How Far Does Teddy Bridgewater Fall in NFL.Com Scout’s NFL Mock Draft? (Browns Fans Celebrate?)
Dec 28, 2013; Orlando, FL, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) celebrates after the Russell Athletic Bowl against the Miami Hurricanes at Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports
We covered this morning Tony Grossi’s “stunning” NFL Mock Draft. That draft was called stunning based on who the Cleveland Browns drafted at #4 but was also stunning for how far Teddy Bridgewater fell. For those who followed the draft last year, starting early, Geno Smith was seen as a high pick, even #1 overall, until he fell to the second round. Could Bridgewater, or even Johnny Manziel have the same fall? Don’t think Bortles has a chance at that. Now we take a look at NFL.Com Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL Mock Draft 4.0. Jeremiah is a great person to follow on Twitter and is a respected analyst, how does he see the QBs happening? Lets take a look:
"PICK NO. 5 BLAKE BORTLES QB CENTRAL FLORIDAThe Raiders quietly filled some holes in free agency, but they still need a long-term solution at the quarterback position."
So the first QB off the board is indeed Bortles but “all the way down” at #5. For the Raiders this may be the best case scenario, having all 3 QBs available when their pick comes up at #5.
"PICK NO. 8 JOHNNY MANZIEL QB TEXAS A&M The Vikings have a strong running game that would complement Manziel’s style of play."
The second QB is off the board with Manziel going to work with Norv Turner and Adrian Peterson. Manziel’s lack of arm strength doesn’t seem to be a perfect compliment to the deep passing game Turner prefers. But the Vikings haven’t had a QB in years and take a risk on the biggest name in the draft. That means Bridgewateris still on the board:
Dec 28, 2013; Orlando, FL, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) points to the crowd after the Cardinals beat the Miami Hurricanes 36-9 to win the Russell Athletic Bowl at Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports
"PICK NO. 26 TEDDY BRIDGEWATER QB LOUISVILLE"
"I still view Bridgewater as the top quarterback in this draft class, but he has failed to generate excitement among the personnel executives I’ve talked to. If he falls past the Titans at pick No. 11, I think it’s realistic he could slide all the way down to this spot."
So the Browns get their “franchise QB” all the way at 26 and Jeremiah’s top QB is off the board as the 3rd taken in his Mock Draft. This is where rankings and team’s rankings impacts where players are drafted. If Teddy starts to fall and the Browns have him ranked anywhere near the middle of the draft it could be expected that they will look to trade up with their extra 3rd or 4th round picks to get him. So they get the QB at 26 in his draft so who did they pick at #4?
"PICK NO. 4 JAKE MATTHEWS OT TEXAS A&M Matthews has played both right and left tackle in college. He would line up at right tackle for the Browns and give them one of the top tackle tandems in the NFL."
Jeremiah has Clowney, Robinson and Watkins off the board at 1, 2 and 3 which leaves the Browns deciding between the 3 QBs, Matthews and Khalil Mack. Many may not like selecting a OT, wanting more splash with the first round picks but successful teams are normally built starting with their QB then inside out. Matthews should help open holes for Ben Tate and give Brian Hoyer and Bridgewater time to make plays to Josh Gordon, Andrew Hawkins and Jordan Cameron.
What would you think of a Matthews/Bridgewater draft? Is the lack of a WR in the first round something you can’t be okay with? Who would you pick at #4 if the draft went in this direction?