able to step in and take over from day 1 (per the last 10 or so drafts)

I would absolutely take a tackle if he has the ability to play guard. I would absolutely not take a tackle for him to sit behind Trent Williams for three years. That is a waste of a valuable asset.

 

[Cassity14]

Reading through scenarios in here, I think the dream in a world where Williams is acquired via trade ends with the Browns getting to take Simmons at 10.

 

[Out of the Rafters at the Q]

IIRC, Trent was blocking in a ZBS with Kyle Shanahan before Shanny came to the Browns. Made some pro bowls in that system too.

Yep.

I'm not saying Trent wasn't a fantastic LT. Just that his strengths are best suited to a different scheme.

And when you're pass blocking, who cares

 

[B Mac]

Reading through scenarios in here, I think the dream in a world where Williams is acquired via trade ends with the Browns getting to take Simmons at 10.

Add in Chinn in the second and a WR in the third and the draft weekend is great.

Sign Clowney and cut Vernon and I’m fully aroused.

 

[I'mWithDan]

I would absolutely take a tackle if he has the ability to play guard. I would absolutely not take a tackle for him to sit behind Trent Williams for three years. That is a waste of a valuable asset.

Can you think of any team that has successfully pulled this off?

Forgoing tackle development years by kicking a guy inside and then having him succeed on the edge several years later?

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

I don't think there's a waste of a pick if you take a quality player.

Even if you grab Trent to play LT, I have no problem spending #10 on Wirfs and slotting him at guard for now. Williams/Bitonio/Tretter/Wirfs/Conklin would be a beast of an offensive line... a beast that's perhaps better suited for a different scheme than ZBS, but it looks sexy on paper.

I also really, really value interior offensive linemen. My value system is definitely out of line with most there, so take what I say with a giant grain of salt. To give you an idea of where I'm coming from, I'd rather have a guard like Quenton Nelson than a WR like OBJ every day of the week. I'd probably take a C like Jason Kelce over a RB like Nick Chubb as well, but that's a bit closer in terms of value for me.

To me, the viability of that group depends on the extension -- if any -- to which you would sign Williams. I don't want to sign him to a longer deal, and then also spend that pick on Wirfs (for example).

 

[Out of the Rafters at the Q]

To me, the viability of that group depends on the extension -- if any -- to which you would sign Williams. I don't want to sign him to a longer deal, and then also spend that pick on Wirfs (for example).

Trent gets a 3 year deal with only 2 guaranteed.

Wirfs gets drafted at 10, slots in at RG from day one.

What's not to like? Besides, obviously, the idea of trading value JUST to have the luxury of signing an older LT who hasn't played football in years to a massive contract.

 

[Vee-Rex]

The Browns realize that this year is THE year and a major turning point for this roster and its core.

I think some of you are so focused on squeezing out every bit of value that you are opposed to us trading for Trent AND drafting a tackle in the early rounds. I get it. My wife manages our budget and boy oh boy does she try to maximize our savings down to the penny. Doubling up on a tackle position (with Trent and an early pick) doesn't seem to be the most optimal approach.

But take a look at it from this perspective: we're in a HUGE year that will likely determine our plans in moving forward with Baker, Jarvis, OBJ, etc. We're all-in on this core which is why you won't see OBJ traded this year. If we flop because Trent Williams gets injured or someone else like Conklin gets injured and we're plugging in McCray-like dudes without a suitable/promising/talented backup, it kind of throws a wrench in our plans. Can we truly evaluate and make an informed decision on our core if we suffer misfortune to one or more pieces on the o-line?

The O-line (and coaching) is the pillar of our offense. It's that #1 domino. I can understand if we double up at tackle because, unlike Dorsey, we want be CERTAIN we've addressed the o-line as best as possible and can turn the other way from there to focus on other needs.

 

[Hurl Bruce]

I'd go for this:

 

[Bob_The_Cat]

The Browns realize that this year is THE year and a major turning point for this roster and its core.

I think some of you are so focused on squeezing out every bit of value that you are opposed to us trading for Trent AND drafting a tackle in the early rounds. I get it. My wife manages our budget and boy oh boy does she try to maximize our savings down to the penny. Doubling up on a tackle position (with Trent and an early pick) doesn't seem to be the most optimal approach.

But take a look at it from this perspective: we're in a HUGE year that will likely determine our plans in moving forward with Baker, Jarvis, OBJ, etc. We're all-in on this core which is why you won't see OBJ traded this year. If we flop because Trent Williams gets injured or someone else like Conklin gets injured and we're plugging in McCray-like dudes without a suitable/promising/talented backup, it kind of throws a wrench in our plans. Can we truly evaluate and make an informed decision on our core if we suffer misfortune to one or more pieces on the o-line?

The O-line (and coaching) is the pillar of our offense. It's that #1 domino. I can understand if we double up at tackle because, unlike Dorsey, we want be CERTAIN we've addressed the o-line as best as possible and can turn the other way from there to focus on other needs.

The first and second round (even the third) of the draft isn't for picking insurance policies and depth. It's for finding starters and impact players. If you don't think Trent can be the starter for a minimum of two years don't trade for him, especially since you're going to have to pay him in the process.

I could get on board with taking a tackle at 97, but no sooner. There's too many holes on the defensive side of the ball to trade for Williams AND use an early pick on a tackle.

If we followed that same logic, we should draft a QB at #10, because QB is the most important position and if Baker gets injured then we're stuck playing Keenum. It's just not how it works.

 

[DJTJ]

I’m still pounding the table for Lucas Niang. I firmly believe, if team doctors got him in for imaging/testing, he’s be firmly in the group for best tackles. Dudes so damn good.