Wow, John Dorsey really wanted linebackers and defensive backs, right?
Terry Pluto is takling about speed as a common denominator for all these draft picks, but that's only part of it:
Greedy Williams is different than the other guys in that he is pretty experienced and refined. Dorsey simply had to go get him when he slid that far...
Hell, he was the consensus best cover corner in this class; generally regarded as a top ten overall talent. He's an instant and significant upgrade; we got the next Dixon/Minnifield here with Mitchell for outstanding depth.
But the other guys were less experienced, see? One or two-year starters.
Takitaki played Defensive end before switching to linebacker for his last two seasons.
His first season at this unfamiliar position isn't important. What Dorsey and company saw was how he played in 2018; how much better he became, and his upward trajectory.
And this player can be described in one word: "Beast".
Some scouting reports treat him as a backup with some upside, while others are highly complimentary. I strongly suspect that some amateurs watched his 2017 tapes without separating them from the 2018 ones.
Disgusting. Anyway, Takitaki isn't yet a finished product, but as a former DE, he can shed blocks and blow things up.
Safety Sheldrick Redwine spent two seasons on the 'Canes bench as a cornerback before switching to safety (and kicking ass).
Redwine actually played all over Miami's defense. He's a very good player who slid due to his inexperience and indefinite position.
The guys on NFL Radio kinda "went off" on LB Mack Wilson. He was rated by some as the 52nd best player in the draft, and Gil Brandt had him at 78th.
I couldn't fathom what Pat Kirwan said: He doesn't show good judgement on blitzes, so he's not a 3-down player?
?
Anyway everybody else says Wilson is a 3-down player, and many listed him right behind the two Devins at Linebacker.
...and...he was a one-year starter! So he SLID, see?
Drew Forbes simply represented value to a zone-blocking NFL team in the 7th round. He probably won't play tackle in the NFL.
He's athletic and quick, but his arms are short...well who knows? Arm-length isn't all there is to it. Is Baker Mayfield still too short?
I'll skip the kicker and Forbes:
Pluto is right: All these guys are fast.
Both of the linebackers are good in coverage, and coverage was an obvious priority for both DBs.
Four defensive players, folks. The Browns are now eyeball deep in safeties, cornerbacks, and linebackers.
The secondary is now merely "full", as today's teams commonly carry 9 or more defensive backs, but heads will roll among the linebackers.
As it stands, the two draft picks join Kirksey, Schobert, Avery, Adarius Taylor, Ray Ray Armstrong, and no doubt some poor guy I'm leaving out.
I can't see the Browns retaining more than five of these guys. We can pencil out Ray Ray, but another incumbent will need to go.
Trying to sneak either Takitaki or Wilson onto the Practice Squad is unlikely. Somebody would steal them off waivers, and both are ready to play in the NFL right away.
I have to go back to this: Taylor is about as good as Kirksey, and a lot cheaper, and Joe Schobert is about to get unbearably expensive, so---.....
I guess Dorsey and company prioritized talent over need in some cases, as DT depth was not addressed at all.
Dorsey will no doubt be back on the phones as we speak, trying to dig up some more one-year bandaids (he'll find a couple. The old guys get desperate. Supply and Demand, remember? I'd take Suh for 2.5 mil!)
That will sort itself out, but for now, the Browns' Defense is rebuilt, especially for Steve Wilks.
With all these safeties, Wilks can run any coverage scheme he wants, play-by-play, with man coverage on the two outside receivers to set it up (damn...Ward and Williams? Holy cow!)
Some of you remember Dixon and Minnifield. These guys took opposing teams' top two wide receivers off the table; sealing off their inside cuts, and jostling them towards the sideline (nothing illegal, mind you-- but you know you have to stick with the guy, so you're going to sorta bump into eachother, right?)
These were the seasons that Clay Matthews got all his sacks, and Felix Wright his interceptions.
Clay was a freak (check), but Wright was a spider...minding his web. The undersized, not very fast Free Safety Felix Wright would "bail out" Frank or Minni when he had to, but that wasn't often.
He was single high, and deep. Middle of the field; "center" field. With his two corners sealing off the inside, any other pass the quarterback threw would be coming towards him, and Felix Wright read it right, every time!
Dixon and Minnifield bought Felix Wright this freedom, as they so rarely let a receiver get inside of them. Felix could zero in on the run, the slot (yes there were slot guys back then; Brian Brennan was maybe the first of that kind but I digress).
Felix Wright played from 25 yards downfield (you know like in Gregg Williams' scheme, and as you will see Wilks' scheme too you...geniusses)...
Anyway, Felix got his interceptions and blew up opposing running backs moving foreward, and that's exactly how Steve Wilks will use Damarius Randall.
I kinda can't wait. The other teams in the AFC North drafted to beat the Browns.
The Ratbirds drafted a super-slot wr and a big target WR (Boykin--verily a stud).
The Stoolers drafted CB Justin Layne and a WR who could possibly be as good as Antonio Brown (you know---with their quarterback...not that this matters or anything)...
The Bengals drafted two offensive linemen and a quarterback.
The Steelers will once again be the team to beat in the AFC North. Their offense is INTACT, and as good as it has been. Same Quarterback. Same Offensive Line. AB, Ebineezer? These clowns need to get over themselves.
AND the triple-damned Steelers Defense just got a top-notch cornerback and elite linebacker (I haven't done all my research yet; the bastards probably found at least one sleeper in the 6th or 7th round too dammit).
The Ravens? Meh. Like the Bengals, ya no?
No doubt some Ravens and Bengals fans would pick this bone. Allrighty then:
Best AFC North QB: Debatable, but Mayfield or Rottenburgers.
Best OL: Sorry it's the Steelers...and the Bengals are very good too...and ok nevermind: It's the Steelers first (not by much) and then pretty close for the rest (except the Bengals and Browns have a slight edge over the Ravens imo).
Best running backs: What a mess! All 4 teams now have studs (in depth) at RB. I'd give everybody else a slight edge over the Steelers though.
Best Wide Receivers (and slot receivers): Da Brownss! Not by a huge margin or anything, but gimme a break OBJ Landry Callaway etc there it is!!!
Best Tight Ends: This is close too, except Eiffert is perpetually injured (and can't block)...tie between the Steelers and Browns...but it's a tight race.
Best Defensive Line: Browns. Hands down. Period.
Best Linebackers: Fuzzy area. Pitt runs a 3-4 and the Ravens a unique hybrid. Tough to compare...
Oh! The Steelers drafted Devin Bush (dammit) and already had TJ Watt ;!$@?÷￦!!! but ok the Browns are a close second (with their own James Harrison).
Best Secondary: Browns. Was this a trick question?
Special Teams?
Please adapt: Dorsey actually drafted a kicker to compete with Greg Joseph, who (in point of fact) was pretty good overall after his horrific first game.
He hired one of the most respected Special Teams coaches in the NFL, then signed and drafted several special teams' aces, including Damon Sheehy Guiseppi (sp?)
I can't make a Special Teams comparison here, but I can guarantee that the Browns units will be significantly better than they were in 2018.
Coaching: I beg to differ with the majority of Ravens fans I've met, as I think Harbaugh is as good as it gets. He's getting blamed for EVERYTHING. I think Ravens fans are even worse than Browns fans.
I'm less impreseed by the Steelers Head Enabler Mike Tomlin, who encourages cheap shots and stays out of Big Ben's way mostly.
I have no idea about the Bengals new Coach, but know for sure that there will be a lot of disruption as he tries to install his new system.
I will give Hargrove a slight edge here, but gotta give Freddie Kitchens and his staff what respect they have EARNED, and tell you that the Browns are as well coached as any team is.
Yeah it will be a dog-fight as usual, but the 2019 Browns are rightfully favored to win the AFC North.
Amazing but true: the only reason why this most talented AFC North team isn't again expected to finish 3rd or lower is because they have Baker Mayfield now.
Greedy Williams lived up to his name in predicting that the Browns will win the Superbowl.
I remember my own punkdom distinctly, and have a lot of stuff I wish I could take back, but Greedy might be right!
The 2019 Browns (as is) match up with ANY team in the NFL, with an elite quarterback...
Why NOT? The most talented team in the NFL has a legit shot at all the marbles.
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