2021 Draft Prospects Thread

[FiveThous]

We need a safety and linebacker early more than a corner.

Delpit might never be the same, BJ Goodson is our best LB and he is extremely average, although Phillips has looked good at times, i dont think he will ever be dominate, and all goo defenses have atleast one dominate LB.

This wasn't a perceived need question.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

We need a safety and linebacker early more than a corner.

Delpit might never be the same, BJ Goodson is our best LB and he is extremely average, although Phillips has looked good at times, i dont think he will ever be dominate, and all goo defenses have atleast one dominate LB.

I will say that the loss of Vernon makes a pass-rushing linebacker a bit more of a possibility.

The problem at corner is that we really only have one good starter, and he's injury prone. Greedy is a question mark because of injuries, and also simply on ability. So I could see going after a corner in the first round, and then hitting safety/LB in the second or third. Not to mention free agency.

 

[Lee]

I will say that the loss of Vernon makes a pass-rushing linebacker a bit more of a possibility.

The problem at corner is that we really only have one good starter, and he's injury prone. Greedy is a question mark because of injuries, and also simply on ability. So I could see going after a corner in the first round, and then hitting safety/LB in the second or third. Not to mention free agency.

I like Mitchell allot, especially for a third corner, but even a 2nd corner he is good.

And I agree Edge is an important position too.

 

[bigfoot5415]

Go get Shaq Barrett or Bud Dupree. Get Richard Sherman as your #2 until Greedy proves his worth.

Get a LB or two in the draft and roll.

 

[Randolphkeys]

The only positions of need on offense is a swing tackle and a backup guard. That's it. Go all in on every defensive position early except defensive tackle.

 

[Out of the Rafters at the Q]

The only positions of need on offense is a swing tackle and a backup guard. That's it. Go all in on every defensive position early except defensive tackle.

If we can find an amicable agreement with Njoku, I agree. Otherwise, I expect us to select a tight end again. Hooper isn't good, and Bryant's not reliable enough for us to pin so much of our team's hopes on him. Tight ends are critical to Stefanski's system.

At DT, I assume we bring Ogunjobi back. If we have him, Richardson, and Elliot, that's not bad.

And, now I've re-read your post and saw "early" but I don't feel like deleting this response.

 

[daddywags]

One defensive stud in free agency and one in the draft, anywhere on the field except not same position. That's reasonable, I think, and could transform the defense if we manage to remain reasonably healthy next season. I would add more than just two players, of course, but two premium players is doable IMO. Sort of like transforming the offensive line from one of the worst to one of the best by targeting Conklin and Wills and helping Teller reach his potential.

 

[daddywags]

If we can find an amicable agreement with Njoku, I agree. Otherwise, I expect us to select a tight end again. Hooper isn't good, and Bryant's not reliable enough for us to pin so much of our team's hopes on him. Tight ends are critical to Stefanski's system.

At DT, I assume we bring Ogunjobi back. If we have him, Richardson, and Elliot, that's not bad.

And, now I've re-read your post and saw "early" but I don't feel like deleting this response.

At DT we also have Andrew Billings under contract for next season. He signed a one year deal but sat out this year due to Covid risk. We also had several offensive guard depth types opt out. They will still be under contract if we want them.

 

[Out of the Rafters at the Q]

One defensive stud in free agency and one in the draft, anywhere on the field except not same position. That's reasonable, I think, and could transform the defense if we manage to remain reasonably healthy next season. I would add more than just two players, of course, but two premium players is doable IMO. Sort of like transforming the offensive line from one of the worst to one of the best by targeting Conklin and Wills and helping Teller reach his potential.

Optimist take:

At safety, Harrison was acquired during the season. Giving an offseason, and a second year in the same system, to a young, talented player like Harrison should bring a lot of improvement. Playing safety at Alabama might be the most demanding non-QB position in all of college sports, so Harrison's success there, paired with his athletic gifts, could really amount to a diamond in the rough for us. Pair him with a healthy Delpit, who was a projected top-10 pick at some points, and that's a dynamic duo.

At corner, Ward, when healthy, is one of the best in football. Bring back Greedy, Mitchell, Johnson and you're already four deep.

At linebacker, Takitaki has really developed into a promising player. If the young trio of Phillips, Takitaki and Wilson continue to improve and grow, we might be better off at linebacker than we thought

Our defensive line is one of the better ones in football. You have to replace Vernon's production.

Super Bowl here we come!



In reality, I can't count on Greedy or Delpit. Ward hasn't been healthy for a full season yet. I don't think Mack Wilson is going to pan out. Takitaki can't play in coverage. While I was high on Phillips all year, on Sunday I didn't see the same improvements you guys are talking about. Besides front-line starters, you also need to replace depth with people who can play.

 

[Out of the Rafters at the Q]

At DT we also have Andrew Billings under contract for next season. He signed a one year deal but sat out this year due to Covid risk. We also had several offensive guard depth types opt out. They will still be under contract if we want them.

I keep forgetting about him. Good catch! Billings was a great signing. I loved what Berry did by signing quality veteran depth along the DL in Billings and Clayborn.

 

[Randolphkeys]

If we can find an amicable agreement with Njoku, I agree. Otherwise, I expect us to select a tight end again. Hooper isn't good, and Bryant's not reliable enough for us to pin so much of our team's hopes on him. Tight ends are critical to Stefanski's system.

I agree they should try to resign Njoku, the Browns use all three right ends a lot, and he has his strengths. Can't teach some of the physical attributes he possesses, and he is actually great staying and protecting in pass protection.

I'd argue Austin Hooper has been a rock for the offense when healthy. He only has one drop this year and blocks equally well in pass protection and the run game.

Bryant needs work, but he has a knack for finding soft spots in zone coverage. Rookie tight ends traditionally need a year to develop.

Take a swing tackle if one falls to the third day, otherwise sign a veteran who had a bad year starting and needs a change of scenery in FA.

This draft should be a defensive draft.

One last thought on Owusu-Koramoah - his last play in college was a balls out sprint on an onside kick, which he recovered for the kicking team. That guy just makes plays. I saw some love for Takitaki earlier, but his zone coverage really didn't take a step forward this year. He looks like the third LB for short yardage situations and bad weather games.

 

[Out of the Rafters at the Q]

I agree they should try to resign Njoku, the Browns use all three right ends a lot, and he has his strengths. Can't teach some of the physical attributes he possesses, and he is actually great staying and protecting in pass protection.

I'd argue Austin Hooper has been a rock for the offense when healthy. He only has one drop this year and blocks equally well in pass protection and the run game.

Bryant needs work, but he has a knack for finding soft spots in zone coverage. Rookie tight ends traditionally need a year to develop.

Take a swing tackle if one falls to the third day, otherwise sign a veteran who had a bad year starting and needs a change of scenery in FA.

This draft should be a defensive draft.

One last thought on Owusu-Koramoah - his last play in college was a balls out sprint on an onside kick, which he recovered for the kicking team. That guy just makes plays. I saw some love for Takitaki earlier, but his zone coverage really didn't take a step forward this year. He looks like the third LB for short yardage situations and bad weather games.

So, my take on Hooper is that he's not good. The front office knows he's not good. But, Stefanski said that he needed a dependable tight end to run his system, so they overpaid for Hooper.

Watching him not know how to run a route against a zone defense in the Jets game made me turn off of him forever. I feel like he also had at least one drop in that game, but the play where he kept running full speed from one zone to the next, instead of sitting down was it for me. Baker threw the ball correctly, but because Hooper can't play football, the ball was behind him, Hooper didn't catch it, and STILL got rocked by the dude in the next zone.

I can't wait until we have two better options than Hooper playing ahead of him. But, he's dependable to execute the plays on the football field in a way that Bryant currently is not.

I agree with you that Takitaki hasn't shown anything in pass coverage. But, a few weeks into the season, I was ready to call him a special teamer ready to get cut when better options presented themselves. I feel he's actually turned himself into the best run-defending linebacker on this roster. So, I'll give him credit for what I see--even if I know that someone who can't play against the pass can't be a starter on a super bowl contender.

I'd love JO-K.

 

[Cement]

Well, here ya go gentlemen.

23. Cleveland Browns: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame​

The Cleveland Browns are coming off the franchise's most successful season since rejoining the NFL in 1999. There's more optimism on the shores of Lake Erie than there has been in, quite literally, decades.

But while the Browns are getting better, there are still areas of weakness on the roster, especially on defense.
The linebacker spot was a problem for the Browns throughout the 2020 season. It's an area where Cleveland could use a jolt of athleticism, physicality and range.

Notre Dame's Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah checks all those boxes.

The 2020 Butkus Award winner as college football's top linebacker and the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, Owusu-Koramoah piled up 62 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception for the Irish. The 6'1" 215-pounder is just the sort of sideline-to-sideline player NFL clubs covet, and he's just as adept in pass coverage as he is at stuffing the run.

He'd be the team's best linebacker from the moment he stepped on the field.

 

[bigfoot5415]

Well, here ya go gentlemen.

23. Cleveland Browns: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame​

The Cleveland Browns are coming off the franchise's most successful season since rejoining the NFL in 1999. There's more optimism on the shores of Lake Erie than there has been in, quite literally, decades.

But while the Browns are getting better, there are still areas of weakness on the roster, especially on defense.
The linebacker spot was a problem for the Browns throughout the 2020 season. It's an area where Cleveland could use a jolt of athleticism, physicality and range.

Notre Dame's Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah checks all those boxes.

The 2020 Butkus Award winner as college football's top linebacker and the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, Owusu-Koramoah piled up 62 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception for the Irish. The 6'1" 215-pounder is just the sort of sideline-to-sideline player NFL clubs covet, and he's just as adept in pass coverage as he is at stuffing the run.

He'd be the team's best linebacker from the moment he stepped on the field.

Color me crazy, I still prefer Dylan Moses.

 

[DJTJ]

23) Cleveland Browns: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa​

Linebacker is a problem for the Browns. They have tried some rotations this year, but it just has not coalesced into anything concrete. The emergence of B.J. Goodson is a welcome sight, but it does not exempt them from taking a linebacker early.

Zaven Collins is an elite athlete at the position. Adept in coverage, Collins is freakishly good for his size laterally and in transition. This is a guy who can project well as the SAM linebacker in that 4-3 scheme. The Browns get their guy in this 4-round 2021 NFL Mock Draft.

54) Cleveland Browns: Jamien Sherwood, S, Auburn
88) Cleveland Browns: Tylan Wallace, WR, Oklahoma State
93) Cleveland Browns (via NO): Carlos Basham, EDGE, Wake Forest
102) Cleveland Browns (via PHI): Alim McNeill, IDL, NC State
119) Cleveland Browns: Merlin Robertson, LB, Arizona State

I would cream my jeans if we drafted Tylan Wallace.