2013 NFL Draft thread

[bob2the2nd]

If Austin can stay healthy then I have no doubt he'll be a game changer in the mold of Percy Harvin. It's obviously scary to draft someone that small in the first, but with the way the league is going out of its way to protect players I wouldn't be totally against it. Also, as far as I can tell, he's never really had injury problems. That's a great sign moving forward.

Adrian Peterson had knee injury concerns coming into the league as a running back, didn't stop the Vikings from drafting him in the top 10. Trent had injury concerns coming into the league, didn't stop us from drafting him early.

Personally I think previous injury is a more important indicator than size. If Austin had a long history of injury then I'd worry more about it. See if you can swing a trade down, pick up a second and then draft Austin. He'd be a great safety valve for Weeden/Campbell as his ability to get YAC is insane. I think he'll be more successful than any of the WRs to come out last year (except maybe Flash).

AD didnt have knee injury concerns. he broke his collarbone one year and sprained his ankle another year.

that said AD and TR are also significantly bigger than Austin is.

however even without any previous injuries I still would be worried about him in the NFL. yeah some guys make it (and who knows maybe he will) but he is he ultimate boom/bust pick and I just dont see the browns in a position to take that risk.. especially with a lot more needs than WR

 

[*THE ORIGINAL*]

I realize the NFL is a totally different game, but from watching Austin play, he really doesn't take alot of big hits. He has great ability and shiftiness to avoid them. I've also noticed he knows when to step out of bounds. Too many times have I watched our receivers take a huge shot at the sideline because they didn't step out.
All in all, I'm worried about his durability but if Millner is gone and we can drop down and pick-up a second while getting him, I'm in.

 

[ajz20]

I realize the NFL is a totally different game, but from watching Austin play, he really doesn't take alot of big hits. He has great ability and shiftiness to avoid them. I've also noticed he knows when to step out of bounds. Too many times have I watched our receivers take a huge shot at the sideline because they didn't step out.
All in all, I'm worried about his durability but if Millner is gone and we can drop down and pick-up a second while getting him, I'm in.

He seems lo have some Eric metcalf in him. Many forgot that the Falcons turned Metcalf into a semi full time WR when he left cleveland.
Having Austin and Richardson in the backfield could be pretty interesting!

 

[DJTJ]

I dont know a ton about him so Im probably talking a big ignorantly here. With that being said, Im reminded slightly of Dexter McCluster. Thats really the only close recent comparison I can come up with. McCluster went to the Chiefs in the top of the 2nd round, and outside of starting with a bang in his first game really hasnt been that effective.

I guess my point is, for every Percy Harvin there's a McCluster.

Because they're small, fast, and were used as their teams "gadget" guy? As far as I'm concerned, that's where the comparisons end. Austin has better hands, better overall receiving skills, is pretty tough, and arguably is more dynamic then Dexter McCluster could even dream to be. A team is going to draft Tavon Austin, and they will be getting a major weapon. Doubt it will be us, though.

 

[Soar]

@MattBarkley Heading off to Cleveland and Buffalo this morning for team visits

‏@davebirkett
For the Keke Mingo fans out there, Lions were at his pro day but no plans to bring him for now. He visits Buf & Clev this wk, Carolina next

Mary Kay Cabot ‏@MaryKayCabot 28m
Cleveland Browns hosting USC's Matt Barkley, Alabama's Dee Milliner and Florida's Sharrif Floyd today

Some visits news

 

[bigfoot5415]

A few other workouts worth mentioning:
Nate Ulrich reported on Mar 27, that Tyrann Mathieu & Jonathan Cyprien will workout sometime this week.

MKC Reported: SC Safety DJ Swearinger was here on April 5th.

We have also hosted a few linemane that project in the 2nd and 3rd: Kyle Long (T/G), Gavin Escobar (TE), Larry Warford (G) Jonathan Cooper (G probably a 1st rounder).

Its obvious that we will trade down to pick up a second, and use it to fill whatever hole we are unable to fill with our first. There is a good possibility that we walk away with 3 DBs. Hopefully its Milliner (or Rhodes), Swearinger, Mattheiu if we trade down, or replace DJ with Rambo if we dont move. Im still holding out for Kelce at TE from Cincy, but it looks like our focus is elsewhere. There is a possibility Milliner drops to #11 if we are able to trade down. The only team I could see taking him is Tennesee, but I talked to a few Titan fans, and they said they need more help on either line before added a CB to replace one of the two that were pretty solid last year.


My updated hopeful draft:
#11 Milliner (or Rhodes). Good chance Milliner is there, if he makes it past 5. Worth the risk of trading down.
#45 Warford
#68 Rambo
#104 Kelce
#139 Mattheiu
#164 Landry Jones (2-3 project)
#202 a kicker or Williams from OSU
#237 Dunachie (P from Hawaii has a hell of a leg). I would rather control our fait with drafting him.

I think our top 3 & Punter will start from day 1, Kelce can either start or come in for Cameron (if he has a good offseason), and Mattheiu can be a good 3rd corner/Nickel.

As for Landry Jones, he can be a good long term prospect and come in after the Weeden era, whether that be next year or in 2-4 years.

 

[Soar]

Walter Football today had the Chargers trading up with Browns in his mock draft to take Lane Johnson. Thought SD would give up their second.

Had us taking Rhodes at 11 and Okafor in the second.

 

[CPK]

@MattBarkley Heading off to Cleveland and Buffalo this morning for team visits

Mary Kay Cabot ‏@MaryKayCabot 28m
Cleveland Browns hosting USC's Matt Barkley, Alabama's Dee Milliner and Florida's Sharrif Floyd today

Some visits news

Ew. Ew. Ew.

 

[MoFlo]

Ew. Ew. Ew.

Due diligence.

 

[CPK]

Due diligence.

I'd rather we bring Josh Cribbs back in to see if he could play QB. :chuckles: I mean, I get it (... kind of) but oy vey.

 

[Shakalu M.D.]

AD didnt have knee injury concerns. he broke his collarbone one year and sprained his ankle another year.

that said AD and TR are also significantly bigger than Austin is.

however even without any previous injuries I still would be worried about him in the NFL. yeah some guys make it (and who knows maybe he will) but he is he ultimate boom/bust pick and I just dont see the browns in a position to take that risk.. especially with a lot more needs than WR

Well my point still stands. I forgot it was his ankle, I just remember a lot of concerns about him "running too high" and how it could effect his legs.

I just don't think Austin should be labeled an injury concern when he's never had a major injury. I realize he's small, but he's never been hurt. That has to say something about his ability to take a hit. Guys like Trent and AD are bigger injury concerns in my mind because they have a history of injury problems. The only negative with Austin is his size.

 

[kriegs]

Walter Football today had the Chargers trading up with Browns in his mock draft to take Lane Johnson. Thought SD would give up their second.

Had us taking Rhodes at 11 and Okafor in the second.

Sounds good

 

[Soar]

Gerald Hodges ‏ @ g_hodges6
Clevland!!

Sort of an interesting visit here. He is projected as a 4-3 OLB. 6'1 243. He I wonder if we plan to move him inside. First time I've seen a true LB linked the the Browns as well.

Strengths:
Former safety with short-area quickness to handle coverage responsibilities on multiple levels. Stays with running backs and tight ends in man coverage, comes off one target in zone to lay a hit on the underneath route. Flashes downhill speed to wrap up ballcarriers or force them into decisions. Active hands when engaged, willing to be physical. Works through traffic to the ball in tight quarters. Stays with receivers on short outs, can knock away the pass without interfering.

Bottom Line
Hodges is a converted safety who is growing into a NFL starting Sam linebacker’s frame -– but he still has the movement skills to bring down ballcarriers in space. Hodges most impressive trait is his ability to cover, however. He needs to improve at disengaging from blocks, but his coverage skills will likely see him selected on the second day.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2013/profiles/gerald-hodges?id=2539293

 

[Soda]

^ It seems that a priority of the front office is getting OLBs who have the ability to cover. Regardless of form (i.e. OLB, FS, Nickel CB) the Browns seem to want a few players who can be responsible for playing with a receiver within the X and Y receivers.

 

[JMcCurry08]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>2013 <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23NFLDraft">#NFLDraft</a>: DT Sheldon Richardson, OLB Barkevious Mingo, QB Matt Scott visiting <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Browns">#Browns</a> today: <a href="http://t.co/0Nc9Ny4PfD" title="http://www.ohio.com/blogs/cleveland-browns/cleveland-browns-1.270107/2013-nfl-draft-dt-sheldon-richardson-olb-barkevious-mingo-qb-matt-scott-visiting-browns-today-1.388500">ohio.com/blogs/clevelan…</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23NFL">#NFL</a></p>&mdash; Nate Ulrich (@NateUlrichABJ) <a href="https://twitter.com/NateUlrichABJ/status/321974771413819392">April 10, 2013</a></blockquote>
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