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2018 NFL Mock Draft Version 1.0

As the 2018 NFL Mock Draft is little over a month away, there are many pro days being held of top NFL Draft prospects. With the recent trade of the New York Jets moving up from sixth to third, we may see a quarterback selected first, second, and third overall. The trade will have the Browns exploring all options at 1 with the possibility of choosing the best player in the draft in Penn State RB Saquon Barkley or taking a quarterback in Josh Allen, Sam D’Arnold, Baker Mayfield, or Josh Rosen. John Dorsey and Co. have to perform their due diligence in interviewing each player to see if he fits the profile of the Cleveland Browns. This is my first mock draft and I will a couple, leading up to the draft. My predictions are based on position of need, schematic fit, and value. I did not predict trades and will update as needed when trades occur. So, with the first pick in the 2018 NFL Mock Draft, the Cleveland Browns select…

1. Browns – Sam D’Arnold QB USC

Note: I believe D’Arnold is the guy the Browns want to led the franchise. He’s modest and somewhat boring, but the Browns can use a guy who loves football and does not need to be in the spotlight. Yes, D’Arnold has some turnover issues which are concerning, but he has the ceiling to be the best QB of the group. Tyrod Taylor will serve as a great mentor to him in protecting the football and expanding his game with play-action passing and precision avoiding the big mistakes.

2. Giants - Josh Rosen QB UCLA

3. Jets (Colts) – Baker Mayfield QB Oklahoma

4. Browns (Texans) – Saquon Barkley RB Penn State

Note: This was a tough pick because I can make a very strong case for Bradley Chubb. Cleveland ranked last in front seven pressures last season and without Myles Garrett, the pass rush disappeared. However, the Browns lacked offensive playmakers and with the addition of Jarvis Landry and Carlos Hyde, Barkley would be an added dimension to the offense. Although Hyde signed a 3-year deal, it is pretty much a one-year deal where he has a cap hit of $6 million next season. Barkley could be the best player in the draft and with D’Arnold could be the franchise changing players Browns fans have wanted.

5. Broncos – Quenton Nelson G Notre Dame

6. Colts (Jets) – Bradley Chubb DE North Carolina State

7. Buccaneers- Minkah Fitzpatrick S Alabama

8. Bears – Tremaine Edwards LB Virginia Tech

9. 49ers – Derwin James S Florida State

10. Raiders – Denzel Ward CB Ohio State

11. Dolphins – Vita Vea DT Washington

12. Bills (Bengals) – Calvin Ridley WR Alabama

13. Redskins – Josh Jackson CB Iowa

14. Packers – Roquan Smith LB Georgia

15. Cardinals – Mitch McGlinchey OT Notre Dame

16. Ravens – Courtland Sutton WR SMU

17. Chargers – Josh Allen QB Wyoming

18. Seahawks – Marcus Davenport DE UTSA

19. Cowboys – DJ Moore WR Maryland

20. Lions – Derrius Guice RB LSU

21. Bengals (Bills) – Leighton Vander Esch LB Boise State

22. Bills – James Daniels C Iowa

23. Rams – Harold Landry DE Boston College

24. Panthers – Isaiah Oliver CB Colorado

25. Titans - James Washington WR Oklahoma State

26. Falcons – Da’Ron Payne DT Alabama

27. Saints – Ronnie Harrison S Alabama

28. Steelers – Raashan Evans LB Alabama

29. Jaguars – Dallas Goedert TE South Dakota State

30. Vikings - Will Hernandez OG UTEP

31. Patriots – Brian O’Neill OT Pittsburgh

32. Eagles – Chukwuma Okorafor OT Western Michigan

Real Players, Huh?

First, I would like to say it is good to be back writing a blog for the NFL Laughing Stock. After the Super Bowl, it was relatively a slow offseason with much of the news geared towards Free Agency and the NFL Draft. I must say I am very surprised with all the NFL trades which have occurred. The cross-strategy from the NBA with trading players who have one to two years left on their contract for draft picks has become a strategic tactic in teams relieving cap space to extend or sign players. Big names such as Marcus Peters, Aqib Talib, and Jarvis Landry (cover later) have been moved and will be immediate contributors. There was much debate with Browns fans on what John Dorsey’s plan for shaping the roster and, as of March 10th, we have seen some shocking moves to shift the culture of the organization with acquiring Landry, Tyrod Taylor, and Damarious Randall and trading Danny Shelton.

Jarvis Landry

It was reported by NFL Network Insider Ian Rappaport of the Browns being one of the potential suitors for Landry. It was evident the Dolphins would try to move him after placing the franchise tag on the receiver for $16 million in 2018. Cleveland was aggressive and gave up a 4th round pick in 2018 and 7th round pick in 2019. Landry, a three-time pro bowler, has caught over 400 passes over the past four seasons working in the slot getting the tough yards to extend drives. Although he is not a burner, Landry can separate when necessary as his physicality in yards after the catch will be embraced by the Dawg Pound. His experience will be valuable to a receiving core who needs a veteran to lead by example. Landry should benefit from having Josh Gordon as the flank receiver so providing a safety net to Tyrod Taylor can be helpful. Also, a long-term deal is expected to get done to keep Landry in Cleveland is a good thing with his age, 25, and production.

Tyrod Taylor

The second trade was more surprising as it brought in veteran quarterback, Tyrod Taylor, from the Buffalo Bills for a 3rd round pick in 2018. Taylor, who led the Bills to their first playoff appearance since 1999, is a viable starter who threw four interceptions in 420 attempts with an 89.2 quarterback rating last season. With a record of 22-20, Taylor has shown his ability to lead a team and run an offense. Although the numbers are great, Buffalo ran an anemic offense centered around LeSean McCoy where ball control and safety were top priority. Now, Taylor will have weapons around him and there will be no excuse for not playing at a high level. The selection of Taylor is an interesting one as offensive coordinator Todd Haley loves play action with a running game to set up the pass. Head Coach Hue Jackson had to be involved in the selection process and wanted Haley to be engaged in the process which is a good sign. Drafting a quarterback of the future will happen, but where will be the plot twist as Taylor is an unrestricted free agent after this upcoming season.

Damarious Randall

Before I discuss the third trade, I would like to say I hope DeShone Kizer regains his confidence and he can resurrect his short NFL career. Personally, I feel bad for Kizer after getting jettisoned after an 0-16 season which was not his fault coming to a franchise in disarray. The Packers were high on Kizer coming out of the draft last year and he can learn from Aaron Rodgers. Now, Kizer was traded for Damarious Randall, former first round pick by Green Bay, who fell out of favor with coach Mike McCarthy and the current front office. Randall offers versatility as he was a safety at Arizona State and was converted to cornerback where he’s had at least three interceptions since entering the league in 2015. If you don’t remember Randall, he and Josh Gordon got into it on twitter after the Packers beat the Browns in overtime last season. Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams plans to use Randall in his natural free safety role roaming around and making plays. There are durability concerns as he has not played a full season (knee and groin injuries) and encountered arguments with coaches so it is a player who needs to be monitored closely. The Browns have a decision to make with Randall as his 2019 fifth-year option needs to be picked up by May 2nd which will be a safety net in case he has a good season. Also, the Browns and Packers swapped 4th and 5th round picks in this year’s draft.

Danny Shelton

Lastly, a trade happening on March 10, 2018 as Danny Shelton has been traded to the New England Patriots for a 3rd round pick in 2019. Gregg Williams wanted more pass rush out of his defensive tackles and Shelton is a two-down player. Shelton, a former first round pick, was a big part of the improvement of the run defense which finished in the top ten. It will be sad to see Shelton leave, but the defensive line is the strength with Larry Ogunjobi and Caleb Brantley emerging.

Overall, the Browns upgraded all three positions with players who are productive and can be leaders within the locker room. They have been around other players who knows what it takes to win and be successful at this level. There has been positive energy from players on twitter such as Josh Gordon and Christian Kirksey which is encouraging as players are embracing the culture change. Now, we wait for free agency to begin next week and more importantly, whether Joe Thomas will return for another season. Stay tuned…

Note: All ten first round picks from 2009 to 2015 are gone from Cleveland.

Transactions (as of March 10, 2018)

Acquisitions

Jarvis Landry, WR (Miami)

Tyrod Taylor, QB (Buffalo)

Damarious Randall, S/CB (From Green Bay)

2018 4th Round Pick, 114th overall (From Green Bay)

2018 5th Round Pick, 150th overall (From Green Bay)

2019 3rd Round Pick (From New England)

Departures

Deshone Kizer, QB (To Green Bay)

Danny Shelton, DT (To New England)

2018 3rd Round Pick, 65th overall (To Buffalo)

2018 4th Round Pick, 101st overall (To Green Bay)

2018 4th Round Pick, 108th overall (To Miami)

2018 5th Round Pick, 138th overall (To Green Bay)

2018 5th Round Pick, 145th overall (To New England)

2019 7th Round Pick (To Miami)

Browns 2018 Draft Picks

1st Round: 1, 4

2nd Round: 33, 35

3rd Round: None

4th Round: 114, 123

5th Round: 150, 159

6th Round: 175

7th Round: 219

#nfllaughingstock #browns

Browns Season in Review

“Free at last, Free at last, Thank God almighty we are free at last.” Those words were said by my late fraternity brother, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Browns fans are finally free from watching this abomination of a season. Yes, the Browns finished 0-16 and everything that could go wrong went wrong. To honor the winless season, fans held a parade today celebrating what I believe an embarrassing accomplishment with the 2008 Detroit Lions. This is representative of the ownership, front office, and coaching which has not been successful in Cleveland.

Entering the season, Cleveland had the youngest team in the NFL at 24, so growing pains were expected although the team’s overall talent was improved. Although former Executive Vice President of Football Operations Sashi Brown did not make it to the end of the season, he set up new GM John Dorsey with approximately $100 million in cap space and twelve draft picks in the 2018 NFL Draft.

The Good

Browns Run Defense

An area of improvement this season was the run defense. This year, the Browns finished 7th against the run giving up 96 yards per game. I give credit to Brown and the front office for finding players such as Trevor Coley, Larry Ogunjobi, and Caleb Brantley, who have been nice rotation players with Danny Shelton and Jamie Meder. Shelton, a former 1st round pick, has been stout against the run leading the charge. Although Shelton doesn’t offer much pass rush, he must be double team as he clogs the running lanes giving Joe Schobert and Christian Kirksey opportunities to make tackles. Schobert, a Pro Bowl Alternate at ILB, finished third in the NFL with 144 tackles and Kirksey finished fifth with 138 tackles. Also, I give credit to first-year defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who brought energy and fire to a unit which was awful under Ray Horton. Williams had the Browns as a top 10 defense for majority of the season, however, season-ending injuries to Emmanuel Ogbah and Jamie Collins provided opportunities for offenses to run and pass the ball effectively. Going into the offseason, this is by far the strength of the team.

Duke Johnson

What a blessing Duke Johnson has been to our offense. Johnson may never be a primary running back, but his value as a receiving threat out of the backfield is noticed. He leads the team with 74 receptions for 693 yards and 3 touchdowns, however, Johnson averages under 10 touches per game. You would think Hue Jackson would get Johnson at least 15 touches per game, but he fell in love with the big arm of rookie quarterback Deshone Kizer. Johnson averaged 4.2 yards per carry with 3 touchdowns showing the ability to be productive out of the backfield. Additionally, Johnson is an unrestricted free agent in 2019 so it would be wise to offer him an extension this offseason.

Myles Garrett

Browns fans believe Garrett did not live up to his expectations in his first season on the team. Well, I got news for you fans because Garrett ranks as top 15 pass rusher according to Pro Football Focus. When Garrett is on the field, this defense is immediately better, and offensive coordinators are game planning for him. Yes, he did miss some games to injury and jumps offsides too much, but he is a rookie learning the NFL game. In 11 games, he has 31 tackles and 7 sacks which is not bad. He did have an interception return for a TD called back against the Bears, so he has made plays. His desire to get better is outstanding working with Joe Thomas in preparing for games showing the ability to learn. I expect Garrett to come back becoming an All-Pro next season, if healthy.

The Bad

Hue Jackson

Many people believed hiring Jackson was a move in the right direction back in 2016. Now, after going 1-31 in two seasons, fans are calling for Jackson’s job. The inability to find an adequate quarterback falls on Jackson. He entered the season with three quarterbacks who have not won an NFL game and not prepared to start. The questionable play-calling every week on offense, mishandling of Deshone Kizer, comments to the media, and the trade debacle with Cincinnati at the deadline has fans irate. Owner Jimmy Haslam came out after hiring Dorsey reiterating Jackson will be back as Head Coach for a third season. The constant dilemma with Jackson is he needs an offensive coordinator. In my opinion, I don’t believe Jackson is the right man for the job. I believe he would be a better coach on a veteran squad, not a young team as he resembles former Cavs coach Byron Scott. Currently, Jackson is the Head Coach and all we can do is pray for him to turn it around.

Deshone Kizer

Size? Check! Arm Strength? Check! Mobility? Check! Toughness? Check! Oh, my goodness, the Browns found a young quarterback with traits to be good? Kizer has the size, arm strength, mobility, and toughness to potentially succeed as a NFL quarterback, however, the accuracy, decision-making, and awareness are major flaws. Kizer has thrown 22 interceptions which some throws were outright awful. He flashed potential in preseason playing against inferior talent and the speed of the game seemed too much for him. I believe Kizer will be back on the roster, but a veteran will be brought in to compete and selecting a quarterback with the 1st pick.

Browns Wide Receivers

Besides quarterback, the wide receiver position must be addressed in the offseason. Kenny Britt was a bad signing and cut during the season. Corey Coleman hurt his hand again and has been a non-factor since returning. The drop on fourth down to lose the Steelers game will haunt him for a long time. His third season will be closely watched. Josh Gordon, while a great talent, was thrown into a bad situation with Kizer and a head coach who force fed him the ball. Ricardo Louis, Rashard Higgins, Sammie Coates, Kasen Williams Jordan Leslie, and Bryce Treggs should either not be starting or playing in the NFL. Defenses did not have to worry about receivers as they were not good enough and would not receive calls from referees. I expect Gordon and Coleman to return with new wide receivers playing aside them.

It will be intriguing to hear from Hue Jackson, John Dorsey, and Jimmy Haslam about their approach to the offseason assessing the roster and the plan to spend money in free agency to attract talent.

#nfllaughingstock #browns

Starting Over Again

Another week, another blowout. The Cleveland Browns are the NFL’s Laughing Stock! If you did not see the game versus the Houston Texans, good because you saved yourself frustration, screams, and anger. Deshaun Watson led the Texans with three touchdown passes reminding the Browns of another quarterback they passed on in the NFL draft. Now, I will admit that I was not big on the Browns selecting Watson due to his style reminiscing Robert Griffin III, however, he has surpassed expectations as Texans coach Bill O’Brien has tailored his offense to suit Watson’s skillset. So after losing 33-17, there are reports surfacing about the Browns reaching out to football executives to potentially run the organization. Browns fans are split on the issues at hand on who to blame. Is it the front office, who has used analytics to trade high draft picks to accumulate additional draft picks, passing on top players such as Carson Wentz, Ezekiel Elliot, and Jalen Ramsey? Or, is it Hue Jackson, who is reluctant of hiring an Offensive Coordinator to run his offense, and not putting his team in the best position to win? I believe the front office and coaching staff are to blame which is why I recommend firing the front office and coaching staff and starting over again.

Why should the front office be fired now?

Well, let’s start with 1-21. Yes, since the new regime has been in place in 2016, the Browns have a 1-21 record. Now, in there slight defense, I commend Sashi Brown & company for being committed to outright gutting out the team as Ray Farmer left a mess by drafting incumbent players like Johnny Manziel and Justin Gilbert, who are out of football. The Browns were long overdue for an overhaul and I believe it was a fresh start to a new era in football. With that being said, the “Moneyball” approach has proved to be more harmful than helping the team. I do not penalize the Browns for trading down from 2 to 8 in the 2016 NFL Draft because we needed to obtain more draft picks, however, their assessment of Carson Wentz “not being a top 20 quarterback” looks very bad. Wentz beat the Browns in the 2016 opener as a rookie, and now has Philadelphia with a 5-1 record atop the NFC East. Eventually, the Browns traded down again, now to the Tennessee Titans, to the 15th pick to select Corey Coleman from Baylor. Currently, Coleman is out with a hand injury, has not lived up to his expectations, but has flashed potential when available. I believe his absence has hurt the team tremendously with Deshone Kizer looking for him vertically to make big plays.

From the 2016 & 2017 NFL Drafts, the Browns have some players who have played. Myles Garrett looks like a star. Jabrill Peppers, who has talent and ability, is playing out of position at free safety and should be closer to the line of scrimmage. Also, I believe he should be used on offense, but that’s a conversation for another day. David Njoku and Deshone Kizer have potential, but are very raw and it shows, especially Kizer. The Browns will need to put Kizer in as the starting quarterback again to see if he can show enough to convince management to not select a quarterback in the upcoming draft. Larry Ogbujobi has been a pleasant surprise at defensive tackle. Zane Gonzalez, who missed key field goals in the loss to the Jets, made a field goal and extra points against the Texans. Emmanuel Ogbah has been somewhat of a disappointment in his second year, but hopefully he will get in going with his athletic ability. Carl Nassib has been a nice rotation player at defensive end. Ricardo Louis unfortunately is starting. Coleman, who I mentioned earlier, is starting on a good offensive line. Cody Kessler was a horrible pick in the third round. Derrick Kindred is getting significant playing time, although I believe rookie Jabrill Peppers should be playing strong safety. Joe Schobert filling in at middle linebacker has been a spark leading the team with 49 tackles. Seth DeValve has not evolved into the tight end that he was considered to be as a sleeper pick. Rashard Higgins has been up and down. Briean Boddy-Calhoun, an undrafted free agent from Minnesota, has been a big part of the defense playing all over.

Brown has executed some trades which brought in Jamie Collins and Jamar Taylor. Both were resigned to deals and have somewhat disappointed so far. I am concerned that Collins doesn’t always play hard and his coasting playing style will cause a lot of headaches. They signed Jason McCourty, who has played extremely well. However, trading for Brock Osweiler and Calvin Pryor did not work out.

Overall, I believe the 2016 class has underachieved and the 2017 class has met expectations. We passed up some great talent in this draft, who are playing well, and left with players who are unable to stay on the field or not making an impact. This ultimately leads me to firing Sashi Brown & company due to the inability to solve the quarterback position and properly addressing the skill positions on offense. Currently, the Browns have no playmakers at WR. They passed on Will Fuller, Michael Thomas, Tyreek Hill, Cooper Kupp, and Ju-Ju Smith Schuster. Not resigning Terrelle Pryor was a big mistake as Kenny Britt has been a disaster and should be cut at the end of the season immediately, if not sooner. This is the same issue Ray Farmer & company had in neglecting the position. Also, there is a fear that Brown may consider trading Joe Thomas, who has one more year left on his contract, to a team in need of offensive line help for draft picks. Jimmy Haslam should inform Brown to not trade Thomas as he has been a cornerstore for a decade and it would unravel the team. I do not feel comfortable with the “Moneyball” approach as it has proved to be wrong and now it is time to cut our losses with it and hire a General Manager with an actual football background who can assemble a staff that can scout talent. If a new General Manager is hired, he will have five picks within the first and second rounds and approximately $49 million dollars in cap space. If the right moves are made, I truly believe the Browns could compete next year in the AFC North.

Sorry Hue, now’s your cue to go…

I was very excited about Hue Jackson becoming the Head Coach of the Browns. He had at least one year of head coaching experience and helped Andy Dalton to evolve into a decent quarterback for the Bengals. It has been a very ugly scene since he has taken over. Last year, the team was in rebuild mode and so he was given a pass. The offensive line was awful. Injuries were mounting up and took a toll. The talent was not there. I gave Jackson a pass because it was a bad situation.

The offensive line was upgraded with signing JC Tretter and Kevin Zeitler. So far, both have played decent and have stabilized a weak group from last year. Kenny Britt was signed and has not been worth his contract. The front office placed an emphasis on defense in the draft which left the cupboard bare on addressing offensive problems.

Now, Jackson’s playcalling has gotten worse as the season’s progressed. I believe he does not use his limited offensive weapons well with Duke Johnson, David Njoku, and Seth DeValve. I see too often plays that look too complex or should not have been called where the Browns offense was located. Kizer deserved to be benched after his performance against the Jets with two crucial turnovers in the red zone. But to be honest, I blame Jackson because he has to put his rookie quarterback in the best position to win and he hasn’t. The quarterback talent isn’t up to starting standards, but you must know what your teams’ strength are and use it to your advantage. It seems like the team is starting to lose its edge and the losing is taking a toll on its young players.

He has been dealt a tough hand with working with abysmal talent with wide receivers being signed off the street weekly and Isaiah Crowell is too busy thinking about his next contract. I am unsure of what Jackson can do with this offense as he does not have the quarterback right now to execute what he wants and the skill positions severely need upgrading. The offense has played from behind in every game, but turnovers and penalties have set the team back from scoring points. If the Browns do not win a game soon, Jackson will not make it to coach the team for a third season.

Closing Thoughts

We have ten games left so maybe the Browns can win some games. A lot of teams are banged up with superstars and have backups playing. The Browns have some talent to work with, but the play calling must improve and the front office will need to make the right moves to keep their jobs. Unfortunately, I do not think it will be enough to save them all.

Browns vs. Bengals: Keys to the Game

The Browns enter week four winless, however, their opponent, the Cincinnati Bengals, are also winless. The Battle of Ohio is usually a competitive game as both team will play tough to earn their first win. The Bengals will have linebacker Vontaze Burflict available after serving a three-game suspension for a hit in the preseason. Cincinnati struggled on offense the first two weeks and had a much better game last week with Andy Dalton and AJ Green playing well. The Bengals defense is physical and aggressive so it’s another defense the Browns offense must be physical with at the line of scrimmage. Here are five keys to the game this week.

1. Stop AJ Green: Don’t let him beat you.

Green had a big game last week against Green Bay with 10 catches for 113 yards and a touchdown. The Cleveland secondary has given up big plays to Antonio Brown and Ty Hilton, who have used their agility to shake off cornerbacks with their breakaway speed. Jamar Taylor and Jason McCourty will have their hands full. If the Browns can contain Green, they will have a good chance of winning the game.

2. Don’t Take Unnecessary Hits: Kizer must get down when scrambling.

A concern with fans and coaching staff is Kizer still taking hard hits from opponents. He has taken big hits each week by sliding late scrambling for extra yards. Yes, he’s a big quarterback, but he needs to protect himself because the hits will add up. As I said before, Vontaze Burflict is back and is one of the most aggressive hitters in football so he needs to get down and not take any unnecessary shots.

3. Limit Turnovers and Penalties: Setbacks will cause you to lose the game.

Last week, it was a struggle with penalties mostly attributed to offensive pass interferences and false starts. Discipline is on the coaches as it has been a repetitive theme. Young teams will not succeed making senseless penalties as it changes field position and reduces confidence. The turnovers have started to increase with Kizer continuing to make poor throws. In his defense, the wide receiving core is a mess and it does not look as it will get better soon. A week of practice should build chemistry with Rashard Higgins and Jordan Leslie get acclimated in the offense.

4. Take what the defense gives you: Kizer must use short and intermediate area.

Kizer has seeked the big play often as the Browns have played from behind in every game. This has caused him to hold onto the ball too long resulting in coverage sacks. If you observe some plays, there have been open receivers and Kizer has not seen them. Hue Jackson probably informed Kizer that you do not have to always go deep, but take what the defense is giving you. The Bengals rank fourth in pass defense so they will be reading Kizer’s eyes to where he will throw the ball.

5. Establish the run: Can the Browns have an effective run game.

A major problem is the run game and it can be a combination of things. This will be the fourth game with this offensive line group playing together. JC Tretter has struggled and Kevin Zeitler has battled a wrist injury. Shon Coleman has been a pleasant surprise at right tackle. Isaiah Crowell has been ineffective through three games as he seems to be focused on a new contract and not playing well. If he continues to have that mindset, Jackson will have to use Duke Johnson and rookie Matt Dayes to generate some offense.

Browns vs. Colts: Keys to the Game

Entering week three at 0-2, the Browns travel to Indianapolis to face the Colts, who also are 0-2. Both teams have struggled offensively moving the ball. Without Andrew Luck, Indianapolis looks like a team with no identity on offense and the defense is a mess. It can be a start to a potential winning streak, however, the Browns will need to take advantage in this game. Here are my five keys to the game for Sunday.

1. Get off to a fast start: Take control of the game early

When you play a bad team, it is important to get out early to prevent them from having any confidence. The Browns need to either score on the first drive or force a turnover on the first possession to set the tone in this game. If the Colts get off to a quick start offensively, it will place the Browns offense in catch up with a struggling Deshone Kizer managing an offense with no clear identity.

2. Stick to the Run: Crowell needs 20-25 carries

The running game has yet to be established as coach Hue Jackson has been criticized for the lack of runs. In Jackson defense, the Browns have been behind so the pass was the option to get back in games. Isaiah Crowell needs to have a big game this week. He has had a couple of good runs, but his average vision has shown in not seeing holes resulting in little production. The bad news for the Browns is Indianapolis ranks seventh against the run allowing 73 yards per game. A player to watch is former Ohio State DT Jonathan Hankins.

3. Get Rid of It: Kizer must get rid of the ball

A big problem with the Browns offense in two games is Kizer holding on the ball too long. Kizer is holding onto the ball for 3.02 seconds, the worst in the NFL, taking 10 sacks. He had struggled against the blitz and needs to either check down or throw the ball away if under duress. Indianapolis ranks 28th against the pass so if Kizer can exploit the secondary, he could have a big day. It will be a challenge with lackluster wide receiver play. Rashard Higgins led the team in receiving last week and I expect him to continue getting targets. Watch out for Jordan Leslie this week!

4. Hit Brissett: Browns DL must generate pass rush

Like Kizer, Jacoby Brissett holds onto the ball too long as well at 2.68 seconds. The Browns have only accumulated three sacks through two weeks. That needs to change this week as this would be a great opportunity to take some frustration out after two losses. There is a possibility that we will see Myles Garrett in action so he could bolster the defensive line. I look for Nate Orchard to have a big game against Indianapolis.

5. Limit Turnovers: Offense must take care of the football

Last week, Baltimore forced five turnovers just dominating the young Cleveland offense. In growing, you must take care of the football. Hue Jackson may need to simplify the playbook for Kizer as he needs to become more comfortable with decision making. Also, running the football should reduce turnovers and wear out the Colts defense.

Browns vs. Ravens: Keys to the Game

The Browns (0-1) are in Baltimore playing the Ravens (1-0), who had an impressive showing against the Cincinnati shutting them out 20-0. After reviewing the performance last week against the Steelers, here are the five keys to the game today.

1. Quick Release: Kizer must get rid of the ball quickly.

Although Kizer had some impressive moments last week, he took seven sacks last week. Out of the seven sacks, I saw four that he held onto the ball too long. It is expected as a rookie, however, the Ravens got five sacks on Andy Dalton rattling him all game. Recognizing different packages presented by Baltimore will be a daunting task with Terrell Suggs as company. The offensive line will need to step up today as JC Tretter will be against Brandon Williams. Tretter did not have a good game last week. Also, Kevin Zeitler had a small procedure on his right thumb which he will wear a cast to protect in today’s game.

2. Establish the Run: Browns running game must perform better.

It was a disappointing performance last week with the running game. Simply, the Browns need to get more physical at the point of attack. Tretter and Zeitler did not play well in their debuts and we brought these guys to stabilize the interior. As I stated previously, Brandon Williams is going to apply pressure up the middle so doubling him would be ideal. Isaiah Crowell averaged 1.9 yards per carry which is unacceptable. Opening holes for Crowell and Matt Dayes will be tough, but it must be done. If we don’t establish the run, we will not win today.

3. Get Pressure: Sack Flacco.

The defense was getting some pressure on Pittsburgh last week, however, one sack was registered. Gregg Williams wants more pressure and expects it from his defensive line on a weekly basis. The absence of Myles Garrett was felt with Ben Roethlisberger throwing quick release passes to avoid pressure. Joe Flacco was protected well last week so give credit to Baltimore’s offensive line. I am expecting more from our defensive ends as they must get pressure on Flacco.

4. Limit the big plays: Don’t let the Flacco beat you with his arm.

Flacco is 15 and 2 against Cleveland since entering the NFL in 2008. He has had big game performances in the past so I am expecting more than 17 passes. Baltimore has speed on the outside with Jeremy Maclin, Mike Wallace, and Breshard Perriman, who will try to run play-action to stretch the field vertically. The secondary, especially the cornerbacks, must limit the amount of big plays. Antonio Brown singlehandedly dominated with slant routes man to man coverage. Devin McCourty will need to redeem himself after a disappointing performance.

5. Make the big play: Which target will have a big game today?

Corey Coleman made some great moves last week including a tough fourth and goal catch for a touchdown taking a huge hit. He has established chemistry with Kizer giving him a target he can find. Kenny Britt will need to bounce back after being a non-factor. His comments earlier last week were not encouraging, however, he needs to have a big game today. I would like to see Seth DeValve, David Njoku, and Kasen Williams get more targets today against the linebackers and secondary of Baltimore. It will be tough with Eric Weddle and Tony Jefferson patrolling the back end as a dynamic duo.

Week 1 Recap: Steelers - 21, Browns -18

Man, why does Antonio Brown always destroy the Browns? Brown caught all 11 targets for 182 yards including a game changing 36-yard catch in traffic on third down with 2:26 minutes remaining in the game. The Browns struggled with accounting for Brown who gets off the line of scrimmage quickly with slants. Jamar Taylor and Jason McCourty were matched up on Brown and could not stop him. Browns fans will probably be very mad because Joe Haden is now with the Steelers, but as we all know, Joe Haden would not have stopped him either. In addition to Browns, Steelers Tight End Jesse James had two touchdown receptions which Christian Kirksey was staring down Ben Roethlisberger freezing him for James to get open. The linebackers will need to play better in coverage against tight ends who will look to attack Kirksey and Jamie Collins.

Overall, the Browns defense played well. There was a ton of energy and excitement to get back on the field playing in front of 67,000 fans in First Energy Stadium. The run defense was outstanding today with holding arguably the best running back in Le’Veon Bell to 32 yards on 10 carries. Bell, who signed his franchise tag on September 1, did not look in game shape as he was not hitting the holes as aggressive once he finds a lane and not engage in the passing game receiving screens from Ben Roethlisberger. The safeties played a very large role as Jabrill Peppers and Derrick Kindred were very active against the run and pass. Kindred intercepted Roethlisberger in the fourth quarter as the Browns were down 21-10. Gregg Williams will continue to blitz with disguised schemes and needs to work on zone coverage to not have wide receivers find soft zones to move the chains.

Now, the Browns offense is a work in progress. First, DeShone Kizer deserves some praise for giving the Browns a quarterback who the fan base has been longing for since 1999, however, he deserves some blame as well. Kizer, who finished 20 of 30 with 220 yards, held the ball too long, resulting in seven sacks for the Pittsburgh defense. TJ Watt made an outstanding leaping catch for an interception on a poor decision by Kizer as the Browns were in Steelers territory. This was the first game for Kizer and Hue Jackson will instruct Kizer to get rid of the ball quicker and make smarter decisions with passing and running the ball. Kizer looks to have chemistry with Corey Coleman, who caught 5 passes for 53 yards and a touchdown, to cut the lead to 5 late in the fourth quarter. That connection will need to be strong as the season progresses. Kenny Britt had a key drop on 3 and 19 as he turned his head before catching the ball. Britt will need to show he was a good acquisition because he has not looked great since signing the contract in the off-season.

Isaiah Crowell did not have a good day finishing with 33 yards on 17 carries. I give credit to Pittsburgh’s run defense as they game planned to stop Crowell from hitting holes. The Browns looked overmatched at the line of scrimmage when running the ball with JC Tretter and Kevin Zeitler brought in for improving the offensive line. The running games needs to improve fast with the next game being against the Baltimore Ravens. Hue Jackson will need to figure out how to attack another stout 3-4 defense.

Overall, I was impressed with the Browns attitude, fight, and will throughout the game. Last year against the Eagles, they simply were overmatched and Robert Griffin III got injured. You can see the raw talent with the rookies, second, and third year players who are ready to make an impact this season. The mistakes will happen as we saw today, but losing by a field goal to a team who potentially could be in the Super Bowl, is a good step in the right direction for improvement during the 2017 season.

#WeBarkTogether

Browns vs. Steelers: Keys to the Game

Here are five keys to the game which could propel the Browns to an upset.

1. Favorable Spot: Get Good Field Position for DeShone Kizer

It will be important to have good field position when Kizer takes the field. Kizer will need to be placed into situations for success and having short field to orchestrate good drives. Jabrill Peppers will be handling kickoff and punt return duties so if he can provide a spark on special teams for the offense, it can ease pressure off Kizer from having to go 80 and 90-yard drives. Pay attention to the Browns field position throughout the game.

2. Force Turnovers: Get Big Ben to Make Bad Decisions

Ben Roethlisberger will go down as the best quarterback in Steelers history, however, he is now 35 with battling injuries, even contemplating retirement this past off-season. Roethlisberger will have his weapons in Antonio Brown, Le’Veon Bell, and Martavis Bryant. The Browns defense will have their hands full containing all of them, but forcing early turnovers could rattle the Steelers offense. Although preseason, the Browns ranked third in total defense and second against the run, which has been a bright spot with new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. Obviously, Myles Garrett will not play so Carl Nassib and Nate Orchard must step up and provide a much-needed pass rush.

3. On the Perimeter: Corey Coleman and Crew Must Make Plays

As well documented, the play of the wide receivers has not been impressive leading to the acquisition of former Steeler Sammie Coates and Kasen Williams. Coleman looked like a #1 receiver in preseason connecting with Deshone Kizer. Britt has not looked great and will need to show his value tomorrow against Joe Haden and Artie Burns. Also, Seth DeValve and David Njoku need to make plays as Hue Jackson expects his tight ends to extend the field vertically. The front seven of the Pittsburgh defense will put pressure on Kizer to make bad decisions so help the rookie out!

4. Feed the Crow: Give the Ball to Crowell Early and Often

The Browns are dedicated to running the ball this season and Crowell will be a big part of the gameplan. Crowell flashed ability last season with a subpar offensive line which has been reformed with JC Tretter, Kevin Zeitler, and Shon Coleman along Joe Thomas and Joel Bitonio. It will be crucial for the offensive line to control the line of scrimmage and provide lanes for Crowell to make plays. Using Crowell effectively will take the burden off Kizer to make plays.

5. Be Disciplined: Limit Penalties

In the preseason, the Browns were having issues offensively with alignment and timing issues. In all, reduce the penalties as field position is important. The offense should feel coordinated with formations and time management. The defense should be disciplined not committing personal foul penalties, pass interference, and off-sides. The more disciplined team will win this football game.

Secret Guide to Fantasy Football

Football is back so guess what that means? Yes, fantasy football is here! The most anticipated time of the year as star players are resting and rookies and journeymen are getting an opportunity to showcase themselves to make the 53-man roster. So, I know what you’re thinking how you should approach your fantasy football draft.

First, you need to understand the rules of your league. Some leagues feature keepers, which is you can keep a player who was on your team last season (personally not a fan), defensive players, and multiple flex positions to name a few. Knowing the scoring method will provide guidance on finding value throughout the draft.

Second, do not strictly select members from your favorite team. I know we love our special players, but if you are a Browns fan such as myself, you may not want to draft Brock Osweiler. Watching other teams’ players who perform well will get on your radar and make you consider drafting them.

Third, the waiver wire will help you to win your league. I believe many draftees believe drafting will automatically make you win. You should pay attention to players who get opportunities to play due to bye weeks, injuries, suspensions, or lack of production. Rookies will make an impact, players who are in a contract year step up, and unnoticed players will come out of nowhere. Moving further, I am providing you a positional guide of how to draft each position in your league.

Quarterback

Depending on your league, quarterback is an important position. The qualities to look for in your quarterback is completion %, total passes, and touchdowns. The NFL is a passing league so you want a quarterback who throws a lot and scores points. Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, and Drew Brees are great fantasy quarterbacks as they excel in all three areas. Also, quarterbacks who can run provide value such as Cam Newton and Russell Wilson, however, injuries and poor offensive lines are factors to consider when dealing with dual-threat quarterbacks.

Breakout QBs: Jameis Winston, Buccaneers and Carson Wentz, Eagles

Running Back

Running back is the most important position in fantasy football. Draft RBs early as they will not last and the drop off is real. This year will be interesting with Ezekiel Elliott suspended for the first six games of the season which will drop his value some. Le’Veon Bell is a holdout for the Steelers leaving David Johnson as the top fantasy running back and for good reason after his performance last year. After those three, you have some drop off but DeMarco Murray, Le’Sean McCoy, Jay Ajayi, Jordan Howard, and Leonard Fournette will be potential RB1s. . The qualities to look for in your running back is being the primary ball carrier, state of the offensive line, and can he play all three downs. You want a RB who can be on the field and impact the game as much as possible so draft wisely this position as it can make or break your season.

Breakout Running Backs: Isaiah Crowell, Browns (Contract Year) and Mike Gillislee, Patriots

Wide Receiver

The glamour position of fantasy football is wide receiver with playmakers such as Odell Beckham Jr., Antonio Brown, and Julio Jones, but this is the deepest position where you can find significant value throughout the draft. Every year, wide receivers come from out of nowhere (Terrelle Pryor) so always keep an eye on under-the-radar guys who are not getting any love. The qualities to look for in drafting your wide receivers are total targets, playmaking ability, and touchdowns. You can select a WR in the first round, but remember you can always find value in the late rounds who can provide a boost when your star receiver is on a bye week.

Breakout Wide Receiver: Tyrell Williams, Chargers and Jamison Crowder, Redskins

Tight End

Tight Ends are providing more value in fantasy football despite being an underappreciated position. Usually, the question about tight ends is “When will Gronk be selected?” Well, I am here to tell you drafting Gronk in the second or third round will be a steal although coming off injury and the acquisition of Brandin Cooks. You still have Greg Olsen, Travis Kelce, Jordan Reed, Jimmy Graham, and Delanie Walker to name a few as good options after Gronk so all hope isn’t lost. The qualities to look for in drafting your tight ends are not a blocker, solid hands, and a red-zone matchup nightmare. All of those are important in racking up points for the tight end position and they provide a consistent score weekly.

Breakout Tight Ends: Cameron Brate, Buccaneers, and Jack Doyle, Colts

Defense/Special Teams

Honestly, we draft specifically for defense, but special teams can really win you a week when an offense is struggling. Players such as Tyreek Hill literally won games last year so an exceptional return man can make a big difference. Now, back to the defense as the Seahawks were the consensus pick for a run, however, units such as the Vikings, Texans, Giants, Broncos, and Ravens should be high on your list. The qualities to look for in your defense/special teams unit are turnovers, playmaking return men, and sacks.

Breakout Defense/Special Teams: Jacksonville Jaguars and Philadelphia Eagles

Kicker

Don’t forget the kicker! Yes, the kicker provides you points that can help win your week by the narrowest margins. Dan Bailey was the man for a while, however, he hasn’t been automatic like his previous years. An area overlook for the kicker is how good is the team’s offense because they must be ready to kick extra points quickly. For some teams, the kickers provide points on a normal basis to keep them in games (i.e. Browns). The qualities to look for in selecting a kicker is accuracy, clutch factor, and how good is their team’s offense.

Breakout Kicker: You gotta figure it out! Haha

I hope this article helps you out in your fantasy football league and good luck to all who play this season!

Browns Players on the Hot Seat

We have seen the Browns release veterans over 30 years old the past two seasons (i.e. Donte Whitner and Gary Barnidge) that do not align with their current analytical projections of older players with little production. Now with the draft being over, OTAs will being in June and players will be on the hot seat based on their performance from last season. There are six players that I believe could be on watch during training camp and preseason.

Desmond Bryant, Defensive Tackle

Bryant missed the 2016 season with a torn pectoral muscle. Signed in 2013, Bryant has made 41 starts accumulating 14.5 sacks, including a team-leading 6.5 sacks in 2015. The Browns selected Larry Ogunjobi and Caleb Brantley (now cleared from battery case) who will most likely make the final-53 roster. Last year, the Browns carried eight lineman on the roster and Gregg Williams wants athletic lineman who can make plays. If Bryant does not show he is 100% recovered from his surgery, he could be another 30+ year old player who is cut.

Xavier Cooper, Defensive Tackle

With the front office drafting Larry Ogunjobi and Caleb Brantley, Cooper’s opportunities could disappear. A former 3rd round pick has the athleticism to play the 3-techinique, however, he was out of place in the 3-4 system as a 5-technique DE. Cooper needs to come into camp with motivation that he can get significant time playing three downs with his pass rushing ability. He is at risk of being cut since he was selected by the previous regime.

Cameron Erving, Offensive Tackle

The struggles are well documented with Erving, a first-round pick, who has had erratic play. Erving was learning all the offensive line positions as a backup during his rookie season which stunted his development. That showed on the field as he was not prepared for NFL caliber defensive lineman who manhandled him. In last season’s game, Erving was moved to right tackle where he showed there could be a future at that position. The front office is high on Shon Coleman, who had knee issues, who will challenge Erving for the starting right tackle job.

John Greco, Offensive Guard

Big money was spent on Kevin Zeitler to help rebuild the line. Greco has had a great run with the Browns but it could be close to an end after a poor performance last season. The right side of the offensive line had many issues in run and pass blocking causing quarterbacks with quick throws. In moving towards athletic lineman, Greco days could be numbered.

Jordan Payton, Wide Receiver

Payton, one of four wide receivers drafted last season, who has one catch for three years. Luckily, the Browns did not try to address this position significantly that would put him, Ricardo Louis, and Rishard Higgins jobs in jeopardy. All three will battle for the third wide receiver spot behind Corey Coleman and Kenny Britt. Also, Payton was suspended last season for violating the NFL’s policy on performing enhancing drugs.

Nate Orchard, Defensive End

A former second round pick in 2015, Orchard is entering his third season with the team and has not showed any signs being a threat as a pass-rusher. In 2015, Cooper played in 15 games with 3 sacks, but in 2016, played 3 games with no sacks. In Orchard’s defense, transitioning to outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense caused him to play out of position and maneuver in space which is not his game. At Utah, he was second in the nation with 18.5 sacks with a relentless motor and power. With Myles Garrett, Emmanuel Ogbah, Carl Nassib at the edge, Orchard will have to work hard and be productive for Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams to be impressed and stay on the team.

It looks like Bryant, Cooper, and Orchard will be fighting for one spot in the defensive line rotation. As of right now, Shon Coleman is looking good and getting first-team reps at right tackle not boding well for Cam Erving. Greco is taking second-team reps behind Zeitler. Payton has not been heard much in OTAs. All six players need to come into camp physically and mentally strong to impress the coaches to get playing time in the preseason and make the 53-man roster.

Browns Draft Review

The 2017 NFL Draft has come and gone. Many surprising picks and trades were made throughout the seven rounds where teams hope to have acquired great players. Personally, I have been waiting for the draft since the Browns last game evaluating players who I felt could be potential fits for Hue Jackson’s offense and Gregg Williams’ defense. Although I do not have inside information into the Browns War Room, I know that Executive Vice President Sashi Brown wanted to be aggressive and smart maximizing the draft with 11 draft picks. I have provided a grade for each selection the Browns made including trades.

Round 1, Pick 1

Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M

Sashi Brown said that he knew two weeks ago what player that the Browns were going to select at the #1 overall pick. I knew that Garrett was going to be the selection all along and that the Mitch Trubisky rumors about him being under “serious consideration” were alternative facts. Garrett is a physical specimen who will start on the weak-side and Emmanuel Obgah will be on the strong-side providing immediate impact to a defense that ranked 30th in sacks and 31st against the run. Garrett, on paper, gives Cleveland one of the best young defensive lines in football.

Grade: A

Contract: 4 years, $30.47 Million with 5th year option ($20.25 Million Signing Bonus)

Round 1, Pick 12 (Traded to the Houston Texans)

Browns Received: 25th Overall Pick and 2018 1st Round Pick

Texans Received: 12th pick (Selected Deshaun Watson)

At first, I was frustrated with the trade because the Browns had the options of selecting Malik Hooker or OJ Howard who could contribute from Day 1. The Browns traded with the Texans swapping the 12th and 25th picks and received a 2018 1st round pick giving the Browns the Texans first and second round pick in 2018. Houston is in win now mode and Watson has big-game pedigree, however, he will have to learn the complex offense of Head Coach Bill O’Brien. Overall, I wanted the Browns to take Hooker, but obtaining a 1st round pick next year is good although it will most likely be in the 20s.

Grade: B+

Round 1, Pick 25 (Pick from Houston Texans)

Jabrill Peppers, S, Michigan

Initially, I did not like this pick at all, but I had to remember what Gregg Williams wants on defense. Peppers will be a strong safety and used in nickel packages which Gregg Williams primarily runs. He was the leader of the defense making plays on zone blitzes and tackles in the backfield. A bonus is that he is a playmaker on special teams in returning kicks and punts and has experience on offense in special packages. My issue with Peppers is that he does not force turnovers (1 INT and ZERO Forced Fumbles in three years), hard time shedding off blocks against the run, and not known for his coverage ability. I believe he can learn with his competitive nature and possess fire. Overall, Peppers can help with his versatility, passion, and energy.

Grade: B-

Contract: 4 years, $10.35 Million with 5th year option ($5.66 Million Signing Bonus)

Round 1, Pick 29 (Traded with the Green Bay Packers)

Browns Received: 29th Overall Pick

Packers Received: 33rd Overall Pick (Kevin King), 108th Overall Pick (4th round)

David Njoku, TE, Miami (FL)

This was an aggressive move that I believe will be a great pick, however, I thought that Njoku may be available at pick 33. I watched a couple of Miami games and Njoku made Brad Kaaya look good. He is the modern NFL tight end who is a matchup nightmare with his size, athleticism, and hands. He is 20 years old so he has a lot of learning to do and improvement as an in-line blocker is needed. Njoku will get the opportunity to get first team reps in training camp as Gary Barnidge was released.

Grade: B+

Contract: 4 years, $9.53 Million with 5th year option ($5.06 Million Signing Bonus)

Round 2, Pick 52

Deshone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame

We took a quarterback! Kizer, once heralded as a Top-10 pick, fell due to inconsistency with accuracy, holding the ball too long, time mismanagement, and maturity issues (i.e. comment regarding Tom Brady/Cam Newton). Kizer has the arm strength and mobility that is desired for the position and, if he can improve in decision making and mature on and off the field, this could potentially be the quarterback of the future. The expectation would be for him to learn from Osweiler and Kessler, however, he will most likely play this year as the Browns have not had one quarterback play all 16 games since Tim Couch in 2001.

Grade: A-

Round 3, Pick 65

Larry Ogunjobi, DT, University of North Carolina-Charlotte

A 3-technique defensive tackle was a need for the switch to the 4-3 defense and Ogunjobi was noticed at the Senior Bowl where the Browns coached. He started playing football as a high school sophomore leading to him earning a scholarship to UNC-Charlotte. Ogunjobi ability to rush the passer will have him useful on 3rd downs as he can affect the passing game with penetration. The question is whether he can become a three down player as the playing the run is an area of improvement. Overall, Ogunjobi will be in a rotation with Desmond Bryant, Xavier Cooper, and Jamie Meder getting the opportunity to learn early.

Grade: B-

Round 4, Pick 126 (Trade with the Denver Broncos)

Browns Receive: 126th pick and the 252th pick (7th round)

Broncos Receive: 145th pick and 175th pick

Howard Wilson, CB, Houston

Wilson has had some injuries which drop him, but the kid can play. Smooth hips who plays well in zone coverage as he can read the eyes of the quarterback and get a jump on the ball. Wilson is a willing tackler which is a plus. He is a frail defensive back who needs NFL conditioning and coaching up.

Grade: C

Round 5, Pick 160 (Trade with the New York Jets)

Browns Receive: 160th pick (5th round) and the 224th pick (7th Round)

Jets Receive: 181st pick (5th Round) and the 188th pick (6th round)

Roderick Johnson, OT, Florida State

Johnson, a three-year starter for Florida State, played left tackle possessing the height, length, and hands. The downside is that he is technically flawed due to his lack of power and little flexibility which is exposed in bull rushes against the run and pass. He is a poor run-blocker who has awful pad level due to his tall frame. There is some potential there but he will have to make the slide to the right side as he needs to gain strength.

Grade: C-

Round 5, Pick 181

Caleb Brantley, DT, Florida

Brantley is a second-round talent who fell to the fifth round due to assaulting a woman three weeks prior to the draft and he said that he was a lazy player. With that being said, he is a 3-technique who has the ability to be a three-down player who can penetrate whenever he wants through guards and tackles. He can manage the run with his strength to shoot both the one and two gaps. He could be a special player but he must want to succeed for himself and stay out of trouble.

Note: Sashi Brown mentioned in interview that they many not keep Brantley.

Grade: A (Depends on the team keeping him)

Round 7, Pick 224

Zane Gonzalez, K, Arizona State

The Lou Groza Award winner has a powerful leg that provides trajectory on his kicks. Gonzalez holds the FBS record for most FGs (96) and six additional records. Last season, he was 23 of 25 on field goals (92%) with 7 of 9 field goals from 50+ yards (78%). For his career, his touchback percentage was 75 percent. Cody Parkey was a decent kicker, however, you need a good kicker when the wind chill and gust start to occur in Late November, Early December. He could win the kicking job.

Grade: A

Round 7, Pick 252

Matthew Dayes, RB, NC State

Dayes is a one-cut back who has good vision to find holes to accelerate. He is not a big guy a 5′9 and 205 pounds, but he had over 1,100 yards at 10 touchdowns in the ACC. He lacks power and would be a longshot to make the roster and/or practice squad.

Grade: C

Areas of need

Cornerback- An experience corner that can play the nickel when Peppers is playing in the box would help. Briean Boddy-Calhoun was a great pickup as an undrafted free agent last season flashing potential, however, you can never have enough defensive backs.

Free Safety- I am surprised that we did not draft a free safety at all especially after passing up Malik Hooker. Ed Reynolds II is not a starter and the Browns will pay for it when Joe Haden or Jamar Taylor get beat in coverage. Hopefully, there is someone they are eyeing on the undrafted rookies or a veteran.

Wide Receiver- Corey Coleman will have more responsibility this upcoming season and Kenny Britt will provide some playmaking skills. Who is the third wide receiver? Higgins? Payton? Louis? They are inexperienced and unproved which does not bode well for whoever will start as quarterback. Another receiver is needed.

Overall, I believe the Browns had a very productive draft placing emphasis on the defensive side of the ball where Gregg Williams will try to maximize Garrett as an edge rusher, implement Ogunjobi and Brantley (if kept) as rotating defensive lineman, and utilize Peppers and nickel and dime packages. Hue Jackson said that Kizer will have a chance to compete for the starting QB job, but he is not ready and needs time to grasp an NFL playbook. Johnson and Wilson will be developmental prospect that may be on the practice squad.

My grade for the Browns is a B+.

Browns Mock Draft

We are exactly three weeks away from the 2017 NFL Draft. Teams are wrapping up traveling to NFL Draft prospects Pro Day workouts where various drills are conducted to measure areas of strengths and weaknesses. The Browns have been very diligent in their attendance to Pro Days and holding private workouts to gain an understanding of what they are looking for in players. In having 11 picks, there are many areas of needs that should be addressed which include both safety positions, defensive line, wide receiver, and tight end. I have created my first Browns Mock Draft which I will predict what the Browns will do with their picks and feature some surprises. Without further or due, the Cleveland Browns are now on the clock….

With the first pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns select…

Round 1, Pick 1

Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M

As I have stated before, Garrett is the best player in the draft. The Browns have switched over to the 4-3 defense with new Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams and need an elite pass rusher on the defensive line. Garrett paired up with Emmanuel Ogbah, who had a nice rookie season, and an emerging defensive tackle in Danny Shelton will give the Browns one of the most talented defensive lines in football.

Round 1, Pick 6 (Trade with the New York Jets- Picks Value: 1,615 points)

Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State

Browns-Jets Trade

Browns Receive: 6th overall pick (1,600 points) and 191st pick (15 points) (6th Round)

Jets Receive: 12th overall pick (1,200 points), 52nd pick (2nd Round)(380 points), and 181th pick (5th Round) (19 points), 188th pick (6th Round) (16.2 points)

The Browns missed out on Tony Jefferson in FA so they turn to the draft and trade up for the rangy safety in Hooker. Hooker is a ball-hawking safety that can play high reading QBs eyes once the ball goes up in the air. He needs to be more physical against the run, but Williams will get him to play hard in that area.

Round 2, Pick 33

Chris Godwin, WR, Penn State

After selection four wide receivers in the 2016 NFL Draft, the Browns take an underrated wide receiver to start the second day of the draft. Godwin has a sensational Rose Bowl performance against USC where he was a star making plays including a 72-yard touchdown. With the acquisition of Kenny Britt and former 1st round pick Corey Coleman, Godwin can come immediately compete for WR3 with Rashard Higgins, Ricardo Louis, and Jordan Payton.

Round 3, Pick 65

Sidney Jones, CB, Washington

Due to an injury at Washington’s Pro Day, Jones stock has dropped as there is uncertainty if he can contribute this upcoming season. The Browns need a cornerback and they can afford to take a risk on a player that was graded as a top-20 prospect. Jones is a smooth corner with good athleticism and ball skills. Bes case scenario is that he will be ready for the 2018 season with a year of NFL conditioning under his belt.

Round 4, Pick 108

Kareem Hunt, RB, Toledo

A Willoughby South native, Hunt set many high school records where he ran for 2,685 yards and 44 touchdowns in his senior season. At The University of Toledo, Hunt finished with 4,945 rushing yards and 44 touchdowns. He flashed some ability to catch the ball out of the backfield as well catching 41 passes in 2016. He could be the Jordan Howard of this draft class, if given the opportunity to contribute early.

Round 5, Pick 145

Josh Dobbs, QB, Tennessee

Dobbs is a smart guy graduating with an aerospace engineering degree. He has athleticism and deep ball accuracy, however, he has a small frame, poor footwork, and short and intermediate accuracy is below average. Hue Jackson opts to select a quarterback in the middle rounds again.

Round 5, Pick 175

Howard Wilson, CB, Houston

Wilson has had some injuries which drop him, but the kid can play. He has the same issue as Jones as being a frail defensive back, but with some NFL conditioning and coaching up, he could be a steal with his closing speed and tackling ability.

Round 6, Pick 185

Michael Roberts, TE, Toledo

Round 6, Pick 191

Charles Walker, DT, Oklahoma

2017 NFL Mock Draft 3.0

We are about two weeks away from the NFL Draft and rumors are being swirled around reporters. This is not the time to believe reports of who teams are interested in or who may trade up or down. However, I believe there will be some trades that will shake up the first round.

1. Browns - Myles Garrett DE Texas A&M

2. Panthers- Leonard Fournette RB LSU (TRADE W/SF)

3. Bears - Jonathan Allen DE Alabama

4. Jaguars- Solomon Thomas DE Stanford

5. Titans- OJ Howard TE Alabama

6. Browns- Malik Hooker S Ohio State (TRADE W/NYJ)

7. Chargers- Reuben Foster ILB Alabama

8. Eagles- Marshon Lattimore CB Ohio State (TRADE W/SF VIA CAR)

9. Redskins- Jamal Adams S LSU (TRADE W/CIN)

10. Bills- Mike Williams WR Clemson

11. Saints- Hasson Reddick LB Temple

12. Jets- Corey Davis WR Western Michigan (TRADE W/CLE)

13. Cardinals- Mitch Trubisky QB North Carolina

14. 49ers- Deshone Kizer QB Notre Dame (TRADE W/PHI)

15. Colts- Christian McCaffrey RB Stanford

16. Ravens - John Ross WR Washington

17. Bengals- Derek Barnett DE Tennessee (TRADE W/WAS)

18. Titans- Gareon Conley CB Ohio State

19. Buccaneers- David Njoku TE Miami (FL)

20. Broncos- Cam Robinson OT Alabama

21. Lions- Obi Melifonwu S Connecticut

22. Dolphins- Taakarist McKinney DE UCLA

23. Giants- Evan Engram TE Ole Miss

24. Raiders- Dalvin Cook RB Florida State

25. Texans- Forrest Lamp OG Western Kentucky

26. Seahawks- Garrett Bolles OT Utah

27. Chiefs- Deshaun Watson QB Clemson

28. Cowboys- Tre’Davious White CB LSU

29. Packers- Marlon Humphrey CB Alabama

30. Steelers- Zach Cunningham ILB Vanderbilt

31. Falcons- Derek Rivers DE Youngstown State

32. Saints- Taco Charlton DE Michigan

All feedback and thoughts are welcomed!

Say No To Garoppolo

I do not want Jimmy Garoppolo. Yes, I am in the minority in my thinking, but this is how I feel. Garoppolo has been the quarterback that has been linked to the Browns the most with his age (25) and his limited playing time (68.3% completion percentage, 502 passing yards, 4 touchdowns and zero interceptions last season with New England). While I aware there is much to like about Garoppolo, I have major reservations about him as the potential franchise quarterback for the Browns.

First Reason – He was not the starter for any meaningful games with the Patriots

Garoppolo did fill in for Tom Brady for the first two games last season and played well, however, he has not started any meaningful games where he gained valuable experience. He has sat behind Brady for three seasons learning the nuisances of the NFL and learning from a future Hall-of-Famer is great, but you gain experience by playing games. Garoppolo has played in a total of 17 games throwing 94 passes so not much tape to work from on him. You can bring up Aaron Rodgers and his numbers (which were less impressive) but Garoppolo does not have the elite arm talent like Rodgers.

Second – Trading with the Patriots is never a winning situation

I give credit to Bill Belicheck and Robert Kraft on making trades of acquiring players and sending players to other teams when they become a problem. Garoppolo is not a problem, however, I do believe that he wants the opportunity to start and have the chance to be the guy. As of right now, that spot belongs to Brady in New England and will not change until further notice. The Browns did trade for Jamie Collins and signed him to an extension (Good move) but giving up high draft picks (1st and 2nd round) for a player that will be an unrestricted free agent next year makes absolutely no sense.

Third – Patriots QBs that have went elsewhere have failed

Matt Cassel, Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett all started for Tom Brady when he did not play and were serviceable, but were not the same quarterbacks when they left to other teams. Hoyer had probably the most success with the Browns, but is a career journeyman. There is a big risk in trading for Garoppolo as he could leave for free agency after next season, if he plays well or struggles. I would not trade for Garoppolo unless he signs an extension which also poses a risk if he underperforms.

Fourth – Is he the next Brock Osweiler?

A great point was made regarding backup quarterbacks who are eased into an opportunity on a really good team. We saw Brock Osweiler leave the Denver Broncos where he was pretty much given the opportunity to return and be the starter for, at the time, the defending Super Bowl champions in 2015. Osweiler went to the Houston Texans on a large contract and had a tumultuous season losing his job to Tom Savage. Osweiler is a great example of being cautious with quarterbacks who are given the responsibility to not lose the game instead of winning the game. My question to Jimmy Garoppolo is “Can you win us games when our defense is not playing well? Can you come from behind in the fourth quarter? How tough are you when the going gets tough?” Ironically, the Browns have Osweiler and he can possibly redeem his career if they decide to keep him for the 2017 season.

Jimmy Garoppolo has great potential as a possible franchise quarterback, but I am not in favor of the Browns giving up valuable draft picks for an unproven commodity with limited experience and a roster that still has major needs to address. I would turn to the draft to acquire the future quarterback to grow under Head Coach Hue Jackson. Sashi Brown the answer is simple: Say No To Garoppolo.

2017 NFL Mock Draft 2.0

The first wave of free agency has occurred with many players switching teams and some resigning for long-term deals. There has been a lot of movement of prospects in my Mock Draft where there is first round talent selected in the second round.

1. Browns- Myles Garrett DE Texas A&M

No Brainer. Take Garrett and plug him in as a Day 1 Starter.

2. 49ers- Solomon Thomas DE Stanford

After signing Brian Hoyer and Matt Schaub, the 49ers look to defense and add a pass rusher to compliment Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner.

3. Bears- Jamal Adams S LSU

Another team signing a QB (Mike Glennon), the Bears turn to defense and select Adams who would be the highest safety selected since Eric Berry in 2010.

4. Jaguars- Leonard Fournette RB LSU

The Jaguars need to bolster the OL, however, there is not one worth taking in the Top 20. Fournette would take pressure off of Blake Bortles and open up the offense for Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns, and Marquise Lee.

5. Titans (LA)- Marshon Lattimore CB Ohio State

The Titans upgraded their secondary with Logan Ryan and Jonathan Cyprien and select the top ranked cornerback in Lattimore, who reminds me of Chiefs CB Marcus Peters.

6. Jets- Deshaun Watson QB Clemson

It is time for the Jets to hit the reset button and get the quarterback of the future. Watson has a big-game experience and could be able to led the Jets back to glory.

7. Chargers- Malik Hooker S Ohio State

The Chargers get the next leader in the secondary with Hooker. Although having surgery, the ball-skills are rare and improved tackling could reenergized the pass defense.

8. Panthers- OJ Howard TE Alabama

Surprise!!! The Panthers are in desperate need of finding a replacement to Jonathan Stewart and this is a deep CB draft so they can wait to get one in the second round. Howard is a physical specimen that can help out the poor offensive line in blocking and being a dangerous threat in the passing game.

9. Bengals- Jonathan Allen DT Alabama

Cincinnati gets a player once considered potentially the alternative to Myles Garrett as the #1 overall pick. There are concerns with Allen’s shoulders, but if he medically cleared, this pick will be a steal.

10. Bills- Mike Williams WR Clemson

Buffalo is in need of a #2 WR to pair with Sammy Watkins. Williams is not a blazer, but his ability to track the ball at its highest point and red zone ability makes him a good fit.

11. Saints- Hasson Reddick LB Temple

Reddick is a great story as he was a high school safety who converted to linebacker at Temple. He is a disruptive force rushing the passer and an underrated ability to move in space covering WRs and TEs. Time to focus on the defense for NO.

12. Browns (PHI)- Mitch Trubisky QB North Carolina

Cleveland takes its QB of the future in Trubisky, a NE Ohio product, who has desired to play in his home area. Only having 13 starts is a concern, but it will be Hue Jackson’s responsibility to coach Trubisky up to compete against Cody Kessler and newly acquired Brock Osweiler.

13. Cardinals- Deshone Kizer QB Notre Dame

Bruce Arians finds the heir apparent to Carson Palmer. Kizer has all of the tools to be a successful NFL QB, but the mental makeup and mechanics are big question marks.

14. Eagles- Gareon Conley CB Ohio State

Philadelphia did not address the cornerback position in FA, but get a former Buckeye. Conley is a technician who is sound in his coverage skills. He can step in and play right away.

15. Colts- Reuben Foster LB Alabama

The Colts need some punch in the middle of the defense and Foster will definitely bring some attitude. Despite the combine incident, Foster is capable of leading the Colts defense as a rookie.

16. Ravens- Corey Davis WR Western Michigan

Baltimore has to find a new weapon on the outside with Steve Smith retiring. Davis, nursing an ankle injury, had an illustrious career at Western Michigan breaking many records. He has the size and athletic ability that Ozzie Newsome covets.

17. Redskins- Malik McDowell DT Michigan State

Washington needs a lot on defense. Starting on the defensive line, McDowell can be used as a rotational player early and eased into a starting role. McDowell can be stubborn as it caused his stock to drop.

18. Titans- John Ross WR Washington

4.22. That’s all you need to know about John Ross. A blazer, who reminds me of DeSean Jackson, who will take the top off a defense. This provides Marcus Mariota with a much needed weapon on the outside with Delanie Walker manning the middle.

19. Buccaneers- Budda Baker S Washington

This man plays like he is built like a linebacker. Baker can hit you and can make plays with deflecting passes and INTs. Tampa needs a safety who can assist Vernon Hargreaves and Brent Grimes.

20. Broncos- Garrett Bolles OT Utah

The Broncos offensive line was bad last year not providing enough time for their quarterbacks to throw. Bolles, a former five-star reruit, has been through a lot and could provide much needed protection who ever is the starter in Denver next season.

21. Lions- Marlon Humphrey CB Alabama

Detroit has had a quiet offseason and continues with upgrading the secondary. Humphrey comes from a great background as his father was drafted in the first round in 1988. He can come in and help Darius Slay with coverage.

22. Dolphins- Taakarist McKinley DE UCLA

Miami adds a young pass rusher who can learn from Cameron Wake and replace the disappointing Mario Williams. McKinley comes with a burst off the edge that may be the best in the class.

23. Giants- Ryan Ramczyk OT Wisconsin

Ereck Flowers simply cannot be the left tackle moving forward. Ramczyk can come in a start there Day 1 moving Flowers to right tackle.

24. Raiders- Dalvin Cook RB Florida State

Oakland will look for a new running back after LaTavius Murray was serviceable. Cook is explosive and can be a difference maker in the Raiders offense.

25. Texans- Forrest Lamp OT Western Kentucky

Houston could use a quarterback, but improving the offensive line is a priority. Lamp can be inserted at right tackle and be a mauler in the run game opening up holes for Lamar Miller.

26. Seahawks- Cam Robinson OT Alabama

Seattle’s offensive line was a major problem last year. Robinson, ocne considered a top 10 pick, can start and protect Russell Wilson’s blindside.

27. Chiefs- Zach Cunningham LB Vanderbilt

Kansas City finds its successor to Derrick Johnson, who has had a great career. Cunningham needs to bulk up, but he can learn from Johnson and become a starter in 2018.

28. Cowboys- Obi Melifonwu S Connecticut

After losing Barry Church, the Cowboys select another Connecticut defensive back. Melifonwu lit up the combine showing his athletic ability and his size make pairing him with Byron Jones a potential dynamic safety duo.

29. Packers- Christian McCaffrey RB Stanford

Aaron Rodgers will need a consistent running back to alleviate the pressure that is on him weekly. McCaffrey would flourish in this offense.

30. Steelers- Tim Williams LB Alabama

Pittsburgh is seeking pass rusher after the Jarvis Jones experiment was a fail. Williams can bend the edge and get some instant sacks in the classic 3-4 defense.

31. Falcons- Charles Harris DE Missouri

To avenge the Super Bowl LI loss, the Falcons add another defensive end who can be eased into Dan Quinn’s scheme. Harris has immense potential and will need to be coached up to maximize it.

32. Saints (NE)- Taco Charlton DE Michigan

New Orleans received this pick from the Brandin Cooks trade. They continue to add another piece to the defense with Charlton providing a pass rusher with Cameron Jordan.

Second Round

33. Browns- Jabrill Peppers S Michigan

34. 49ers- Evan Engram TE Ole Miss

35. Jaguars - Dorian Johnson G Pittsburgh

36. Bears- David Njoku TE Miami (FL)

37. Rams- Dan Feeney G Indiana

38. Chargers- Taylor Moton OT Western Michigan

39. Jets - Fabian Moreau CB UCLA

40. Panthers- Curtis Samuel RB Ohio State

41. Bengals- Raekwon McMillan LB Ohio State

42. Saints - Tre’Davious White CB LSU

43. Eagles- Caleb Brantley DT Florida

44. Bills - Marcus Williams S Utah

45. Cardinals- Jason Jones S NC State

46. Vikings- Dion Dawkins G Temple

47. Ravens- Carl Lawson DE Auburn

48. Colts- TJ Watt DE Wisconsin

49. Redskins- Patrick Mahomes QB Texas Tech

50. Buccaneers- Jordan Willis DE Kansas State

51. Broncos- Chris Wormley DT Michigan

52. Browns- Chris Goodwin WR Penn State

53. Lions- Kevin King CB Washington

54. Dolphins- Jarrad Davis LB Florida

55. Giants- Alvin Kamara RB Tennessee

56. Raiders- Jourdan Lewis CB Michigan

57. Texans- Quincy Wilson CB Florida

58. Seahawks- Joe Mixon RB Oklahoma

59. Chiefs- Adoree Jackson CB USC

60. Cowboys- Carlos Henderson WR Louisiana Tech

61. Packers- Tyus Bowsher DE Houston

62. Steelers- Cordrea Tankersley CB Clemson

63. Falcons- Eddie Jackson S Alabama

64. Patriots- Derek Rivers DE Youngstown State

2017 NFL Mock Draft 2.0

1. Browns- Myles Garrett DE Texas A&M

No Brainer. Take Garrett and plug him in as a Day 1 Starter.

2. 49ers- Solomon Thomas DE Stanford

After signing Brian Hoyer and Matt Schaub, the 49ers look to defense and add a pass rusher to compliment Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner.

3. Bears- Jamal Adams S LSU

Another team signing a QB (Mike Glennon), the Bears turn to defense and select Adams who would be the highest safety selected since Eric Berry in 2010.

4. Jaguars- Leonard Fournette RB LSU

5. Titans (LA)- Marshon Lattimore CB Ohio State

The Titans upgraded their secondary with Logan Ryan and Jonathan Cyprien and select the top ranked cornerback in Lattimore, who reminds me of Chiefs CB Marcus Peters.

6. Jets- Deshaun Watson QB Clemson

It is time for the Jets to hit the reset button and get the quarterback of the future. Watson has a big-game experience and could be able to led the Jets back to glory.

7. Chargers- Malik Hooker S Ohio State

The Chargers get the next leader in the secondary with Hooker. Although having surgery, the ball-skills are rare and improved tackling could reenergized the pass defense.

8. Panthers- OJ Howard TE Alabama

9. Bengals- Jonathan Allen DT Alabama

10. Bills- Mike Williams WR Clemson

Buffalo is in need of a #2 WR to pair with Sammy Watkins. Williams is not a blazer, but his ability to track the ball at its highest point and red zone ability makes him a good fit.

11. Saints- Hasson Reddick LB Temple

12. Browns (PHI)- Mitch Trubisky QB North Carolina

13. Cardinals- Deshone Kizer QB Notre Dame

Bruce Arians finds the heir apparent to Carson Palmer. Kizer has all of the tools to be a successful NFL QB, but the mental makeup and mechanics are big question marks.

14. Eagles- Gareon Conley CB Ohio State

Philadelphia did not address the cornerback position in FA, but get a former Buckeye. Conley is a technician who is sound in his coverage skills. He can step in and play right away.

15. Colts- Reuben Foster LB Alabama

The Colts need some punch in the middle of the defense and Foster will definitely bring some attitude. Despite the combine incident, Foster is capable of leading the Colts defense as a rookie.

16. Ravens- Corey Davis WR Western Michigan

17. Redskins- Malik McDowell DT Michigan State

18. Titans- John Ross WR Washington

19. Buccaneers- Budda Baker S Washington

This man plays like he is built like a linebacker. Baker can hit you and can make plays with deflecting passes and INTs. Tampa needs a safety who can assist Vernon Hargreaves and Brent Grimes.

20. Broncos- Garrett Bolles OT Utah

21. Lions- Marlon Humphrey CB Alabama

22. Dolphins- Taakarist McKinley DE UCLA

Miami adds a young pass rusher who can learn from Cameron Wake and replace the disappointing Mario Williams. McKinley comes with a burst off the edge that may be the best in the class.

23. Giants- Ryan Ramczyk OT Wisconsin

Ereck Flowers simply cannot be the left tackle moving forward. Ramczyk can come in a start there Day 1 moving Flowers to right tackle.

24. Raiders- Dalvin Cook RB Florida State

Oakland will look for a new running back after LaTavius Murray was serviceable. Cook is explosive and can be a difference maker in the Raiders offense.

25. Texans- Forrest Lamp OT Western Kentucky

Houston could use a quarterback, but improving the offensive line is a priority. Lamp can be inserted at right tackle and be a mauler in the run game opening up holes for Lamar Miller.

26. Seahawks- Cam Robinson OT Alabama

Seattle’s offensive line was a major problem last year. Robinson, ocne considered a top 10 pick, can start and protect Russell Wilson’s blindside.

27. Chiefs- Zach Cunningham LB Vanderbilt

Kansas City finds its successor to Derrick Johnson, who has had a great career. Cunningham needs to bulk up, but he can learn from Johnson and become a starter in 2018.

28. Cowboys- Obi Melifonwu S Connecticut

29. Packers- Christian McCaffrey RB Stanford

Aaron Rodgers will need a consistent running back to alleviate the pressure that is on him weekly. McCaffrey would flourish in this offense.

30. Steelers- Tim Williams LB Alabama

Pittsburgh is seeking pass rusher after the Jarvis Jones experiment was a fail. Williams can bend the edge and get some instant sacks in the classic 3-4 defense.

31. Falcons- Charles Harris DE Missouri

To avenge the Super Bowl LI loss, the Falcons add another defensive end who can be eased into Dan Quinn’s scheme. Harris has immense potential and will need to be coached up to maximize it.

32. Saints (NE)- Taco Charlton DE Michigan

New Orleans received this pick from the Brandin Cooks trade. They continue to add another piece to the defense with Charlton providing a pass rusher with Cameron Jordan.

Second Round

33. Browns- Jabrill Peppers S Michigan

34. 49ers- Evan Engram TE Ole Miss

35. Jaguars - Dorian Johnson G Pittsburgh

36. Bears- David Njoku TE Miami (FL)

37. Rams- Dan Feeney G Indiana

38. Chargers- Taylor Moton OT Western Michigan

39. Jets - Fabian Moreau CB UCLA

40. Panthers- Curtis Samuel RB Ohio State

41. Bengals- Raekwon McMillan LB Ohio State

42. Saints - Tre’Davious White CB LSU

43. Eagles- Caleb Brantley DT Florida

44. Bills - Marcus Williams S Utah

45. Cardinals- Jason Jones S NC State

46. Vikings- Dion Dawkins G Temple

47. Ravens- Carl Lawson DE Auburn

48. Colts- TJ Watt DE Wisconsin

49. Redskins- Patrick Mahomes QB Texas Tech

50. Buccaneers- Jordan Willis DE Kansas State

51. Broncos- Chris Wormley DT Michigan

52. Browns- Chris Goodwin WR Penn State

53. Lions- Kevin King CB Washington

54. Dolphins- Jarrad Davis LB Florida

55. Giants- Alvin Kamara RB Tennessee

56. Raiders- Jourdan Lewis CB Michigan

57. Texans- Quincy Wilson CB Florida

58. Seahawks- Joe Mixon RB Oklahoma

59. Chiefs- Adoree Jackson CB USC

60. Cowboys- Carlos Henderson WR Louisiana Tech

61. Packers- Tyus Bowsher DE Houston

62. Steelers- Cordrea Tankersley CB Clemson

63. Falcons- Eddie Jackson S Alabama

64. Patriots- Derek Rivers DE Youngstown State

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