How to rank the (potential) free agent quarterbacks not named Cousins:
1: Case Keenum
2: Tyrod Taylor
3: Josh McCown (actually these 3 are kinda tied for the Browns' purposes if they draft Mayfield or -gag- Comrade Rosen)
4: Sam Bradford
5: Some other guy
6: AJ McCarron (*I might have forgot somebody*)
The Browns do NOT need to replace Ogbah at defensive end, okay? However, Nate Orchard and Carl Nassib didn't generate much pressure in Ogbah's absence.
Unlike many of you, I'm not ready to write their eulogies just yet, but business is business, and you need to make sure.
With needs at cornerback, running back, I fear left tackle, and wide receiver as yet unaddressed in free agency (please don't sign McCarron if you want Allen Robinson to answer his phone John), the lower rounds are a better place to look for a depth/situational edge-rusher.
Hercules Mata'afa didn't help himself much at the combine. He put up decent, but unspectacular, numbers.
At a little under 6'2" and around 253, he played "defensive tackle" in college, but really moved around a lot, to the edge and to linebacker. He got double-digit sacks in 2017, and set a school record for tackles-for-losses.
He was advised to remain in college for another season.
Naturally, he's no NFL defensive tackle, but could be a 4-3 defensive end, and start out as a situational passrusher (and core special teamer, of course).
Because he projects even better as a 3-4 inside (thumper-type) linebacker, he could go in the third or possibly even second round, but might also go in the fourth, which is where he'd be a real value.
Mata'afa doesn't have great long speed, but in actual games, he's greased lightening out of the blocks. No surprise, Samoans are country strong, so he can take on bigger guys, but he needs to work on his hands before he can overcome his reach disadvantage. He won't be able to rely only on speed in the NFL.
However, he's already proven that he can shoot gaps inside on passing downs, so Gregg Williams could use him anywhere, and he looks like a terrific special teams prospect immediately.
It now looks more and more like Joe Thomas is leaning towards hanging up the spikes this offseason, but even if he's not, John Dorsey has to make sure he's got that base covered.
The two most athletic tackles at the combine were Kolton Miller and Brian O'Neill. Niether is ready to play left tackle this season, but both have Joe Thomas-like feet and mobility.
Both are taller (6'7" and 6'8" respectively). Dane Brugler in particular found a boatload of "cons" for Miller. I haven't seen Dane's take on O'Neill, but must assume it's similar.
I picked these two guys out because the word "athletic" is overused in re a whole bunch of big uglies, and it never surprises me when fat guys can't play left tackle in the NFL.
These two guys, like Joe Thomas, look almost more like tight ends than offensive linemen, and in point of fact, O'Neill was a wide receiver in highschool, then a tight end in college, then a left, then a right tackle.
Both of them need to get stronger (O'Neill is 297 lbs), and to work on their techniques (they're raw). I've got to mention this: One critic said he thinks the 6'7", 297 lb O'Neill's frame is maxed out🤔.
The Browns simply can't use a top pick on a left tackle in this particular draft. Not over a generational running back or a super-defensive back or another Myles Garrett, for that matter. None of the tackles are that good.
Miller or O'Neill (my own favorite) could make it to the second round, and both have more upside at left tackle than everybody ranked ahead of them.
Ideally, Joe can be persuaded to play for one last season, or at least to hang around when he can to coach up the new kid(s) (Roderick Johnson will be given another chance, and will most likely be the best left tackle on the roster in his second season...at least for awhile).
I prefer Miller because converted tight ends tend to do better at that position, and he has the least experience there (ergo the most upside). Had he not missed much of one season to injury, and then switched positions, he would probably be ranked ahead of Miller, if not at the top of this class.
There simply aren't any immediate fixes if Joe leaves (unless Roderick Johnson comes out ready for primetime--which is quite possible, dammit). Miller or O'Neill are for 2019. It is what it is.
No comments:
Post a Comment