@thenew23 said:

From what I remember of Rodgers, it had little to do with the offense he was in. Cal was a heavy pro-style team. His measurables just weren't "elite" for many scouts.

@wargograw said:

a guy from a spread offense who had plenty of question marks? Not worth it.

What question marks, other than he's a "system QB"? If I remember correctly, Aaron Rodgers dropped because he was a "system QB"... How'd that work out?

@mr.-make-believe said:

I agree with Gipper's addition of "bulldozer for OL"... And have to disagree with the idea that the Browns should be able to find a QB that will solve their issues at that position in the draft this year.

The rest of it though? Good post.

With the right picks, the Browns could get themselves within a good QB away from being a serious threat. I really don't think the team is too far off.

Is the relative consensus here that we should sort of forget about trading up for Mariota? Or is it the opposite?

I see a real opportunity to all-but finish laying the team's groundwork in this draft. I see mortgaging serious assets to grab a questionable QB prospect as having the potential to set the team back another year or two if Mariota doesn't pan out quickly.

Agree with this take entirely. Especially with the two Ohio State QBs looming, Connor Cook, Cody Kessler, Christian Hackenburg, the new Auburn quarterback who I think is a stud, Jacob Coker (if he even starts), Dak Prescott, Kevin Hogan, Gunner Kiel, Patrick Towles, John Goff.

You want to sacrifice your chance at all that AND your opportunity to continue stacking the non-QB team so you can take a guy from a spread offense who had plenty of question marks? Not worth it.

(but you knew that )

WSS

@tour2ma said:

@mr.-make-believe said:

the mariota and winston hype is well founded but REALLY??? what kind of drop off is it from them to a petty or hundley? i see the tape of these guys and i'm just as much impressed by them as the first 2 and it's not going to cost you 2 first rounders to get one. i say go for it in round 2.

@the-gipper said:

Yea, OK, it says we need a QB, a pass rusher and a run stuffer.

An offensive line upgrade would be #4 priority.

I am not as concerned about the running game.....as I pointed out elsewhere, last year the Browns rushing game was just as good as the Steelers, same amount of yards, a little less in ypc, more TDs though.

A breakaway run threat would not be bad. The Crown and West are good runners, but not really breakaway threats. A scatback at some point might be OK.

So, to draft for need....the Browns should:

Priority One: Draft either a run stuffer DL or MLB. Get a guy that can occupy the middle allowing the DEs/LB Kruger/Mingo more freedom to put pressure on the QB. Maybe a Shelton serves both purposes.

Priority Two: Get another pass rusher....especially if they continue this idiocy of not using Mingo for that purpose

Priority Three: Get another bulldozer for the OL.

Priority Four:

I don't see "run-stuffer" as an either/or... especially in this draft.

"Bulldozer" is the wrong OL type for the ZBS. O-linemen that can move fluidly are at a premium in this draft.

And since when are the Steelers your measuring stick?

WSS

@thenew23 said:

I agree with Gipper's addition of "bulldozer for OL"... And have to disagree with the idea that the Browns should be able to find a QB that will solve their issues at that position in the draft this year.

The rest of it though? Good post.

With the right picks, the Browns could get themselves within a good QB away from being a serious threat. I really don't think the team is too far off.

Is the relative consensus here that we should sort of forget about trading up for Mariota? Or is it the opposite?

I see a real opportunity to all-but finish laying the team's groundwork in this draft. I see mortgaging serious assets to grab a questionable QB prospect as having the potential to set the team back another year or two if Mariota doesn't pan out quickly.

@the-gipper said:

I agree.....screens and such were really rare.....30 passes caught by all of our backs last year (LeVeon Bell had 83 alone).....

I have no idea why we didnt throw to them......none......thats one to ask shanny.....

I suspect they rank very lpoorly.

I guess here I am reiterating two areas of disagreement I had with the Brownsphilosophy last year:

A. Not using Mingo as a primary pass rusher. He was drafted as a speed rusher...but of course that was by a different regime, coach/FA. But I still think that is his forte

B. Not using the RBs in the run game. That might have to do with the fact that we ended up with rookie RBs that may not have been trustworthy in that department...due primarily to inexperience. Well, get the experience....or get someone that can contribute in that fashion

An offensive line upgrade would be #4 priority.

I am not as concerned about the running game.....as I pointed out elsewhere, last year the Browns rushing game was just as good as the Steelers, same amount of yards, a little less in ypc, more TDs though.

A breakaway run threat would not be bad. The Crown and West are good runners, but not really breakaway threats. A scatback at some point might be OK.

So, to draft for need....the Browns should:

Priority One: Draft either a run stuffer DL or MLB. Get a guy that can occupy the middle allowing the DEs/LB Kruger/Mingo more freedom to put pressure on the QB. Maybe a Shelton serves both purposes.

Priority Two: Get another pass rusher....especially if they continue this idiocy of not using Mingo for that purpose

Priority Three: Get another bulldozer for the OL.

Priority Four: Get a scatback....or even a big back that can get some breakaway runs. And USE the RBs in the pass game. Again, comparing to Steelers.....while the run game was pretty equal, their primary RB alone had over 800 yards receiving on 83 catches. Browns RBs gained less than 200 yards on like only 27 catches. We are not going to get that franchise QB. Get someone to help whoever we have back there.

I don't know if a TE could help here....

Maybe when some prognosticators say the Browns could take a RB in round one, they may not be out of line.

@tour2ma said:

yep....Im expecting some kind of pick consolidation too....not sure which year it will apply to...cause I think the odds of 10 rookies making this years team are slim (and much lower than last season)......

Trade up to give me 6 decent picks in the first 4 rounds and Im beyond happy

Get a legit passing game and the rushing lanes will open themselves. Ask the Patriots. They didn't just run block their way to the SB, I'm pretty sure the constant threat of #12 shredding the D had something to do with it...

@thenew23 said:

I'm fine with everything you said, while we don't agree on everything, except this comment. I guess it just depends on what you mean by setting up next year's draft?

Also, I think the opposite here. You can only do so much against 8-man fronts all season long... I don't care who your 6th o-lineman is... A more threatening QB easily improves our rushing attack IMHO

I figure 1 or 2 picks will be traded out and up for 2016 picks... just seems to be Farmer's early MO.

I did the data through 4 or so 2014 games after the 8-man box argument became popular. We simply did not face 8 men often and when we did, we were successful against it as often as we were not. Our running attack fell off because our blocking was disrupted by the loss of Mack... pure and simple. You can see it in the O-line grades.

@tour2ma said:

5. Set up 2016 Draft.

I'm fine with everything you said, while we don't agree on everything, except this comment. I guess it just depends on what you mean by setting up next year's draft?

That would leave us with 7 picks to address only 2 glaring needs, and those 2 needs (OLB and WR) are at probably the 2 deepest positions in this draft...

First, you cannot address all the needs in this draft. All your picks combined will not satisfy your top priority. You can take a shot, even a good shot at improving our lot, but you cannot be sure you nail your QB... not in this draft.

Second, you ignored the bad running stats our Offense posted. The clear solution there is line depth that does not fall off a cliff when you call on the sixth man. If you assure that does not happen in 2015, then your anemic passing attack is going to look a helluva lot better... as will 3rd down conversion rate.

We're closer on the D-side... gotta stop the run. But I believe that when we do that, our QB pressures are going to rise just by nature of the down and distance distribution our 2015 foes will face.

1. Stop the run... NT/ILB

2. Run consistently... Interior O-line depth

3. Continue the QB search.

4. Add developmental skill players.

5. Set up 2016 Draft.

without making any moves we can draft all 4 in the first 3 rounds.