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2016 Browns Mock Draft Thread

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2016 Mock Draft: Best player or best QB for Cleveland at No. 1?

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/...-best-player-or-best-qb-for-cleveland-at-no-1


The Browns franchise has been searching for a playoff-caliber quarterback since returning to the league in 1999. Johnny Manziel, who was drafted in the first round two years ago, has shown steady improvement as the Browns' starter in recent weeks, but is it enough to sway the Browns decision-makers? And a better question might be, who will be drafting for Cleveland in the offseason? It might not be the same group who selected Manziel, which would make the Browns a true wild card.

The old adage is if you don't have a franchise quarterback, you don't pass on one. So if the Browns feel Memphis' Paxton Lynch, Cal's Jared Goff or Michigan State's Connor Cook are on that level, that quarterback should be the pick. But if the Cleveland key decision-makers aren't sold, then the selection should be the best player available, like Ohio State pass rusher Joey Bosa.

Team needs will change, the draft order won't end up this way and the prospects below will help and hurt themselves throughout the 2015 season. But if the draft was held tomorrow, here's how it might play out:

1. Cleveland Browns: Joey Bosa, DE, Cleveland Browns
Yes, the Browns have been searching for a playoff-caliber quarterback since 1999, but they've also lacked a legitimate pass rush. And if the Browns aren't sold on a quarterback in this draft class (and it's too early to say either way whether or not they are), Bosa has the physical gifts and instincts to make an instant impact.
 
2016 Mock Draft: Best player or best QB for Cleveland at No. 1?

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/...-best-player-or-best-qb-for-cleveland-at-no-1


The Browns franchise has been searching for a playoff-caliber quarterback since returning to the league in 1999. Johnny Manziel, who was drafted in the first round two years ago, has shown steady improvement as the Browns' starter in recent weeks, but is it enough to sway the Browns decision-makers? And a better question might be, who will be drafting for Cleveland in the offseason? It might not be the same group who selected Manziel, which would make the Browns a true wild card.

The old adage is if you don't have a franchise quarterback, you don't pass on one. So if the Browns feel Memphis' Paxton Lynch, Cal's Jared Goff or Michigan State's Connor Cook are on that level, that quarterback should be the pick. But if the Cleveland key decision-makers aren't sold, then the selection should be the best player available, like Ohio State pass rusher Joey Bosa.

Team needs will change, the draft order won't end up this way and the prospects below will help and hurt themselves throughout the 2015 season. But if the draft was held tomorrow, here's how it might play out:

1. Cleveland Browns: Joey Bosa, DE, Cleveland Browns
Yes, the Browns have been searching for a playoff-caliber quarterback since 1999, but they've also lacked a legitimate pass rush. And if the Browns aren't sold on a quarterback in this draft class (and it's too early to say either way whether or not they are), Bosa has the physical gifts and instincts to make an instant impact.


OSU fans rejoice and pray for Cardale in the second round!
 
Parcells had nothing to do with that QB study.

Did he not go out and interview and scout and consult with the Browns on all the QBs in that draft?

Was that separate from the $100,000 study?
 
Did he not go out and interview and scout and consult with the Browns on all the QBs in that draft?

Was that separate from the $100,000 study?

Separate.

Parcells was brought on as a courtesy consultant:

@Gil_Brandt
Talked to Bill Parcells today. Says he's met w/ #Browns owner Jimmy Haslem as courtesy consultant.

Basically a conversation.

I did speak with the Browns, but not about any job. I spoke with the owner of the Browns, he asked me if he could come and talk about the organization, and what I thought [were] the reasons they were successful or weren’t successful. And so I try to help anybody who asks, and that’s what he was asking about. But there was no discussion about any jobs or anything.

But there is this:

@MarcSesslerNFL
Nugget from that Parcells/Browns post: He told @Gil_Brandt he met with Teddy Bridgewater for 4.5 hours. You do the math.
 
Took the words right out of my mouth. JJ Watt is the best defensive player in the league the last 3-4 years and the Texans absolutely suck. Get the QB, fill in the rest.

If you need another example look at Indianapolis. A healthy Andrew Luck hides a LOT of holes on a team.

I've seen the Texans four times this season, including last night. The problem is with their offensive line. Hoyer had a little help when Foster was healthy, but the lack of run game and protection should have been glaring.

I think Texans will go with defensive help in the first, Hackenburg in the second round to develop behind Hoyer.
 
They would be fine if they just didn't play possibly the worst RB in the NFL in Blue. Polk and Grimes are much better options.
 
FWIW, Houston is 10th in the league in Pass Block Efficiency.

15 sacks allowed in 420 drop backs.

That run game though, woof.
 
FWIW, Houston is 10th in the league in Pass Block Efficiency.

15 sacks allowed in 420 drop backs.

That run game though, woof.

The Texans aren't too far away, they have lots of injuries on defense. But they can't open a hole to save their lives. They never recovered from Chris Myers retiring. Even when Foster was healthy in 2015, he was doing most of his damage in short screen passes. Just like with the Browns and Lions, if you can't establish the run, the offense will become predictable. I'll take the Browns line over the other two... but the result is just the same.
 
Hopkins is about as legit as it gets as well.

Decent foundation there.
 
FYI: Matt Miller, in his scouting notebook tomorrow, is including a section on "fixing the Browns".

He's definitely one of the first guys I look at when it comes to scouting, so it should be an interesting read.
 
UPDATED BR (one of the many "Featured columnists"):

1Cleveland Browns Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
2Detroit Lions Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss
3San Diego Chargers Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State
4San Francisco 49ers Jared Goff, QB, California
5Baltimore Ravens Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida
6Tampa Bay Buccaneers Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
7Jacksonville Jaguars Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
8Chicago Bears Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
9Tennessee Titans Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
10Washington Redskins Kenny Clark, DL, UCLA
11Miami Dolphins Jaylon Smith, OLB, Notre Dame
12Kansas City Chiefs DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon
13Houston Texans Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis



The Browns need to cease the madness at once. General manager Ray Farmer has refused to surround his hopeful QB of the future inManziel with any competent weapons. Cleveland's passing offense has succeeded in spite of a thin receiving corps in 2015.

Treadwell presents a legitimate No. 1 target on the outside who's overcome a broken leg and dislocated ankle suffered in November 2014 to have a monster junior year for the Rebels. He has already amassed 1,002 yards receiving while facing mostly SEC competition.

Especially given Farmer's unconventional take on receivers in this pass-happy day and age of the NFL, this mock pick presumes the latest Browns draft blunderer won't be calling the shots in the 2016 draft. At least it will position Farmer's guy Manziel for some success entering his third year as a pro.

Thanks to the improved quarterback room in Cleveland this year, speedy wideout Travis Benjamin has begun to realize his potential, while tight end Gary Barnidge has emerged as a breakout star. Benjamin is a free agent but has expressed his desire to return.

"If the Browns offer me a contract right now that's legitimate, I'll sign right now. I would never leave the Browns," said Benjamin, per theAkron Beacon Journal's Nate Ulrich.

Oh, and Josh Gordon will also have the opportunity to return in 2016 after serving a one-year suspension. The Treadwell pick will either guard against the unlikely possibility Gordon isn't reinstated or provideManziel with two big-bodied targets—a refreshing change for a diminutive batch of receivers.

The running game and defense have actually been most to blame for Cleveland's woes this season. With Duke Johnson entering his second year and the ability to upgrade backfield talent without too big an investment, the Browns should be fine in that area.

As for the defense, most of the unit's problems take root in chaotic schematics and a lack of gap integrity. If the veteran-laden unit can get on the same page, actually pay Tashaun Gipson before he hits free agency and get Joe Haden playing to his typical standard in 2016, that side of the ball will improve by default.

No. 1 overall may seem too rich for a receiver. In this particular instance, it's justifiable.
 
That's actually not 1/2 bad analysis on the Browns.
 
FYI: Matt Miller, in his scouting notebook tomorrow, is including a section on "fixing the Browns".

He's definitely one of the first guys I look at when it comes to scouting, so it should be an interesting read.


HERE IT IS:

The Cleveland Browns are 2-8 and currently holding the No. 1 pick in the 2016 NFL draft. They need help. Here's my attempt at fixing the Browns (Part 1):

GM: Peyton Manning

Why would I hand a team to Peyton Manning? Because the Browns need credibility, and right now they have very little. How can they recruit a top-flight coaching candidate with a roster of question marks at key positions and a history of failures? By having Manning in the general manager chair. Given his relationship with owner JimmyHaslam, Manning may be the only man in the world who could receive total control of the franchise. Assuming he attacks a post-football career like he did his playing career, Manning could follow John Elway’s footsteps in building a legitimate team.



HC: Adam Gase

The only way the Browns are getting Gase is to pair him with his old pal Peyton. This is the same Adam Gase who can handpick his next shop after orchestrating record-setting seasons with Manning and fixing Jay Cutler. He’s the perfect mixture of young energy and freakish film nerd, and the right man to find and groom the Browns’ franchise quarterback.

OC: John DeFilippo

If the Browns are going to give Johnny Manziel a chance at quarterback, it makes sense to keep the guy he’s comfortable with. John DeFilippo did great work with Derek Carr and has Manziel playing his best ball as a pro.



DC: Dennis Allen

(Note: This was done before Allen was promoted to defensive coordinator in New Orleans)

Whomever the defensive coordinator is in Cleveland, they’ll have a lot of control on that side of the ball given Gase’s limited experience. Most first-time head coaches do a great job of focusing on “their” side of the ball, and Gase will be no different. That means the defensive coordinator has to be trusted, and Dennis Allen and Gase worked together in Denver (before Allen took the head job in Oakland).


PART 2:

Start Johnny Manziel. The Browns invested a first-round-pick in the former Texas A&M quarterback, and in limited reps he's done nothing to change the perception of him as a future starter. The Browns owe it to Manziel and they owe it to themselves to see if he can handle the starting job before spending another high pick on a quarterback.

With that in mind, here's how I would draft for Cleveland:



Rd1—DE Joey Bosa, Ohio State

—An obvious "best player available" pick for Cleveland if they don't go quarterback. Bosa is a 4-3 defensive end, but the team has the pieces in Danny Shelton and others to go away from their base 3-4 scheme and allow Bosa to play the left defensive end position with Shelton still manning the nose and 2015 third-rounder Xavier Cooper playing 3-tech.

Rd2—WR Tyler Boyd, Pitt

—The need at wide receiver has been huge ever since Josh Gordon was first suspended. The Browns have good complementary pieces at the position right now, but they need a true No. 1 player. Tyler Boyd has those skills, but he slips slightly due to a DUI early in the 2015 season.



Rd3—CB Fabian Moreau, UCLA

—With Justin Gilbert so far in the doghouse he's being benched for special teams players at cornerback, the Browns have to start thinking about a do-over. Fabian Moreau had top 50 upside before ending his season with a foot injury in September, but he should be back healthy for the start of the 2017 season.
 
I was with him right up until the Manziel part. If we blow it up, the new regime owes NOTHING to Manziel. I can't imagine Manning and Gase are going to come in here and fall in love with Manziel's physical limitations and questionable (albeit improved) work ethic.

It's not every day a team gets a high pick in a draft with QBs who are potentially worth the selection. If we waste that opportunity on Bosa because we've seen half a season of Johnny... I'd lose it.
 

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