These mock drafts are getting progressively dumber. Why does everybody think the Browns need inside linebackers and running backs? They have the Browns drafting them twelvth overall.
The running back stuff is DOA. Behind Crowell and Johnson is Rodney Atkinsonfield. There are not two, but THREE good total-package running backs on this team.
Everyone seems to be defaulting Jamie Collins outside in Gregg Williams's defense. That is indeed possible, but he has the tools to excel in the middle as well.
Meanwhile, Joe Shobert, after losing his starting gig early in his R O O K I E season, seems to have been sentenced to Oblivia with no chance for parole in most alleged minds. This premature time of death announcement pushes Collins outside in most shallow analyses.
Like Collins, Demario Davis is a veteran with the requisite experience to be the defensive quarterback and make the calls. Kirksey and Dominique Alexander are more outside types in a 4-3, but if protected could be effective inside as well, like they were in the 3-4.
4-3, 3-4, forget it anyway. Nickels and dimes are the real base defenses in today's NFL. Even two tight end sets usually bring on big nickels. More often than not, Williams sticks with a four-man front and replaces one linebacker, and that guy is unlikely to be Collins or Kirksey,
I'll never bash the acquisition of a great player, even at a position of strength, but the implied need for an inside linebacker here is delusional.
The defense at large did NOT lack talent, but suffered a series of injuries in the secondary, the growing pains of a bunch of rookies, and I've got to suspect questionable coaching.
The number one REAL need is taller cornerback(s). I'm not even sure about number two, since Xavier Cooper really can play, and will get a fair shot at DT in this scheme, and the YOUNG, INEXPERIENCED safeties will enter their second and third respective seasons, but I do know this:
Edge-rusher is NOT a need here. Myles Garrett might be just too good to pass up, and in fact would kick the doors open for the rest of the passrushers too, but this is not a need here with Ogbah, Johnson, Holmes, Orchard, and yes Nassib too.
In other words, best available is one thing, but if we're mocking for need, the big cornerback comes first at twelve...DUH.
Moreover, inside linebackers and running backs annually go lower in every draft than any other position. Keuchle was one exception; he was just that good. Collins was another, but he can play every position. No Keuchles or Collins's here.
Even the big cornerback crop is rich and deep. Unless one really stands out, drafting one at twelve might be too high, which brings us full circle back to Ramszyck the LEFT tackle Bucky Brooks mocked to the Browns there.
There is a valid question at linebacker. The Browns are all set with Kirksey and Collins, but Shobert and Alexander are not sure things. They will have improved, and shouldn't be too bad, but? The other guys are more 3-4 types. They all showed some promise in coverage last season, and have the size to set the edge, but there are no guarantees here either.
So drafting a really good true linebacker (for Williams more of a safety/linebacker hybrid who covers especially well and punishes people) might be a good pick in the SECOND ROUND OR LOWER.
After hearing that Kyle Shanahan liked Garopollo best in his draft, I'm kinda back on the Jimmy G trade wagon again, so nevermind twelve.
More on that later. For now, drafting an inside linebacker or running back at twelve is just plain dumb, and YOU STAND CORRECTED
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