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2016 NFL Draft: 10 Cleveland Browns Hot Takes

By Nick Dudukovich

Oct 10, 2015; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Laquon Treadwell (1) carries the ball against New Mexico State Aggies defensive back Lewis Hill (29) during the game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2015; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Laquon Treadwell (1) carries the ball against New Mexico State Aggies defensive back Lewis Hill (29) during the game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /
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The 2016 NFL Draft will be a big day for fans of Cleveland Browns. Here’s 10 hot takes that are burning me up inside on the morning of the draft.

1. Ezekiel Elliott will be long gone by the time the Browns pick. I know. Don’t take a running back that early. I say analytics, shmamalytics. Adrian Peterson was the No. 7 pick in the 2007 draft and Elliott’s the best prospect since AP. Would you really turn down a back with Hall-of-Fame potential at No. 8? No. you wouldn’t. And that’s why he’ll be gone by the time the Brownies go on the clock.

2. Some in the Cleveland media believe Myles Jack is great pick for the Browns at No. 8. Don’t count me in this group. Jack has an injury history (knee) and most importantly, he’s a coverage linebacker!

3. Taking what we know about analytics, which may not totally line up with what Paul DePodesta’s computer says, one could reasonably conclude that anyone with a knee injury would be red flagged in the top 10.  Too much risk, right? Additionally, Jack’s a coverage linebacker!  We’ve seen the Ray Horton show before. The emphasis should be on getting the other team’s quarterback, not using high picks to drop  into coverage.

4. The Browns’ first pick won’t be a quarterback.  If the Browns really wanted to select a signal caller with their No. 1 overall pick, they would’ve stayed at No. 2 and taken either Carson Wentz or Jared Goff. Instead, they punted by trading down.

Paxton Lynch is reportedly Hue Jackson’s favorite, while Connor Cook rumors started burning up the rumor mill 48 hours prior to the draft. I’d be fine with either one, but it’s more likely these gentlemen are tapped by Cleveland later in the first round, or at some point in the second, which may not be such a bad thing.

5. Trading down is the most likely scenario. Why? The Browns need weapons on offense. How’s Robert Griffin III supposed to reclaim anything, let alone a career, throwing to Taylor Gabriel and Brian Hartline? No offense to these fine to gentlemen, but you know where I’m coming from.

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6. I think it’s more likely than even that the pick hungry Harvard Browns trade down again from No. 8 because they’re targeting a wide receiver…maybe LaQuon Treadwell. Nearly all the draftniks agree the Ole’ Miss product is a reach at No. 8.  But what about 15? Remember, Tennessee wants a a tackle and the Browns current position would be a prime place to draft a player such as Ronnie Stanley out of Notre Dame.

7. Speaking of lineman…if the Browns do select a tackle at No. 8, the fan base should be enraged. Will it be sold as the smart, sensible pick? Of course. But what difference does it make to have a great lineman if you don’t have weapons around him? Joe Thomas could be the case study in this department.

8. Good lineman can be found later in the draft. Of recent memory, Joel Bitonio was a second-round pick. Great pick. Find your lineman on day two.

9. If for some crazy reason the Browns actually stay at No. 8, and Elliott is gone and DeForest Buckner is on the board, Sashi Brown might as well disconnect his WiFi. Most mocks don’t have the Oregon product lasting until No. 8. If, for some reason he should, the Brown should be all over this defensive end who played in a 3-4 in college.

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10. One of the Browns first two picks needs to be used on a skill-position player. So if Buckner’s name is called, a receiver or quarterback better hear his name on day two. Andrew Berry recently said on ESPN Cleveland’s airwaves that he likes touchdowns, and that comment needs to be more than lip service if the franchise wants to bring any excitement to an increasingly apathetic fan base.

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