@mark-o said:

I think even the clear cut best player also depends on what position he plays.  If the "clear cut best player" is a QB, RB or TE, there's really no point drafting him.  Better to trade back some to get something in return and then pick the best player available that is also at a position of need.    At RB, we already have Chubb and Hunt (pending suspension), there just aren't enough carries to go around for both of these guys to be effective long term so there would be no point adding a 3rd high draft pick RB to that mix.   We have bigger holes to fill than a RB. 

I only said RB because the other poster said even if Jim Brown was there.  No, I don't think we will draft a RB mostly because none are better than what we have.  If Jim Brown was there, you'd be stupid to not take him.  Trade the others.

My point is I would love a DT.  I think we need defensive players and want us to draft several, but if Metcalf is the best guy on the board, take him.  I'll leave that up to Dorsey to decide.

At no point do we not need great players.

@ballpeen said:

Like I said, it plays a part.  Sure, we aren't going to draft a QB in round 1 just like we aren't going to draft a punter in round 1.  There comes a point where drafting a player at some position is just silly.  We don't need to discuss that

You also look at needs if you have 2-3 players you more or less rank the same.  I am sure players grade out in "ties" all the time, so you might rank them according to need.

You also have times there is a clear cut best player on the board.  IMO you are best served taking that player.

I think even the clear cut best player also depends on what position he plays.  If the "clear cut best player" is a QB, RB or TE, there's really no point drafting him.  Better to trade back some to get something in return and then pick the best player available that is also at a position of need.    At RB, we already have Chubb and Hunt (pending suspension), there just aren't enough carries to go around for both of these guys to be effective long term so there would be no point adding a 3rd high draft pick RB to that mix.   We have bigger holes to fill than a RB. 

@louisville-slugger said:

To an extent. Were not taking a RB at 17 even if Jim Brown Jr was there. I try to look for the sweet spot of value, talent, and need. 

Maybe we won't.  I contend that would be a big mistake.

@mark-o said:

I think need has to play a big part.  We don't need a QB or RB so they aren't getting taken at #17.   I'd think you can cross TE off that list as well since Njoku is so young.   You don't draft K or P in the first round so they're out as well.   To me that leaves every other position on the field as a position of need on this team and should be considered in round 1.

Like I said, it plays a part.  Sure, we aren't going to draft a QB in round 1 just like we aren't going to draft a punter in round 1.  There comes a point where drafting a player at some position is just silly.  We don't need to discuss that

You also look at needs if you have 2-3 players you more or less rank the same.  I am sure players grade out in "ties" all the time, so you might rank them according to need.

You also have times there is a clear cut best player on the board.  IMO you are best served taking that player.

@the-gipper said:

What about trading up? They have 10 picks in this draft:

per draft value charts. Trading pick #80 gets us to pick #14 Atlanta. Trading #95 gets us to pick #15 Skins..the rebuilders looking for picks imo are #1Zona,#4Oak,#5TB,#8Det.#9Bills, #11Cinn, & #12Mia. so we have higher trade options if 2 of 3 still sit on board b-4 #17..QB's could go off board at #1 Zona(murray with Klingsberry?) #6 NYG & #7 Jags.     

@the-gipper said:

4th round
119

5th round
144 (via Jaguars)
155
170 (via Patriots)

6th round
189

I don't know if giving up any of these could put the Browns in a higher slot....but it should be considered and investigated. Dorsey WILL do that...even if no move can be made.

7th round
221 (via Jaguars)

different approach is selling Zona pick #95 & #119 could get us from #17 in 2nd round to picking 1st in RD 2..AlSo* Giving Oakland #144,155 & 189 gives us 2nd pick in 3rd round..we would still own picks #17,get top pick in 2nd(Zona) ,2nd pick in 3rd (Oak.).. 5th #170(gordon trade) & 7th #221(Kessler trade).. 5 picks..  

@louisville-slugger said:

That is my worry right now. Were sitting at 17 and Bosa, William's, Oliver, and Wilkins are all off the board, what do you do? I think Dorsey goes top rated Olineman, but I think the value in this draft is in the top 60 or so picks. I think this is an ideal draft to trade back. I know alot of people aren't a fan of that, but I seriously do not see a big gap in the players outside of the top 10 in the first round and the guys in the 2nd round.

I’m not sold on Dorsey spending a #17 pick on an O-lineman.

The interior of the line is pretty solid, and the Browns just re-signed Greg Robinson today.

@louisville-slugger said:

That is my worry right now. Were sitting at 17 and Bosa, William's, Oliver, and Wilkins are all off the board, what do you do? I think Dorsey goes top rated Olineman, but I think the value in this draft is in the top 60 or so picks. I think this is an ideal draft to trade back. I know alot of people aren't a fan of that, but I seriously do not see a big gap in the players outside of the top 10 in the first round and the guys in the 2nd round.

What about trading up? They have 10 picks in this draft:

@clevfan4life said:

I agree that of a day 1 impact offensive talent is there at 17, thats better than reaching on a defensive project that would be a 2nd rounder in a normal year. All the best DT's save perhaps for the clemson kid who got ped'd out of the championship, will be gone by 17. 

Timmy Jernigan DT Philly just cut...nice work Berry..

@clevfan4life said:

I agree that of a day 1 impact offensive talent is there at 17, thats better than reaching on a defensive project that would be a 2nd rounder in a normal year. All the best DT's save perhaps for the clemson kid who got ped'd out of the championship, will be gone by 17. 

That is my worry right now. Were sitting at 17 and Bosa, William's, Oliver, and Wilkins are all off the board, what do you do? I think Dorsey goes top rated Olineman, but I think the value in this draft is in the top 60 or so picks. I think this is an ideal draft to trade back. I know alot of people aren't a fan of that, but I seriously do not see a big gap in the players outside of the top 10 in the first round and the guys in the 2nd round.

If the highest rated QB(for lack of a steadier position on the roster) fell to 17 and he was the BPA, of course we would pass.

However, another team may want to move up to 17 and give up some draft picks, I’m sure a lot of us would be ok with it.

Now if a high enough rated interior D lineman falls to 17, it’s unlikely that we would trade back due to a “need spot” being filled.

@canton-dawg said:

I believe the Browns offense is in much better shape than the defense.

Dorsey should be looking at making the defense better.

Agreed...but if the best player available at #17 is a WR or an Offensive Lineman who can immediately start and make the team better, I think he's the guy you have to take. 

@mark-o said:

I think need has to play a big part.  We don't need a QB or RB so they aren't getting taken at #17.   I'd think you can cross TE off that list as well since Njoku is so young.   You don't draft K or P in the first round so they're out as well.   To me that leaves every other position on the field as a position of need on this team and should be considered in round 1.

I believe the Browns offense is in much better shape than the defense.

Dorsey should be looking at making the defense better.

@ballpeen said:

Thanks for the input Slugger.  I do keep seeing you talk about need.  To me the draft isn't all that much about need.  No doubt that plays a part, but in the end it is about stocking the roster with the best players possible.

I think need has to play a big part.  We don't need a QB or RB so they aren't getting taken at #17.   I'd think you can cross TE off that list as well since Njoku is so young.   You don't draft K or P in the first round so they're out as well.   To me that leaves every other position on the field as a position of need on this team and should be considered in round 1.

@tiamat63 said:

I'll be watching Wilkins closely. 

I've got a feeling he is going to shoot up the boards. That Simmons injury is making me nervous we won't land one of the potential impact DTs at 17.

@ballpeen said:

Thanks for the input Slugger.  I do keep seeing you talk about need.  To me the draft isn't all that much about need.  No doubt that plays a part, but in the end it is about stocking the roster with the best players possible.

To an extent. Were not taking a RB at 17 even if Jim Brown Jr was there. I try to look for the sweet spot of value, talent, and need. 

QB- Not a need and it's a pitiful group, so I'm looking at late round UDFA guys here. 

T. Jackson Buffalo J. Browning Washingtion 

RB- I like alot of these players but not a need. If one of these guys falls to the 5th or later I would snatch then up.

R. Anderson- Oklahoma D. Montgomery- Iowa St. D. Henderson- Memphis

WR- I dont see value at 17 but I'll be keeping an eye out in the 2nd round for these guys. Alot of good not great prospects.

D. Samuel- South Carolina A. Brown- Ole Miss M. Brown- Oklahoma H. Butler- Iowa St. P. Campbell- Ohio St. K. Harmon- N.C. St. R. Ridley- Georgia

OL- I like K. McGary out Washington, but I need more time at this position. I hate watching OL tape.

DL- right now we have to go DT at 17

C. Wilkins- Clemson E. Oliver- Houston J. Tillery- Notre Dame M. Sweat- Mississippi St. J. Ferguson La. Tech L. Collier TCU

LB- we can upgrade all 3 spots but not a dire need.

G. Pratt N.C. St. K. Hodge Buffalo T. Edward's Wisconsin T. Watson Maryland

CB- 

J. Love- Notre Dame M. Jackson Miami T. Mullens- Clemson

S- I really like these 2 guys but we dont have a need. Gardner-Johnson is one of my favorite players in the draft because he can play both safety spots and corner at a really high level.

C. Gardner-Johnson- Florida J. Abrams- Mississippi St.