Post-Draft Corrections

1: Winn will play DT here; possibly DE on running downs only.  He is a one-gap penetrator with an exceptional first step.  He is athletic, he does make big plays, and he is almost diametricly opposed to John Hughes.

Hughes is bigger and stronger.  Hughes can stalemate double-teams, stand his ground, and could play nose tackle for a 3-4 team.  Hughes can tie up DeCastro and deflect him from D'Qwell Jackson.  He can overpower Pouncey.  Hughes is not athletic.

Winn is athletic, with a quick first step and unusual change-of direction abilities for his size.  The two are almost diametricly opposite, which is why, together, they are THE ideal rotational DT's for Rubin and Taylor.

The Browns just might have one of the best overall DT corps' in the NFL now.  But who said that Winn, like Hughes, lacked athleticism?  I don't care, but I can tell you that they're either lazy or mentally challenged.

2: (pre-emptive correction): CB Trevin Wade slid partly because of his wierd pattern of excellence, then putrifaction, then damn goodness on a season-by-season basis.  If you were a GM, what would you suspect?

Drugs.  Yeah.

Did Tom do his homework?  (Say "yes", ok?  ...or shut up, and quit pretending you know better.)

OK--let's see what happens, but for now I color Wade a steal and figure he'll be fighting for number two from day one.  He has the skills and ability.  If he ends up as the FOURTH cornerback, but does a good job in 2012, that's STILL a steal.  I expect more.

3: BOTH  LB's James Micheal-Johnson and Emmanuel Acho are underrated (especially Acho).  These are total-package 4-3 linebackers.

You were told that the Browns needed depth at linebacker, but in reality they needed to replace the venerable Saint Fujita as a starter, and if possible get Gocong back to the strong side, or ideally make him a utility guy who plays all 3 positions.  (Gocong never covered well himself).

Both of these draftees will push to start, and even if one doesn't, the corps is upgraded, both in coverage and vs. the run.  It's also much deeper.

4: 5th round pick, Ryan Miller, is a project.  You take projects in the fifth round.  You don't call 5th round picks who don't start "busts" half way through their rookie seasons.  I just needed to get that correction out of the way in advance.

5: Smelley is a calculated risk.  The West Coast offense turns obscure college players into stars sometimes.  Smelley probably couldn't find a place in a conventional offense, but could surprise us here.

He's a longshot, with special teams potential.  If he gets cut, don't reach.  Don't try to set the bar that high, you nut.  And quit exploiting his last name.  You're embarrassing me.

It's already clear to me that Tom prioritized the trenches again, which was smart.  This Division includes the Ratbirds and the Stoolers.  I've also got to admit that the Ben-Gals have become pretty scary.  Games up here are won and lost in the trenches, and the Browns are REBUILDING.

Jauron's defense just got even better.

The offense just got better.

The offensive line and defensive front seven better and deeper...in the AFC North.

DEAL WITH IT.

Grading the Browns 2012 draft:

Incomplete duuuuhhhhh