Looking forward to 2019, Browns NFL Rookie Draft

Here's your complete list of NFL Combine invitees:
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2019-nfl-draft-full-list-of-338-prospects-invited-to-nfl-scouting-combine-including-kyler-murray/

(^^^figured I'd just post the link since it's 338 names long)

And here are some of the notable Combine snubbs:

Devine Ozigbo, RB, Nebraska
Ozigbo is the combine-snub headliner after his 1,082-yard campaign at Nebraska in 2018 that featured a hefty 7.0 yards per carry. At 6-foot and around 235 pounds, Ozigbo is a load, but he's not a straight downhill back. He's flexible, can make defenders miss on occasion, and is capable of making cuts you wouldn't expect for such a big back. Ozigbo is currently my No. 88 overall prospect and RB7.

Penny Hart, WR, Georgia State
Hart dazzled at the Senior Bowl just a few weeks ago, in the eyes of many. He outshined fellow slot receiver Andy Isabella with crisp, elusive routes, soft hands (better than he showed on film), and plenty of quickness to make cornerbacks miss in space. Maybe scouts saw enough in Mobile? Hart was a late add to the Senior Bowl roster and averaged 13.7 yards per grab with 669 receiving yards in 2018, so the production could be scaring some teams away. Then again, Hart made 72 receptions for 1,109 yards (15.4 yards per) with eight scores as a freshman in 2015.

Malik Reed, EDGE/LB, Nevada
Reed isn't the biggest outside linebacker at a listed 6-foot-2 and 235 pounds, but he performed admirably throughout his illustrious career at Nevada as both an edge rusher and traditional, off-ball linebacker. He registered 25.5 tackles for loss and 16 sacks over the past two seasons. He doesn't have a clear-cut trump card. However, Reed is smooth around the corner and uses his hands well to defeat bigger blockers. There's some sideline-to-sideline range to his game too.


Darwin Thompson, RB, Utah State
The complete opposite of Ozigbo pertaining to size, the 5-foot-8, 200-pound back has a tiny frame but runs like an angry hornet. A junior college transfer, Thompson spent just one year at Utah State and averaged 6.8 yards per carry with 14 rushing scores en route to a 1,044-yard campaign. He's twitchy and has serious long speed to hit home runs.

Terronne Prescod, OG, NC State
Here's a prospect I clearly like much, much more than the NFL. Prescod is currently my OG1, just outside of Round 1. But the 6-foot-4, 335-pound redshirt senior with a super-strong anchor and impressive lateral agility for his size won't be in Indianapolis later this month and into the first week of March. He'll have to exhibit his athleticism at the NC State pro day.

Olamide Zaccheaus, WR, Virginia
Zaccheaus was the Cavaliers offense in 2018 with 1,073 yards on 93 catches and nine receiving touchdowns. That came after he hauled in 85 passes in 2017 and 51 in 2016. At 5-foot-8 and 190 pounds with excellent wiggle, reliable hands, and deceptive long speed, Zaccheaus projects perfectly to a slot/gadget position in the pros. He had big games against NC State (9-109-2) and in the Belk Bowl against South Carolina (12-100-3).

Cortez Broughton, DT, Cincinnati
Broughton came out of nowhere in 2018 with 18.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks after 10.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks in his first three seasons at Cincinnati. He has a lightning-fast first step and converts that quickness to low-center-of-gravity power. Heck, his defensive tackle teammate Marquise Copeland had good candidacy for a combine invite too.


Anthony Ratliff-Williams, WR, North Carolina
Ratliff-Williams proved to be a big-play threat on some bad North Carolina teams after Mitchell Trubisky bolted for the NFL after the 2016 season. In 2017, the 6-foot-1, 205-pound receiver averaged 18 yards per grab with eight touchdowns. This past year, he averaged 16.4 yards per reception with six more scores. He has impressive build-up speed and flashed the ability to win in jump-ball situations.

 

The one thing I've always admired about Edelman is his toughness. The guy just brings it every play. There are dozens of guys that have his quickness and cutting ability in the NFL but they just can't hold up getting constantly hit by bigger guys.

Also, he and Brady just see the field the same way. They can read each other's minds.

 

We need to do what it takes to get this guy;


NAME: Devin White

SCHOOL: LSU

CONFERENCE: SEC

POSITION: Linebacker

CLASS: Junior


JERSEY: No. 40

RECRUITMENT RATING: 4-star

HT: 6’0

WT: 240 lbs

D.O.B.: 2/17/1998


Tackling –Needs to come to balance prior to challenging the ball carrier, can overrun his target and allow cut-backs into the field. Terrific when he gets a wrap on you or a set of pads. Runs the feet, is violent with his finishes. (Has come high, contacted the face gear on a few occasions.)

Block Shedding –Stout. Drops the hips and explodes through his contact to reset ground and negate forward momentum by blockers. Does well to extend the hands and get himself clear for a lateral scrape or disengage. Effective with his hands to deliver a blow and not get swallowed up.

Competitive Toughness –Imposing presence in the middle of the field. Prowls the tackle box and is rarely caught unprepared for contact or unable to stun blockers before chasing the ball. His range is spectacular and his effort to rally to the football is admirable.

Lateral Mobility –True sideline to sideline player with elite speed, particularly for his stature. Will have no issue playing a true MIKE role in the NFL. Does well in his scrapes to gain ground into the LOS and not catch ball carriers five+ yards down the field.

Coverage Skills –Zone coverage option in the underneath areas. He’s got some range to him as well, courtesy of length and spring to attack the football in the air. Doesn’t collision routes crossing his face, would like to see some more attention to the fine details of maximizing his impact in space.


Gap Shooting Ability –Very sudden. Mass poses challenge for combo blocks or late flashing blockers to knock him off of his trajectory. Will barrel through a late block challenge and rip clear into the backfield. Has suddenness from the second level and often beats his man to the spot.

Feet/Change of Direction –Has excellent short area quickness, has ability to quickly work over the top of a block. Does need to clean up his feet when he’s forced to slide along the LOS, can be too eager to open his hips and open up cut back lanes. Issues are technical, not physical limitations.

Flexibility –Has good linear mobility to drop his hips and get under blockers. Has necessary mobility through his hips to hinge and open for scraping vs. the run or getting shallow landmarks in zone coverage. Only modest ability to flip open and carry if challenged vertically in pass coverage.

First Step Quickness –Has very good track record as a blitzer and second level pressure player. Wins with momentum, has great spring to suddenly arrive in a gap after aligning several yards off the ball. Speed with a runway can provide devastating results for opposing QBs or stationary targets.

BEST TRAIT – Competitive Toughness


WORST TRAIT – Contact Balance

BEST FILM – Georgia (2018)

WORST FILM – Alabama (2018)

RED FLAGS – None

Devin White has the ceiling of a star in the NFL. White’s explosive range, hitting power and explosiveness compliment a sturdy frame and some awesome reps of reads at the LOS. The contact balance issues with White may scare some teams, but provided he’s able to square up his challenges with more consistency it’s difficult to project anything less than Pro Bowls in his future. White plays through contact and trash well, he’s a viable starter in any system.

 

Yeah, we can get a receiver later...

 

https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/02/dk-metcalf-photo-reaction-nfl-draft-combine

^^^Wow. D.K is a freak...Dude looks like a defensive end.

 

If we can sign a highly skilled DT or DE, I would love to move up to get Devin White.

The more I look at free agency though, I am starting to agree with Beach. Dorsey will probably use the assets a little more wisely.

Just looking at the dominos:
I don't think the Cowboys let DeMarcus Lawrence get out of Dallas
I think the Texans tag Jadeveon Clowney
The Falcons have just enough room to keep Grady Jarrett in Atlanta
Dee Ford is a design nightmare for a 3-4, I don't think he has as much success elsewhere if I'm being honest. I think the Chiefs retain him somehow.
Patriots will re-sign Trey Flowers

Frank Clark has been taken off my list based on the info from TD...however, after the Hunt signing, anythings possible. I just don't think that Dee and/or Dorsey want TWO assholes clogging up the locker room sewer.

This leads to the next tier of free agents:
C.J. Mosley and Anthony Barr lead that tier...both LBers that could improve this team immensely.

In the end, I believe the Ravens keep Mosley in Baltimore...

That leaves OLB Anthony Barr and/or the CBs Bradley Roby, Ronald Darby coming off injury, or my personal choice of Bryce Callahan(long shot, I think the Bears find a way to keep him) and possibly a 31 year old Brandon Graham.

So, in my scenario where the Browns sign Anthony Barr, Bradley Roby and a stop gap Brandon Graham. It would set them up nicely to make a jump on defense with veterans.

It would also set the draft up to come to them...

 

That said...

Here is how I see the draft falling:

1.Cardinals select: Nick Bosa
2. Giants select: Dwayne Haskins after trade with 49ers
3. Bengals select: Kyler Murray after trade with Jets
4. Raiders select: Quinnen Williams
5. Buccaneers select: Ed Oliver
6. 49ers select: after trade down, they get assets and their original target in Josh Allen
7. Jaguars select: the left over QB Drew Lock, went from Bortles to someone destined to have about the same career, imho
8. Lions select: Rashan Gary
9. Bills select: Jonah Williams
10. Broncos select: Greedy Williams, making it a Williams trifecta in the top 10

This is where it gets interesting..there are a number of players that could be coveted at this point in the draft, including Duke QB Daniel Jones

11. Jets select: Clelin Ferrel In the end, the Jets got enough from the Bengals to stay put and take a much needed edge guy that is climbing the boards
12. Redskins select: Daniel Jones The Skins can't sit and wait for the Dolphins to take Jones, so they move up in the trade with the Packers
13. Dolphins select: Montez Sweat
14. Falcons select: Jeffery Simmons
15. Packers select: Deionte Thompson, trading down, the top ten talent safety drops into their laps
16. Panthers select: Christian Wilkins

Browns sitting at 17 with a laundry list of available players, CBs DeAndre Baker and Byron Murphy, every WR is still available, but after the Bengals decide to move up for a QB, ILB wasn't as big a need for the teams in front of them and

17. Browns select: Devin White ILB LSU

While DT and WR are still probably higher needs at this point, they couldn't pass on White's upside

49. Dre'Mont Jones DT
81. Hakeem Butler WR
96. Andy Isabella WR

 

@IrishDawg42 ,

In your opinion . . . What would it take to move up from 17 into Greedy Williams territory?

 

In my opinion it would cost #17, your 2nd rounder, and either one of the 3rds or possibly a 2020 2nd rounder.

We'll have to re-evaluate after the combine and see where Greedy is really being ranked. Currently, I have him securely in the top ten...with QBs pushing him to the bottom of that top ten. Hard to say really until we get a better view of where he will be ranked by the real teams though. It's bound to get leaked around March/early April where his status lies.

 

I think this top 4 is pretty damn solid.



And not just because my mock that I have in parts for after the combine has the exact same thing...

I won't go any farther into it except for one more thing, because Lyman asked you this -

I think the Lions could be in play for Greedy at 8, so it's possible that it would take that much of a move to go and get Greedy.

 

Would you (or @Tim ) give up #17 and your 2020 1st round pick?

 

Personally, I would not... I love him as a press CB, but to use TWO first rounders on a player, I think he has to be a complete package. I think Greedy lacks in his run defense. You hope to not have to depend on your CB in the run defense, but he really doesn't seem to want to engage in RBs barreling down on him. If he fell to #17, hell yes, I would want him on his man coverage alone...but he isn't the best CB to come out in 10 years or anything.

#17 and 2020 1st rounder should get you somewhere around the #7 pick.. So "value-wise", that's pretty close to where I have him ranked...however, two first round talents might not make up that difference in this particular draft.

I LOVE the depth of this draft, but honestly, I don't see future All Pro players floating all over the place. I think Bosa has a real bright future and beyond that, I see a lot of players with boom or bust potential...many closer to the boom side, but not highly anticipated....but there are a LOT of those types of players in this draft.

 

I don't like giving up future firsts unless it's for a passer.

It would take a really, really, really special kind of player for me to give up a future asset with that much potential value.

It's tough to get a feel on where the Browns will end up in the draft next season, but the range has to be considered one of the widest in the NFL. I'm guessing that the early odds would have them at around 20, but I could see anywhere from 28 (loss in the divisional round) to 8 (roughly 6 wins).

Before the bricks get thrown - That's not me suggesting the Browns end up with 6 wins next season. I haven't even seen the schedule or roster additions yet. I'm just trying to relate one of the issues with giving up a future first. You never know where you are going to draft so you don't know the true value of what you are giving up at the time you do it, so you better be real sure about the player you are going after or have the belief that it's an acceptable risk. That's why I would be hesitant to make that move for anything other than a passer.

 

The reason I asked is that I keep going back to the "5 year plan" where in year 4, the Browns make the playoffs and then, in year 5 they contend for the NFL Championship. That said, this is where I go out of the box:

Given recent developments, we now have the following in place on the roster.

• QB - Baker Mayfield
• RB - Nick Chubb, K. Hunt
• WR - J . Landry, A. Calloway, R. Higgins & D. Johnson (in the slot)
• TE - D. Njoku

That's quite a bit of firepower in the skilled positions. The O-line (with the changes in scheme and playcalling) did okay.

If you add a second shut-down CB opposite D. Ward by moving up for G. Williams, you STILL have the balance of the 2019 draft picks and free agency to add interior D-line, LB and depth for year 4. I'm not advocating going crazy in free agency, just enough to add veteran talent where the draft process falls short and retaining some of that cap space to add the missing piece in free agency in 2020 that would put this team over the hump in year 5.

 

If all things go according to plan it does open up the door to be a little more liberal with how you spend your draft capital.

Championships are the ultimate goal so I can definitely see where you're coming from.

I'd probably still lean towards a bit more of a conservative approach, only because one major injury at any given position can drastically change the make-up of a current roster.

 

Injuries can occur regardless of whether you are aggressive or conservative in the draft. That's why I made a point of retaining all of the 2019 draft picks. To add needed depth to the roster.

 

Just to clarify . . . D. Johnson would remain a RB while K. Hunt serves his impending suspension (there will be one) and moves to slot receiver once Hunt is cleared to play.

 

And I get that, but not having a future first changes your ability to move up in 2020 if something were to happen that was unexpected.

Draft assets are leverage as much as capital. The more you have, the more leverage you have to acquire the prospects or the future picks that you are targeting. First round picks carry draft changing weight. When you give up your 2020 first you are resigned to either giving up future picks past that to move up in 2020 or simply taking the draft how it comes and hoping it works out for you.

The latter becomes an issue if you have a hole in your roster that you need to fill with immediacy.

Combined with the possibility that the player you drafted doesn't pan out, giving up a future first carries a significant amount of risk.

 

But, as far as defense is concerned...for many teams, the Browns secondary is pretty stout. T.J. Carrie is a solid CB. Can he be upgraded? Absolutely, but it isn't an imperative action to making the playoffs. E.J. Gaines, if re-signed is also solid.. I would rather sign a solid veteran like Roby, than give up TWO 1st rounders for Greedy...or, if D-Line is upgraded in free agency, There are other options at CB in Deandre Baker and Byron Murphy in the draft...AND don't let rankings fool you, Greedy Williams might drop all the way to #17. This draft is all over the place in rankings. These prospects, though different positions, are ranked very close to one another. The draft could fall a number of ways for the Browns.

 

It's good, but don't forget, Higgins isn't signed and in place....

IMO, we still need a #1 WR, and we could use another pass catching TE, and that skill group would be unstoppable...But damn we've come a long way.

Even with the Hunt signing, I'm still expecting our main focus in free agency to be on defense....