Cleveland Browns 2014 NFL Draft
Guide:
Vince
Chiuchiarelli
Who they might be thinking
about.
Who they better be thinking
about.
Who they should have been thinking
about.
(like 12 months ago)
2014 Draft Prospects
2014 NFL Draft starts Thursday and the Browns
have 10 picks (most of any team)
Within those 10 picks, the Browns have half of
those picks in the first three rounds (which is VERY VERY rare and
opportunistic for our front office)
Now for the youngsters! A major part of being a
Cleveland Browns fan is getting excited for that particular season’s upcoming
draft (yay!! It’s cause we suck every single year) History tells us
in previous drafts where teams own a boatload of picks in one draft, (such as the Browns) that particular team
will tend not to use all of them. In that case the most likely scenario would
be where a few of those picks will be used as ammunition to trade up in the
draft (in regards to trading picks, future picks ranging
from rounds 1-7, can be traded at any time and used as ammunition also)
Since the Browns
have so many picks, let's try and focus on their first 5 selections, which
happen to be within rounds 1-3 (out of 7) .
The Browns have many needs on both offense and
defense. However, after review of their current roster I have narrowed it down
to 5 "must need" additions the Browns need to make at key positions
in order to be very successful next season. (I didn’t
include lineman because Mike Pettine said it wasn’t a pressing need, not to
mention we picked up some in the offseason)
Lists have top 5 players at each position of
need with the #1 player being “best for business”. In this case the business is
your Cleveland Browns. (Just stole a line from the
C.O.O. of WWE)
**MY RANKINGS ARE NOT BEST 5 PLAYERS AT THAT
POSITION**
Browns 2014 Position Needs
1.)
QB
2.)
CB
3.)
LB
4.)
RB
5.)
WR
Need #1-Quarterback
As of right now, Brian
Hoyer is the only QB the Browns will keep from last year. The Browns recently
signed veteran QB’s Vince Young, and Tyler Thigpen. Again, the coaches and
front office are stressing competition. They have also said they will be
drafting a QB in this years draft. Remember, the Browns will not pass nearly as
much compared to last season. Not to mention the addition of Ben Tate and
having Kyle Shanahan as your offensive coordinator help strengthen that
statement. Therefore, here are the prospects I believe would be the best for
the Browns.
1.
Johnny Manziel
(Texas A&M) (6’ft 207lbs)
NFL Comparison: Brett
Favre
Browns: He is the Evil Knievel of football.
Instant Pandemonium in Cleveland.
Ready to win right now. Not
much needs to be said, he’ll be the franchise
QB and set the world on fire.
2.
Jimmy Garoppolo(Eastern
Illinois)(6’2 226lbs)
NFL Comparison: Drew
Brees
Browns: Learn
behind Hoyer until he’s ready. Best footwork of all QB’s, and very intelligent
doesn’t take sacks. Lightning quick release (honestly reminds me of a young Aaron Rodgers, but needs to get stronger to live up to it.
3.
Tom Savage (Pittsburgh)
(6’5 228lbs)
NFL Comparison: Jay Cutler
Browns:
My favorite release, quick and very
strong. Might rely too much on arm strength
and needs to move better within the pocket. Tall and thick build, a perfect combo for the AFC North.
4.
Logan Thomas (Virginia
Tech) (6’6 250lbs)
NFL Comparison: Colin Kaepernick
Browns: Guy
is a physical freak. Struggles with accuracy, but if
coached up he will be a superstar and would
resemble a mix between Big Ben and Colin Kaepernick.
Lookout.
5.
Aaron Murray (Georgia) (6ft1 207lbs)
NFL
Comparison: Russell Wilson
Browns:
Reminds me of a stronger/better Kirk
Cousions with best intangibles outside of Johnny Manziel.
Need #2-Cornerback
Joe Haden
needs a better more talented corner across of him. Plain and simple, the Browns
need to add depth and more size in their secondary to take pressure off Joe
Haden. Im tired of watching our secondary give up so many long TD’s.
1. Kyle
Fuller (Virginia Tech)
(lbs)
NFL Comparison: Charles Woodson (Yeah I
know, but seriously watch his tape)
Browns: He is smooth as the other side of the pillow. I love his
athletic ability and his fluid hips. He brings good
tackling skills, and will be a force on special
teams. Joe Haden would love to work side by side
with this guy.
2. Bradley
Roby (Ohio State) (5’11
195lbs)
NFL Comparison: Sam Shields
Browns: Probably the best overall skill at this
position in the draft. Can
be lazy at times, but also flash amazing speed and
quickness. Very solid tackler, and helps support
stopping the run. Very fluid and has soft hands.
Needs to bulk up in order to be full time starter.
3.Rashaad
Reynolds (Oregon State)
(5’10 189lbs)
NFL Comparison: Brent Grimes
Browns: Reynolds Looks the part of an NFL corner. He is
slight of frame
but still brings hard hits and quick feet. Would start
day 1 for Browns, and would pair very nice with
Joe Haden.
4.
Justin Verrett (TCU) (5’9
190lbs)
NFL Comparison: Ladarius Webb
Browns: Verrett reminds me of a young scrapper. Needs to
sharpen his mechanics
a little more. Still brings great
athleticism. Could start day 1 at corner.
5. Pierre
Desir (Lindenwood) (6’1 198lbs)
NFL Comparison: Prince Amukamara
Browns: Playing at such a lower level than most D1
prospects may be a
disadvantage for Desir when competing with other D1 CB
prospects all with hopes of starting this season.
However, the tape shows a big strong guy with great
speed and toughness. Absolutely he can translate
to the NFL, question is when.
Need#3-Inside
Linebacker
Linebackers are a huge part of Mike Pettine’s
defense. Speedy and good tacklers are required, and the Browns can use all the
ones they can get their hands on.
1. Khalil Mack
(Buffalo) (6’2 240lbs)
NFL Comparison: Willie
McGinest
Browns Tape is enough
evidence - upgrade on defense?.....YES
2.
C.J. Mosley (Alabama) 6’2
232 lbs
NFL Comparison: Navarro Bowman
Browns It would be as if Haley’s comet came right
through Cleveland
if Mosley was still available for the Browns at pick
#26. Mosley has range, size, and speed. He has great
vision and instincts. He has the potential to be a
franchise middle linebacker.
3.
Ryan Shazier
(Ohio State)
NFL Comparison:
Browns Shazier is not the biggest linebacker, but man
does he pack a
punch. He was the leader on his defense in college,
and although he is undersized, he should continue to
grow more. He is intimidating though (I had Kiswahili class at OSU with him….I never looked at him once in
fear)
4.
Lamin Barrow (LSU) (6-3
236lbs)
NFL Comparison: Jarvis Jones
Browns Browns could snag him in a later, giving them good value
and depth at the position
5.
Chris Borland
(Wisconsin) (5’10 200 lbs)
NFL Comparison: Kiko
Alonso
Browns Mike Pettine could totally make Borland into a
starter and
contributor to our defense next year. Rough and tough are
the only ways to describe him.
Need #4-Running Back
The running back situation in Cleveland this
past season was pretty dismal. Starting with the early injury to Dion Lewis, to
the signing of the aging Willis McGahee, the Browns never seemed to have a
running game all year. In order to be successful in the playoffs you will have
to run the ball. The Browns do not have a great running back on the team as it
stands. Yes Dion Lewis adds a good dynamic to an offense, but we need a running
back that will pound the rock in the tough AFC North. Let us look at some
choices!
1. Jeremy
Hill (LSU) (6’1 233lbs)
NFL Comparison: Arian Foster
Browns: Just watch the tape
NFL Comparison: Matt Forte
Browns Carlos Hyde is one of the best running back in the class. The
combination of power, speed, and vision what makes him
great. The number one thing I will
always remember about Carlos from watching
his at OSU is that he was always moving
forward, never once did I ever see him get knocked
backwards. Stability and balance for such a
big back make him special.
3. Isiah
Crowell (Alabama State) (5’11
224 lbs)
NFL Comparison: Giovanni Bernard
Browns: Honestly, if his off the field issues check out, this kid would
be a steal in the later mid-late rounds in the
draft. His tape speaks for itself. He can catch the
ball great out of the backfield and he has a 3rd
gear you can see easily. He has good size and
can pack a punch.
4.
Terrance West (Townson) (5’0
225lbs)
NFL Comparison: Frank Gore
Browns: This guy can play. He can block, run hard, and
get downhill quick. He is tough and does
not shy away from
contact.
5.
Dri Archer (Kent State)
(5’8 175lbs)
NFL Comparison: Chris Johnson
Browns: Archer really is the wildcard of all the running backs. He
could be a truly electric player in the right
offense on the right team. He can catch very well out of
the backfield, almost making him another receiver.
Need #5-Wide Receiver
Let's look for the Browns to draft a so-called
#2 receiver to pair up with Josh Gordon in the draft. We already have a #1 in
Gordon so now we need to build around him. The Browns added Andrew Hawkins and
Nate Burleson in free agency. I don’t see this to be a pressing need, but they
sure could draft one in the middle rounds and develop him into being a starter.
1. Kelvin
Benjamin (Florida State) (- lbs)
NFL
Comparison: Alshon Jeffery
Browns:
Won a national championship last
year, and made the play of
the game. He is a huge receiver that if can
learn how to run better routes, will be a force to be
reckon with.
2.
Cody Latimer (Indiana) (6’2 215lbs)
NFL
Comparison: Reggie Wayne
Browns:
Credit to him, he had horrific QB
play at Indiana. He will
thrive in a better-structured offense and will be a
starter in the NFL. Book it.
3. Allen
Robinson (Penn State) (6’2
220lbs)
NFL Comparison: Anquan Bolden
Browns: Robinson brings a big body and great hands. His leaping
ability is what impresses me and he is fearless on
the field. Not to mention he is the best run
blocker out of all the WR’s.
4. Jarvis
Landry (LSU) (5’11 205lbs)
NFL
Comparison: Brian Hartline
Browns:
Best hands in draft, and the guy is
a straight
playmaker and competitor. Possession receiver
that is not afraid to go over the middle.
5.
Kevin Norwood (Alabama)
(6’2 200lbs)
NFL
Comparison: Pierre Garcon
Browns: Norwood is the definition of consistency and clutch. At
Alabama he was their #1 receiver and made every
single big catch and came alive when they needed
him most. I love his ability and love his ball
skills.
-
If the browns come away with any of these players, you should
be very happy!
Thanks for reading
WOOF WOOF
