Players I Want the Cleveland Browns to Draft
Sep 28, 2013; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Ryan Shazier (10) pumps up the crowd during the fourth quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Ohio Stadium. Buckeyes beat the Badgers 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
If you have read FoS for long you know I love Shazier. I think he would make a perfect fit at ILB for the 3-4 but also has the versatility that Mike Pettine’s defense is going to need. I could see him lining up as the in the box safety as well, not assuming he could play safety but that Pettine would use him in that role. Shazier is just a great football player. If the Browns draft a QB and WR in the first round and the high level corners are off the board in the second then Shazier would be a great fit. If they skip the QB in the first two rounds and go WR at #4, say Mike Evans instead of Sammy Watkins, then Shazier at 26 and a corner at 35 then a ton of needs will be filled. I would prioritize the QB over Shazier though which means he probably isn’t making it to the Browns where I want him. Draft Position: The Browns select Shazier at #35 in the second round.
The Browns need a #2 receiver even more then they need a #2 corner and just slightly behind needing a long term answer at QB. I want Robinson to be that guy for a couple reasons. Because of the depth of the WR class I actually see teams waiting to draft guys into the 2nd and 3rd round. That will leave the Browns with plenty of options high in the second round and even in to the 3rd. Robinson is a long lean player who can get separation, high point the ball and run crisp pure routes. He is the prototype #2 and a low end #1. Donte Moncrief would also be a player on this list but he needs more development then Robinson on the next level. Even drafting Robinson wouldn’t stop the Browns from adding another receiver somewhere in the 3rd, 4th or 5th rounds. Draft Position: Browns draft Robinson at #35.
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Jeff Janis
A small school guys Janis is a great power/speed player. One of my favorite follows on Twitter said the same:
@JaredKMueller - big fan. Great size/speed combo. Very intriguing late-round guy.
— Luke Easterling (@LukeEasterling) April 25, 2014
Janis could be just a workout warrior type from a small school but he has the skill set to develop. Not comparing him directly but his potential is similar to Josh Gordon when he came out. He was a big mystery with high level skills that were developed correctly. If the Browns get a WR in the 1st or 2nd round and then come back with Janis in the middle rounds the team’s WR depth chart would go from weakness to strength quickly. Draft Position: Browns draft Janis in the 5th round, 4th would be acceptable.
A player that is shooting up the draft boards in the media is Johnson. Blake Bortles teammate, Johnson is a perfect fit in the Zone Blocking Scheme the Browns will run. The Browns will draft a RB in the middle rounds, as Ben Tate has injury history and only a 2 year contract. Many Ohioans want Carlos Hyde but unless he falls to Browns second 3rd round pick, still possible, it is unlike the team will spend a higher pick on him. Johnson is a perfect compliment and could take over in a year or two, as well as spell Tate during the season. Draft Position: The Browns draft Johnson in the 5th or 6th round due to RBs sliding down the boards.
The final player for today and again a player long time readers know is a desire for me. Crowell showed signs of dominance his freshman year at Georgia but then character issues forced him out. Those red flags have him almost undraftable to many teams but his talent is undeniable. The Browns took a risk on a character issue kid in Armonty Bryant and that seems to have paid off. It might be tough for the Browns to win the Undrafted Free Agent battle for many high level kids so they will have to draft them if they want them. If the Browns don’t get a RB in the middle rounds, and maybe even if they do, Crowell is a great late round pick. Draft Position: The Browns use their 7th round pick on Crowell.
Who on my list do you like? Who don’t you like? Who is the player or players you really want the team to draft this year?