Browns, NFL

Browns, McCourty Agree to Two-Year Deal

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The Cleveland Browns and free agent CB Jason McCourty have agreed to a two-year deal on Tuesday, according to various reports. 

McCourty, an eight-year veteran, was formerly with the Tennessee Titans. 

The addition of a veteran presence will help the Browns young and lackluster secondary as McCourty can play at cornerback or at free safety where the Browns have been searching for a starter since losing Tashaun Gipson in free agency prior to the 2016 season. 

According to NFL Network reporter Courtney Fallon, McCourty has told her that he is signing a two-year, six million dollar deal with two million guaranteed to come to Cleveland. 

Browns, NFL

Wilson Fractures Patella

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In the first practice of his NFL career, Browns rookie Howard Wilson, a 4th round selection from Houston, fractured his patella and will miss “significant” time in 2017. 

It is possible that Wilson will miss the entire 2017 season, but more will be known after he has surgery on the broken kneecap. 

The Browns traded up to select Wilson as the 126th selection overall in last month’s draft in Philadelphia.       
As more information becomes available, this article will be updated. 
             

Browns, Draft, NFL

Browns Get Three Rookies Under Contract

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With rookie camp set to begin tomorrow, the Cleveland Browns have gotten three of their 10 drafted rookies under contract, the team announced on Thursday.

Howard Wilson, a fourth-round pick from Houston, Rod Johnson, a fifth-round selection from Florida State, and Matthew Dayes, a seventh-round pick from North Carolina State, all agreed to terms on their first NFL contracts.

Wilson, a cornerback, was the 126th overall pick in the 2017 draft, and will have a chance to work into the mix in the secondary early in his career. Johnson, pick number 160, is a prototype tackle who needs to refine his game if he wants to stick in the NFL. Dayes, the second to last pick in the draft at 252 overall, will be thrown into the Browns crowded backfield and may have to find a spot on special teams in order to stick on the 53-man roster.

Browns

Gordon Denied Reinstatement

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After the NFL saw a slew of players having their careers and eligibility reinstated by the league, many believed that Cleveland Browns wide reciever Josh Gordon would be next. On Thursday, however, the NFL announced that they did not feel Gordon was ready for that step and denied reinstatement for the former second-round selection in the 2012 supplemental draft.

Gordon, who has not played in a regular season game in more than two seasons, was once the brightest star on the Browns roster, but how quickly that star has faded. After having a career year in 2013, where he caught 87 balls for 1646 yards and nine scores in just 14 games, was voted to the Pro Bowl and joined Calvin Johnson as a first team all-pro at his position above players like Julio Jones, Antonio Brown, and AJ Green, Gordon has done nothing but waste his talent. Those three players are headed into next season scheduled to make over $46 million combined, while Gordon, who is still under contract for multiple seasons with the Browns on a rookie deal, will make nothing in the NFL.

For more of my thoughts on Gordon, check out OAB365.

Browns, Draft

Browns Get Defensive in Round Three

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The Cleveland Browns selected Charlotte defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi with the first pick in the third round, 65th overall, in the 2017 NFL Draft.

The senior interior lineman is 6’3″ and 305 pounds and very athletic for a man his size. He had 13.0 career sacks in his career and showed that he can not only get to the passer but also set the edge in the run game. He plays with a low center of gravity and has great hands. He will be thrown into the mix on a deep defensive line squad and could start between Danny Shelton and Myles Garrett.

The son of Nigerian immigrants, Ogunjobi did not start playing football until his sophomore year of high school.

Cleveland does not have anymore picks on day two of the draft, they will not pick again until the 5th round (145 overall).

Browns, Draft

Browns Get QB at 52

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With the 52nd pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns selected Notre Dame QB DeShone Kizer.

Kizer a 6’4″, 233 pound, redshirt sophomore from Toledo, Ohio, was looked at by some as the number one quarterback in the draft at the beginning of the scouting process. He looks the part of a QB with size, strength, and above average arm talent, but he does not come without issues.

His issues are the reason many dropped him to their fourth ranked QB in this draft and that he slid out of the first round to 52nd overall in the second round. He has severe mental lapses. He holds the ball too long at times and takes unnecessary sacks in a clean pocket. He lets his mechanics go to the wayside and throws the ball all over the field and that is why he had an interception in 15 of 23 starts.

Overall, it is really a low risk, high reward draft pick and could pan out nicely. To this point the Browns have done an excellent job in acquiring talent, gaining four very good players and first round pick next year.

The Browns will pick next at 65 overall, the first pick of the third round.

Browns, NFL

Browns Cut Barnidge

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After the Browns moved back into the first round last night to select tight end David Njoku, Gary Barnidge, being the excellent human being and teammate that he is, tweeted out a welcome to the rookie.

barnidge

Less than 18 hours later, Barnidge sent out another tweet that shows the awful truth of the NFL as he said goodbye to the team that gave him his chance to showcase his talents.

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Barnidge, a pro bowl player in 2015, was not as good in 2016 with less than 630 yards recieving. In fairness, nobody was good on the Browns in 2016.

The move isn’t that surprising after the addition of Seth DeValve in the 2016 draft and Njoku in 2017. The Browns as a team are getting younger with only four players above the age of 28 and Barnidge was being pushed out by the rookies, so rather than leave him on the roster as a mentor who wouldn’t see the field much, the team has let him go so that he has time to join someone else and for his sake, hopefully win.

Barnidge was a good player during his time in Cleveland, but was an amazing man in the community off of the field. His twitter page was always full of fan interaction, including chances for movie nights with his teammates and a group of lucky fans.

OAB365 and this writer wish Barnidge the best in the future.

Browns, Draft, NFL

Browns Trade For Another First Round Pick

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The Cleveland Browns added a third first round pick on Thursday night as they traded the first pick of the second round, 33rd overall, and the first pick of the fourth round, 108 overall, for the Green Bay Packers first round pick, 29th overall.

With the pick the Browns selected athletic tight end David Njoku from the University of Miami. More of receiver than a blocker, Njoku is an athletic freak at 6’4″ and 246 pounds. He has the ability to find the soft spot in the zone and creates great separation. He has improved as a blocker but still struggles while working as an inline tight end.

The Browns next pick will be at 52nd overall.

Browns, Draft, NFL

Browns Pick Peppers at 25

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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, NFL

Browns Trade 12th Pick to Texans

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With Malik Hooker, Johnathan Allen, O.J. Howard, and Deshaun Watson all on the board with the 12th pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns elected to pass on all of them and deal the pick to the Houston Texans, who selected Watson.

For Watson the Browns received the 25th overall pick in 2017 and the Texans first round selection in 2018. They now own the Texans first and second round picks next season and have five picks in the first two rounds.

Browns, Draft

Browns Grab Garrett First Overall

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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)

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  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

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  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

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