I don't think any of it is smoke and mirrors. To many important issues at home to waste time. If they go, they are interested, imho. I never said Denver wasn't interested, my argument all along was that you can't delete Mayfield from the Browns list simply because they didn't send one of the big 4 to his pro day. That is ALL I personally said on the matter. I understand others are elaborating their thoughts, but I believe any one that goes to any pro day is doing so to be diligent in vetting every prospect. I don't think it is done as a smoke and mirror.
They had NOT ONE SINGLE transaction on the opening day of the 2018 season. That told me that they were not interested in using veterans as a major contributor to their off season. They have only made about 3 transactions SINCE his pro day...If they weren't going to be players in any veteran transactions, then they had plenty of time to hop a jet to Oklahoma's pro day.
All right... we doin' this!! Peter Schrager: "I'm not exaggerating when I say that this 2018 Browns draft is the most important, singular draft for any team in the modern history of the NFL." For the first time since I started 2018 mock drafts, we have a change at #1 overall. Mock Draft | Post-Free Agency TRADE!!! 1.1 New York Giants (f/Cleveland): Sam Darnold, QB USC The media is linking Darnold to Cleveland now, but it still doesn't make sense for a number of reasons. As such, Browns could opt to make a move that not only adds a playmaker on the offense, but still allows them to get their target. New York needs the even keel, almost dopey personality of Darnold. The Browns need a firebrand. Cleveland trades #1 overall and Corey Coleman to New York for #2 overall and Odell Beckham Jr. 1.2 Cleveland Browns (f/New York): Baker Mayfield, QB Oklahoma Gotta win. Accuracy. These are the two most common traits John Dorsey references when talking about a quarterback. Any way you break down the class, Mayfield comes out as the best - unless the question is "who can most easily see over a 6'4" brick wall?". His profile matches what Dorsey has done in the past. His football acumen is top of the class as not only have NFL coaches approached him just to discuss football concepts, but it was also recently reported he scored the second-highest grade of any QB on a new intelligence test. Welcome home, Baker. 1.3 New York Jets (f/Indianapolis): Josh Rosen, QB UCLA Already moving up to select their QB, the Jets should be targeting Josh Rosen. They have McCown in a mentor/starter role and a questionable Teddy Bridgewater currently to choose from. Rosen is the best pure passer and, given the situation for the Jets, the one who could start right away (and may need to start sooner than the others). TRADE!!! 1.4 Buffalo Bills (f/Houston via Cleveland): Josh Allen, QB Wyoming Buffalo has reportedly made their interest in Josh Allen known. They'll have some time to develop him behind A.J. McCarron. While he's far from my choice, some team is going to fall in love with him and the Bills cannot risk Denver taking him at #5. This is a team that made the playoffs last season, so they are pushing their chips all in. Browns trade down yet again, this time netting #12, #22. Buffalo gets #4 and #150. 1.12 Cleveland Browns (f/Cincinnati via Buffalo): Roquan Smith, LB Georgia The Browns' biggest needs are QB (long-term) and LT, WR and LB (short-term). They fix QB and WR with the trade down from #1 and now fix LB by grabbing the "new prototype" linebacker here. Smith is a sideline-to-sideline guy with great football instincts - something that was sorely missing last season in Cleveland. He can play either at middle or weak-side in Gregg Williams' defense and should immediately push for starting time. While it's crazy to think our lone Pro Bowler could be replaced, having Schobert as a rotational guy makes for a tremendous middle of that defense. 1.22 Cleveland Browns (f/Kansas City via Buffalo): D.J. Moore, WR Maryland Sure, the Browns would (in this scenario) have just traded for Odell Beckham Jr. *However*, they will have their top three receivers eligible for free agency in 2019 without deals in place. They also have the specter of a Josh Gordon permanent suspension to deal with (and Odell is no choir boy, either). After checking out the analytics on Moore, I realize I may have ranked him too low (he was my WR4). I'm not the only one and he's generating a lot of buzz recently. If the Browns want to add a legitimate #1 wide receiver in this draft, they'll need to take him with one of these (multiple) first rounders. Moore is a top-tier athlete who's built like a running back playing receiver. Given all the uncertain around the position group - and the likelihood we may need to use the franchise tag on Taylor (and not a receiver), it makes sense to add to the position group here. 2.33: Sam Hubbard, DE Ohio State It could be interesting if a couple of R1 prospects fell to this spot (Harold Landry, Arden Key) but I'm going with the Buckeye. It's clear - after missing on several in free agency - Dorsey wants more pass rushers on this team. Hubbard is a dual-threat end in that he holds up very well in the running game (comparable to Emmanuel Ogbah). While the easy comp is Bosa, Hubbard obviously doesn't offer the same level of production. He is, however, athletically comparable and runs with a very hard motor. 2.35 (f/Houston): Carlton Davis, CB Auburn The secondary is being rebuilt this season with Damarious Randall tagged to be the free safety, Jabrill Peppers moving down closer to the box, and T.J. Currie replacing Jason McCourty. They also brought in E.J. Gaines and Briean Boddy-Calhoun remains a terrific slot guy. However, Jamar Taylor isn't exactly a top-end perimeter corner. My first choice would be Jaire Alexander, but he's generating a ton of R1 buzz at the moment. Carlton Davis would be a nice consolation prize. Davis is a bigger corner (6'1" 206 pounds) with great reach and a massive wingspan. He doesn't covert PBUs to take-aways well right now, but some time on the machine could help. 2.64 (f/Philadelphia): Jamarco Jones, OT Ohio State Two Buckeyes in one draft? Doubtful, but there's no denying that LT is a major need with Thomas' retirement and the class is spotty at best with top talent for the position. Most of the guys drafted are going to be projections anyhow. Jones has the most solid tape of the bunch and a massive wingspan (88 1/2 inches). The starter is likely the winner of the Shon Coleman / Donald Stephenson camp battle, but I wouldn't be surprised to see a rookie in the rotation by season's end. They could look to add Brian O'Neill or Kolton Miller here (both explosive for the position). Regardless of the name, I expect an OT in the first five or six picks. 4.114 (f/Green Bay): Nathan Shepherd, DT Fort Hayes St. Browns could continue to add to the interior where they seem to be trying to get younger players like Larry Ogunjobi (stud) and Caleb Brantley involved. Sheppard had a great showing at the Senior Bowl and had himself a pretty good Combine - making himself a target for those GMs (like Dorsey) who favor SPARQ scores for big men. Very productive at the lower level, he's got the size and physicality to develop into a special player. 6.175: Kalen Ballage, RB Arizona State Given the investment in Carlos Hyde and the desire to extend Duke Johnson Jr., coupled with John Dorsey's draft history, it seems unlikely they'd spend premium draft capital to add to the position. Ballage is a bigger back in the Carlos Hyde mold who also tested fairly well at the Combine. He split carries his entire career at ASU, however, so he's never had to be the lead back. In Cleveland - at least early one - he wouldn't be asked to carry the load, either. 6.205 (f/New England): Braxton Berrios, WR Miami There's something poetic about the Browns using their pick from New England on a quintessential New England-esque player. That is, a short, small, explosive white skill position guy. Berrios is going to be locked into the slot position and while we upgraded massively with Jarvis Landry, one hard hit and we'll be right back in 2016/17. Berrios also offers value as a punt returner, so a late round flier on him makes sense. With this pick, Cleveland would also have practically re-done their entire receiver corp as well. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- New Depth Chart: Bold = Free Agent/Trade Italics = Rookie draftee QB: Tyrod Taylor, Drew Stanton, Baker Mayfield RB: Carlos Hyde, Duke Johnson Jr., Kalen Ballage TE: David Njoku, Seth DeValve, Daniel Fells WR(X): Odell Beckham Jr., Ricardo Louis WR(Y): Jarvis Landry, Braxton Berrios WR(Z): Josh Gordon, D.J. Moore LT: Shon Coleman, Jamarco Jones LG: Joel Bitonio, Spencer Drango C: JC Tretter, Austin Reiter RG: Kevin Zeitler RT: Chris Hubbard, Donald Stephenson LDE: Emmanuel Ogbah, Sam Hubbard DT(1): Larry Ogunjobi, Tevon Coley DT(3): Caleb Brantley, Nathan Shepherd RDE: Myles Garrett, Chris Smith, Carl Nassib LB(W): Chris Kirksey LB(M): Roquan Smith, Joe Schobert LB(S): Jamie Collins, James Burgess LCB: T.J. Carrie, Howard Wilson FS: Damarious Randall, Kai Nacua SS: Jabrill Peppers, Derrick Kindred SCB: Briean Boddy-Calhoun, Terrance Mitchell RCB: E.J. Gaines, Jamar Taylor, Carlton Davis K: Zane Gonzalez P: Britton Colquitt LS: Charlie Hughlett
I like the Beckham trade scenario, IF he will sign an extension...Still not crazy about the other trade down though. I want us to get our QB, and either Barkley or Chubb....How awesome would it be to come away with our top QB prospect, Barkley and Beckham on day 1? A trio of Beckham, Gordon and Juice....Njkoku at TE, and Saquon Barkley in the backfield....That would be unstoppable. Tyrod Taylor might never give up the job.
Every fan part of me wants to sit tight at #4 and take Barkley, but every realist side of me thinks that (especially if three quarterbacks are off the board to start) they can draw a random for that #4 pick and would be better served trading down. In the trade down, we're better positioned to address needs (LB, WR, CB, and LT) than we are just adding a stud running back. The flip side is Barkley accomplishes what Dorsey said he wants to do - compete immediately. Ultimately, it'll take a trade partner to make the moves happen, so if Buffalo doesn't feel like parting with their ammunition and are content rolling into 2018 with A.J. McCarron, we're not likely to go anywhere. In which case, the choice would come down to likely Chubb/Barkley.
I'm not on the OBJ wagon. Distraction. However, if the price was right I could get behind it. The trade you mentioned above would get my support but I don't see tat realistic.
My secretary just had to come and revive me after all the blood rushed from my brain after reading this. Browns make the swap with Giants because they KNOW the Gmen will not select the sub 6'2 QB at 1, so we can take him at 2
I disagree on that...I think there are plenty of reasons to suspect there's some acting going on here....IMO, the Browns are wanting the Giants to believe that Sam Darnold is our guy, in an effort to get them to jump to #1....
NFL Network's Kimberly Jones reports the Giants "are not shopping" Odell Beckham, and a trade "probably won't happen." The Giants may not technically be shopping OBJ, but it doesn't mean they aren't listening to offers. The New York Daily News reported earlier Monday that the Rams are interested in Beckham, with the Giants' asking price said to be a first-rounder and more. There's no doubt they're better with Beckham on the team, though, obviously. But the G-Men may be headed for a total rebuild. Source: Kimberly Jones on Twitter
Browns re-signed LB Tank Carder. Carder missed all of 2017 with a torn right ACL. Although he's made just two career starts, Carder had been penciled in as the Browns' middle linebacker last summer. He will fight for a reserve/special teams role this season.
Browns signed CB E.J. Gaines, formerly of the Bills, to a one-year, $4 million contract. He also visited the Jets and Cardinals before coming to his decision. In Cleveland, Gaines will be reunited with DC Gregg Williams, who coached him during his time in Los Angeles. The 26-year-old should fill the vacancy left by Jason McCourty, who was dealt to New England last week. Cleveland has remade its secondary this offseason by adding T.J. Carrie, Terrance Mitchell, Damarious Randall and now Gaines. Source: Mike Garafolo on Twitter
C'mon Irish that's just silly. It's 2018. They can negotiate trades and signings from Timbuktu. To suggest "they didn't have anything better to do" in the first 72 hours of free agency is a Stopper statement.
It’s similar in the way that the GM/Dad will want to do their own evaluation of the car/QB and ask all the necessary questions
My statements make sense...Irish is an excuse maker and feels every move the Browns make is great...he was gushing over Kizer...then says he didn’t have a vet leader...did Watson? If you really consider that stiff Yates lol
