2015 Draft Prospects

I know plenty of posters have been against a running back early in the draft, but worse things could happen. West and Crow had some very positive plays, but overall the rookies were inconsistent. I was certainly one of the people saying, "Mack is gone and McDonald sucks, its the line's fault." But West had some discipline issues and Crow didn't always take care of the ball. The Browns backs are young, but I wouldn't say the position is settled.

Honestly, if we were going to draft a RB, I'd go with Duke Johnson.

Amherstcavsfan said:

Honestly, if we were going to draft a RB, I'd go with Duke Johnson.

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Depends upon how far a running back falls. From what I've seen the past month Ajayi is the slightly better prospect for what the Browns do in a ZBS, in my opinion. Better runner between the tackles, better after contact, better receiver. But if either are there in the third, Browns would be smart to get one of them.

crabbyshark said:

2015 NFL Draft visit tracker: Which teams are the prospects meeting with?

Cleveland Browns
OT D.J. Humphries, Florida
WR DeVante Parker, Louisville
S Damarious Randall, Arizona State
DT DeShawn Williams, Clemson
DT Grady Jarret, Clemson
CB Bryce Callahan, Rice
WR Ricky Collins, Texas A&M-Commerce
DT Jordan Phillips, Oklahoma
NT Danny Shelton, Washington
CB Quinten Rollins, Miami (Ohio)
OT T.J. Clemmings, Pittsburgh*
DT Eddie Goldman, Florida State
S Ibraheim Campbell, Northwestern
LB Shaq Thompson, Washington*
LB Brian Blechen, Utah*
DE Danielle Hunter, LSU
FB Michael Burton, Rutgers
LB Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi State
WR Tyler Lockett, Kansas State
WR Sammie Coates, Auburn
DE Andrew Hudson, Washington
WR Shane Wynn, Indiana

http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2015/3/16/8225465/nfl-draft-2015-visit-tracker-marcus-mariota-jameis-winston

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Also, from ohio.com:

Miami offensive tackle Ereck Flowers (visit) -- NFLDraftScout.com projection: first-round pick

Utah cornerback Eric Rowe (workout) -- NFLDraftScout.com projection: second-round pick

Texas cornerback Quandre Diggs (visit) -- NFLDraftScout.com projection: fifth- or sixth-round pick.

Louisville outside linebacker Deiontrez Mount (visit) -- NFLDraftScout.com projection: seventh-round pick or priority free agent

South Florida kicker Marvin Kloss (workout) -- NFLDraftScout.com projection: not ranked

South Carolina running back Mike Davis (visit and/or workout) -- NFLDraftScout.com projection: third-or fourth-round pick

http://www.ohio.com/blogs/cleveland...-have-visits-or-workouts-with-browns-1.581191

Sounds like we are trying to beef up the defense?

If he fell to Washington, a trade would make sense for both parties.

I just can't agree with giving up our 2 firsts this year and a #1 next year for him, though.

Would be beyond disgusted with a RB in the 1st round.

Anything but that. Anything.

How many prospects did the Browns bring in last year for visits and what not and then actually ended up drafted them?

Rob said:

Would be beyond disgusted with a RB in the 1st round.

Anything but that. Anything.

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There's little chance the Browns draft a RB in the first round. You can count the good top 20 draft picks of the past 15+ years at RB on one hand. Tomlinson, Peterson, Lynch... that's really the whole list.

Randolphkeys said:

There's little chance the Browns draft a RB in the first round. You can count the good top 20 draft picks of the past 15+ years at RB on one hand. Tomlinson, Peterson, Lynch... that's really the whole list.

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I hope so. I've just seen quite a few mocks with Gurley at #19. And now Gurley and Gordon are visiting...not that that means much, but still. I could live with any other position. Just not a goddamn RB.

Best fits for front-seven prospects

• 
  
  Todd McShay, Scouts Inc

• http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draf...est-fits-front-seven-prospects-2015-nfl-draft

There is a deep group of defensive front-seven prospects in the 2015 NFL draft class, and for a lot of teams, choosing one will come down to the best fit.

I've broken up every front-seven prospect with a first- or second-round grade on our draft board into groups based on their best position fits, starting with three major categories -- interior linemen, edge players and off-the-line linebackers -- and then going into subcategories like nose tackle and 3-4 edge rushers after that.

Let's take a look at where the top front-seven defenders in this year's draft class fit best:

Interior linemen
Nose tackles

The prototype here is the 320-pound guy who can take up space in the middle of a 3-4 defense, dominating versus the run and frequently pushing the pocket enough as a pass-rusher to get the quarterback to move off his spot. Not all 3-4 schemes require one, but this is the role most of these guys play. They do a good job of occupying gaps and blockers so that linebackers can roam free behind them and make plays.

Danny Shelton, Washington (Ranking on Scouts Inc. board: 14):Several of the players I'll write about in this article are scheme-versatile, but Shelton is really a pure nose tackle. He commands double-teams with his size and strength.


Eddie Goldman, Florida State (23): He doesn't offer much as a pass-rusher, but he is so good against the run that he doesn't have to. He could also play as a traditional 4-3 defensive tackle.

Jordan Phillips, Oklahoma (44): His effort level was very up and down this season, but there are only so many guys his size who can move the way he does. He has tremendous athleticism for 6-5, 329 pounds. Like Shelton, he is a pure nose tackle.

5-techniques (defensive ends in 3-4 schemes)

Different schemes ask different things of 5-techniques, but ideally, these guys are strong enough to two-gap by taking on blocks and freeing up linebackers behind them to go make plays, and also have the quickness to be one-gap penetrators and make plays against the run and the pass. Richard Seymour is an example of a guy who could do both.

Leonard Williams, USC (2): Seymour is a good comparison for Williams, who has the potential to be a difference-maker against both the run and the pass. He is also versatile enough to play 4-3 defensive tackle and occasionally 4-3 left defensive end.

Arik Armstead, Oregon (9): He didn't show much as a pass-rusher at Oregon but possesses good upside in this area with his length, power and athleticism. He's also good against the run. He's straight out of central casting for what you look for in a 5-technique from a physical standpoint, but he could probably play either 4-3 defensive tackle or 4-3 defensive end if needed.

Others: Henry Anderson, Stanford (78)

3-techniques (defensive tackles in 4-3 schemes)

These guys serve as one-gap penetrators who can get up the field and disrupt in the backfield. They play on the outside shoulder of the guard, in between the guard and the tackle, so first-step quickness combined with the strength to get past blocks to get up the field is essential. Aaron Donald of the Rams is a great example of a penetrating 3-technique. What these guys typically don't do as well is anchor against stronger lineman, which is why their quickness and ability to get past blockers is so important.

Malcom Brown, Texas (15): He was a very productive and versatile player for the Longhorns, and I think he's probably capable of playing the nose in a 4-3 front and maybe a 5-technique defensive end in some 3-4 alignments.

Michael Bennett, Ohio State (38): He's a pure 3-technique, with just average power but very good initial quickness and savvy as a pass-rusher. He doesn't have the same burst as Donald did coming out last year, but his first step is just a notch below elite.

Carl Davis, Iowa (50): He has the size of a nose tackle but the quickness and athleticism to succeed as a 3-technique, and possibly as a 4-3 nose or a 5-technique D-end in a 3-4 defense. The only question with him is whether he'll play with a consistent motor in the NFL.

Grady Jarrett, Clemson (53): He can get blown off the ball when he doesn't keep his pads down, and he will never be a guy who takes up a lot of space. But he is quick enough to shoot through gaps and has the agility to finish plays in the backfield.

Edge players
These are 4-3 defensive ends and 3-4 outside linebackers. The lines continue to get blurred as NFL defenses become more multiple in their fronts and personnel groupings.

3-4 outside linebackers

The players described below are prospects who can rush the passer off the edge and also occasionally drop into coverage when asked. Some schemes want 3-4 OLBs with a little more length, while others only prioritize guys who can come screaming off the edge and get after the QB. While it's overrated to a certain extent, when drafting a 3-4 OLB, you'd like to see him have some level of comfort with dropping into coverage, even just in underneath zones. And in some cases, college defensive ends simply lack the required size to handle the responsibilities of a 4-3 defensive end, so they project best as a 3-4 OLB (even though some -- like Ray -- have very limited experience in a two-point stance and/or dropping into coverage).

Randy Gregory, Nebraska (11): He has the frame to play 4-3 defensive end if he can add and keep weight, but right now he's too lean for that at 238 pounds and projects as a 3-4 outside linebacker. He has excellent length and quickness, and he shows more power rushing the passer than many of his 250-260 pound counterparts. Based on game tape alone, Gregory is the best edge-rusher prospect in this class.

Shane Ray, Missouri (16): Ray is a very good player. I love his quick first step, his active hands to keep blockers off his frame, and his non-stop motor. But there is some concern regarding his position fit. As a 4-3 defensive end, he lacks ideal size and plays the run with a narrow base. But as a 3-4 OLB, he lacks experience in a two-point stance and he's very stiff in coverage. The team that drafts him will get the most out of his skill set, but it might not be the most natural fit.

Bud Dupree, Kentucky (32): The consistency wasn't always there for Dupree, but he has elite physical tools and has the potential to develop into a productive pass-rusher. He also has the athleticism to succeed in coverage.

Eli Harold, Virginia (33): He's similar to Dupree in that he's a little raw but has the athleticism that gives him good upside as an edge rusher. He needs to improve his strength and tackling ability.

Hau'Oli Kikaha, Washington (36): He has the potential to also stick as either a left or right defensive end in a 4-3 scheme, because of his size and strength. He will likely slip in the draft because of his knee injuries and his pedestrian workout numbers. But if I'm compiling a list of the best pure football players in this draft class, Kikaha is making the cut. He has good snap anticipation, adequate get-off burst, great body control and strength to bend the edge while engaged, and, most importantly, he's a high-motor finisher.

Vic Beasley, Clemson (41): I'm not as high on Beasley as some others are, because I didn't see any power element to his game on tape. I also have a hard time putting a top-15 type of grade on a defensive front-seven defender that turns down contact and likes to pile-inspect. Yes, his production at Clemson was off the charts. And yes, his workout numbers are rare. I also believe he is a hard worker with good football character. But I just don't see the value as a first-half-of-the-first-round draft pick. When it's all said and done, Beasley might be best suited to play off-the-line in a role somewhat similar to that of Von Miller (Broncos) or Anthony Barr (Vikings).

Others: Nate Orchard, Utah (76)

4-3 right defensive ends

These guys are primarily asked to serve as pass-rushers coming off the edge. Often times they give up a little bit in terms of strength and ability to anchor, but make up for it with their quickness and athleticism in getting to the quarterback.

Dante Fowler Jr., Florida (7): I think Fowler is scheme-versatile. We have him listed as a 4-3 DE, but he fits just as naturally as an outside linebacker in a base 3-4 scheme. Most NFL teams are multiple with their fronts these days, which is why Fowler's versatility is so appealing. He's the most well-rounded edge defender in this class, with more bulk and strength than some of the others, to go with good explosiveness.

Others: Markus Golden, Missouri (72); Danielle Hunter, LSU (77);

4-3 left defensive ends

Generally speaking, these tend to be the bigger and stronger defensive ends in a four-man front. They're usually not as effective rushing the passer but they are more stout versus the run.

Preston Smith, Mississippi State (45): He has very good size (6-5, 271 pounds) and strength, and he holds up well against the run while contributing as a power-rusher, especially when kicked inside on obvious passing downs. He could also play 5-technique defensive end in a 3-4.

Owa Odighizuwa, UCLA (52): He is very similar to Smith in that he is a strong run defender who could play either left defensive end in a 4-3 front or 5-technique in a 3-4 defense.

Others: Mario Edwards Jr., Florida State (62); Trey Flowers, Arkansas (68)

Off-the-line linebackers
These guys are typically the weakside linebackers and middle linebackers in a 4-3 scheme ("sam" prospects are generally found from the pool of edge defenders), as well as the weak inside linebacker and strong inside linebacker in a 3-4 front.

Weakside linebackers

These guys are smaller and more athletic than 3-4 edge rushers, and will typically be asked to match up with tight ends in coverage and make plays in space against the run.

Eric Kendricks, UCLA (27): He lacks ideal size and power, and brings with him some questions about his durability. But his instincts are outstanding and he's the best cover linebacker in the draft. Kendricks is an ideal fit to play WLB in a 4-3 scheme, but he could also fit as a MLB in certain 4-3 fronts or WILB in certain 3-4 schemes.

Others: P.J. Dawson, TCU (61); Shaq Thompson, Washington (67); Kwon Alexander, LSU (74)


Middle/inside linebackers
In this article, we are including 4-3 middle linebackers and 3-4 strong or weak inside linebackers. In 3-4 schemes, the strong inside linebacker is the "dynamite" -- he gets sent in to blow up the play, usually by attacking the lead blocker. The weak inside linebacker stays over the top, reads his keys, and then flows freely (in a perfect world) to the ball carrier. The WILB is typically smaller and more athletic than the SILB, who is typically stronger at the point of attack.

Denzel Perryman, Miami (43): He projects best as a middle linebacker in a 4-3 scheme, but he could also play strong inside linebacker. He isn't the most athletic guy but is an outstanding tackler who was the leader of the Hurricanes' defense.

Stephone Anthony, Clemson (51): His position fits are the same as Perryman's -- he can play either 4-3 MLB or 3-4 SILB. His take-on technique and play recognition will need to continue to improve, but he has explosive power at the point of attack and he has rare straight-line speed for his size.

Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi State (60): We're projecting him as a 4-3 middle linebacker, but he has the size and athleticism to be a strong inside linebacker and even a 3-4 outside linebacker or 4-3 right defensive end.

So, having watched a lot of guys who I believe are going to be at 12 and 19, I've come to the conclusion of who we should draft:

12: Danny Shelton: If anyone has read anything that I've posted for the last few weeks, you know I am in love with Shelton. As I've said time and again, he's Vince Wilfork mk II. 3 down player at NT, never leaves the field *although he could use more breaks his first year or two*, and is a threat in all situations. He is already an elite run stopper and immediately transforms the whole defensive front.

19: Nelson Agholor: I may not particularly like not getting a first round pass rusher, but at this point I'm pure BPA. And that's Nelson Agholor by a good margin. For my money, he's a better WR than Parker and pushes Cooper. He's not quite the prospect that Kevin White is, but Agholor is GOOD. Plug him into the starting lineup day one and he'll run fantastic routes and be wide open. And he's an fantastic Punt and Kick returner. IMO, he's the best WR for a WCO in the draft.

You and I are both pretty high on Agholor, but even I'm not sure his value is best with the 19th pick.