Your Grade or Thoughts on our '26 Draft
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Fano - can run for a big guy.
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JW Johnson recently commented on Deshaun Watson, saying that he “looks great,” has done “a great job,” and is “in a great head space.” That sounds like a player who is motivated to perform well and could be a starter in the new season. Speaking on ESPN Cleveland, Tony Rizzo said Johnson’s comment is no coincidence. He believes that Johnson is preparing the team’s fanbase for the reality of Watson being QB1 in 2026. “[Johnson] said that for a reason. He’s trying to condition Browns fans out there that there’s a possibility [Deshaun] Watson might start,” Rizzo said.
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The son-in-law has spoken.
Well...I guess Calfox will be watching Roller Derby this fall.
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JW Johnson recently commented on Deshaun Watson, saying that he “looks great,” has done “a great job,” and is “in a great head space.” That sounds like a player who is motivated to perform well and could be a starter in the new season. Speaking on ESPN Cleveland, Tony Rizzo said Johnson’s comment is no coincidence. He believes that Johnson is preparing the team’s fanbase for the reality of Watson being QB1 in 2026. “[Johnson] said that for a reason. He’s trying to condition Browns fans out there that there’s a possibility [Deshaun] Watson might start,” Rizzo said.
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The son-in-law has spoken.
Well...I guess Calfox will be watching Roller Derby this fall.
JW Johnson recently commented on Deshaun Watson, saying that he “looks great,” has done “a great job,” and is “in a great head space.” That sounds like a player who is motivated to perform well and could be a starter in the new season. Speaking on ESPN Cleveland, Tony Rizzo said Johnson’s comment is no coincidence. He believes that Johnson is preparing the team’s fanbase for the reality of Watson being QB1 in 2026. “[Johnson] said that for a reason. He’s trying to condition Browns fans out there that there’s a possibility [Deshaun] Watson might start,” Rizzo said.
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The son-in-law has spoken.
Well...I guess Calfox will be watching Roller Derby this fall.
Monken is going to start the QB who he feels gives the Browns the best chance to win.
Organizationally though, I don't see the point. I feel like you need to have a real competition between Watson and Sanders, and if MKC is correct via her contacts in the team, Monken wants the starter named well before Training Camp.
I just hope the Browns give Sanders a shot sometime this season to figure out if he's someone to build around or if they need to go balls-out in the '27 Draft for a QB. Depending on how they finish, that could mean they get VERY aggressive moving up for a specific QB. Future draft picks could be flying around.
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JW Johnson recently commented on Deshaun Watson, saying that he “looks great,” has done “a great job,” and is “in a great head space.” That sounds like a player who is motivated to perform well and could be a starter in the new season. Speaking on ESPN Cleveland, Tony Rizzo said Johnson’s comment is no coincidence. He believes that Johnson is preparing the team’s fanbase for the reality of Watson being QB1 in 2026. “[Johnson] said that for a reason. He’s trying to condition Browns fans out there that there’s a possibility [Deshaun] Watson might start,” Rizzo said.
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The son-in-law has spoken.
Well...I guess Calfox will be watching Roller Derby this fall.
Monken is going to start the QB who he feels gives the Browns the best chance to win.
Organizationally though, I don't see the point. I feel like you need to have a real competition between Watson and Sanders, and if MKC is correct via her contacts in the team, Monken wants the starter named well before Training Camp.
I just hope the Browns give Sanders a shot sometime this season to figure out if he's someone to build around or if they need to go balls-out in the '27 Draft for a QB. Depending on how they finish, that could mean they get VERY aggressive moving up for a specific QB. Future draft picks could be flying around.
Monken is going to start the QB who he feels gives the Browns the best chance to win.
Organizationally though, I don't see the point. I feel like you need to have a real competition between Watson and Sanders, and if MKC is correct via her contacts in the team, Monken wants the starter named well before Training Camp.
I just hope the Browns give Sanders a shot sometime this season to figure out if he's someone to build around or if they need to go balls-out in the '27 Draft for a QB. Depending on how they finish, that could mean they get VERY aggressive moving up for a specific QB. Future draft picks could be flying around.
To add to your first line, I don't think that Monken entertains starting anyone else until he determines that the season is lost. That's not to say that he won't bench the starter because at that point he's making a decision that his starter is not giving him the best chance to win.
I also agree that there should be a real QB competition. Especially when it's a new HC taking over the team. If it's not going to be, Let the best man win, then players will become dismayed with the coach. They'll have to fall in line and politely do what they're told, but it will be more to collect a paycheck than anything else.
One of my problems with Stefanski is that he allowed his QB's to play stupidly. He did not mandate that his QB's SLIDE after taking off with the ball. Many times he said, That's the way Watson plays the game of football. And I'm sitting there thinking, Fuck No! You can't have your 250 mil $, 3 first round picks QB taking on tacklers and getting hurt. What freakin' good is he at that point? Each game is a battle...but the goal is to win the war. And Shedeur was doing much the same thing. I hope that Monken mandates that his QB's take care of themselves, because they're the only guys that can throw touchdown passes.
If Watson earns the starting job, and the team wins games because he's playing well, and even makes the playoffs...then they're going to have to keep him. It doesn't matter how many Calfox's there are out there.
Some months ago you (Dutch) said that this was going to be a very interesting offseason. And it's certainly been all of that. But it's also going to be an interesting regular season. Unfortunately, it might be another season where we spend a lot of it trying to figure out what to do at QB for '27 and beyond.
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Monken is going to start the QB who he feels gives the Browns the best chance to win.
Organizationally though, I don't see the point. I feel like you need to have a real competition between Watson and Sanders, and if MKC is correct via her contacts in the team, Monken wants the starter named well before Training Camp.
I just hope the Browns give Sanders a shot sometime this season to figure out if he's someone to build around or if they need to go balls-out in the '27 Draft for a QB. Depending on how they finish, that could mean they get VERY aggressive moving up for a specific QB. Future draft picks could be flying around.
To add to your first line, I don't think that Monken entertains starting anyone else until he determines that the season is lost. That's not to say that he won't bench the starter because at that point he's making a decision that his starter is not giving him the best chance to win.
I also agree that there should be a real QB competition. Especially when it's a new HC taking over the team. If it's not going to be, Let the best man win, then players will become dismayed with the coach. They'll have to fall in line and politely do what they're told, but it will be more to collect a paycheck than anything else.
One of my problems with Stefanski is that he allowed his QB's to play stupidly. He did not mandate that his QB's SLIDE after taking off with the ball. Many times he said, That's the way Watson plays the game of football. And I'm sitting there thinking, Fuck No! You can't have your 250 mil $, 3 first round picks QB taking on tacklers and getting hurt. What freakin' good is he at that point? Each game is a battle...but the goal is to win the war. And Shedeur was doing much the same thing. I hope that Monken mandates that his QB's take care of themselves, because they're the only guys that can throw touchdown passes.
If Watson earns the starting job, and the team wins games because he's playing well, and even makes the playoffs...then they're going to have to keep him. It doesn't matter how many Calfox's there are out there.
Some months ago you (Dutch) said that this was going to be a very interesting offseason. And it's certainly been all of that. But it's also going to be an interesting regular season. Unfortunately, it might be another season where we spend a lot of it trying to figure out what to do at QB for '27 and beyond.
If Watson earns the starting job, and the team wins games because he's playing well, and even makes the playoffs...then they're going to have to keep him.
I have some doubts that he would stay.
I think one way or another he bolts after this season.
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I have some doubts that he would stay.
I think one way or another he bolts after this season.
You're probably right.
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JW Johnson recently commented on Deshaun Watson, saying that he “looks great,” has done “a great job,” and is “in a great head space.” That sounds like a player who is motivated to perform well and could be a starter in the new season. Speaking on ESPN Cleveland, Tony Rizzo said Johnson’s comment is no coincidence. He believes that Johnson is preparing the team’s fanbase for the reality of Watson being QB1 in 2026. “[Johnson] said that for a reason. He’s trying to condition Browns fans out there that there’s a possibility [Deshaun] Watson might start,” Rizzo said.
-------
The son-in-law has spoken.
Well...I guess Calfox will be watching Roller Derby this fall.
Monken is going to start the QB who he feels gives the Browns the best chance to win.
Organizationally though, I don't see the point. I feel like you need to have a real competition between Watson and Sanders, and if MKC is correct via her contacts in the team, Monken wants the starter named well before Training Camp.
I just hope the Browns give Sanders a shot sometime this season to figure out if he's someone to build around or if they need to go balls-out in the '27 Draft for a QB. Depending on how they finish, that could mean they get VERY aggressive moving up for a specific QB. Future draft picks could be flying around.
Monken is going to start the QB who he feels gives the Browns the best chance to win.
Organizationally though, I don't see the point. I feel like you need to have a real competition between Watson and Sanders, and if MKC is correct via her contacts in the team, Monken wants the starter named well before Training Camp.
I just hope the Browns give Sanders a shot sometime this season to figure out if he's someone to build around or if they need to go balls-out in the '27 Draft for a QB. Depending on how they finish, that could mean they get VERY aggressive moving up for a specific QB. Future draft picks could be flying around.
To the bold- if Watson ends up being named the starter, it does also make you believe that this regime having seen the tape in more detail already feel like they have enough to know he (Sanders) is not the guy. The 'better' option in their eyes is to roll the dice one more time with Watson (which also sucks). I also would not be surprised at all if Haslam is pulling the lever to make Watson work and not go down as the owner who made the worst trade and contract in NFL history. He 110% would operate that way based on years of observations.
I'll keep it totally honest- I really don't care how this ends up. I think both are going to both stink and all eyes are having a markedly good core for a '27 rookie QB. I'd much prefer
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A moo point.
Useless, like a cow’s opinion
Is that like an escape goat?
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I don’t know if you could assess anyone last year with the WRs that couldn’t separate and catch the ball consistently, edges that couldn’t protect or an interior oline showing its age.
I saw enough of Fannin and Judkins that they could overcome some of these challenges.
But I can’t say that Shedeur has enough on tape to make a determination at this point.
I will say we started the 2025 campaign putting it all on the OLine. And then slowly said our WRs can’t do their job and then said Gabriel looks “rough” for the position. Shedeur came in flashed a little and looked overwhelmed at times. The line held up the WRs could separate. The line was a disaster we missed open targets.
it would be hard for me prior to camp to put Watson and Shedeur in some kind of pecking order.
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Monken is going to start the QB who he feels gives the Browns the best chance to win.
Organizationally though, I don't see the point. I feel like you need to have a real competition between Watson and Sanders, and if MKC is correct via her contacts in the team, Monken wants the starter named well before Training Camp.
I just hope the Browns give Sanders a shot sometime this season to figure out if he's someone to build around or if they need to go balls-out in the '27 Draft for a QB. Depending on how they finish, that could mean they get VERY aggressive moving up for a specific QB. Future draft picks could be flying around.
To the bold- if Watson ends up being named the starter, it does also make you believe that this regime having seen the tape in more detail already feel like they have enough to know he (Sanders) is not the guy. The 'better' option in their eyes is to roll the dice one more time with Watson (which also sucks). I also would not be surprised at all if Haslam is pulling the lever to make Watson work and not go down as the owner who made the worst trade and contract in NFL history. He 110% would operate that way based on years of observations.
I'll keep it totally honest- I really don't care how this ends up. I think both are going to both stink and all eyes are having a markedly good core for a '27 rookie QB. I'd much prefer
I also would not be surprised at all if Haslam is pulling the lever to make Watson work and not go down as the owner who made the worst trade and contract in NFL history.
Apparently you aren't aware of the fact that during an interview a few months ago he told the sports world that the Watson thing was a 'Swing and a miss'. He's already owned the situation. Having Watson named the starter and fail would only make him and the Browns look like dingbats that are incapable of learning. I'm sure that Haslem would like nothing more than to have space aliens come down, snatch up Watson, and take off to another galaxy. But, he's got a new coach that just might choose him as the starter. And he has to let that happen, if that's the way things go.
BEING A BROWNS FAN IS A TEST TO SEE HOW MUCH YOU CAN TAKE -
I also would not be surprised at all if Haslam is pulling the lever to make Watson work and not go down as the owner who made the worst trade and contract in NFL history.
Apparently you aren't aware of the fact that during an interview a few months ago he told the sports world that the Watson thing was a 'Swing and a miss'. He's already owned the situation. Having Watson named the starter and fail would only make him and the Browns look like dingbats that are incapable of learning. I'm sure that Haslem would like nothing more than to have space aliens come down, snatch up Watson, and take off to another galaxy. But, he's got a new coach that just might choose him as the starter. And he has to let that happen, if that's the way things go.
Apparently you aren't aware of the fact that during an interview a few months ago he told the sports world that the Watson thing was a 'Swing and a miss'. He's already owned the situation. Having Watson named the starter and fail would only make him and the Browns look like dingbats that are incapable of learning. I'm sure that Haslem would like nothing more than to have space aliens come down, snatch up Watson, and take off to another galaxy. But, he's got a new coach that just might choose him as the starter. And he has to let that happen, if that's the way things go.
I wish all that was true; and it might be. Unfortunately, this feels like bad history repeating itself with Jimmy putting us right back to X's and Uh-O's. If he, as the business owner, REALLY felt it was a swing and a miss - I'd prefer to see actions speaking louder than words. Having Watson STILL here with Jimmy's customer base reading he's in the lead to start - isn't assuring many of us Jimmy is owning anything about Watson other than he needs him. It does remind some of us why this team has never won the AFC North during his tenure or had the coaching staff/setting/weapons to make any of the Haslam era QBs keeper material. If we're looking to a stench-lingering QB because "it's all we can do" from our owner's perspective (that created and perpetuated the failure);- there's an old saying "if you fail to prepare; then prepare to fail." Done that, rinsed, repeated, rinsed, repeated; so it's tough for me to join the thought Jimmy has owned this from a previous lip service.
I get the impression this whole thing wreaks of Jimmy possibly nudging his new HC in his long awaited dream job/opportunity with something as seemingly small as asking Monken "is it even worth putting the pads on Watson again while he's here getting paid extremely well to help the Browns?" Now there's a sense of "hey, this multi-billionaire owner is the only 1 that gave me my dream job as HC" - obligated to respond with actions showing "it's the least I can do." This is the same Jimmy Haslam getting involved only it's intended to be subtle enough that we're not supposed to notice the idea came from anywhere but Todd Monken. Again this could all be wrong by me; but I can't tip toe around Jimmy's trend here. If he had said "many swings and misses" - we wouldn't have to worry about him defending it with "how many strikes does it take to seat the guy standing in the batter's box?"
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I read this morning that Jeudy may be traded away this summer for a mid-range 2027 pick. Creates more cap space and rids us of a guy with questionable motivation & hands from what I saw last year. Anyone find the stats on drops for him? Seemed like around 9 or 10 to me.
EDIT: I found it. It was a league high with 13 in 17 games for 2025. That's unacceptable. And some here thought Concepcions 7 in 13 games was too much. And for me the difference was seeing how many Jeudy dropped that were easy two hands on it outright muffs. Several of Concepcions were difficult attempts, not easy peasy drops.
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I read this morning that Jeudy may be traded away this summer for a mid-range 2027 pick. Creates more cap space and rids us of a guy with questionable motivation & hands from what I saw last year. Anyone find the stats on drops for him? Seemed like around 9 or 10 to me.
EDIT: I found it. It was a league high with 13 in 17 games for 2025. That's unacceptable. And some here thought Concepcions 7 in 13 games was too much. And for me the difference was seeing how many Jeudy dropped that were easy two hands on it outright muffs. Several of Concepcions were difficult attempts, not easy peasy drops.
I read this morning that Jeudy may be traded away this summer for a mid-range 2027 pick. Creates more cap space and rids us of a guy with questionable motivation & hands from what I saw last year. Anyone find the stats on drops for him? Seemed like around 9 or 10 to me.
There's still rumors around here that the Browns might still trade Myles after June 1st, too.
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I read this morning that Jeudy may be traded away this summer for a mid-range 2027 pick. Creates more cap space and rids us of a guy with questionable motivation & hands from what I saw last year. Anyone find the stats on drops for him? Seemed like around 9 or 10 to me.
There's still rumors around here that the Browns might still trade Myles after June 1st, too.
There's still rumors around here that the Browns might still trade Myles after June 1st, too.
See my edit that added Jeudy's 13 2025 drops to the post. Unreal.
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There's still rumors around here that the Browns might still trade Myles after June 1st, too.
See my edit that added Jeudy's 13 2025 drops to the post. Unreal.
See my edit that added Jeudy's 13 2025 drops to the post. Unreal.
He was not good last season.
Hopefully we see 2024 Jeudy if he's still around.
I'd prefer a veteran WR in the group.
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See my edit that added Jeudy's 13 2025 drops to the post. Unreal.
He was not good last season.
Hopefully we see 2024 Jeudy if he's still around.
I'd prefer a veteran WR in the group.
He was not good last season.
Hopefully we see 2024 Jeudy if he's still around.
I'd prefer a veteran WR in the group.
With twice the receiving yards (1229 vs 602) of 2025 and less drops while catching 40 more passes than 2025. I would agree with that.
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I also would not be surprised at all if Haslam is pulling the lever to make Watson work and not go down as the owner who made the worst trade and contract in NFL history.
Apparently you aren't aware of the fact that during an interview a few months ago he told the sports world that the Watson thing was a 'Swing and a miss'. He's already owned the situation. Having Watson named the starter and fail would only make him and the Browns look like dingbats that are incapable of learning. I'm sure that Haslem would like nothing more than to have space aliens come down, snatch up Watson, and take off to another galaxy. But, he's got a new coach that just might choose him as the starter. And he has to let that happen, if that's the way things go.
Apparently you aren't aware of the fact that during an interview a few months ago he told the sports world that the Watson thing was a 'Swing and a miss'. He's already owned the situation. Having Watson named the starter and fail would only make him and the Browns look like dingbats that are incapable of learning. I'm sure that Haslem would like nothing more than to have space aliens come down, snatch up Watson, and take off to another galaxy. But, he's got a new coach that just might choose him as the starter. And he has to let that happen, if that's the way things go.
I am aware, yes. But Haslam strikes me as the kind of dude who could be sweet talked into something like this scenario "The reason Watson sucked is because of prior coaching and scheme. We got the right guys now to make it work".
To the bolded point, Haslam and crew have already sunk to as low as possible in the whole Watson situation. If he goes out and sucks it really doesn't get much lower than what the other owners, fans, etc think. But, if on the 5% chance he does look good Haslam can say I told you so and not go down in the record books as making the stupidest trade in NFL history.
Again, I have no fucking clue what they are thinking. But giving the way the man has operated, I really don't see that as a wild thought process.
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Remember that Browns coach that was down on the field at the Combine? Remember how he had Fano doing some snapping of the ball. He knew they were taking Fano back then. He wanted to see Fano do everything.
Remember that Browns coach that was down on the field at the Combine? Remember how he had Fano doing some snapping of the ball. He knew they were taking Fano back then. He wanted to see Fano do everything.
The story I heard was that Fano wasn't asked to practice at center, but that the offer was presented to all the available OLinemen to show they can snap and Fano volunteered... Can't remember where I heard/saw this.
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Remember that Browns coach that was down on the field at the Combine? Remember how he had Fano doing some snapping of the ball. He knew they were taking Fano back then. He wanted to see Fano do everything.
The story I heard was that Fano wasn't asked to practice at center, but that the offer was presented to all the available OLinemen to show they can snap and Fano volunteered... Can't remember where I heard/saw this.
Can't remember where I heard/saw this.
So much for my theory.
It's amazing though how much buzz his few snaps created. I still think they knew back then that they would take Fano. But I'm sure the Combine results had them pull out the Freeling folder for another look-see.
We need two of the OLinemen & the two WR's that we drafted to step right in and play like veterans. No excuses for the QB position this year.
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