I'll break the ice. I'd like to see all the mocks we have, thoughts on those, as well as links to any of the ones people have a strong feeling (positive or negative) about. Until trades happen, I won't project them. Here we go... 1-2: Myles Jack, Linebacker UCLA With every current draft mocking a QB here, there's enough noise outside of the mock drafts that the Browns aren't going that route and the top two guys aren't worth the pick. I don't know where you put Jack Day 1, but he's the elite prospect in this draft. Once-in-a-lifetime athleticism, terrific motor, a team-first guy, hard-worker, instinctive, the list goes on and on. He can be an every-down linebacker at any position and be someone you can start to build a defensive identity around. 2-32: Josh Doctson, Wide Receiver TCU Regardless of Josh Gordon's status, the Browns lack talent at the position. Doctson fits what Sashi Browns defined as the biggest needs at the position: great ability and contested balls. Doctson can come down with throws in traffic and should start opposite Gordon Day 1. This pick could be a defensive lineman since there are so many good players and not enough draft picks to go around that there should be some first-round talents waiting around to start the second day. 3-65: Braxton Miller, Wide Receiver Ohio State My guy. A professional already and a great attitude guy. It helps he's got elite athleticism, too. I think he fits the Mohamed Sanu role perfectly, working into the rotation as a rookie in the slot. He can fill in for punt return duties with Benjamin departed for San Diego. He posted a 4.50 at the Combine but ran a 4.33 at his Pro Day, would would have been second-fastest. You can teach him to be a receiver... you cannot teach his speed. 4-99: John Theus, OT Georgia Whether or not Joe Thomas is traded, he won't be taking snaps for Cleveland forever, so adding a tackle makes sense. Michael Bowie should get first crack at replacing Mitch Schwartz, but Theus is a four-year starter in the SEC at both left and right tackle spots and could contend for playing time early. 4-138: Keanu Neal, SS Florida NFL-size, speed, and ability to punish receivers over the middle. A more natural fit at strong safety, where Donte Whitner's skill is quickly diminishing. We would want to upgrade Jordan Poyer eventually, but Neal is a guy who immediately upgrades special teams and can replace Whitner going forward. 5-141: Cardale Jones, QB Ohio State I don't reach on Cardale, so if someone does and he's not there at the top of the fifth, we skip on him. However, if he's there, I'm rolling the dice on an elite arm talent who needs to be groomed by a QB whisperer (hmm... I hear we have one of those) to develop the mental aspect of the game. Give me Cardale, who won a National Championship on a stacked Division I team in the fifth over Wentz, who won two National Championships on a stacked Division II team at #2 overall everyday of the week -- and twice on Sundays. Sit him behind McCown and Davis for the season and re-evaluate your QB position in 2017. 5-172: D.J. White, CB Georgia Tech A three-year starter at a murky position for the Browns. Haden should return, but can he stay healthy? Does Justin Gilbert make it through training camp? Is Pierre Desir ready to start 16 games? Can Tramon Williams have any more off-side penalties to ruin the end of games? White could start at nickle (over Gilbert) from Day 1 and has the skills to develop into a starter down the line. [5-173: Henry Krieger-Coble, TE Iowa Gary Barnidge was a nice surprise and earned a three-year deal, but prior to his breakout season (at the age of 30 years), his season high for receptions was 13 (twice) and for a career was 44 (six seasons). Krieger-Coble (besides having an awesome name) was a blocking-first tight end who can fill that void on the team while developing as a pass-catcher. Hue Jackson offenses typically deploy two tight ends and at 6'4" 250 pounds, he's got the prototypical size. 6-176: Yannick Ngakoue, Edge Maryland Posted 14.5 TFL and 13.0 sacks as a junior, which helped vault him into the draft discussion, but still very raw from a development standpoint. Clean record and high motor to replace the likely-to-be-released Armonty Bryant. 7-223: Matt Judon, DE/Edge Grand Valley State Led Division II players with 20.0 sacks last season. Listed at 6'3" 275 pounds, he could conceivably play as a down lineman or a edge rusher. Another raw player who needs time to develop but offers intriguing upside. Major Concerns Not Addressed: QB (in earnest), RB, FS
I don't have a problem with your suggestion...I only wanted to add to the body of your synopsis of the pick... One forgotten name it seems...Ifo I truly believe if Ekpre-Olomu could be a wild card if his recovery is going as well as is being reported...He could very well be our "2nd first round pick" of 2016... I love this mock, I could get on board 100%. Some of the names seem to conveniently drop into place, which if all went perfectly, would make a rather big improvement to this roster.. Well done
I don't want to discount him, but I also don't want to count on him. He lacked size and speed before the devastating injury and it's still two months or so until he is able to practice. In February, he self-reported being "almost 100 percent", which is encouraging but at the same time, not. Most NFL players come back from an ACL tear in under 12 months. At his 14 month mark, he still wasn't "100 percent". I'm hoping he comes back and is able to play at a high level, but given what the injury may have taken away from him, a move to free safety may be more prudent than lining him up at cornerback.
re: Jack A good read, lengthy, but makes the point. Goes into a lot of detail around defense evolution and the shift in player body types. All very interesting. http://www.ninersnation.com/2016/3/...-player-body-type-and-the-case-for-myles-jack A little disappointed he didn't run his shuttles or 40-yard today -- less so for the results as much just to see he was up to it. Apparently, he's scheduled a Personal Pro Day (April 1) and will do those drills then. In fairness, he was just cleared at the tail end of last week, so he didn't have the chance to prepare for those drills. https://twitter.com/RobRang/status/709823945411665920 By all accounts, the rest of his Pro Day went well. http://www.sportal.co.nz/article/ne...impressive-pro-day/1xv3oegy1jeez11ryxr8213xvj
Pretty interesting write up SAS and most of those player have a strong possibility of being available at those spots. *DRINK*
I like it alot SAS....But I don't think Cardale escapes the 3rd rd and I won't be surprised if a team takes him in the second. He has more arm talent and higher ceiling than any QB in this draft IMO.....If Ohio State hadn't lost OC Tom Herman, no doubt Cardale Jones would be a first round lock...All the Buckeye QB's struggled this past season.... in the fifth rd? that's easiest call ever.....
You should get involved in the Collaborative mocks we do here SAS....You would be a perfect Browns GM or any team with your knowledge.....and second to none in research and writing skills...You would do great. Just let em know TD sent ya....We'll be starting another one soon.....
I don't think his coverage skills would acclimate to FS...He is primarily a run defender who likes to hit people...hard and often. He loves contact, similar to Whitner in his younger years. I don't think he could handle some of the faster players being handed off from a CB in the NFL though. He needs to be closer to the line and defend the run, that's what he's good at. That said, a receiver coming across the middle, he has shown an ability to handle..
Mid- to late-fourth are most projections that I've seen. He's not a sure-fire starter and needs to improve his coverage skills.
I don't know if it's taking off my OSU homer glasses or putting on my "I hope he's a Brown" homer glasses, honestly. Cardale was ranked #139 by Draft Scout, #165 by Scout, which puts him again late fourth early fifth. To me, he's my third QB on the board, which would put him low first, early second... but again, that's with homer glasses. And I'd take him in the fourth, too. I just wanted to try and address offensive line and safety. He missed 1/3 of his passes at his pro day and there are definite concerns about his mind for the game. Arm talent is there, but so was the case for guys like Zach Mettenberger (R6, albeit with injury) and Derek Anderson (again, R6). But you're right... no-brainer in R5.
Im seeing bottom half of 1st round, but we all know things fluctuate depending on opinion http://walterfootball.com/draft2016_1.php If this scenario plays out...the Browns shuld b all over Tunsil
Neal is all over the place in mocks...After Vonn Bell and Karl Joseph, I'm not sure which of these I like best; Keanu Neal, Jeremy Cash, Jayron Kearse, Darian Thompson, Miles Killebrew, Tyvis Powell, but no doubt Cleveland needs to address the position at some point
A guy I really like is DeAndre Houston-Carson at free safety. I would compare him very favorably to Darren Sharper (sans sexual assault convictions). It helps they both went to the same small Division II school (William & Mary), but he's a guy I would absolutely pursue in the third round if we're able to lock up some free agents. I think if they address safety, they will have to first decide if Ibraheim Campbell can fill the SS spot behind Whitner. I think both FS and SS need huge upgrades.
Wow... that's crazy. Although I don't typically put a lot of stock in Walter Football's mock drafts. They're fun to go through, but not always most reliable.
I'm a Bills fan, (and a hockey fan first!). I may be at the opposite end of the spectrum from you, SAS, when it comes to knowing NFL prospects. But it is fun to try, so I come to a few team boards to learn. It leaves me with two thoughts: - As suggested before, it would be great to see you in the Mock Drafts. If you prefer not to participate actively, your comments on various picks would be insightful, and for that reason, much appreciated by the mockers. - Interesting comment on Walters. What resources do you recommend?
