se-alum;757053 wrote:Would love to bring in Herzlich and Sanz.

Yeah, it's hard to believe Herzlich wasn't drafted and we need LBs.

Baltimore Ravens
Picks: CB Jimmy Smith(notes), WR Torrey Smith(notes), OT Jah Reid(notes), WR Tandon Doss(notes), CB Chykie Brown(notes), DE Pernell McPhee(notes), QB Tyrod Taylor(notes), RB Anthony Allen(notes).
Grade: C+
Analysis: The Ravens don’t get blame for the snafu that caused them to miss their first-round pick the first time through. That said, the selection of Jimmy Smith with their first pick is an odd move for a Ravens team that usually doesn’t deal with character problems that early in the draft. Smith’s selection speaks to the desperation the Ravens face at cornerback. Smith had substance-abuse issues in college, including the reported admitted use of codeine. The selections of Torrey Smith and Reid are much more of the traditional Ravens style, hard-working, tough guys who don’t have issues that will get in the way of success. Also, look for McPhee to be a strong contributor, if not a starter someday.

Cincinnati Bengals
Picks: WR A.J. Green(notes), QB Andy Dalton(notes), DE Dontay Moch(notes), OL Clint Boling(notes), S Robert Sands(notes), WR Ryan Whalen(notes), CB Korey Lindsey(notes), RB Jay Finley(notes).
Grade: A
Analysis: Considering that QB Carson Palmer(notes) held a gun to the Bengals’ head in this draft, the Bengals deserve credit for not panicking. Instead of taking a quarterback such as Blaine Gabbert(notes) in the first round and falling prey to Palmer’s pressure, the Bengals took the best receiver on the board in A.J. Green (which also puts them in a position to dump Chad Ochocinco(notes)) and then waited until the second round to get Dalton. Nicely done. The rest of the draft is a typical set of Bengals selections: Just about every player was the best guy on the board at the time, regardless of personal issues. If those players pan out, the Bengals will have a great draft. Even if they don’t, this is a smart way to conduct business, particularly given the circumstances.

Cleveland Browns
Picks: DT Phil Taylor(notes), DE Jabaal Sheard(notes), WR Greg Little(notes), TE Jordan Cameron(notes), FB Owen Marecic(notes), CB Buster Skrine(notes), RT Jason Pinkston(notes), DB Eric Hagg(notes).
Grade: A
Analysis: As tempting as it may have been to stay at No. 6 to take Julio Jones(notes) and give second-year QB Colt McCoy(notes) some much-needed help, the trade the Browns made with the Falcons was too good to pass up for a rebuilding team. The Browns got an extra first-round pick for next year, which they will need, and did a good job of building the defensive line for the conversion to a 4-3 scheme with Taylor and Sheard. Just as impressive, the team came up with two explosive receiving threats in Little and Cameron. While Little has a lot of work to do to take care of his personal issues, he’s a monster at 6-foot-3, 215 pounds and Cameron is a potential deep threat from his spot.



Cameron Heyward

(AP)

Pittsburgh Steelers
Picks: DL Cameron Heyward(notes), OT Marcus Gilbert(notes), CB Curtis Brown(notes), CB Cortez Allen(notes), OLB Chris Carter, OL Keith Williams(notes), RB Baron Batch(notes).
Grade: C
Analysis: The Steelers don’t like to do anything too sexy in the draft and this year was no different. The Steelers had needs on both lines and addressed them right away with Heyward and Gilbert. They had needs in the secondary and addressed those in the middle rounds with Brown and Allen. They needed to get a young linebacker and grabbed Chris Carter. This is the definition of meat-and-potatoes drafting, but it’s also effective. The Steelers are really good because they don’t out-think themselves.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jc-cole_2011_afc_draft_grades_050111

Does rookie/UFA camp usually start this week or next? I thought it was after draft within a week or so.

Sonofanump;757109 wrote:Does rookie/UFA camp usually start this week or next? I thought it was after draft within a week or so.

Pretty sure that's on hold too until the lockout is over.

Before the resident dumbass (you all know who I'm talking about) posts this EMBARRASSING moment, I'd prefer you get the info from a Browns fan than a Stool....

In case you missed it, there's been a draft ...

I've got a great story for you to lead the draft weekend column. When Cal defensive end Cameron Jordan was taking a tour through his new business home -- the New Orleans Saints practice facility in Metairie, La. -- on Saturday, his cell phone rang.

"Hi,'' said the voice on the other end. "Jordan? This is the Cleveland Browns. We're getting ready to pick you ... ''

"Uh, yeah, this is Cameron Jordan,'' he said. "The Saints already picked me.''

There was an awkward pause, and Cameron Jordan said: "I think you mean Jordan Cameron, you're looking for Jordan Cameron. That's not me.''

Cameron Jordan, the 24th pick in the draft, then hung up the phone. And the Cleveland Browns, presumably, found the number for USC tight end Jordan Cameron, phoned him, and made him the 102nd pick in the draft.

Well, they're both from the Pac-10.


http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/peter_king/05/01/mmqb/index.html?eref=sihp

lol thats a bit embarrassing. But lol, idiot capwned wouldn't be able to make it to the end of that first page in under 3 days unless his "helper" was there to read it slowly for him.

BR1986FB;757112 wrote:Pretty sure that's on hold too until the lockout is over.

I understand that, but when does it usually start?

Sonofanump;757129 wrote:I understand that, but when does it usually start?

By my memory it's usually just a couple of days after the draft. They usually get them in there pretty quick.

BR1986FB;757139 wrote:By my memory it's usually just a couple of days after the draft. They usually get them in there pretty quick.

In some years, they announce the signings of undrafted free agents just hours after the draft ends.

Writerbuckeye;757217 wrote:In some years, they announce the signings of undrafted free agents just hours after the draft ends.

Oh, I know that part. I was referring to rookie mini-camp. I think that's usually a few days after the draft. UDFA signings start being broadcast by a lot of teams as soon as the draft ends.

Writerbuckeye;757217 wrote:In some years, they announce the signings of undrafted free agents just hours after the draft ends.

Yeah it isn't long. Maybe midnight the day after the draft. Because by morning the next day I thought I remembered a lot of teams already had kids signed.

mucalum49;757046 wrote:So is UDFA season delayed due to the lockout? I just checked the post to see if it talked about any UDFA's we might have picked up and then remembered the lockout was back on.

Here is Rivals "All Undrafted Team". Wouldn't mind the Browns brining in any of those guys but if I had to chose one I'd want to see it would be Kenny Rowe. He seemed to be a solid player for Oregon and gives us another pass rusher.

http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1217518

I love how at the end of the article, the media takes another shot at Tressel and OSU.

But seriously, let's get John Clay.

sleeper;757229 wrote:I love how at the end of the article, the media takes another shot at Tressel and OSU.

But seriously, let's get John Clay.

The Browns need the exact opposite of John Clay, maybe Noel Devine.

se-alum;757238 wrote:The Browns need the exact opposite of John Clay, maybe Noel Devine.

Why? Peyton Hillis is similar to John Clay and we have Hardesty for a shifty speed back.

se-alum;757238 wrote:The Browns need the exact opposite of John Clay, maybe Noel Devine.

They need a scatback/burner type as a change of pace for Hillis/Hardesty (if healthy), like you said.

When playing against teams like Pittsburgh & Baltimore, you are typically not going to have success with the bigger backs. If you really want to do well you need a faster guy that you can get out on the edge, in space. If you're running a bigger, slower guy up the gut against the likes of Ngata & Hampton you're not usually going to have much success.

Hardesty is about 215 lbs. I'm thinking more Darren Sproles (190 lbs).

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=75846&draftyear=2011&genpos=RB

I like Derrick Locke out of Kentucky in that roll. Devine would be good too.

Dare I say Brandon Saine would be a good pick as a recieving back.

OneBuckeye;757283 wrote:
I like Derrick Locke out of Kentucky in that roll. Devine would be good too.

Those would be the two I'd look at with Locke being the first choice. I thought the Browns might actually draft him.

I think Noel Devine is more of a CFL/UFL prospect. Maybe a practice squad player who would get activated if an injury ahead of him.

I also believe Clay and Hillis to be to similiar.

Here is a list of the top 25 undrafted players, in BOLD is who I Would love to see the Browns pick up these players who went undrafted:

1. Kristofer O'Dowd | 6'5, 300 pounds | C | Southern California
2. DeAndre McDaniel | 6'0, 212 pounds | SS | Clemson
3. Deunta Williams | 6'2, 210 pounds | FS | North Carolina
4. Derrick Locke | 5'9, 182 pounds | RB | Kentucky
5. Weslye Saunders | 6'5, 280 pounds | TE | South Carolina
6. Mark Herzlich | 6'4, 248 pounds | OLB | Boston College
7. Henry Hynoski | 6'2, 260 pounds | FB | Pittsburgh
8. Terrance Toliver | 6'5, 203 pounds | WR | LSU
9. Cameron Graham | 6'4, 253 pounds | TE | Louisville
10. Noel Devine | 5'8, 176 pounds | RB | West Virginia
11. Brandon Bair | 6'7, 272 pounds | DT/DE | Oregon
12. Pat Devlin | 6'4, 225 pounds | QB | Delaware
13. David Mims | 6'8, 331 pounds | OT | Virginia Union
14. Pierre Allen | 6'4, 264 pounds | DE | Nebraska
15. Jeff Maehl | 6'1, 184 pounds | WR | Oregon
16. Justin Boren | 6'3, 320 pounds | G | Ohio State
17. DeAndre Brown | 6'6, 231 pounds | WR | Southern Mississippi *
18. Tim Barnes | 6'4, 310 pounds | C | Missouri
19. Kai Forbath | 5'11, 192 pounds | K | UCLA
20. Derek Hall | 6'5, 300 pounds | OT | Stanford
21. Mario Harvey | 5'11, 248 pounds | MLB | Marshall
22. Chase Beeler | 6'3, 285 pounds | C | Stanford
23. Tejay Johnson | 6'1, 212 pounds | FS | TCU
24. Dane Sanzenbacher | 5'11, 182 pounds | WR | Ohio State
25. Zane Taylor | 6'2, 309 pounds | C | Utah

The Three-Year Draft

By Dave Kolonich
OBR Reporter
Posted May 2, 2011



Evaluating Tom Heckert's draft is difficult. Figuring out his process is not.

Of the many things said about the 2011 draft over the past few days, perhaps my favorite quote is also the shortest. When asked after the close of the first round who the number one prospect was on the Browns’ draft board, GM Tom Heckert replied, “I can’t tell you that.”

And really – at this point, who cares?

In some respects, the Browns could have virtually not had a number one prospect on their draft board. In the end, the team’s number one target proved to be an overall volume of picks.

Instead of banking their draft on a top-ten prospect, Heckert managed to turned the sixth overall selection into four additional picks, including Atlanta’s 2012 first-rounder. In doing so, the Browns gained a unique bit of leverage throughout the rest of the weekend’s draft, as well as created some great flexibility going into the 2012 offseason.

Because of the extra picks the Browns acquired from Atlanta, giving up a third-round selection to grab Baylor’s Phil Taylor in the first round and trading two sixth-round choices to land Pittsburgh’s Jason Pinkston didn’t seem like too big of a cost - despite the team being in the midst of another roster overhaul.

Perhaps a similar argument could be made regarding the Browns’ two fourth-round picks - USC’s Jordan Cameron and Stanford’s Owen Marecic - both of which appear to be talented prospects, but each of whom are clearly developmental players. These two picks received the most criticism from Browns fans over the weekend, considering that tight end and fullback were not the most pressing of roster needs.

However, if we further analyze - or just simplify - Heckert’s brief history with the Browns, it appears that the second-year GM has remained consistent with his draft strategy - one that clearly points to the long-term health of the team. Heckert’s strategy so far has been predicated on slicing the team’s offensive and defensive needs into thirds. The early portion of Heckert’s two drafts have isolated a particular need, while the later rounds focus on adding high-reward developmental prospects.

In adding second-round selection Jabaal Sheard to Taylor, Heckert has effectively targeted a major defensive need for the Browns. Much in the manner that the first two rounds of the 2010 draft centered on improving the team’s defensive backfield, Heckert has now laid the groundwork to focus on another crucial need. If history repeats itself, then the Browns’ 2012 draft should be predicated on the final defensive priority of finding some athletic linebackers.

A slightly different variation can be found on the offensive side of the ball, as second-round pick Greg Little and possibly Cameron help to shore up the team’s long-suffering receiving corps. Little now joins Heckert’s 2010 developmental prospect Carlton Mitchell just in time for Pat Shurmur to install his new West Coast offense.

This last point is significant in terms of the Browns’ overall stage of rebuilding. Recent history suggests that most NFL wide receivers don’t fully embrace the nuances of the professional game until at least their second or third season. In Mitchell’s case, his speed, size and desire could help him forge a path in 2011, with Little hopefully to follow in 2012.

In terms of cost, these two players come much cheaper than a potential Julio Jones selection - and don’t carry the same risk. After all, despite Jones’ talent, he would have faced the exact same NFL learning curve - regardless of his team. However, in Cleveland, the success of the 2011 draft would have rested on Jones’ ability to instantly become a productive player - if not a star.

This slicing theory as it relates to the Browns’ offense is a bit more tenuous than the version underway on defense, but still shows some promise. If Colt McCoy can continue to progress at quarterback, along with the continued development of Peyton Hillis and the possible return of Monterio Hardesty at running back, then Heckert’s 2012 work should focus on improving the team’s offensive line and filling in any other gaps. Players such as Cameron and even Pinkston will not form the heart of this strategy, but could provide a nice bonus during the process.

At this point, it’s worth remembering that extra first round pick at Heckert’s disposal in 2012. Again – assuming that this year’s prospects can show the promise of 2010’s draft class – next April could see a prime offensive lineman and linebacker being selected with the team’s first two picks next April.

Along the way, Heckert has added two more developmental talents who at the least should be able to crack the Browns’ special teams lineup. It’s difficult to gauge what type of pro player Marecic will become - at least based on his college career. While Marecic’s iron man versatility forms a great narrative, at the moment he appears destined to become a quality special teams contributor.

In Buster Skrine’s case, he brings speed to an overly slow pass defense. Skrine’s size and small-college experience will no doubt make for a tough NFL transition; however the Tennessee-Chattanooga prospect is joining an incredibly thin defensive backfield in Cleveland.

Add it all up and within three years, it’s possible that the Browns will have targeted all three portions of the defensive roster, with a possible upgrade coming to the offensive line and developing prospects at wide receiver. Most significantly, all of these positions will feature talent drafted in the first three rounds.

Yet despite the growing evidence that the Browns finally have a clear plan of improvement being implemented – there is a catch.

This is a process that will take some time. Regardless of both Heckert’s proven and potential accuracy in evaluating and choosing talent, the end of this three-year window will not necessarily produce a playoff contender.

However, there is a good chance that the Browns will finally feature a stable roster of talent – one that is capable of taking that next big step.

Perhaps by that point, Heckert will be in the position to make a move similar to what the Falcons did Thursday night.

http://cle.scout.com/2/1069267.html

This makes complete sense and if you look at last years draft it was to be expected. Last year, Heckert bolstered the secondary. This year it was the D-Line. As the article reads, next year athletic linebackers and O-Line needs should be targeted. Pretty simplistic, yet effective, if the right guys are selected. He did the same thing in Philly.

John Clay sound like the type of UDFA thats the Colts will pick up for when all their RBs get injured by week 9 lol.

Laley23;757732 wrote:John Clay sound like the type of UDFA thats the Colts will pick up for when all their RBs get injured by week 9 lol.

Not buying all the love for Clay. I read someplace that his weight ballooned considerably, and he didn't show well in combines, explaining why someone with his ability (when in shape and healthy) didn't get drafted.

http://www.ohio.com/sports/browns/121071944.html

Off topic but Rashard Mendenhall may be one of the, if not THE, biggest douchebag idiots in the NFL. First his "slavery" comments, now this? I don't wish bad on ANY player, intentionally, but after these comments you almost secretly wish someone would put Mendenhall in a wheelchair....

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/05/02/rashard-mendenhall-raises-eyebrows-with-bin-laden-tweets/