Maybe... I think safeties (both box and free) are notoriously difficult to predict. I remember PFF did a study and they basically showed that safety is a "safe" position to draft, insofar as most of the ones drafted in the first four rounds find jobs on NFL defenses, even if they are as a nickel specialist or linebacker. But, the downside is that teams really struggle to predict safeties that are going to be starters.I'm not sure on this safety class yet. Last year, there were really only three solid safeties: Thornhill, Savage and Gardner-Johnson. Tyler Rapp ended up a linebacker. Last year, I talked myself into safeties because they were top five in the draft class, while the draft class itself wasn't very good. One reason I see Chinn rising is because this draft doesn't have many sure things either at safety.
NFL at odds with GMs on April draft, sources say
The NFL plans to stick with April 23-25 for this year's draft despite a general manager subcommittee recommendation that it be moved back, sources told ESPN.www.espn.com
Scheft bomb. Another domino about to fall?
I think Derwin James, before he went down with injury, was the best non-DL defensive player in the NFL.Sure, I like Chinn. I'm not sure he'll be half of what James is, though. I think he'll be a good in the box type safety but his value has skyrocketed and I cannot abide anymore.
For instance:
I do... it's easier to cross off that list than it is to try and find guys and delete or strikethrough them from a spreadsheet.Loomis is an idiot. Who the hell goes into a fantasy draft with a list on a piece of paper anymore?
With that said, some guys that I really like in this draft (in some sort of order):
-Xavier McKinney (Alabama)
-Grant Delpit (LSU)
-Jeremy Chinn (Southern Illinois)
-Ashtyn Davis (California)
-Geno Stone (Iowa)
Beyond those, there a buncch of guys that I think have all the tools to become starting safeties.
-Terrell Burgess (Utah)
-Kyle Dugger (Lenoir-Rhyne)
-Antoine Wiinfield Jr. (Minnesota)
-K'Von Wallace (Clemson)
-Julian Blackmon (Utah)
-Jalen Elliot (Notre Dame)
-Brandon Jones (Texas)
-Jordan Fuller (OSU)
-Tanner Muse (Clemson)
-Kenny Robinson (XFL)
Didn't know about the combine stuff... yeah, those are not good.I would definitely swap out Dugger and Stone. I do find them an interesting study in polar opposites. Stone is a guy football fans have seen quite a bit. He has made smart plays on national television. He had a particularly bad combine because not only did he run slower than people anticipated, his wingspan and arm length are much shorter than average for the position: 5'10, 207 pounds but a 29 1/4 arm length.
Meanwhile, Dugger was barely recruited out of high school because he weighed 170 pounds. Now as a senior he has prototype safety size, speed and wingspan: 6'1, 217 pounds with a nearly 33 inch arm length. Much like Chinn, he needs to make strides in the film room after physically dominating his conference without many people watching. He did lead all players in tackles at the Senior Bowl and made a bigger impression than anyone else on the defensive side of the ball.
I made a post a few pages ago about at least one of the top-8 receivers most likely dropping. I think two of the most likely candidates are Raegor and Laviska Shanault.I mean you gotta think we are getting a WR at some point in the draft?
Will Reagor drop? KJ Hamler from PSU in round 4? Or take a late round shot on DPJ, Victor or KJ Hill.
But as jking said, would like to get Jefferson if we can get him without blowing too high.
I made a post a few pages ago about at least one of the top-8 receivers most likely dropping. I think two of the most likely candidates are Raegor and Laviska Shanault.
I do not think it’s out of the realm of possibility that the Browns draft a receiver in the second round. They won’t reach on one, but if they have a mid-to-low first round grade on a receiver that drops, then I imagine DePo and Berry will draft him.
Van Jefferson looks like a guy that may go much higher than projected. He’s the best route runner in the draft, and while not having elite speed or hands, Jefferson is a film darling. I could honestly see him getting picked before a guy like Mims.
Thank you for going into detail... But I have a couple of comments.. this draft list is very defense oriented. I am thinking we are a much better defensive team, than an offensive team right now.. Looking at our current offensive roster, I think we are set in the back field , but we have some big gaps on the O-Line, and at wide receiver. Beyond Landry and Beckham, pretty much everybody sucked last year.. I can see the argument that Baker sucked because the O-Line was below average, but I think we should consider looking for real speed or length at WR higher in the draft, and we should consider more than one O-Line guy. I am on board with the best O-Line guy available at 10, but I think we should also keep an eye for an upside pick further down.Here's my first attempt at a full 7 round mock for the Browns. I went off the CBS Big Board which can be found here: https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/prospect-rankings/ and tried to keep every pick relatively close (within a few picks) of their board.
10. Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia (15 on CBS board)
-Tristan Wirfs is No. 1 on my board for the Browns, but I think he will be gone before 10. Thomas is certainly not a bad consolation prize. He has two years of left tackle experience and one year of right tackle experience against high end SEC competition. Thomas is young, battle tested, productive and got better ever year at Georgia. Will step right in for the Browns in as a Day 1 starter next to Bitonio.
41. Ashtyn Davis, S, Cal (42 on CBS board)
-Really wish this kid had been healthy for the combine because I believe he would have absolutely destroyed it. Another guy I envision would be able step in and be a Day 1 starter for the Browns opposite Karl Joseph at the safety spot. Tons of range with cover ability. If he needs a little more seasoning, the Browns do have the wily veteran Andrew Sendejo who can show Davis the ropes while still giving good snaps.
74. Jordan Elliot, iDL, Missouri (72 on CBS board)
-Don't necessarily think he will last this long, but PFF absolutely loves this kid. They have him ranked 20th overall on their big board. Elliott doesn't have the eye popping counting stats with just 5.5 career sacks in 26 college games, but he's a really versatile interior defender who appears like he'll be able to do a lot of things well at the next level.
97. Jabari Zuniga, EDGE, Florida (95 on CBS board)
-My scariest pick of this mock. Zuniga looks like Tarzan, but sometimes plays more like Jane. Very athletic EDGE who can play like a legit superstar and other times looks like a 6th rounder. Very much a boom or bust type pick, but I'm rolling the dice on the athleticism translating at the next level.
115. Willie Gay Jr., LB, Mississippi State (108 on CBS board)
-Speed, speed, speed. Gay ran a 4.46 at 243 pounds at the combine and graded out remarkably well in coverage throughout in college career, albeit over limited snaps. Character could be a concern, but I'm taking another swing with athleticism and speed.
187. Darrynton Evans, RB, App State (217 on CBS board)
-Another high end athlete. Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Year who projects to be a really nice fit in the outside zone scheme Stefanski plans to implement.
244. Josh Pearson, WR, Jacksonville State (461 on CBS board)
-A big kid with explosiveness. 6'3" with great leaping ability and speed. Monster production at the FCS level averaging 16 yards a catch with 13 touchdowns this past year. Worth a flyer to see if the skill set can develop further.