It's interesting to see Berry churn over the bottom of the roster, letting go of higher priced, veteran depth pieces and attempting to replace them with cheaper, cost controlled rookies.. Emerson replaced Hill, and we're likely to see Ford replace Hunt/DEJ...
Even though there's a lot of top-end certainty, there's also a lot of bottom end camp fights.. You have the back end of the receiver rotation (Woods, Felton, Wims, Bradley), the back end of the offensive line (Hubbard, Dunn, Hance, Pocic, Forbes, Taylor) and the defensive line (Thomas, Rochell, Day, Elliot, Weatherly, Weaver)...
Outside of the Winfrey pick, it's interesting an analytically forward team decided to spend a 4th round pick on a kicker, a 5th round pick on a RB (when you have Chubb, Hunt, DEJ and Felton) and another pick on a WR...
Woods, Thomas and Deaton is, all seem to be fighting for roster spots and it wouldn't be a shock to see them cut with the hopes of sneaking them onto the practice squad..
I expected the Browns to trade down some to collect some additional draft capital, but also surprised to see them make as many picks as they did... I didn't think they had as much roster space to fit a 9 rookie class..
The Ford pick is an interesting one because it likely will have a similar effect as the Emerson pick... We knew Hill and Greedy could be gone next year, so Browns decided to address it early and recoup something for Hill before being cut next offseason... With Ford, my guess is either Hunt or DEJ are gone (Hunt is a FA next year and DEJ could see his tender rescinded) which chances being DEJ due to his contractual status...
Woods roster spot is likely tied to if the Browns are able to bring in a veteran receiver (say Will Fuller or DeSean Jackson)... If not, he likely has a roster spot as the 6th WR and a gunner on special teams... If not, he could be a PS candidate..
Thomas is interesting -- here's yet another dart throw with Weaver, Rochell, Weatherly and now Thomas all competing for that 9th DL spot... Thomas being able to kick down in passing downs could give him a leg up..
Winfrey is again another interesting roster focus: The Browns now have Bryan, Day, Elliot, and Winfrey who are primarily pass first type players who struggle vs. the run.. Togiai is really the only true nose on the roster.. Bryan has played NT in the past so wonder if adding Winfrey means Elliot's job is in danger or the Browns see Bryan more at nose...
The Browns are expecting Harris to step up, signed Pocic for veteran insurance, brought back Hubbard and did tender Blake Hance, so Dawson will have an uphill battle to make the roster, along with whether they will choose to keep 9 or 10 offensive linemen... He does have some interior versatility so that could help.. I would have expected a tackle instead of an interior line considering Hubbard and Conklin's health, and Wills being injury prone to this point..
I don't have a particular issue going with a kicker in the draft, it's more so the position is so volatile and the difference between drafted and undrafted kickers is so minuscule that taking a kicker in the 4th over a rosterable position player is interesting... Is York in the 4th worth significantly more than Gabe Brkic undrafted? We shall see.. I just can't wait to see the boos hail, or Browns radio talk about York after the first 1-3 game
(which I hope never happens)... I'm guessing York's strong leg made the Browns more willing to expend a pick on a kicker..