Category Archives: Draft

Browns, Draft, NFL

Browns Pick Peppers at 25

Leave a comment

With the 25th pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns selected S/LB Jabrill Peppers from the University of Michigan.

Peppers, a Heisman trophy finalist in 2016, played nearly every position with the Wolverines, and was the Big 10 defensive player of the year. He will likely play as a in the box strong safety in the Greg Williams led Browns defense in a role similar to that of Mark Barron with the Rams last season.

He is a playmaker with the ball in his hands, but does not have great ball skills in the secondary. Williams will likely use him in a variety of roles, in the box, as a nickel corner, and as a blitzing safety.

On the field, he is an energizing difference maker and can be an immediate difference maker.

The negative on Peppers, other than his choice of college, is that his drug test at the combine, where he did both linebacker and secondary drills, came back as diluted.

Browns, Draft

Browns Grab Garrett First Overall

Leave a comment

Months of rumors and speculation are finally over.

With the first overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns selected Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett.

Garrett, the consensus top player in this draft, is a 6’5″, 262 pound monster who specializes in getting to the opposing teams quarterback. The junior had a career high 4.5 sacks against UTSA in November and finished an injury plagued final season in College Station with 8.5 sacks in all, while adding 15.0 tackles for loss.

A highly touted high school player, Garret stepped onto campus in 2014 and led the team with 11.0 sacks. He got even better in 2015 when he reached 12.5 sacks and 19.0 tackles for loss, while also improving as a run defender.

Despite battling injuries in 2016, teams built their game plans around stopping Garrett, including perennial powerhouse Alabama who had two to three players focused on him, while continually rolling the pocket away from the star defender.

Off of the field Garrett is an all-around student athlete. He was active in Aggies Athletes Involved and regularly spent time with young kids around the local community. He also served as a volunteer at the Twin City Mission, serving meals to needy families and did landscape work around the facility.

Born in Arlington, Texas Garrett is the son of Audrey and Lawrence Garrett. His older sister, Brea Garrett, was a NCAA champion thrower for for the Texas A&M track and field team and his older brother is former NBA first round pick Sean Williams.

When Garrett steps on the field in Cleveland, he will instantly make the team better, but off of the field he will also do his part in making the community a better place.

Draft, NFL

OAB365 Final Mock (Two Rounds)

Leave a comment
  1. Cleveland Browns- EDGE Myles Garrett, Texas A&M

Garrett is the biggest stud in this draft. The Browns do not need more draft picks. They need stars. The card is ready to be turned in.

  1. San Francisco 49ers- S Jamal Adams, LSU

 

Adams is a do it all safety who can immediately help the back end of the Niners defense. I believe they’d prefer to trade down though.

  1. Chicago Bears- CB Marshon Lattimore, Ohio State

The Bears secondary needs help. Lattimore has the ability to become a shutdown type CB.

  1. Jacksonville Jaguars- DL Jonathan Allen, Alabama

Tom Coughlin won Super Bowls with great defensive lines. I believe he will build the Jaguars in the mold of those teams.

  1. Tennessee Titans- DL Solomon Thomas, Stanford

Thomas is a monster and an immediate upgrade inside and out on the Titans defense.

  1. New York Jets- RB Leonard Fournette, LSU

A QB could go here, as could Malik Hooker, but they need to improve their offense and Fournette is the fastest way to do it

  1. Los Angeles Chargers- S Malik Hooker, Ohio State

For the second year in a row, the Chargers head to Columbus to take an instant impact defender. Hooker is the best centerfielder in this draft.

  1. Carolina Panthers- RB Christian McCaffery

Cam needs help on offense. He has big targets around the field, but a swiss army knife like McCaffery would do wonders for the Panthers.

  1. Cincinnati Bengals- WR Mike Williams, Clemson

A stud wide out to pair with A.J. Green and to help open up the passing offense for the Bengals.

  1. Buffalo Bills- TE O.J. Howard, Alabama

Tyrod Taylor is staying in Buffalo, so maybe the Bills should get him some weapons. Howard is a pure tight end who can do everything.

  1. New Orleans Saints- EDGE Charles Harris, Missouri

Harris is a very good pass rusher who needs to get better against the run, but can be a double digit sack guy immediately.

  1. Cleveland Browns- QB Mitchell Trubisky, North Carolina

Trubisky, despite only starting 13 games, has shown the ability to be an NFL QB with above average accuracy, arm strength, and athleticism.

  1. Arizona Cardinals- CB Marlon Humphrey, Alabama

Getting Pat Mahomes to be the heir apparent to Carson Palmer would be great, but Arizona is still capable of being a playoff team so getting Humphrey’s immediate impact would be huge.

  1. Philadelphia Eagles- WR Corey Davis, Western Michigan

Even with the signing of Alshon Jeffery, the Eagles need to get Carson Wentz more help. Davis has the talent to be a number one guy for a long time.

  1. Indianapolis Colts- DE Derek Barnett, Tennessee

Barnett, at times, was as good a pass rusher as Myles Garrett. His rush ability will immediately improve the Colts defense

.

  1. Baltimore Ravens- WR John Ross, Washington

After losing Steve Smith to retirement, the Ravens need help at the WR spot. Adding the fastest man in the draft with big arm Joe Flacco could make for an exciting duo.

  1. Washington Redskins- DT Malik McDowell, Michigan State

McDowell has the skills to be a star. The Redskins could use a monster in the middle of their defense and McDowell

  1. Tennessee Titans- CB Chidobe Awuzie, Colorado

Awuzie can play CB or FS and excel at either. Even with free agent additions Cyprien and Ryan, adding Awuzie and Thomas in round one would be a coup for the Titans.

  1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- RB Dalvin Cook, Florida State

Cook’s draft stock has been slipping, but reuniting with Jameis Winston could be a perfect fit for him and the Buccaneers.

  1. Denver Broncos- OT Ryan Ramczyk, Wisconsin

The Broncos still have a loaded defense, so this pick will likely be offense. Adding Ramczyk to their offensive line could be a weapon for them on offense. His strength and athleticism are perfect fits for Mike McCoy’s offense.

  1. Detroit Lions- LB Haason Reddick, Temple

Reddick can play off the edge and be a stud weak side LB. Perfect fit for the Lions.

  1. Miami Dolphins- OG Forrest Lamp, Western Kentucky

Miami needs to keep Ryan Tannehill upright and open holes for Jay Ajayi if they want any chance of winning. Lamp will help them do that day one.

  1. New York Giants- QB Pat Mahomes, Texas Tech

 

Eli won’t play forever. Mahomes, in time, could be the best QB in this draft. He has amazing arm talent.

  1. Oakland Raiders- TE David Njoku, Miami

The Raiders could pick a linebacker, like Jarrad Davis, or go secondary with this pick, but Njoku is someone they cannot pass on at this point. Tight end size with wide out ability, Njoku would be a great addition to the Raiders young and potent offense.

  1. Houston Texans- QB Deshaun Watson, Clemson

A Super Bowl caliber defense and a giant hole behind center. The Texans take Watson here and hope he develops quickly behind Tom Savage.

  1. Seattle Seahawks- CB Kevin King, Washington

Whether Richard Sherman is dealt or not, King with his combination of size and talent is a perfect fit for the Seahawks defense.

  1. Kansas City Chiefs- EDGE Takkarist McKinley, UCLA

The Chiefs do not have any glaring needs which will allow them to take McKinley late in round one and allow him to develop into a Tamba Hali clone.

  1. Dallas Cowboys- LB Reuben Foster, Alabama

The top LB in this draft falls to the Cowboys due to a mix of off the field issues. He is an immediate impact player.

  1. Green Bay Packers- RB Joe Mixon, Oklahoma

The Packers need a running game behind Aaron Rodgers and there may not be a more talented runner in this draft than Mixon. He does come with baggage, but I believe the Packers would have the support system around him to allow him to succeed.

  1. Pittsburgh Steelers- S Jabrill Peppers, Michigan

Peppers will give the Steelers and in the box safety who can also move around the defense for them.

  1. Atlanta Falcons-DE Taco Charlton, Michigan

An edge rusher to add to the young Falcons defense. Charlton doesn’t set the edge well against the run, but he can get to the QB.

 

  1. New Orleans Saints- CB Quincy Wilson, Florida

After averaging almost 30 points per game and losing nine times in 2016, the Saints double up on defense in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft.

ROUND TWO

  1. Cleveland- S Obi Melifonwu, Uconn
  2. San Francisco- EDGE TJ Watt, Wisconsin
  3. Jacksonville- TE Evan Engram, Ole Miss
  4. Chicago- S Budda Baker, Washington
  5. LA Rams- WR Zay Jones, East Carolina
  6. LA Chargers- Curtis Samuel, Ohio State
  7. NY Jets- QB DeShone Kizer, Notre Dame
  8. Carolina- CB Adoree Jackson, USC
  9. Cincinnati-LB Jarrad Davis, Florida
  10. New Orleans- QB Davis Webb, Cal
  11. Philadelphia-RB Alvin Kamara, Tennesee
  12. Buffalo-WR JuJu Smith-Schuster
  13. Arizona- EDGE Tyus Bowser, Houston
  14. Indianapolis- S Marcus Maye, Florida
  15. Baltimore- CB Tre’Davious White, LSU
  16. Minnesota-LB Zach Cunningham, Vanderbilt
  17. Washington-LB Raekwon McMillan, Ohio State
  18. Tampa Bay-OT Garrett Boles, Utah
  19. Denver-Pat Elflein, Ohio State
  20. Cleveland-S Marcus Williams, Utah
  21. Detroit-OT Cam Robinson, Alabama
  22. Miami- EDGE Tim Williams, Alabama
  23. NY Giants-RB D’Onta Foreman, Texas
  24. Oakland-OG Dan Feeney, Indiana
  25. Houston-DL Chris Wormley, Michigan
  26. Seattle-EDGE Carl Lawson, Auburn
  27. Kansas City-QB Nathan Peterman, Pitt
  28. Dallas-CB Cordrea Tankersley, Clemson
  29. Green Bay-EDGE Derek Rivers, Youngstown State
  30. Pittsburgh-CB Sidney Jones, Washington
  31. Atlanta-TE Adam Shaheen, Ashland
  32. Carolina- EDGE Terrel Basham, Ohio
Browns, Draft, NFL

2017 NFL Draft Defensive Positional Rankings

Leave a comment

EDGE Rusher

  1. Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
  2. Charles Harris, Missouri
  3. Takkarist McKinley, UCLA
  4. Taco Charlton, Michigan
  5. T.J. Watt, Wisconsin

Summary: Garrett is the stand out in this class. He is my number one overall player and has been for nine months. Harris has great hands and when his motor is going can be unstoppable. McKinley and Charlton are both very good players with the talent to develop into great players. Watt, the younger brother of J.J. Watt, has only been on defense for 18 months and could develop into one of the top rushers in this class.

Defensive Line

  1. Solomon Thomas, Stanford
  2. Jonathan Allen, Alabama
  3. Malik McDowell, Michigan State
  4. Caleb Brantley, Florida
  5. Carlos Watkins, Clemson

Summary: Thomas and Allen are both capable of playing inside or out and are two of the best players in this entire draft class. McDowell, when he wants to be, is as good as the top two guys. Brantley and Watkins both have motors that can be hot or cold, with Watkins being a better rusher. Brantley may go undrafted after being charged with misdemeanor battery in an incident where he allegedly knocked a woman unconscious.

Linebacker

  1. Haason Reddick, Temple
  2. Reuben Foster, Alabama
  3. Jarrad Davis, Florida
  4. Zach Cunningham, Vanderbilt
  5. Raekwon McMillan, Ohio State

Summary: Reddick is an explosive athlete who can cover and tackle. Foster, if not for a few off of the field issues, would probably be my top linebacker. He is a heat seeking missile at the linebacker spot. Davis, if he gets better at releasing from blockers could be the best in this class. Cunningham and McMillan just make play after play but also struggle at times with tightness.

Cornerback

  1. Marshon Lattimore, Ohio State
  2. Quincy Wilson, Florida
  3. Gareon Conley, Ohio State
  4. Chidobe Awuzie, Colorado
  5. Tre’Davious White, LSU

Summary: Lattimore has the athleticism and ball skills to develop into a shut down corner. I love Wilson’s size and the way he battles on every play. Conley, who will drop after being accused of sexual assault, is long and athletic. Awuzie is a swiss army knife and can do a little bit of everything but I believe lacks great ball skills. White is as consistent a guy as I watched, but I do not think he likes being physical. If not for a knee injury Washington CB Sidney Jones would be number two on this list.

Safety

  1. Malik Hooker, Ohio State
  2. Jamal Adams, LSU
  3. Budda Baker, Washington
  4. Jabrill Peppers, Michigan
  5. Obi Melifonwu, UConn

Summary: Hooker is a single high, ball hawking, Ed Reed type, do it all safety. Adams is an all-around safety, who I do not think is as physical as some others will give him credit for. Baker is my draft crush. An undersized guy who plays with incredible heart and determination and shows great ball skills. Peppers, a man with no position, is best suited as an in the box safety in my opinion and is an athletic freak. Melifonwu at 6’4″ is a huge center fielder, with absolutely unbelievable athleticism and can develop into a mix of KAm Chancellor and Earl Thomas.

 

Browns, Draft, NFL

QB Search Player Profile: Davis Webb

Leave a comment

*This is part eight of a 10 part series where we will take a look at the Cleveland Browns options for the elusive quarterback of the future.

Name: Davis Webb

Height: 6’5″

Weight: 229 pounds

Throws: Right

School: Cal

NFL Team: N/A

Draft Spot or Projection: 2nd round- 4th round

Strengths: Great size at 6’5″…throws ball with accuracy and from high release point…decent athlete…has ability to roll out…has patience in the pocket…makes some good decisions…poised kid, started at Texas Tech and Cal…

Weaknesses: Panics in the face of the rush…most of his offense was throws within 10 yards…smaller hands for his size…arm is not overly strong…seems to make decisions where the ball is headed before getting to the line and stays with it even when it is not open…needs help with mechanics as he will tend to let the ball sail…does not anticipate long throws well…

Summary: Webb has great size and seems to be a coachable kid. Has all the ability to be a very good NFL quarterback with the proper coaching, but he is going to be a project. As a second round or later prospect, he could be worth the time and patience it is going to take. He is the best of the bunch after the top four quarterbacks in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Browns, Draft, NFL

QB Search 2017: Player Profile DeShone Kizer

Leave a comment

*This is part seven of a 10 part series where we will take a look at the Cleveland Browns options for the elusive quarterback of the future.

Name: DeShone Kizer

Height: 6’4″

Weight: 233 pounds

Throws: Right

School: Notre Dame

NFL Team: N/A

Draft Spot or Projection: Mid Round 1-Early Round 3

Strengths: AFC North size at 6’4″ and 233 pounds…can add to frame still…big arm…can make all of the throws…atheltic…throws catchable ball with tight spiral…good arm motion…strong hands…mostly accurate…stands in pocket and takes hit when necessary to find open receiver…

weaknesses: INCONSISTENT…ditches mechanics at times and relies on strong arm causing the ball to fly all over the field…sticks on primary targets…not a great field general…makes awful decisions with the ball…takes unnecessary sacks even with time and clear and clean pocket, loves to hold the ball looking for big play rather than take what defense gives them…

Summary: If you were going to build the perfect quarterback, you’d want size, arm strength, and a strong build. Kizer has that. However, you’d also want the guy to have field smarts and Kizer is lacking at times. He can be a really good pro, just needs to get out of his own head or at least let someone in to help him out.

Up Next: Cal QB Davis Webb

Previously: Clemson QB Deshaun Watson

Browns, Draft

2017 NFL Draft Offensive Positional Rankings

Leave a comment

With the NFL Draft just a week away my positional rankings are finally set. Today I will post my offensive top five per position and they will soon be followed by my defensive top five.

Quarterback

  1. Mitchell Trubisky, North Carolina
  2. Patrick Mahomes, Texas Tech
  3. Deshaun Watson, Clemson
  4. Deshone Kizer, Notre Dame
  5. Davis Webb, California

Summary: Trubisky has held steady as my number one guy throughout the process, with Mahomes gaining fast. None of these guys should start in 2017, but with enough work, they could all be diamonds in the rough in just a few years.

Running Back

  1. Leonard Fournette, LSU
  2. Christian McCaffery, Stanford
  3. Dalvin Cook, Florida State
  4. Joe Mixon, Oklahoma
  5. Alvin Kamara, Tennessee

Summary: There is a lot of running back talent in this draft and who goes where will be based on what a team wants or needs. Fournette is my clear number one, with the human swiss army knife McCaffery not far behind. Mixon, if not for off of the field stupidity, would be near the top, almost side by side with Fournette.

Wide Receiver

  1. Corey Davis, Western Michigan
  2. Mike Williams, Clemson
  3. John Ross, Washington
  4. Curtis Samuel, Ohio State
  5. JuJu Smith-Schuster, USC

Summary: Much like the running back position, the wide receiver spot is filled with players who can fill a variety of roles. Davis and Williams are neck and neck for my number one spot, but the big bodied Davis reminds me of (should be) hall of famer Terrell Owens. Samuel is the McCaffery of this group and can do a little bit of everything.

Tight End

  1. O.J. Howard, Alabama
  2. David Njoku, Miami
  3. Evan Engram, Mississippi
  4. Adam Shaheen, Ashland
  5. Bucky Hodges, Virginia Tech

Summary: Howard is my clear number one tight end. He can do everything you want at the tight end spot, including block. Njoku,Engram, and Hodges are basically big slot receivers who will line up at tight end from time to time but are weak blockers. Shaheen is a small school monster who showed that he can do a little bit of everything against weaker competition. He is definitely the wild card at this spot.

Offensive Tackle

  1. Ryan Ramczyk, Wisconsin
  2. Garrett Bolles, Utah
  3. Cam Robinson, Alabama
  4. Rod Johnson, Florida State
  5. Antonio Garcia, Troy

Summary: Much like the QB spot, none of these guys are going to be great in 2017. Among them I believe Ramczyk has the best chance of becoming a good left tackle the soonest, with Bolles not far behind. Robinson, Johnson, and Garcia are all best suited at right tackle and may eventually move to guard.

Offensive Guard/Center

  1. Forrest Lamp, Western Kentucky
  2. Dan Feeney, Indiana
  3. Pat Elflein, Ohio State
  4. Ethan Pocic, LSU
  5. Dorian Johnson, Pitt

Summary: Lamp and Feeney are the clear top guard talent in this draft, with Lamp the only one I have a first round grade on. Elflein is the only center I have in my top 60 players (60). Though Pocic played center at LSU, I think he is best suited at guard in the NFL due to his 6’6″ height. Tall centers struggle in the NFL.

 

Browns, Draft

Browns Draft About More Than 2017

Leave a comment

 

With reports coming out over the past few days tying the Browns to North Carolina quarterback Mitch Trubisky, rather than Texas A & M monster defensive end Myles Garrett with the first overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, pundits around the country were quick to jump on the downtrodden franchise for a number of reasons.

Among the reasons mentioned is the point that Garrett will be an immediate impact player on a roster clearly void of such players. While I agree that this is most likely the case, if the Cleveland Browns front office determines that Mitch Trubisky is in fact a guy they believe can lead their franchise beyond 2017 and into the future, then the pick is a no brainer, it’s the quarterback every time.

With the Browns being atrocious in the NFL draft every season since 1999 and keeping the team from being competitive due to awful decision-making, it is easy to second guess any move they make. We all have been guilty of it at some point. However, there are no guarantees in the NFL Draft and that includes Garrett.

While Garrett most likely will be a star in the NFL as an edge rusher, quarterback is the most important position on the field in all of sports. With the number one overall pick in the draft, the Browns have their choice of every available player and the organization owes it to themselves and their fans to look at every conceivable option before making a final decision.

Regardless of what the Browns do in this draft, it takes a full three years to truly determine the success of a draft class. So patience is necessary.

Basically what I am saying here is that while Garrett will be the best player for the Browns in 2017, he may not be the best choice for the long-term future.

In the end, Garrett is most likely the pick, but if the Browns think any quarterback is heads above the others in this class and there is any chance they will lose out on a possible franchise guy, they must select them first overall, even if it costs them Garrett.

Browns, Draft

OAB365 Mock Draft 2.0

Leave a comment

We are just 17 days from the 2017 NFL Draft and the Cleveland Browns are on the clock, with little suspense as to who they are going to pick. In mock draft 2.0 here on OAB365, I stop just short of the Browns third pick, but in my final mock in two weeks I will take it two full rounds.

  1. Cleveland Browns- EDGE Myles Garrett, Texas A&M

Garrett is the biggest stud in this draft. The Browns do not need more draft picks. They need stars. The card is ready to be turned in.

  1. San Francisco 49ers- DL Solomon Thomas, Stanford

After Garrett, Thomas may be the best pass rusher in this draft. Even with multiple first round picks on the line already, the Niners still do not have great pass rushers. Thomas will change that.

  1. Chicago Bears- CB Marshon Lattimore, Ohio State

The Bears secondary needs help. Lattimore has the ability to become a shutdown type CB.

  1. Jacksonville Jaguars- RB Leonard Fournette, LSU

The Jags have a good young defense, but the offense seems to be stuck in neutral. They need to take pressure off Blake Bortles and the passing game. Fournette can do that.

  1. Tennessee Titans- S Jamal Adams, LSU

If Lattimore fell, he’d be the pick here, but Adams is a great consolation prize. I don’t think he’s as physical as others but the kid as all the traits to be a stud safety for years.

  1. New York Jets- QB Mitch Trubisky, North Carolina

Despite one season of starts, Trubisky was able to show NFL traits. He will sit for a little bit, but will instantly be the best QB on the roster.

  1. Los Angeles Chargers- S Malik Hooker, Ohio State

For the second year in a row, the Chargers head to Columbus to take an instant impact defender. Hooker is the best centerfielder in this draft.

  1. Carolina Panthers- DL Jonathan Allen, Alabama

Allen can play across the defensive line making him a fit based on talent alone. The Panthers could use some offensive weapons but Allen is tough to pass at this point in the draft.

  1. Cincinnati Bengals- LB Reuben Foster, Alabama

Foster has had his share of issues off the field, including being sent home from the combine, but the Bengals do not mind off field issues if the talent is a need. Foster is an athletic sideline-to-sideline linebacker who will be a perfect fit next to Vontaze Burfict.

  1. Buffalo Bills- TE O.J. Howard, Alabama

Tyrod Taylor is staying in Buffalo, so maybe the Bills should get him some weapons. Howard is a pure tight end who can do everything.

  1. New Orleans Saints- CB Quincy Wilson, Florida

Wilson is an instant upgrade for the Saints defense. The team needs secondary help and I think Wilson fits them better than anyone.

  1. Cleveland Browns- QB Patrick Mahomes, Texas Tech

Accurate, insanely strong armed gunslinger, who has best pure arm talent in this draft. I do worry sometimes that he lacks touch, but he has every skill you want in a future franchise leader.

  1. Arizona Cardinals- WR Corey Davis, Western Michigan

Larry Fitzgerald isn’t going to play forever and Davis is the perfect guy to come in and become the heir apparent.

  1. Philadelphia Eagles- WR Mike Williams, Clemson

Even with the signing of Alshon Jeffery, the Eagles need to get Carson Wentz more help. Williams has the talent to be a number one guy for a long time.

  1. Indianapolis Colts- CB Gareon Conley, Ohio State

The Colts defense needs to get better and take pressure of Andrew Luck. Conley has the talent to be a shutdown guy, but may take some time to grow into the position.

  1. Baltimore Ravens- WR John Ross, Washington

After losing Steve Smith to retirement, the Ravens need help at the WR spot. Adding the fastest man in the draft with big arm Joe Flacco could make for an exciting duo.

  1. Washington Redskins- DT Malik McDowell, Michigan State

McDowell has the skills to be a star. The Redskins could use a monster in the middle of their defense and McDowell

  1. Tennessee Titans- CB Chidobe Awuzie, Colorado

Awuzie can play CB or FS and excel at either. Even with free agent additions Cyprien and Ryan, adding Awuzie and Adams in round one would be a coup for the Titans.

  1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- RB Dalvin Cook, Florida State

Cook’s draft stock has been slipping, but reuniting with Jameis Winston could be a perfect fit for him and the Buccaneers.

  1. Denver Broncos- OT Ryan Ramczyk, Wisconsin

The Broncos still have a loaded defense, so this pick will likely be offense. Adding Ramczyk to their offensive line could be a weapon for them on offense. His strength and athleticism are perfect fits for Mike McCoy’s offense.

  1. Detroit Lions- LB Haason Reddick, Temple

Reddick can play off the edge and be a stud weak side LB. Perfect fit for the Lions.

  1. Miami Dolphins- OG Forrest Lamp, Western Kentucky

Miami needs to keep Ryan Tannehill upright and open holes for Jay Ajayi if they want any chance of winning. Lamp will help them do that day one.

  1. New York Giants- RB Christian McCaffrey, Stanford

McCaffrey is a jack of all trades who could take the Giants offense to the next level in both the run and pass games.

  1. Oakland Raiders- TE David Njoku, Miami

The Raiders could pick a running back or go secondary with this pick, but Njoku is someone they cannot pass on at this point. Tight end size with wide out ability, Njoku would be a great addition to the Raiders young and potent offense.

  1. Houston Texans- QB Deshaun Watson, Clemson

A Super Bowl caliber defense and a giant hole behind center. The Texans take Watson here and hope he develops quickly behind Tom Savage.

  1. Seattle Seahawks- CB Kevin King, Washington

Whether Richard Sherman is dealt or not, King with his combination of size and talent is a perfect fit for the Seahawks defense.

  1. Kansas City Chiefs- EDGE Takkarist McKinley, UCLA

The Chiefs do not have any glaring needs which will allow them to take McKinley late in round one and allow him to develop into a Tamba Hali clone.

  1. Dallas Cowboys- DE Charles Harris, Missouri

The Cowboys need to get to the quarterback and adding Harris will help them do that. If Harris can play to his potential, Dallas might have a star on their hands.

  1. Green Bay Packers- RB Joe Mixon, Oklahoma

The Packers need a running game behind Aaron Rodgers and there may not be a more talented runner in this draft than Mixon. He does come with baggage, but I believe the Packers would have the support system around him to allow him to succeed.

  1. Pittsburgh Steelers- S Jabrill Peppers, Michigan

Peppers will give the Steelers and in the box safety who can also move around the defense for them.

  1. Atlanta Falcons-EDGE Derek Barnett, Tennessee

More depth on the defensive line for the NFC Champions. I am not as high on Barnett as others, but I do think he would be a great fit for Dan Quinn and the Falcons.

  1. New Orleans Saints- S Budda Baker, Washington

The Saints add more power to their secondary with their second first round pick. Baker is an undersized player with an immeasurable heart and a ball hawking mentality.

Browns, Draft, NFL

Cleveland Browns Full Six-Round Mock Draft Version 1.0

Leave a comment

We are 44 days from the 2017 NFL Draft and with the Cleveland Browns holding the first pick, just about anything is possible. Over the next  six and a half weeks I will be posting a mock draft each week. On alternating weeks, I will post an NFL mock draft and on the other weeks I will post a Browns only mock.

Today begins the first Browns only mock draft of the season here on OrangeandBrown365.com. With the Browns having zero picks after the sixth round, this will only be a six-round mock.

*Note: Fanspeak’s mock draft simulator was used for this along with Matt Miller’s Big Board

Round 1 Pick 1: EDGE Myles Garret, Texas A&M

Garrett is a pass rushing monster. A better prospect at this point in his career than Jadaveon Clowney was. There are very little guarantees in the draft, but Garrett just may be as close as you can get. Power, finesse, speed, agility, he is the total pass rushing package and will be a guy the Browns can plug in and play day one.

Round 1 Pick 12: QB Mitchell Trubisky, North Carolina

In my opinion Trubisky is the best quarterback in this draft with Patrick Mahomes following directly after. Trubisky has a blend of touch and power on his passes and his accurate in and out of the pocket. The former Mentor Cardinal is also a very good athlete and shows good escapability in the pocket. He will be able to handle the pressure of being the Browns QB, my only worry is if fans will be able to handle their own expectations.

Round 2 Pick 33: S Budda Baker, Washington

Baker is an instinctual athlete with a lot more power than it looks like his small frame can produce. He is smaller than you’d like a safety to be at 5’10” and just 195 pounds, but he is a centerfielder with heart who can also play in the slot.

Round 2 Pick 52: CB Adoree’ Jackson, USC

Jackson is an elite athlete who showed greatly improved ball skills and coverage in his final season as a USC Trojan. He can start out in the slot and work his way outside later in his career, while being a huge bonus on special teams as a return man.

Round 3 Pick 65: TE Evan Ingram, Ole Miss

An explosive athlete at tight end in the mold of Washington’s Jordan Reed. Ingram ran a 4.42 40-yard dash at the combine. He will be a chess piece for Hue Jackson to move around the field. He needs to get better at sitting in zone coverage, but manages to find himself open at all levels of the field in man.

Round 4 Pick 108: EDGE Tarell Basham, Ohio

Athletic and strong off of the edge, Basham has an NFL body at 6’4″ and 270 pounds and shows flashes of explosion. His stiffness and lack of a full arsenal of pass rush moves will allow him to slide here where he can be a steal for the Cleveland Browns.

Round 5 Pick 145: WR JuJu Smith-Schuster

Smith-Schuster has very good size and average speed for the WR position. He is a very aggressive target and has great body control. At this point in the draft Smith-Schuster would be a steal as he as all the talent and ability to be at worst a very good number two WR in the NFL.

Round 5 Pick 175: SS Delano Hill, Michigan

A perfect fit for a Greg Williams defense as Hill is aggressive and physical at the point of attack and loves to live near the line of scrimmage. His coverage skills leave something to be desired, but he does have the ability to become an average zone defender.

Round 5 Pick 181: DT Davon Godchaux, LSU

Godchaux is a space eater and will be a rotation guy who will probably rarely, if ever, get much of a pass rush. He has the ability to use his hands, leverage, and reaction times to fill the hole.

Round 6 Pick 185: LB Alex Anzalone, Florida

A very talented and fluid linebacker who just cannot seem to stay healthy. Anzalone can be a steal at this point in the draft or at minimum a guy who can help on special teams. If he can stay healthy, he could develop into a very good player, however, given his history that is a very big if.

Round 6 Pick 188: RB Donnel Pumphrey, San Diego State

A small (5’8″, 176 pounds) but very fluid runner with great agility. He is the all time leading rusher in NCAA history and has proven he is able to take a beating. His size will hurt him against NFL blitzers but his heart will help him in the run game.

 

Browns, Draft, NFL, Uncategorized

Stunner: Browns Acquire Osweiler

Leave a comment

In a move that stunned the NFL the Cleveland Browns have acquired quarterback Brock Osweiler from the Houston Texans via trade on Thursday.

In the deal, the Browns sent a 2017 fourth-round pick to the Texans who in return for Osweiler, a 2017 sixth-round pick and a 2018 second-round pick.While the move surprised many it is actually one of the rare deals that works out great for both parties involved.

The Texans get out from under the $16 million in cash owed to Osweiler and the $10 million cap hit he would have had after they signed him to a four-year $72 million contract in 2016. The money can now give the team the flexibility to sign Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo whom the team feels can lead them deeper into the playoffs than their defense has over the past two seasons.

The Browns give up a late fourth-round pick, most likely a compensatory pick, and now have added a third second-round pick in the 2018 draft and have already fielded calls for Osweiler who they are not looking to keep. If they fail to trade Osweiler, the team will likely release him. His $16 million would count as dead money on the cap in 2017, but if the team also releases quarterback Robert Griffin they would save nearly $7 million and in turn only be forced to take the hit for $9 million of Osweilers contract after subtracting RGIII.

While most think that it would be impossible to find a taker for Osweiler,the Browns are willing to pay half of his 2017 salary. At $8 million for 2017 it’s not a terrible option, especially after seeing Mike Glennon get $15 million per season from the Chicago Bears. Osweiler is guaranteed $16 million this season but nothing in 2018 or 19, so any team trading for him could pay $8 million for one season and then move on if they do not want to pay the $18 million he is due in 2018 or $13 million base and $4 million roster bonus in 2019.

The original trade was shocking, but after seeing the details it looks like a very smart trade for the Browns front office, essentially buying a 2018 second-round pick for possibly $9 million and whatever else they can get from the deal. It is an NBA like trade for an MLB like front office in the NFL.

Browns, Draft

OAB365 2017 NFL Mock Draft Version 1.0

Leave a comment

We are 55 days from the 2017 NFL Draft and with the Cleveland Browns holding the first pick, just about anything is possible. Over the next 7 weeks I will be posting a mock draft each week. On alternating weeks, I will post an NFL mock draft and on the other weeks I will post a Browns only mock.

Today begins the first NFL Mock draft of the season here on OrangeandBrown365.com, it will be interesting to see how things change following the NFL Combine, free agency, as well as pro days. One thing I do not think will change is my number one player, Myles Garrett. Will he remain the number one overall pick though? We shall see over the next 55 days.

This weeks mock will show the team and their pick only, later versions will add in depth analysis…

  1. Cleveland Browns- DE Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
  2. San Francisco 49ers- QB DeShone Kizer, Notre Dame
  3. Chicago Bears- S Jamal Adams, LSU
  4. Jacksonville Jaguars- RB Dalvin Cook, Florida State
  5. Tennessee Titans- WR Mike Williams, Clemson
  6. New York Jets- RB Leonard Fournette, LSU
  7. San Diego Chargers- WR Corey Davis, Western Michigan
  8. Carolina Panthers- DT Jonathan Allen, Alabama
  9. Cincinnati Bengals- DE Solomon Thomas, Stanford
  10. Buffalo Bills- QB Deshaun Watson, Clemson
  11. New Orleans Saints- S Malik Hooker, Ohio State
  12. Cleveland Brown- QB Mitch Trubisky, North Carolina
  13. Arizona Cardinals- CB Marshon Lattimore, Ohio State
  14. Philadelphia Eagles- TE O.J Howard, Alabama
  15. Indianapolis Colts- WR John Ross, Washington
  16. Baltimore Ravens- CB Sidney Jones, Washington
  17. Washington Redskins- S Jabrill Peppers, Michigan
  18. Tennessee Titans- S Budda Baker, Washington
  19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- DE Taco Charlton, Michigan
  20. Denver Broncos- OT Ryan Ramczyk, Wisconsin
  21. Detroit Lions- CB Marlon Humphrey, Alabama
  22. Miami Dolphins- LB Tim Williams, Alabama
  23. New York Giants- QB Patrick Mahomes, Texas Tech
  24. Oakland Raiders- CB Tre’Davious White, LSU
  25. Houston Texans- OT Garett Boles, Utah
  26. Seattle Seahawks- DT Caleb Brantley, Florida
  27. Kansas City Chiefs- DE Derek Barnett, Tennessee
  28. Dallas Cowboys- DE Charles Harris, Missouri
  29. Green Bay Packers- RB Christian McCaffrey, Stanford
  30. Pittsburgh Steelers- LB Takkarist McKinley, UCLA
  31. Atlanta Falcons- LB Haason Reddick, Temple
  32. New England Patriots- OG Forrest Lamp, Western Kentucky