Article over on Cleveland.com about NFL free agents 2018: Top 50 players, potential fits for the Browns http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2018/01/nfl_free_agents_2018_top_50_pl.html#incart_2box
Thanks for the read @Duff_Beer_Doug ... any personal preferences on that list? And I keep coming back to... outside of "straight cash, homie", what does this organization have to offer a free agent?
To me it's a foregone conclusion at this point that the Browns go QB and Minkah Fitzpatrick. Barkley should be snatched by the Colts at #3 unless a trade is involved.
Thankfully, Chris Ballard - and not Jim Irsay - is in charge of the Colt's draft. He understands well enough that a "franchise" QB like Luck coming off a shoulder needs to have an elite LT protecting him. He also knows that a guy like Ronald Jones is a first-round talent who should be available at their second round pick - and would look excellent on artificial turf. Darnold declaring was the best thing to happen - so long as they don't take him - because it should hand-delivery Barkley to them at No. 4 overall. 1 (CLE): Josh Rosen, QB UCLA 2 (NYG): Sam Darnold, QB USC 3 (IND): Connor Wililams, OT Texas 4 (CLE): Saquon Barkley, RB Penn State Browns can then add to their defensive backfield in the second round with #35 and a guy like Ronnie Harrison.
Like you said, "it's silly season". IF the Browns believe that Barkley, not Williams, is the Colts' target at #4 - would you be upset if the Browns spent some of Sashi's leftover draft capital (not #33) and moved up one spot from 3 to 4 ? The Browns would get Crowell's replacement and the Colts would still get their LT plus an additional draft pick.
Two problems: It's a 400 point gap between #3 and #4. If the Colts want to be shrewd, we'd have to surrender a lot. Last time we did that, it netted us Trent Richardson, another "can't miss" running back prospect. On the flip side, when we traded up to get Trent, it cost us #4, #118, #139, and #211. We got that pick at a discount (overall value surrendered: 1,902 points). To get to that similar number in 2018, we'd need to give up #97 (our first pick in the fourth). That's not too bad if the Colts will take it.
Le'Veon Bell from Pitt would be nice. Steal a key player and bolster a need. Going to take a lot of cash and not sure the FO wants to go there just yet and pay out probably the highest FA price for an RB ever. Not sure he wants to come here either unless he's just looking for the payout. Getting him would probably allow the FO to not waffle over taking Minkah Fitzpatrick at #4 (who they should take) and guarantee a starter in the secondary. Then again, they could probably find an RB later on in the draft if Dorsey doesn't like/keep Crowell. Not sure Pitt will re-sign him. They hardly ever like to pay the high price guys cause they usually have developed someone to take their place. So it may be a case of "been nice knowing you" for Bell in Pitt. Pretty sure he winds up elsewhere. By the way, when does FA start? Sometime in March isn't it?
This guy intrigues me for age and price. Not sure what LB spot he plays though. 11. Avery Williamson, Tennessee LB PFF rating: 86.0 2017 salary: $603,613 Age: 25 A fifth-round pick in the 2014 draft, Williamson has produced in each of his four years with the Titans. He had 92 tackles, including 52 solo, in 2017 for Tennessee. He ranked ninth among linebackers by PFF and scored a 90.7 against the run, which put him in a class with Jacksonville’s Telvin Smith, Tampa Bay’s Lavonte David, Carolina’s Luke Kuechly, San Francisco’s Reuben Foster and Dallas’ Sean Lee.
He plays inside in the 3-4 but Gil Brandt had him as an inside 4-3 guy in the 2014 draft (Draft Profile). He was born in Cleveland. Just sayin'.
March 14th. Couple other 2018 League Dates... East-West Shrine Game: January 20 Senior Bowl: January 27 Franchise/Transition Tag: Februrary 20 - March 6 NFL Combine: February 27 - March 5
I do pay attention....Gordon said we will either sign Cousins or Smith....not trade for him....point being he is clueless and should keep his mouth shut then
Just checking that list again and here is one Dorsey probably has an eye on (if he liked him) 18. Steven Terrell, Kansas City S PFF rating: 84.9 2017 salary: $690,000 Age: 27 The Chiefs placed Terrell on injured reserve in December one day after collecting his first career interception. He played sparingly and started just two games before the injury, but played efficiently in that time. PFF gave him high marks for pass coverage and run defense
Only WR on that Top 50 list is Jarvis Landry. Who else will be available? If there isn't much left, Dorsey may have to spend a pick.
