Cleveland Browns (2014 Season)

[Buckeneye]

Well we have 2 good ones, that's true...Schwartz not so much, but he was round 2. I like Watkins over Bortles or Johnny FUBAR, I know people aren't sold on him, but look at all the busting people did (here and elsewhere, and I was one of them) on Alshon Jeffrey when he came out too...would love to have him right now.

The issue with Alshon wasn't his injury history, it was his conditioning and attitude. He fell igood spot with an established pro in Brandon Marshall to follow.

I hear what Piney is saying. Watkins is still a significant risk. This draft is deep - however the lack of franchise changing talent at positions the Browns need can be hard to justify at #4 overall. A guard at 4overall? No. ILB? No.

If a trade down is possible I'd absolutely take it depending on whats offered. I would complain about a combo of Evans/Mosley or Mosley/Filo.

 

[tsteele316]

The issue with Alshon wasn't his injury history, it was his conditioning and attitude. He fell igood spot with an established pro in Brandon Marshall to follow.

I hear what Piney is saying. Watkins is still a significant risk. This draft is deep - however the lack of franchise changing talent at positions the Browns need can be hard to justify at #4 overall. A guard at 4overall? No. ILB? No.

If a trade down is possible I'd absolutely take it depending on whats offered. I would complain about a combo of Evans/Mosley or Mosley/Filo.

everything hinges on what the texans do at #1. If they take clowney and pass on a qb, then the whole draft goes apeshit. despite posturing to the contrary, the Rams are taking a tackle at #2. So, you have oakland and atlanta at 5 and 6, both of which are desperate for OL and a pass rush. if the browns seriously ponder taking a RT at #4, the Raiders will jizz on Khalil Mack, and the falcons will be screwed. so, there could be a lot of movement in the draft if the texans don't take Bortles #1, which I don't think they will.

As that relates to the browns, you can start to see what they are thinking based on their FA moves thus far. they were heavily invested in cb's, including revis, carroll, and varner, and the HC has let it be known that he loves cb's. they have been active in the LB market, and heavy after slot wr's.

where they've shown little movement thus far is in the OL. now maybe they let the initial wave of OT frenzy spending pass, and will pluck a stopgap starter at guard on the cheap. they've also shown no interest in guys considered to be outside wr's. guys like james jones, nicks, et all are all out there for the taking, with little movement. again, maybe they'll snare someone like santonio holmes on the cheap.

so, now with a ben tate signing looking imminent, and apparently arthur moats being a foregone completion, it certainly looks like the browns haven't locked themselves into needing to address specific positions in the top 35 picks, save for the OL.

the browns have also shown no interest in qb's, which doesn't mean anything.

 

[exhawg]

I posted the same yesterday...Su'a-Filo at #26 sandwiched by Watkins and Hyde makes a lot of sense to me. I could make a case from Yankey from Stanford at #26 as well but I don't think he fits the ZBS as well. Then address CB and ILB and look for a QB late after they sign Schaub (although it looks like Houston wants to trade him now). That's what I would like to see happen.

I could also make a case for Watkins at #4, best QB available at #26 (likely Carr), Hyde in the 2nd, and using their third round picks to targets an OG (Gabe Jackson or Brandon Thomas) and an ILB (Chris Borland in the third would be nice).

If they go QB late this is an intriguing idea (although I think I like Mettenberger better):

Nick Saban: Passing on A.J. McCarron would be a huge mistake

Lastly, I think this article is failing to take into account a lot of the intangible stuff Whitner and Dansby are bringing to the table:

Whitner cost Browns a lot more than Ward cost Broncos

And look who just posted himself in Browns gear on Instagram:

As much as I want Hyde in Cleveland I don't see it happening if they sign Tate. Probably end up going to another AFC North team and fuck with the Browns for years. I could get behind Mettenberger in the 3rd as long as they can sign a legit challenger to Hoyer for this season. If they don't go Hyde in the 2nd the scarlet color glasses say Roby.

 

[wadc45]

As much as I want Hyde in Cleveland I don't see it happening if they sign Tate. Probably end up going to another AFC North team and fuck with the Browns for years. I could get behind Mettenberger in the 3rd as long as they can sign a legit challenger to Hoyer for this season. If they don't go Hyde in the 2nd the scarlet color glasses say Roby.

I hear you...but I am saying I do not want them to sign Tate. They will overpay him and RBs are a dime a dozen. Plus Hyde fits the zone blocking scheme really well.

 

[tsteele316]

I hear you...but I am saying I do not want them to sign Tate. They will overpay him and RBs are a dime a dozen. Plus Hyde fits the zone blocking scheme really well.

1. the rb's already off the market went for pretty cheap.
2. the myth that you can draft any rb late in the draft and they can churn out yards is overblown. what you typically get with the successful later round rb picks are guys that go to good teams and are adequate complimentary backs.
3. hyde fan or not, cleveland is not in a position roster wise where using the #35 pick on a rb is a good allocation of resources. besides, if they are a dime a dozen by your own words, why in the world would cleveland use a high draft pick on hyde?

 

[Bucklion]

As much as I want Hyde in Cleveland I don't see it happening if they sign Tate. Probably end up going to another AFC North team and fuck with the Browns for years. I could get behind Mettenberger in the 3rd as long as they can sign a legit challenger to Hoyer for this season. If they don't go Hyde in the 2nd the scarlet color glasses say Roby.

I do not want Roby, I think he took a step back last year and I think he has limitations. Maybe not Skrine limitations, but limitations nonetheless. I think they can get a much more productive player in the second if they don't go all Veikune on us.

 

[Bucklion]

1. the rb's already off the market went for pretty cheap.
2. the myth that you can draft any rb late in the draft and they can churn out yards is overblown. what you typically get with the successful later round rb picks are guys that go to good teams and are adequate complimentary backs.
3. hyde fan or not, cleveland is not in a position roster wise where using the #35 pick on a rb is a good allocation of resources. besides, if they are a dime a dozen by your own words, why in the world would cleveland use a high draft pick on hyde?

That may be all we need (#2)...if we are a pass first and second team like we were last year, they don't need a 300, or even 250, carry guy...2 guys that can catch and carry it 10-12 times could work if we develop the passing game well enough. Of course all that is assuming a lot...

 

[Bucklion]

All that said above, I hope they sign Tate...something about him makes me think he could be productive here.

 

[LitlBuck]

As that relates to the browns, you can start to see what they are thinking based on their FA moves thus far. they were heavily invested in cb's, including revis, carroll, and varner, and the HC has let it be known that he loves cb's. they have been active in the LB market, and heavy after slot wr's.

if he values cb's so much why are not the Browns going after one or two of them. I know that they went at Revis but have not heard a peep about one other CB.

 

[wadc45]

1. the rb's already off the market went for pretty cheap.
2. the myth that you can draft any rb late in the draft and they can churn out yards is overblown. what you typically get with the successful later round rb picks are guys that go to good teams and are adequate complimentary backs.
3. hyde fan or not, cleveland is not in a position roster wise where using the #35 pick on a rb is a good allocation of resources. besides, if they are a dime a dozen by your own words, why in the world would cleveland use a high draft pick on hyde?

1. Donald Brown got $10+ mil over 3 years. That's not cheap to me. Tate is going to command over $4mil a year in my mind. And he's injury prone. Why not get a guy like Hyde who fits the zone blocking scheme at $5 mil over 4 years?
2. I don't subscribe to that theory either. That's why I think spending a 2nd round pick on a RB makes sense on a position of need.
3. I am concerned about Tate's shelf life considering what he is going to cost. Yes RBs are a dime a dozen to a degree. When I say that I mean taking into account their shelf life. Edwin Baker averaged 4 YPC against Pittsburgh, Chicago and the Jets. I would rather see a 2nd or 3rd round pick on a back that fits Shanahan's system.

Granted it's looking more and more like they will sign Tate, so this is all moot. In that case I would like to see a draft scenario of Watkins, Su'A-Filo, Carr with their first three picks.

 

[tsteele316]

1. Donald Brown got $10+ mil over 3 years. That's not cheap to me. Tate is going to command over $4mil a year in my mind. And he's injury prone. Why not get a guy like Hyde who fits the zone blocking scheme at $5 mil over 4 years?
2. I don't subscribe to that theory either. That's why I think spending a 2nd round pick on a RB makes sense on a position of need.
3. I am concerned about Tate's shelf life considering what he is going to cost. Yes RBs are a dime a dozen to a degree. When I say that I mean taking into account their shelf life. Edwin Baker averaged 4 YPC against Pittsburgh, Chicago and the Jets. I would rather see a 2nd or 3rd round pick on a back that fits Shanahan's system.

Granted it's looking more and more like they will sign Tate, so this is all moot. In that case I would like to see a draft scenario of Watkins, Su'A-Filo, Carr with their first three picks.

1. $3-$4 million per isn't expensive at all for a productive vet, especially with the cap going up. Why use #35 on Hyde when you can get a starter at a position that costs substantially more to upgrade through FA? the value of that contract is exactly why cleveland would be foolish to use an early 2nd round pick on a rb.
2. it would make sense if your roster wasn't full of holes that are substantially more expensive and more important to fill.
3. Lee Suggs and Jerome Harrison agree with your assessment on Edwin Baker. and you probably will see a 3rd or 4th round pick at rb as well. but as of now, cleveland has zero rb's outside of a 3rd down back that hasn't really done much of anything and is coming off of a broken leg.

 

[wadc45]

1. $3-$4 million per isn't expensive at all for a productive vet, especially with the cap going up. Why use #35 on Hyde when you can get a starter at a position that costs substantially more to upgrade through FA? the value of that contract is exactly why cleveland would be foolish to use an early 2nd round pick on a rb.
2. it would make sense if your roster wasn't full of holes that are substantially more expensive and more important to fill.
3. Lee Suggs and Jerome Harrison agree with your assessment on Edwin Baker. and you probably will see a 3rd or 4th round pick at rb as well. but as of now, cleveland has zero rb's outside of a 3rd down back that hasn't really done much of anything and is coming off of a broken leg.

We will just have to agree that we like different rebuilding strategies. I prefer bringing in talent through deep drafts. New England has proven that can work. I think they have a chance to address their biggest needs (QB, RB, OG, ILB) early in this draft. I was in the camp that would have preferred to see that cap space spent on Schaub and let him compete with Hoyer. Seems the front office would rather not address the most glaring need, quarterback, through free agency but rather through the draft. Makes sense from a long-term standpoint...not as much in the short-term. The Browns division is a mess and I thought bringing in Schaub to throw to Watkins, Gordon, Cameron and a potential FA pickup coupled with backs like Hyde, Baker and Lewis would give them enough firepower to compete right away. I definitely would like to see the first pick be Watkins. Makes the most sense given what else is likely to be available (I am anti-Manziel). If they are going to go QB early then Carr should be available at #26. If that happens my prayer is the they sign Tate and then take Su'a-Filo or one of the other athletic guards like Gabe Jackson with their pick in the 2nd. I still like Borland and then the best available corner in the 3rd (maybe Lamarcus Joyner or Jaylen Watkins slip because of their heights?).

 

[exhawg]

The Browns have enough holes that they need to fill as many positions as they can with FA's and then what's left in the draft. As much as we would like to see Hyde in Cleveland Tate has been productive in Texas and probably wouldn't be that expensive for the Browns. If Farmer does things right the Browns will be in a place where they can take BPA the whole draft regardless of position in a couple years.

On a side note I'm interested to see what Chris Faulk looks like after a season to recover from his knee injury. He was getting plugged as a high round LT before he got hurt. Could be a great fit at one OG. If he is that could go a long way in fixing the Browns OL. Let Fragel battle Schwartz at RT.

I'm also interested to see where Dri Archer fits in the draft. Tiny, fragile, but can move like I've never seen. I wouldn't be surprised to see a team like the Saints take him earlier than expected to replace Sproles.

 

[tsteele316]

if he values cb's so much why are not the Browns going after one or two of them. I know that they went at Revis but have not heard a peep about one other CB.

pettine's value on cb's comes from his own mouth, and was in the Low Crossers book. We'll have to wait and see if cleveland makes a run at any cb's in the 2nd wave of free agency, such as DRC, cromartie, tarrell brown et. all.

but when the FA whiteboard pic was shown last night there were 3 cb's on the board of about 10 names.

 

[tsteele316]

We will just have to agree that we like different rebuilding strategies. I prefer bringing in talent through deep drafts. New England has proven that can work. I think they have a chance to address their biggest needs (QB, RB, OG, ILB) early in this draft. I was in the camp that would have preferred to see that cap space spent on Schaub and let him compete with Hoyer. Seems the front office would rather not address the most glaring need, quarterback, through free agency but rather through the draft. Makes sense from a long-term standpoint...not as much in the short-term. The Browns division is a mess and I thought bringing in Schaub to throw to Watkins, Gordon, Cameron and a potential FA pickup coupled with backs like Hyde, Baker and Lewis would give them enough firepower to compete right away. I definitely would like to see the first pick be Watkins. Makes the most sense given what else is likely to be available (I am anti-Manziel). If they are going to go QB early then Carr should be available at #26. If that happens my prayer is the they sign Tate and then take Su'a-Filo or one of the other athletic guards like Gabe Jackson with their pick in the 2nd. I still like Borland and then the best available corner in the 3rd (maybe Lamarcus Joyner or Jaylen Watkins slip because of their heights?).

matt shaub isn't available.