Generally I would agree with your overall assesment Irish. Where I see the weakness is on D, and if we're counting on them to keep us afloat, while the O gets acquainted, it's going to be a very tough start. Lots of new faces there too. My point is, I think the O has a better chance of hitting the ground running, than the D. Naming Tyrod the starter is #1. He will get the reps in camp, and form some chemistry with Gordon, Landry, Njoku, et al and if the LT situation can be solidified, we should be ready to go. If Hue was our OC, I'd feel differently, but he's not. Generally I think the O has most of the pieces in place, and the D is a mix and match group, albeit one with considerably more experience than we fielded last season. If Chubb gets added, then things get a lot better on that side of the ball right away. Conversely a top level rusher will make a similar difference for the O. The best O addition IMO would be to steal an experienced LT from some other desperate team in the draft, then Woo Hoo, here we go. I gotta believe Gordon is itching to show he's still got what it takes, and Landry may end up being the straw that stirs that drink. The RB position isn't a weakness, as is, but if we get a stud, then we are sitting pretty. I'd still like to get a WR, to protect against Colman / Gordon failures, but with a LT and what's in camp, I'm feeling like we can go to war. Your a much more informed draft / personnel guy, so do you see any team that might have a LT who "needs" to make a move on draft day?
I don't know that there is one on the trade table, if that's what you are asking. I haven't heard of any trade bait LT...if there were one, he better be good to give up draft capital.
Requires a subscription to The Athletic, but a good read. QB Odds for Cleveland (8 Days Out): Darnold - 60% Mayfield - 39% Jackson - 1% Rosen - 0% Allen - 0% (same as it's always been)
Here are some Vegas odds (as of April 4th) - Sam Darnold (QB) -300 Josh Allen (QB) +175 Saquon Barkley (RB) +400 Josh Rosen (QB) +1000 Baker Mayfield (QB) +3300 Bradley Chubb (DE) +3300 Minkah Fitzpatrick (DB) +6600 Field (Any Other Player) +3300
Just the first overall pick. I don't believe they make an attachment between team and pick for selection spots.
I know I've said this before... BUT,,, This reminds me of Ground Hog Day... It's going to be Darnold. I'm not saying it should be Darnold... Just history seems to repeat itself every other year.
Makes sense... I could see Buffalo trying to trade up to #1 overall and take him, but ultimately won't. Hopefully, they can get the deal done with Cleveland at #4.
Where Baker ends up being drafted will be the story of the night for a lot of people, but despite the media reports of him being strongly linked to the Jets there is still more than a slight chance that he ends up on the outside of the top 5 picks. I can't recall a recent draft where so much hinged on what happens with that first pick.
If NYJ passes, you think a team wouldn't jump Denver (#5) to get him or barring that, Denver would pass? I think Denver will pass on the Josh's (Allen, Rosen) but doubt they'd pass on Mayfield.
I think 10 years from now Cleveland fans will point back to this draft and what was and wasn't done. This draft will be a generational draft for the organization IMHO. I am hoping Cleveland nails this draft, but probably won't know if they did for 4 or 5 years.
I agree...I don't remember a year where the was absolutely no idea who that first pick would be. In most cases, a week out, you had it narrowed down to 2 guys...then move on to how the draft would fall depending on which one it was. Last year it was Myles Garrett for the most part and Mitchell Trubisky had a couple of followers that thought the Browns would pull the trigger on the QB rather than taking the best player in the draft..there were even a couple of whispers that Leonard Fournette could sneak in and surprise...but for the most part, everyone thought it would be Myles Garrett. This year, every other day a new name emerges. The consistent one is, and will remain, Sam Darnold. But, Josh Allen, Josh Rosen, Saquon Barkley, Bradley Chubb and yes, of course, Baker Mayfield are all being connected to the #1 overall pick. SIX players from one source to the next have been talked about...I don't EVER recall that happening. I will stand true until Darnold's name is actually read that I believe it should be Baker...I will have that last glimmer of hope in every sip of porter I drink until the name is scrolled across the bottom of the NFL Network...As soon as the name is read, he becomes a Brown and I will support whomever it is. I will scrutinize, I don't doubt, but I will support the decision. Some will be MUCH harder (Allen) than others (Darnold)...but when they put on the Browns hat, they are in the circle. This will be an epic night for us Browns fans no matter what...I really do see them taking 3 picks once again in the first round and having 2 of the first 4 will give us plenty to talk about until they trade back up into the first for their third pick. I won't turn off the TV until well after pick #32 is turned in...They could take 4 picks in the round...and there will be plenty to talk about if they don't use both #33 and #35 to move up in the round. Depends on who is available, but they could use both to trade up in the vicinity of Washington or Green Bay.. A lot of drama coming...I can't wait!
Right now, I'm not sure Denver will move down from #5 overall with Barkley, Nelson and Ward on the board. The need for a RB is obvious as Denver only has a pair on the roster, neither of which have inspired real confidence that they are the answer. Interior line is just as big of a need and Ward profiles as the type of CB that fits well with the Broncos defense. I think the Broncos interest in Mayfield is real, but with Keenum brought in to be the starter the question becomes whether or not Denver believes they can surround him and win now or if they need to immediately look towards the future with the spending of a high pick on a quarterback.
With all the off season moves and extensions already done, I could see dividends showing up in 2019...You better be careful what you wish for though GW, I don't think Ben will play more than 2 more seasons...The Steelers could be heading for a drought if the Browns do get it right. I like you coming around and giving your input, I don't want to see you go away.
If it goes poorly, that's probably 2-3 years. I would argue the league as a whole as well. This could either end up like the 2004 Manning draft or the 2011 Newton draft. You're going to have multiple first round QBs and it'll either setup some teams for over a decade... or torpedo several teams. So 2011... 1- Cam Newton (Baker Mayfield) 8- Jake Locker (Lamar Jackson) 10- Blaine Gabbert (Josh Allen) 12- Christian Ponder (Sam Darnold) 35- Andy Dalton **No real Rosen comp here Or 2004... 1- Manning (Josh Rosen) 4- Philip Rivers (Baker Mayfield) 11- Ben Roethlisberger (Sam Darnold) 22- J.P. Losman 90- Matt Schaub (Mason Rudolph) 187- Josh Harris (Josh Allen) **No real Jackson comp here
I won't disagree with you Tim..If Barkley and Mayfield are sitting there at #5, I could see a scenario where the Broncos choose Saquon over Baker. However...if Baker is sitting there at #4, I also see the Browns trading out so that either the Dolphins or Bills can come up and take him. I don't see him getting out of the top 5 picks..If he is there at #5, I believe it is because the following happened: 1. Browns Darnold 2. Giants Barkley 3. Jets Rosen 4. Browns do not find a sufficient trade value and choose Bradley Chubb 5. Allen and Mayfield are STILL on the board and the Broncos choose Mayfield...but again, I don't think that A) the Jets pass on Mayfield or B) The Browns don't get into a situation where they don't decide to trade down from #4.
