View: https://twitter.com/pff/status/986216715704061952?s=21
Super interesting from PFF:
Browns recap:
1. CLEVELAND BROWNS
Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
The No. 1 overall player on the
PFF Big Boardmakes this selection a no-brainer. No matter which way you slice the numbers on Mayfield, he comes out on top in virtually every category. Some might question his system but he rises to the top when you look at just the “NFL throws” he had to make at Oklahoma. Too many open Sooner receivers inflating his stats? He was the most accurate on tight-window throws –
eliminate that narrative. For the sake of allowing the other teams to give their explanations, no more reasons need be given. Baker Mayfield is the quarterback the Browns have been looking for, the one Cleveland deserves and the one it needs right now.
– John Kosko, @PFF_JohnKosko
4. CLEVELAND BROWNS (FROM HOUSTON)
Derwin James, S, Florida State
Some debate was had in Berea as offers to trade back were considered versus taking either Michigan DT Maurice Hurst or James. In the end, James and the
positional value won out in the end. Despite all the moves the Browns have already made this offseason to improve the secondary, more work is still needed to improve a defense that ranked in the bottom of the NFL in numerous categories. Add James to the unit and he’s someone that can be moved all over, as he has the athleticism, size and skills to cover quick slot receivers as well as big tight ends, defend against the run on the edge or from an off-ball linebacker position and rush the passer from any position. Think drafting James is giving up on last year’s first round selection in Jabrill Peppers? Far from it. Load up the secondary with elite talent as defending the pass is a
must in today’s NFL.
– John Kosko, @PFF_JohnKosko
33. CLEVELAND BROWNS
Taven Bryan, DI, Florida
With a rather large dropoff in defensive tackle talent after Bryan and the need to bolster the position for the Browns, Bryan becomes an easy choice. His production and athleticism can be a disruptive force in the NFL. Turn on the Texas A&M or South Carolina games and his impact can instantly be seen as he was virtually unblockable for most of the two games. He backed it up with solid play the rest of the season, showing big improvement over his college career, and his production should translate well.
– John Kosko, @PFF_JohnKosko
35. CLEVELAND BROWNS (FROM HOUSTON)
D.J. Moore, WR, Maryland
Establish the pass, stop the pass. Moore grade profile, athleticism and size all resemble former Maryland WR Stefon Diggs and we all know how he has turned out after being drafted in the fifth round. The choice between a defensive back and a receiver here was tricky but Moore had all the remaining cornerbacks beat on our big board.
– John Kosko, @PFF_JohnKosko
64. TRADE: CLEVELAND BROWNS (FROM PHILADELPHIA)
Greg Stroman, CB, Virginia Tech
While the Browns have addressed the secondary heavily this offseason, adding more talent to the unit is needed. After failing to secure trades up in the draft to take the top players at the position, Stroman’s fall to the back end of the second was welcomed. Excellent coverage grades the past two seasons and ridiculous coverage numbers in 2017 (26.8 passer rating allowed, 25.5 catch rate) make this an easy selection.
– John Kosko, @PFF_JohnKosko
Other interesting notables:
9. TRADE: LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (FROM SAN FRANCISCO)
Maurice Hurst, DI, Michigan
[Trade details: San Francisco sends their Round 1 pick (No. 9 overall) in exchange for Los Angeles’ Round 1 pick (No. 17 overall) and Round 2 pick (No. 48 overall).]
Trading up is normally not something I’d try to accomplish, but Hurst’s fall from the top of the board was too much to ignore. He’s seemingly the most consistently dominant interior defender we’ve ever graded at the college level, so it was worth swallowing the loss of a second-round pick to grab him. While Hurst should be solid against the run when called upon, the potential of a Bosa, Hurst, Liuget, Ingram nickel defensive line in front of their talented secondary gives the Chargers a massive advantage in pass defense, the most important phase of defense. Hurst finished with the third-highest pass-rushing productivity among draft-eligible interior defenders. Moving up might not be something the Chargers have to do on actual draft day if they want to secure the services of Hurst.
– Alejandro Chavez, @HondoCz
13. TRADE: NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (FROM WASHINGTON)
Bradley Chubb, edge, NC State
[Trade details: Washington sends their Round 1 pick (No. 13 overall) & their Round 4 pick (No. 109 overall) in exchange for New England’s Round 1 pick (No. 17 overall) and Round 2 pick (No. 43 overall).]
With Chubb still available at pick 13, New England trades up to take the type of talent the Patriots rarely have the ability to pick early enough in the draft to see, but this year are equipped with enough ammo to make the move. Belichick gets an explosive edge presence who excels against the run, as evidenced by his 11.0 percent run-stop percentage in 2017, which was second best among edge defenders in the 2018 draft class.
– Louie Benjamin, @PFF_Louie
31. TRADE: PITTSBURGH STEELERS (FROM NEW ENGLAND)
Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
[Trade details: New England sends their Round 1 pick (No. 31 overall) in exchange for Pittsburgh’s Round 2 pick (No. 40 overall) and Round 5 pick (No. 148 overall).]
The Steelers traded back from Pick 28 because of a strong offer, but then traded up again to ensure the potential quarterback of the future, as well as to get a fifth-year option for Josh Allen. It’s an ideal situation because Allen could benefit from siting behind a future Hall of Fame quarterback in Ben Roethlisberger before he retires. He was among the best quarterbacks in big-time throws but needs to improve on the every day throws. A year or two on the bench would give him time to improve and to adjust to the NFL.
– Nathan Jahnke, @PFF_NateJahnke
** 4 QBs before Allen. Mayfield, Darnold, Rosen, Rudolph.
