Grade the Browns 1st Round - 2018 NFL Draft

[Sebastian]

The 23 year old #1 overall pick needs time. Fantastic.

Rodgers was 25 when he started.

 

[Soar]

I don't love this either, but he just turned 23 two weeks ago, and Wentz was 23 as a rookie too. That has been ok for the Eagles.

Rodgers was 25 when he started.

Weeden was 28.



Shit.

 

[Huber.]

Rodgers was 25 when he started.

As much as people like to over use that one example, I doubt one of the best in the game needed to wait.

 

[Jack Brickman]

As much as people like to use that one example, I doubt one of the best in the game needed to wait.

I don't think Mayfield is incapable of starting as a rookie. I just think the team preferred to have an established NFL QB as their starter. And as I said, it means Hue Jackson can't blame losses on a lack of experience at the QB position.

 

[Spectre]

Gave it a D

I’m willing to give Mayfield a chance but it doesn’t change the fact that there’s so much that’s polarizing about the pick

It was definitely a smartest man in the room pick and you can see that by the reaction of the NFL. The one tweet where they quoted an AFC coach saying he’ll believe it when he sees it. Basically none of us thought this was a real possibility a week ago. Whether you liked the pick or not, I think everyone will agree it was surprising. And we don’t tend to have a great track record with guys who come in and try to be the smartest man in the room

On top of that this is the smallest QB drafted #1 overall ever, right? Ok Brees and Wilson, yeah, we get it. But those guys went way later in part because of that. Again, we did something that literally never happens.

And you guys can talk about fiery competitor and he is, but he’s also a cunt. A hard working cunt but a cunt nonetheless. The oldest QB amongst the guys in the top 10 and also the least mature one. And obviously we get that one. Again, QBs that are faces of franchises generally don’t act like Baker does. But why do things the way other teams do it

It seems like no matter what we always come away with the most polarizing QB. No matter who’s calling the shots. Weeden was by far the most polarizing in his draft, Manziel in his. Now Allen gives Baker a run for his money but Baker is also wildly polarizing

For once I’d just like a higher floor option

Like I’ve said time and time again though, I think Baker can be a top 10 QB, but I could also very easily see him busting right out of the league in 5 years. He is another high variance QB

I liked the Ward pick, but the QB decision is literally franchise altering whether it turns out right or wrong so it received the entirety of my grade.

Sometimes it turns out you actually are the smartest man in the room. I just don’t know why we always have to be the team to find out

That’s the best way to sum up this draft... this is a smartest man in the room draft. I give it a C- even while I admit that there’s a chance it works out.

Our coaches and front office both acknowledged Mayfield as an outlier. The NFL was stunned by the pick because he’s an outlier. There’s a reason why he’s an outlier. Guys with his size rarely succeed in the NFL, even before considering the system he comes from potentially masking subpar QB skills.

And he’s a powder keg. I don’t care what coaches say, I don’t think you can suppress a guy like Baker. He’s a true alpha and he’s not going to back down for coaches or an organization. You have to hope to keep in lockstep or it can get ugly. Think Haley won’t rub him the wrong way at some point? And it may be possible to be on the same page the whole time but there’s defintely risk there.

I keep hearing our FO/coaches say he’s a winner with “it” who will bring winning and to the organization as though winning is something you can draft. That’s just not how it works. His attitude will certainly bring a competitive personality to the team and locker room but if his physical limitations hold him back it won’t matter.

As far as Ward goes, I love him as a player but I hate taking him at 4. I would’ve preferred Chubb above him to begin with, especially given our additions in the secondary. Even deciding to pass Chubb, we had Chubb/Allen/Rosen/Nelson/Ward on the board to entice trade up and multiple offers by Dorsey’s admission yet we did nothing. And why? Because Ward was at the top of our board so that’s value for Dorsey? That’s fine but if your guy is likely down other team’s boards, that doesn’t mean you can’t get additional value and still get your guy.

So yeah, we got Dorsey’s QB1 and the CB1 in the draft but it’s only a success if our guys truly are the smartest guys in the room. It could work out but it feels way more boom/bust than it should’ve been at 1/4.

 

[PIP]

B

There was no consensus and everyone had an opinion and guy. I do like that the guy they took was their guy for some time. The best potential leader at that position you could acquire and for a team starving for that— I’m good with Baker.. I was more intrigued with others potential but I’m fine with Baker.

Best corner in the draft also works for me. Obviously addressing a major need and getting a potential elite guy in the secondary is an exciting thought..

Most importantly they didn’t trade back... They went into the draft, identified what they wanted and executed their plan... That goes a long way with me...

Whether they drafted Darnold/Chubb, Mayfield/Ward, Barkley/Allen etc... any combination is wait and see regardless...I’ll give these football lifers the benefit of any doubt...

 

[Stark]

In terms of the age debate, here are the ages of the first (relatively full; 13+ GS) season of a bunch of NFL QB legends:

Ben Worthlessberger - 22
Peyton Manning - 22
Terry Bradshaw - 23
Dan Marino - 23
Drew Brees - 23
Brett Favre - 23
Matt Ryan - 23
Eli Manning - 24
Tom Brady - 24
John Elway - 24
Troy Aikman - 24
Joe Montana - 25
Aaron Rodgers - 25
Steve Young - 25
Jim Kelly - 26

If Mayfield takes until he's 24, 25, or even 26 to take over and be a productive player, then who cares? He'd be in some pretty respectable company. Don't rush him in if he's not ready, and don't fret if Mayfield doesn't play for a year or two. If he starts at age 25 and gives us ten good years, then awesome. If he starts late and only gives us five or six good years before falling off, then still, that's fine. I want a consistent starter under center for more than ten games.