6.
Eric Fisher (OT-Central Michigan) 6’7 305lbs – Senior
Fisher is a versatile lineman with nimble feet and a good knack for winning the angle battle. He’s started at right tackle and right guard earlier in his collegiate career, but has owned the left tackle position for the Chippewas the past two seasons, minus his final two games in 2011, which he missed due to a knee injury. His senior season was spectacular, as he was credited with allowing only 1 sack throughout the 2012 campaign, continuing his rise through the Senior Bowl, where he was regarded by many as the best talent there, regardless of position.
Fisher can be quite physical at times, but on film he has a bad tendency to allow defenders first contact, something he was able to absorb and work with in MAC play, but a nasty habit that could hamper his career early if it’s not corrected. There isn’t a prospect in this class who has improved their stock as much as Fisher has over the past six months, and that momentum will likely make him a Top 8 selection come April.
Is he a good fit for the Browns? See Luke Joeckel.
7.
Damontre Moore (DE/OLB-Texas A&M) 6’4 250lbs – Junior
Perhaps the most versatile pass rusher in this year’s class, Damontre accumulated 21 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks this past season, doing it from both sides of the line, sometimes standing up and other times from a 3 point stance. Moore possesses violent hands and exceptional lower body strength, allowing him to consistently win leverage battles with bigger offensive lineman. If there is a knock on Damontre, it’s his lack of bend when turning the corner, a trait that is vital for a pass rusher to be successful at the next level.
Moore looked terrific in his biggest SEC matchups of the season, dominating the
Florida offensive line, giving fits to LSU’s and Alabama’s. One potential character red flag is his arrest in Brazos County, Texas in 2010, when he was pulled over with more than two ounces of marijuana in his possession.
Is he a good fit for the Browns? With his ability to stand up or drop to a 3 point stance, Moore is likely slotted near the top of the Browns Big Board, as he seems like an ideal talent for Defensive Coordinator Ray Horton. Moore’s timing and interviews at the NFL Combine will be critical, though it’s not likely Moore will slip out of the Top 10 even if he performs average in the drills.
8.
Xavier Rhodes (CB-
Florida State) 6’2 215lbs – Redshirt Junior
The best man-to-man corner in the class, Rhodes uses a suffocating combination of size, quickness and physicality to deflate and defeat wide receivers over the course of a game. His nickname should be glue, as he seems to stick to the waist of his assignments, thanks in large part to very fluid hips and natural instincts that simply cannot be taught.
One downside to Rhodes may be his numbers, picking off 3 passes this year after managing only 1 in 2011. There are questions about his true downfield speed, yet the film shows a fast corner capable of going step-for-step with speedsters like
Clemson’s
Sammy Watkins and
DeAndre Hopkins,
Miami’s
Phillip Dorsett and
Virginia Tech’s Marcus Davis. None of the above managed much against Rhodes, nor did any other receiver in 2012.
Is he a good fit for the Browns? Cleveland will explore every possibility in the draft and free agency as they attempt to find a #2 corner to pair with perennial Pro-Bowler Joe Haden. Rhodes has the size and physicality to flourish in Horton’s aggressive scheme, and may remind Horton of one of his former corners, the 5[SUP]th[/SUP] overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft,
Patrick Peterson.
9.
Bjoern Werner (DE-Florida State) 6’4 255lbs – Junior
The impressive German entered the 2012 season with incredibly high expectations after a stellar 2011 sophomore campaign where he notched 11 tackles for loss and 7 sacks. He nearly doubled his sack output as a junior, notching 13 of them, in addition to 18 tackles for loss and 7 passes batted or tipped at the line of scrimmage. Werner uses a combination of brute strength and above-average quickness to toy with offensive lineman, though he must develop more speed moves to succeed at the next level.
Werner made a wise decision to sign with Jimmy Sexton of Creative Artists Agency, a well-respected agent with plenty of pull in NFL circles. With a strong performance at the NFL Combine, and Sexton marketing his services, Werner will likely be a Top 10 draft selection in April.
Is he a good fit for the Browns? Werner’s body and preferred style of play may relegate him to a base 43 end, working primarily out of a 3 point stance. Though it’s not completely out of question, the Browns are likely looking for a little more athleticism out of their pass rushers as the team transitions to a 34.
10.
Dion Jordan (DE/OLB-Oregon) 6’6 240lbs – Redshirt Senior
A converted tight end with elite athleticism, Jordan pushed his way onto draft boards following a breakout 2011 campaign, his first season as a starting drop end in the Ducks defense, a season which included 13 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. He started the 2012 season strong, notching 5 sacks in his first seven games before tearing his labrum against
Colorado in late October. Jordan played through the injury for the remainder of the season, showing true grit and outstanding leadership qualities that pro personnel managers salivate over.
Jordan’s size and overall attributes make him an ideal candidate for an outside linebacker in a 34 scheme or a weak side end in a 43 scheme. He has experience dropping back into coverage, an aspect of his game which he improved on as a senior. His outstanding bend and flexibility, when attacking the line of scrimmage, suggests he will be a very effective pass rusher at the next level.
Is he a good fit for the Browns? Jordan is likely a top target on the Browns draft board, whether they stay at #6 or attempt to trade down into the low teens. His market value is volatile going into the NFL Combine, with many experts pegging him as a Top 10 pick and others sliding him into the late 1[SUP]st[/SUP] round.
