THE BROWNS MOCK DRAFT AND BOLD PREDICTION THREAD

I'll have to look when I get home. It wasn't Fanspeak, I use that one too. Fanspeak has a larger player database for the record.

I'm just waiting for L4SN to get a mock tool

 

I didn't think you were being a wiseguy, I sincerely didn't know. I'm glad you brought it to my attention.

 

okay. lol! You threw me with the exclamation marks.

 

Fresh new McShay Mock just came out....

(drumroll)

#17 Cle - Christian Wilkins, DT - Clemson.

He seems to be a very popular choice....I have no complaints on this pick.

 

....and they aren't the only ones:
Browns add Christian Wilkins in latest PFF draft projection
ByJOSH EDWARDS

The Cleveland Browns made the decision to hire Steve Wilks as their new defensive coordinator. With coach in place, the next phase of the plan involves upgrading the talent on the roster. The Browns received great production from defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi but the rest left much to be desired.

Pro Football Focus released a mock draft with Cleveland selecting Clemson defensive tackle Christian Wilkins at No. 17 overall.

"The Browns have more strides to make along the defensive line and Wilkins added to his game in 2018 as he ranked third with a 91.1 pass-rush grade to go with his usual exceptional play against the run."

It was recently learned that the Browns were hiring Alabama defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi as the defensive line coach. The Crimson Tide crossed paths with Wilkins on an annual basis over the last four years. Lupoi should have a great understanding of what Wilkins can accomplish. The Tigers were loaded with other defensive line talent including defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and defensive end Clelin Ferrell.

Wilkins was the fifth defensive tackle off the board in the projection behind Alabama's Quinnen Williams, Mississippi State's Jeffery Simmons, Houston's Ed Oliver and Lawrence. The senior from Massachusetts recorded 51 tackles, six sacks, a forced fumble and two pass deflections this season. The Clemson star won two National Championships with the Tigers.

Cleveland had Brian Price, Carl Davis and Trevon Coley playing the defensive tackle position this season. Defensive tackle Devaroe Lawrence had been acquired from the New Orleans Saints for a seventh round pick before the regular season.

Pro Football Focus was the only outlet to identify Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield as a potential No. 1 overall selection. They latched onto that idea throughout the process and it proved to be prophetic.

In the projection, the Cincinnati Bengals took Kansas State offensive tackle Dalton Risner No. 11 overall. The Pittsburgh Steelers took LSU inside linebacker Devin White No. 20 overall. Finally, the Baltimore Ravens took Arizona State wide receiver N'Keal Harry No. 22 overall. A total of 19 defensive players were taken in the first round. Of those, 12 players are either edge or interior defenders.

A year ago, the Browns selected Ohio State cornerback Denzel Ward and Mayfield in the first round. Cleveland had a very productive rookie class that included Georgia running back Nick Chubb, Memphis outside linebacker Genard Avery and Florida wide receiver Antonio Callaway. For such a prestigious program, it is noteworthy that the Browns do not have any Clemson players currently on their roster. Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney was one of about a dozen people that shared a quote on new head coach Freddie Kitchens when he was hired.

2COMMENTS
Swinney was on Alabama's staff while Kitchens played there.

“I’ve known Freddie a long time. He’s tough and he’s a winner. He always has been. I thought he did a great job of taking advantage of his interim opportunity and rallying the team, which has afforded him this opportunity. I have no doubt he’ll take and run with it. I think the Browns got it right giving him the opportunity to lead them," Swinney said.

 

Also, I don't think it's a "bold" prediction, but there's this:
ESPN analyst predicts Browns will win AFC North in 2019

The Cleveland Browns were within striking distance of winning the AFC North in 2018 after a torrid race to the finish line. However, they fell just short behind the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers. ESPN NFL analyst Dan Graziano is calling his shot - one that will probably become popular over the next six months - that the Browns will win the AFC North in 2019.
Cleveland has not won their division since 1989. They finished second twice since their return in 1999: 2002 (lost in the Wildcard Round of the playoffs) and 2007 (did not make the playoffs despite a 10-6 record).

Optimism is bountiful in Cleveland these days. Rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield set a rookie passing touchdown record previously set by Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson. It was the first semblance of franchise quarterback play that the team has seen since their return. Mayfield showed the ability to process the opposing defense quickly and distribute the ball to his skill players. The decision-making that he displayed will go far in helping he and the Browns reach their ultimate goal of competing for a Super Bowl. New head coach Freddie Kitchens was a big reason for that transformation.

With that being said, the Browns did fall short of the playoffs and there are areas of weakness to improve this off-season. General Manager John Dorsey is expected to address a handful of positions including outside linebacker, defensive tackle, offensive tackle and cornerback. The team is loaded with the third most salary cap space and several draft picks.

 

Not sure if I like this or not....Mel Kiper just agreed with my "Buckeyes go #1 and #2", theory across the board....Not only that someone will likely trade up to #1 for Haskins, but that it'll be the NY Giants.

 

It could happen!!

 

It wouldn't surprise much considering the rumor mill is working early this off-season.

The Jets reportedly have had offers from the Jaguars, Broncos and Bengals to move up.

It's early, so it could be the Jets signalling they would be willing to deal out of that spot or it could just be GMs doing due dilligence, but if I had to give an opinion on it - I think the Bengals are going to be in serious play to draft Kyler Murray and moving ahead of the Giants would go along way towards securing that goal.

If the Bengals could make that happen -
CIN - K. Murray
NYG - D. Haskins
JAC or DEN - D. Lock, with a chance at D. Jones going to either (probably a stretch right now)

That pushes 3 or 4 players down the board giving the Browns a chance to navigate forward if an opportunity presents itself to snag an elite talent.

Right now, Miami and Denver are probably the teams to deal with if they fail to get a chance to grab one of the early passers. Either might move back to gather future assets so they can get a better shot at moving up the board in 2020 for an arm.

 

I love the idea of a bunch of QB's going off the board ahead of us, but I hate the idea of the Bengals moving on at QB...I want the Bengals to stay in that world of mediocrity. Murray scares me a lot more than Dalton.

Just heard on NFL Live that Baker Mayfield thinks there's a good chance that Kyler Murray will ultimately go #1 overall...

 

I wanted to do at least one where I didn't go WR in first 3 rounds...So I went for a defensive strong draft, and I really like the way this one fell;

17: R1P17

DL CHRISTIAN WILKINS
CLEMSON
49: R2P17

LB DEVIN BUSH
MICHIGAN
80: R3P16

CB KENDALL SHEFFIELD
OHIO STATE
95: R3P31

OT BOBBY EVANS
OKLAHOMA
119: R4P17

LB TRE LAMAR
CLEMSON
145: R5P6

WR EMANUEL HALL
MISSOURI
156: R5P17

TE CALEB WILSON
UCLA
171: R5P32

DL TERRY BECKNER JR.
MISSOURI
191: R6P16
WR ANTHONY RATLIFF-WILLIAMS
NORTH CAROLINA
223: R7P7

QB GARDNER MINSHEW
WASHINGTON STATE
245: R7P29

RB JUSTICE HILL
OKLAHOMA STATE

 

Heres one I just pulled using NFL Draft and difficult setting:

17: R1P17
CB Byron Murphy
49: R2P17
WR Nkeal Harry
80: R3P16
LB Tre Lamar
95: R3P31
DL Marqueise Copeland
119: R4P17
LB Anfernee Jennings
145: R5P6
DL Dontaveous Russel
156: R5P17
LB Devin Bush
171: R5P32
WR Andy Isabella
191: R6P16
S Ugo Amadi
223: R7P7
CB Derrick Baity
245: R7P29
QB Jake Browning

 

Helluva round 5!!!

 

Bold Prediction: Arizona Cardinals take Kyler Murray #1 overall.

 

I got a sneaky feeling that the Bengals are the team to watch out for when it comes to Murray.

 

I've got them with Ryan Finley.

Bengals are the most boring team when it comes to the draft.

 

There was a report out earlier that ownership was going to step away from the initial roster formation done by Taylor.

If it's true that Zac is going to get a larger say to start with than what Marvin did, I could see him trying to pull out all of the stops to go get Kyler.

There is a report circulating that Cincy has already contacted the Jets to see what it would take to move up. If that report is grounded in any truth I would have to assume they are targeting a quarterback.

 

Do you think the Bengals would take Murray with Haskins still on the board? Why wouldn't they just go after the Ohio State guy?

 

So where does Dalton end up?

 

I'm sticking with Giants moving up for Haskins, but if Bengals were to also move up, with Kyler Murray in mind, I wouldn't be surprised at all...