Cleveland Browns: Piecing Together Parts of the Draft Results

The Cleveland Browns’ draft has concluded, but did they do enough?

The yearly three-day event where the Cleveland Browns attempt to rebuild is over. Recently though, that trying has turned into progress as the franchise is and has been on the right track for a few seasons now.

That is great not only for the fans and the team, but for the NFL in general. As long as they continue to make progress, more respect and optimism will occur.

If you missed it, the Browns have a tracker listed on their website of who they drafted.

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At the start of the draft, Texas A&M EDGE Myles Garrett was the best option and luckily the franchise did not pass on him. Intrigue continued shortly later with the selection of Michigan safety Jabrill Peppers.

Why Peppers? I have my doubts on the impact he can make. However, Cleveland believes that they can do more with Peppers than they could with former Ohio State DB Malik Hooker and Washington DB Budda Baker.

In general, Cleveland’s first two days were very good. Day three on the other hand was filled with various opinions. Before I go into what other routes were better for the Browns during the draft, let me say this: Don’t overlook certain late draft picks.

The ones I am mainly referring to are Arizona State kicker Zane Gonzalez, who I have been saying for months needs to be a member of the Browns, and two offensive players. Those are North Carolina State’s running back Matt Dayes and Florida State’s offensive lineman Roderick Johnson.

Dayes will be Cleveland’s third down back. Should starter Isaiah Crowell leave the Browns after the season, Dayes should be part of the TBD duo to replace him. For some time now I have been advocating for a new right tackle.

I get why some like Cameron Erving and/or Shon Coleman there. I just don’t share that belief. Johnson won’t start day one, but by Week 11 he should.

That said, I digress.

Plenty of discussion has been placed on the selection of Florida defensive lineman Caleb Brantley for obvious reasons. There’s no reason to knock his talent, but instead questions surround Brantley’s commitment to the game and his off the field issues are the problems. In fact, more discussion has been placed on those issues than what Brantley can even bring to the field.

Related Story: Why Draft Brantley?

Having already drafted UNC-C DL Larry Ogunjobi to play their three technique, not to mention that Cleveland’s line is already loaded, why even draft Brantley? Both have solid first steps, but Brantley may be better as a one or five technique. At the end of the day, Cleveland saw value over risk. The same can be said about all of the players under debate in this piece, but Brantley is the headliner.

If Brantley is cleared, great, but he does not address a need since Ogunjobi already did. If he does not get cleared, they are cutting bait.

Regardless, Cleveland could have added a wide receiver, another tight end, or a better running back than Dayes. He is essentially another Duke Johnson, with the only exception being that Dayes will run through the tackles all day with more power. For a pro comp, his ceiling is smaller version of free agent RB LeGarrette Blount.

Another cornerback would have been great too. Cleveland only went with one corner: Houston’s Howard Wilson. Wilson can be a reliable third corner, but thinking he can become a top two corner is a bit premature.

With the Browns’ issues in the secondary, only coming away with just Peppers and Wilson is very frustrating and head-scratching. Yes, Cleveland filled multiple needs, but there were and still are glaring needs at corner and more help on offense was needed. While the Browns deserve credit, there are so many holes that were expected to be completed by now that are still incomplete.

A draft class of Garrett, Peppers, Ogunjobi, Wilson, Johnson, Brantley, Gonzalez, Dayes, tight end David Njoku, and quarterback DeShone Kizer is impressive. Yet, so much will continue to be desired.

Next: 5 Rookies Who Should Start in 2017

This class as a whole is very solid, but it is just disappointing that the Browns did not do more to help their QBs and secondary. Perhaps before preseason starts and cuts are made, such additions are finalized.

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