SportsAndLady;1850867 wrote:My grades of the draft:
(1st) Myles Garrett, A+
Garrett was the best player on the board, and the Browns didn't try and get cute. They didn't panic and draft a QB at 1, and instead took a generational player at a position of need. Browns' pash rush was 30th in the NFL, and they need playmakers on defense. Garrett was an easy choice, but still an A+ one.
(25th) Jabrill Peppers, C+
I was critical of the pick at the time. Part of this grade is due to the Browns getting a 1st rounder next year. When you look at the trade with Philly for them to take Wentz, the Browns have now added 2 first round picks and 9 players to their roster because of it. Pretty awesome. Peppers is explosive but not a particularly great safety. It was risky to take someone in the top 25 without a true position. That being said, he can return punts, and can probably contribute in someway on offense if needed. Would have preferred another player here, but overall it's not awful.
(29th) David Njoku, B
Had to send a couple picks away to get him, and he's incredibly raw at the TE position. He has great speed and playmaking ability, especially downfield, which is what this team lacked last year. But, how long will it take him to be productive on the field? I think he'll end up being a good pick, but we won't see much from him until he comes into his own, and that could be a few years from now. Since we aren't going anywhere this upcoming season, I give the pick a solid B because he'll have time to turn into an explosive TE which in today's NFL is incredibly important.
(52nd) Deshone Kizer, A-
In 5 years, this will either be graded an A or an F pick. For now, I'm grading this solely on risk/reward. There is very little risk with drafting him here because if he flops, we didn't use a high pick on him or trade an obscene amount of picks to get him. Will probably see some playing time this year, so we'll know pretty soon what he has.
(65th) Larry Ogunjobi, A-
I love this pick. This guy is a fricken beast. 300+ pounds, and built like a god damn truck. Only player to be drafted from UNC-Charlotte. He also leaves that school wtih the all time lead in practically everything a D-lineman can lead in. Can always use depth and talent on the D-line, and I think he turns into a very good player for the Browns.
(126th) Howard Wilson, A
One of my favorite picks of the draft. Wilson has all the phsyical tools to be a starting DB in the league. If not for an injured 2015 season, he probably goes in the first round. I loved how we realized how loaded this draft was at the DB position, and didn't spend a high pick on a corner when we could get a player like Wilson in the 4th. I think he'll start across Haden from day one.
(160th) Roderick Johnson, C+
Weak class for OL, and Johnson was the 4th or 5th taken. Browns moved up to grab him, so they obviously saw something they liked. I think he can be a serviceable backup/fill-in on our O-line, but won't be a stud player. That being said, if he can replace that bum Cam Irving on our line, it's an A+++++ pick.
(185th) Caleb Brantley, C
Obviously the guy has talent, and has the production to back it up. But will he ever play in the NFL? I do think the Browns did enough research on his assault charge that they felt comfortable with taking him. But anytime you hear he hit a WOMAN so hard she had to get a root canal, you never like to see that kind of player on your team. Good news, we got a 1st-2nd round player in the 6th round, bad news we don't know if he'll even make the team (or face Goodell's wrath and be suspended). Innocent until proven guilty, but I'd prefer we stick to high character guys and leave these POS players to the Steelers/Bengals/Ravens where they belong.
(224) Zane Gonzalez, B+
We need a kicker, and Legatron is a good one. I see a lot of Browns fans are angry we spent a draft pick on the kicker position. I don't share that sentiment. If they think he can be a pro-bowl kicker for the next 15+ years, why the hell not spend a 6th rounder on that? He's the alltime FBS leader in FG's made, and has 6 other FBS kicking records. I like the pick.
(252) Matthew Dayes, C-
Read about him before the draft as a dime-a-dozen RB but with very little burst. He did grade out in the 5th-6th round, so it's decent value. But I don't think he even makes the team. Could possibly be a change of pace back, but will that be in Cleveland? I'm not so sure.
Overall, I love this draft. So many starting-potential players and several players I could see make multiple pro bowls. Wasn't a perfect draft, but we secured another 1st round pick next year, addressed areas of need, took the best player in the draft, and potentially a franchise QB. We'll see how it turns out, but right now, I give this draft an A.
My grades after the draft. Garrett still giving an A+. Njoku looks like he has some serious potential. Kizer I said was either goign to be an A or an F, and have to think at this point it's an F. Zane Gonzalez sucks. Brantley playing now after an injury. Rod Johnson and Howard Wilson not gonna play. Peppers not good. Ogunjubi not enough tape but he looks to be decent.
We'll see. Obviously very early, but but sheesh looking like another flop of a draft.