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2023 Draft Prospects Thread

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Since we're all talking about a depleted talent level on defense, lets take a look at some position groups which should be a focus for Cleveland in 2023.

(note: Excluding Georgia DT Jalen Carter and Clemson DT Bryan Bresee because I think they're Top 20 selections)


Mazi Smith - NT - Michigan



Guy is obviously something of an athletic freak, but he has some relatively short arms and will could struggle to be more than a two-down player at the next level.

That may not be too much of a problem for a team like the Browns which will value rotational efforts at the DT position as they have done consistently over the last few years.



Byron Young - 3T - Alabama


This is more of a Malik Jackson type at DT where he's played off the edge and inside, his athleticism and footwork is elite and he seems to have a good instincts and understanding of gap assignments.



Gervon Dexter - DT - Florida



His combination of speed to power is impressive, but a bit inconsistent. Unlocking this more consistently is why I think he could slot in as a second or early third day pick that offers some good odds to see the field early at the next level. Upwards of 6'5 with a 320-pound frame, I'm curious to see how low he can get in these post-season evals and going up against top competition consistently.
 
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Brandon Joseph - S - Notre Dame


Transferred over from NW where he's taken a huge step forward in his tackling. Clearly can make plays up in front or in the single high. Someone who I'm looking closely at as the eventual replacement to John Johnson's role defensively.



Brian Branch - S - Alabama

One of the best coverage safeties I've seen. He's ready to be a slot for someone right now, but I do question what his future role is going to be outside of simply saying "football player."

 
This thread is going to become a Zay Flowers Stan account by the time the draft rolls around.

When you're looking for players who have the sudden quickness and ability to get in and out of breaks, I'd like to see a better player in this year's class than Flowers.

His performance this week was a legitimate clinic:





Thinking about an offense with Amari Cooper, DPJ and Zay Flowers is a next level outcome. I know the team NEEDS a DT, but having a young receiver to develop with Amari's contract and DPJ's impending free agent years upcoming is a worthwhile risk.
 
Just read that Boston College hasn't produced a drafted receiver since the 1980s. Shocking, since they produce NFL caliber players at other positions every year.
 
On Tankathon, Zay Flowers currently mocked to Jax at pick 74.

For the Browns, they got

42. Rashee Rice - WR - SMU (who?)
99 (compensatory). Byron Young - DL - Alabama

We are really, really, really, going to need to hit the jackpot on the two 4th rounders and 2 5th rounders.

No more Winfreys or Togiais please.
 
AZ_ said:
This thread is going to become a Zay Flowers Stan account by the time the draft rolls around.

When you're looking for players who have the sudden quickness and ability to get in and out of breaks, I'd like to see a better player in this year's class than Flowers.

His performance this week was a legitimate clinic:





Thinking about an offense with Amari Cooper, DPJ and Zay Flowers is a next level outcome. I know the team NEEDS a DT, but having a young receiver to develop with Amari's contract and DPJ's impending free agent years upcoming is a worthwhile risk.
Click to expand...
Thanks for this.

This is the first I've seen of him. When I watch those highlights, especially that arrow route in the first clip, one name immediately pops into my head.

Antonio Brown.
 
AZ_ said:
This thread is going to become a Zay Flowers Stan account by the time the draft rolls around.

When you're looking for players who have the sudden quickness and ability to get in and out of breaks, I'd like to see a better player in this year's class than Flowers.

His performance this week was a legitimate clinic:





Thinking about an offense with Amari Cooper, DPJ and Zay Flowers is a next level outcome. I know the team NEEDS a DT, but having a young receiver to develop with Amari's contract and DPJ's impending free agent years upcoming is a worthwhile risk.
Click to expand...
I honestly forgot he was still in college. I really like his game
 
Out of the Rafters at the Q said:
Thanks for this.

This is the first I've seen of him. When I watch those highlights, especially that arrow route in the first clip, one name immediately pops into my head.

Antonio Brown.
Click to expand...

These dudes just absolutely KILL at the NFL level right now, we see it all over the league.

Flowers is the type of dude who beats you at all three levels. He'll take the top off and be a high catch % guy in between the 10s.


Seems like a prime candidate to get into the Day 2 range. Probably a few guys ahead of him right now on most lists you'll see: Johnson (TCU), Addison (USC), Boutte (LSU), Hyatt (UT), Smith-Njigba (OSU)

Perfect Browns candidate for a non-defensive option. An absolutely perfect fit in this offense.
 
If Kareem and Conklin walk via free agency, we get draft compensation don't we? Depending on who we sign in free agency?
 
Coyote850 said:
If Kareem and Conklin walk via free agency, we get draft compensation don't we? Depending on who we sign in free agency?
Click to expand...

Most likely.

Compensatory picks aren't really one-for-one in the NFL. It's a formula based on how many guys you lose and how many you bring in.

The only guys that count are those in the top 35% of salaries, and they get additional bonuses for valuation based on playing time and other honors like postseason awards.

I expect the Browns to lose more guys in free agency than they bring in, so I think we'd be getting compensatory picks. Hunt and Conklin would play into that equation.

www.nfl.com

NFL compensatory draft picks: What you need to know

With the 2022 NFL Draft less than two months away, the NFL is finalizing its compensatory picks for the draft. Confused about what compensatory picks are and how they're awarded? No need to fret. We're here to answer your questions.
www.nfl.com www.nfl.com
 
Coyote850 said:
If Kareem and Conklin walk via free agency, we get draft compensation don't we? Depending on who we sign in free agency?
Click to expand...


Compensatory Formula​

Appendix V, Paragraphs 2-3 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) govern how compensatory free agents (CFAs) are judged against all leaguewide players to determine the round of each CFA's contract for the purpose of awarding compensatory picks. This page provides transparency to how this valuation is calculated.

Contracts are ranked via a Final Numerical Value based on the sum of points awarded as follows:

  • An inverse ranking of the contract's Average Per Year (APY)
  • One point each for each percentage point of snaps played on offense or defense, with a minimum requirement of 25%. (Kickers and punters earn points based upon statistical performance.)
  • 20 or 5 points based upon being honored by the AP All Pro or PFWA On Field Awards lists.
The round for each contract is assigned on a percentile basis, as follows:

  • 3rd Round: top 5%
  • 4th Round: below top 5% to top 10%
  • 5th Round: below top 10% to top 15%
  • 6th Round: below top 15% to top 25%
  • 7th Round: below top 25% to top 35% (previously 50% in the 2011 CBA)
Click to expand...
 
I don't know how many guys we're going to lose compared to bring in, but I'm expecting this front office to go "all in" next year.
 
Vee-Rex said:
I don't know how many guys we're going to lose compared to bring in, but I'm expecting this front office to go "all in" next year.
Click to expand...
I hope so. I really think IF the Browns had competent iDL play the Browns would’ve won a few more games.

What are the Browns needs?
 
red. said:
I hope so. I really think IF the Browns had competent iDL play the Browns would’ve won a few more games.

What are the Browns needs?
Click to expand...
My list as of today...

Defense:
Coordinator
IDL
DE opposite Myles
Safeties

Offense:
RT (assuming Conklin is gone)
Answer at C (could be internal)

Special Teams:
Coordinator
Kick and Punt Returner (could be Grant)
 
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