Category Archives: Draft

Draft, NFL

Nashville to Host 2019 NFL Draft

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As we’ve said and heard so many times in the Cleveland area, there is always next year.

For once, however, it has nothing to do with a heartbreaking loss on the field for one of our beloved sports teams but instead refers to the city and its desire to host the NFL Draft, along with Canton.

The 84th NFL Draft will take place on April 25-27, 2019 in Nashville, incorporating iconic city landmarks across the Music City stretching from Lower Broadway to Nissan Stadium.

The announcement was made today at the annual Spring League Meeting in Atlanta following a review of the proposal by the Super Bowl & Major Events Advisory Committee and full ownership. This is the result of a comprehensive evaluation process over the past several months of plans submitted by various cities to host the 2019 NFL Draft.

“Following an exciting and successful event in Dallas, we’re thrilled to take the NFL Draft to Nashville. The city has a passionate fan base and offers iconic locations that will enable us to expand the Draft in unique ways,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “We look forward to working with the Tennessee Titans, the City of Nashville, and the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp to deliver a memorable celebration of football to our fans and incoming players.”

The NFL Draft returns to primetime with Round 1 on Thursday, April 25. Rounds 2 and 3 will follow on Friday, April 26, and Rounds 4-7 will conclude the event on Saturday, April 27.

Browns, Draft, NFL

Browns Sign Thomas and Callaway

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Berea— The Cleveland Browns have come to terms on contracts with two more of their 2018 NFL draft selections as DE Chad Thomas and WR Antonio Callaway have signed their rookie deals.

The team now has six of their nine draft picks under contract.

Thomas, a defensive lineman from Miami (FL), was the Browns third round pick (67 overall). He started 33 games at the U where he totaled 103 tackles, 11 sacks, and two forced fumbles in his career.

Callaway, a talented yet troubled pass catcher from Florida, was the Browns fourth round selection (105 overall). When he was on the field he showed big time playmaking ability. During his college career he caught 89 passes for just under 1400 yards and scored seven touchdowns.

The remaining unsigned players for the Browns draft class are first round picks Baker Mayfield and Denzel Ward, as well as second round running back Nick Chubb.

Browns, Draft, NFL

Browns Get Avery Under Contract

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The Cleveland Browns have signed LB Genard Avery.

Avery, a fifth-round pick out of Memphis, played in 50 career games, starting 34 of them. The 150th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft recorded 232 career tackles with 45.5 of them for a loss.

He is expected to be an immediate contributor on special teams and could work his way to a regular member of the Browns defense as well.

The Browns have now signed four of their 2018 draft picks, as Avery joins OT Austin Corbett (second round), WR Damion Ratley (sixth round), and CB Simeon Thomas (sixth round) as picks under contract.

Browns, Draft, NFL

Browns Sign Three Draft Picks

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On the final day of rookie minicamp in Berea, the Cleveland Browns reached terms with three of their 2018 draft picks.

Tackle Austin Corbett, a second round pick out of Nevada, wide out Damion Ratley, a sixth round selection from Texas A&M, and cornerback Simeon Thomas, a sixth rounder from Louisiana-Lafayette all signed their first NFL contracts.

Corbett’s deal is worth about $7.5 million, while the pair of sixth rounders deals will be worth about $2.5 million.

Browns, Draft, NFL

Browns Add 13 Undrafted Free Agents

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The Cleveland Browns have announced the signings of 13 undrafted free agents.

The list includes three wide outs, three offensive lineman, three defensive backs, two defensive lineman, a running back, as well as a punter.

The 13 rookies will join the rest of the teams rookies from the 2018 NFL Draft at rookie mini camp which runs from May 4-6.

The list of undrafted free agents can be found below.

Evan Berry

WR

5-11

202

11/4/95

Tennessee

Fairburn, Ga.

Elijah Campbell

DB

5-11

190

8/24/95

Northern Iowa

St. Paul, Minn.

Michael Carrizosa

P

5-10

227

9/18/95

San Jose State

Salinas, Calif.

Christian Dilauro

OL

6-6

300

11/11/94

Illinois

Uniontown, Ohio

Daniel Ekuale

DL

6-3

300

1/13/94

Washington State

Pago Pago, American Samoa

Micah Hannemann

DB

6-0

195

8/15/94

BYU

Alpine, Utah

Desmond Harrison

OL

6-6

295

10/8/93

West Georgia

Houston, Texas

Dontrell Hilliard

RB

5-11

202

2/26/95

Tulane

Baton Rouge, La.

Fred Lauina

OL

6-4

315

5/17/95

Oregon State

Nuuuli, American Samoa

Montrel Meander

DB

6-2

215

9/20/94

Grambling State

Amarillo, Texas

Da’Mari Scott

WR

6-0

205

8/8/95

Fresno State

Muskegon Heights, Mich.

Trenton Thompson

DL

6-3

288

7/27/96

Georgia

Albany, Ga.

Derrick Willies

WR

6-4

207

10/17/94

Texas Tech

San Bernadino, Calif.

Browns, Draft, NFL

Browns Get Edge Rusher Thomas in 3rd Round

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DALLAS— After trading the 64th pick in the 2018 NFL Draft to Indianapolis for the 67th and 178th in this years draft, the Cleveland Browns have chose Chad Thomas, and edge rusher from Miami, with the 67th pick.

Thomas, a 6’5″ and 277 pound athletic freak, has outstanding speed off the edge and shows excellent hand usage. He is a fairly raw prospect, with an inconsistent motor, so it will be up to the coaching staff to get the most out of Thomas.

In his senior season at Miami, he had 4.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for a loss. Expect him to be a situational pass rusher early on in Cleveland who can rush from inside or out.

The Browns next selection is in the 4th round.

Browns, Draft, NFL

Browns Get Chubb at 35

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DALLAS— With the 35th selection in the 2018 NFL Draft the Cleveland Browns added former Georgia Bulldogs star running back Nick Chubb.

Chubb, a 5’10” and 227 pound wrecking ball from Georgia, ran for 1547 yards in his freshman season including 266 in the Bulldogs bowl game. In 2015, Chubb suffered a terrible knee injury and played in only 6 games. He returned in 2016 but showed some rust and did not look like the same running back, yet still ran for 1130 yards and six scores.

By 2017, Chubb started to regain his superstar form as he averaged 6.0 yards per carry en route to a 15 score and 1345 yard season that ended in the national title game against Alabama.

The addition of Chubb, along with the free agent signing of former 49ers running back Carlos Hyde and the returning Duke Johnson, gives the Browns an extremely talented three headed monster at running back entering the 2018 season.

The Browns final choice of the second day of the draft is the 64th pick.

Browns, Draft, NFL

Browns Add Corbett with 33rd Pick

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DALLAS— With the 33rd pick overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft the Cleveland Browns selected Nevada offensive lineman Austin Corbett.

With the sudden retirement of future Hall of Famer Joe Thomas, the Browns signed former Steelers tackle Chris Hubbard in free agency and moved last years starter at right tackle to the other side of the line. With the addition of the 6’4″ and 306 pound Corbett, it gives the Browns another option on the left side.

Corbett trains in the offseason with Browns left guard Joel Bitonio and will now join him on a very solid offensive line in Cleveland.

The Browns next selection is 35th overall.

Browns, Draft, NFL

2018 NFL Draft: Top 10 Available on Day Two

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After selecting Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield with the first overall pick and Ohio State cornerback Denzel Ward with the fourth overall pick on day one of the draft, the Cleveland Browns enter day two of the draft with picks 33,35, and 64 in the second round. They do not have a third round pick after trading it to Buffalo for Tyrod Taylor.

With that being said, here are my 10 best players remaining on day two of the draft:

  1. EDGE Harold Landry, Boston College
  2. RB Derrius Guice, LSU
  3. DT Maurice Hurst, Michigan
  4. OT Connor Williams, Texas
  5. CB Josh Jackson, Iowa
  6. TE Mike Gesicki, Penn State
  7. G Will Hernandez, UTEP
  8. RB Ronald Jones II, USC
  9. C James Daniels, Iowa
  10. EDGE Sam Hubbard, Ohio State
Browns, Draft, NFL

Browns Select Denzel Ward with Fourth Pick

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DALLAS— With the fourth pick in the 2018 NFL Draft the Cleveland Browns selected Ohio State cornerback Denzel Ward.

Ward, a native of Macedonia, Ohio recorded 37 tackles and two interceptions for the Buckeyes in 2017. Seen by many as the top press corner in this years draft, Ward will be an instant starter in the Browns revamped secondary.

At 5’10” and 185 pounds, Ward ran a 4.32 yard 40-yard dash at this years combine. Ward is physical, athletic, and is excellent at not allowing receivers to get separation in routes.

On a team that has not had a shutdown corner since Joe Haden was healthy a few years ago, Ward will be a welcome addition.

Browns, Draft, NFL

Browns Make Baker the Number One Pick

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DALLAS— With the first pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns have selected Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield.

The 6’1″ 215 pound Mayfield, who went from walk on to Heisman trophy winner during his time in Norman, is the most accurate quarterback in this draft class. He completed 70.6% of his passes in his senior season while throwing for 43 touchdowns and just six interceptions. He also set the NCAA single season passing efficiency rating with a 198.90 mark while leading the Sooners to the Rose Bowl.

Outside of all of the stats, Mayfield excels as a leader on the field and lifts the play of those around him and that is exactly what GM John Dorsey hopes that he will do as a member of the Cleveland Browns.

Other than his size, the downside to Mayfield is that some question his maturity and attitude. He was arrested on February 25, 2017 and was charged with public intoxication, disorderly conduct, fleeing and resisting arrest. However, for Dorsey and the Browns to select him number one overall, they clearly can see past his old mistakes.

The Browns next selection is the fourth overall selection in the first round which they received from Houston in the Deshaun Watson trade during the 2017 NFL Draft.

Browns, Draft, NFL

2018 NFL Draft Positional Rankings: Defense

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*All rankings final and based upon at least three watched games as well as combine and pro days.

EDGE

  1. Bradley Chubb, NC State
  2. Harold Landry, Boston College
  3. Marcus Davenport, UTSA
  4. Sam Hubbard, Ohio State
  5. Josh Sweat, Florida State

Interior D-Line

  1. Maurice Hurst, Michigan
  2. Vita Vea, Washington
  3. Da’Ron Payne, Alabama
  4. Taven Bryan, Florida
  5. Harrison Phillips, Stanford

Linebacker

  1. Roquan Smith, Georgia
  2. Tremaine Edmunds, Virginia Tech
  3. Leighton Vander Esch, Boise State
  4. Rashaan Evans, Alabama
  5. Micah Kiser, Virginia

Cornerback

  1. Denzel Ward, Ohio State
  2. Jaire Alexander, Louisville
  3. Josh Jackson, Iowa
  4. Mike Hughes, UCF
  5. Carlton Davis, Auburn

Safety

  1. Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama
  2. Derwin James, Florida State
  3. Ronnie Harrison, Alabama
  4. Jessie Bates II, Wake Forest
  5. Justin Reid, Stanford