@tour2ma said:

1. It's why Jones and Peart have both leap-frogged Wills in my value scenarios. Jones because I know he can play LT. Peart because I know he can play RT and he costs me a lot less to try Conk at LT.
2. I'd pass on Wirfs in a heartbeat. I don't need to spend a #1 to fix RG. 
3. Becton? Again... I'd pass in a heartbeat. Is the potential there? Maybe... but then it was supposedly in a great athlete named Greg Robinson as well. As is Becton's a top-heavy mess with no tech

Always enjoy having a Hog-Molly advisor to lean on, on this board.. Use'guys always seem to find the longer nuts & bolts in the tool box, us average Joe's like me can't find...

in short, Give us Andrew Thomas at #10 to scare the lake pigeons off the field... or

on draft night we will be Counting Crows till Mr. Jones 

  i might look like Bob Dylan before draft night round 1 is over     

@gumby73 said:

1. I've been all set at a)Thomas or b.) Wills at #10...
2. Are you saying you'd pass on Wirfs solidifying RG or upgrade Hub at RT? Conk to LT..
3. And you'd also pass on Becton at #10? am still in shock at what Becton ran..his 1.77 split ?, was just a few ticks over Wirfs at 1.69..Wills,Thomas & Jones all in 1.80's..
4. Is Trading back to say pick #15? Can ya take Josh Jones there? with a wing under 80" & arms barely under 34"?
5. Another shocker to me is the Overall size wing of Becton 83 2/8.. Thomas & Wills sit at 83 4/8ths... 

1. Wills was my initial #1 and he's still acceptable, but to take him you have to know one of your two RTs can flip to LT. While I know you and I believe Conk can do that, it's still a wrinkle to consider. It's why Jones and Peart have both leap-frogged Wills in my value scenarios. Jones because I know he can play LT. Peart because I know he can play RT and he costs me a lot less to try Conk at LT.
2. I'd pass on Wirfs in a heartbeat. I don't need to spend a #1 to fix RG. While back I posted a PFF article on the impact of passing rounds on success at every Offensive position. IOL (OG + Center) was the flattest line of all. You can find quality IOL starters throughout the draft... and this one is a great example IMO.
3. Becton? Again... I'd pass in a heartbeat. Is the potential there? Maybe... but then it was supposedly in a great athlete named Greg Robinson as well. As is Becton's a top-heavy mess with no tech.
4. Jones lasts until 15 in almost every scenario I can think of excepting if there is an early OT run starting with NYG at #4. Conversely if the first OT off the board doesn't go until AZ at #8, then Jones may fall to the bottom of the first... but in that case Thomas is likely there at #10 for us unless NYJ wants him enough to trade up from 11 for him.
5. Wills' span surprised me because the other two looked much bigger on tape. But its not a matter of how wide... but what they do with the width... At least that's what she said.

Someone here posted weeks ago about some Sr. Bowl scout (IIRC) of some note saying Thomas and Jones were the class of this class. I'd love to compare notes with whomever that was...

@dutch-oven said:

I'm excited at the prospect of having a good OLine again. 

The tackle position should be fixed as of... whenever the Draft happens. 

Of course, a good question is:   Will getting a LOT with the #10 pick actually "fix" that position.    Unless that person is the rare Joe Thomas type, any rookie would still have a lot to learn, and the play would be questionable until he proves it. 

The tackle position should be fixed as of... whenever the Draft happens. 

@tour2ma said:

I've been trumpeting Thomas at 10 repeatedly... with Jones as the best alternative.

I've been all set at a)Thomas or b.) Wills at #10...

Are you saying you'd pass on Wirfs solidifying RG or upgrade Hub at RT? Conk to LT..

And you'd also pass on Becton at #10? am still in shock at what Becton ran..his 1.77 split ?, was just a few ticks over Wirfs at 1.69..Wills,Thomas & Jones all in 1.80's..

Is Trading back to say pick #15? Can ya take Josh Jones there? with a wing under 80" & arms barely under 34"?

Another shocker to me is the Overall size wing of Becton 83 2/8.. Thomas & Wills sit at 83 4/8ths... 

@the-gipper said:

By that do you mean that you don't think any of them as a group are worthy of the #10 pick?  

Wonder if we could do well waiting to round 2....to pick 42.    A guy like Austin Jackson USC?

No..

The first line of comment was simply reflecting Ag's tally... put another way many mocks pick other OTs for teams above us with OT need leaving Thomas to fall to us.

This understanding is key to the 2nd line which basically says: I've looked at them all and cannot understand how Thomas is not the consensus top OT.

I've been trumpeting Thomas at 10 repeatedly... with Jones as the best alternative.

Jackson... no... not at 42 or on Day 2.

The most promising OT prospect outside of Day 1 I see is Peart (UConn). In a pinch, if I'm shut out of the OTs in Round 1, then I take him in Round 2

If gun to head I had to take a prospect on Day 3? Lucas Niang (TCU) has possibilities.

@tour2ma said:

Some of which is based upon who they think will be there at 10 for us...

... but having looked at them all I have to scratch my head... especially with Becton.

By that do you mean that you don't think any of them as a group are worthy of the #10 pick?  

Wonder if we could do well waiting to round 2....to pick 42.    A guy like Austin Jackson USC?

... but having looked at them all I have to scratch my head... especially with Becton.

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/mock-draft/

Totals:

• Becton - 3
• Jones - 0
• Thomas - 5
• Wills - 1
• Wirfs - 0

@tour2ma said:

Mock Draft Roundup: How did Browns' free agent signings affect picks by Mel Kiper Jr., other analysts

Andrew Gribble

In less than a week, rosters around the NFL have changed in dramatic fashion. The Browns, of course, are no different thanks to the addition of six new players (and counting).

All the moving and shaking around the league has caused some major changes in the projections analysts are making in their latest mock drafts. We're here for you to track just how much those predictions have changed when it comes to what the Browns are going to do with the No. 10 pick.

Mel Kiper Jr. - ESPN.com: OT Mekhi Becton (Louisville)

Of Note: Kiper says he likes the addition of RT Jack Conklin but stresses the Browns still have a glaring need at LT.

Charley Casserly - NFL.com: OT Andrew Thomas (Georgia)

Of Note: Casserly has Thomas sandwiched between Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons and Alabama LT Jedrick Wills Jr.

Ryan Wilson - CBSSports.com: Thomas

Of Note: Thomas would be the fourth LT selected in the top 10 in Wilson's mock.

R.J. White - CBSSports.com: Thomas

Of Note: White's the third in this group to see the Browns taking Thomas over Wills.

Walter Cherepinsky - WalterFootball.com: Becton

Of Note: The Browns would be picking Becton over Thomas in this scenario.

Jordan Reid - The Draft Network: Thomas

Of Note: Reid writes he doesn't think a team has fared better in free agency than the Browns.

Doug Farrar - Touchdown Wire: Becton

Of Note: Farrar writes the combination of Becton and Conklin at the tackle positions "would be a massive upgrade over what the Browns presented last season."

Josh Norris - RotoWorld: Thomas

Of Note: The Browns would be making Thomas the third tackle selected in the draft behind Becton and Tristan Wirfs.

Ryan Phillips - The Big Lead: Jedrick Wills Jr. (Alabama)

Of Note: The Browns would be picking Wills over Thomas in this projection.

Reminder that if you take Wills then you now have two RTs to compete for LT. Doesn't concern me as I think Conklin flips easily, but then you've drafted a RT in round one... and that is something I can't do.

@calfoxwc said:

Wills, but he should be gone. He's always? been a RT, but he could play left. I think Thomas, who has played both L and R, is #2.

both will be gone, I think.

Then...I'm still looking at Jones to be at LT. I can't see Wirfs at LT vs speed rushers. I actually think Jones is the #3 tackle in the draft.

I believe Wirfs will move inside to OG, and be a star. And Becton, I just don't know if he's a LT or ... but he is amazing.

I think there is a better than even chance Thomas or Beckton will still be there. I'm not a Wirfs fan for LT for the same reason you point out. Whomever it is I am glad we have a backup plan in Conklin if the rookie is just overwhelmed in the NFL at LT.

@the-gipper said:

Notice that not a single person is in there at Left Tackle.  I think that shows the draft priority. 

I chose Tristan Wirfs in our board draft,  but there are like 4 different candidates:     Wirfs, Becton, Thomas,  Wills.

Who would actually, really be best for the Browns...in your opinions?

Wills, but he should be gone. He's always? been a RT, but he could play left. I think Thomas, who has played both L and R, is #2.

both will be gone, I think.

Then...I'm still looking at Jones to be at LT. I can't see Wirfs at LT vs speed rushers. I actually think Jones is the #3 tackle in the draft.

I believe Wirfs will move inside to OG, and be a star. And Becton, I just don't know if he's a LT or ... but he is amazing.

Notice that not a single person is in there at Left Tackle.  I think that shows the draft priority. 

I chose Tristan Wirfs in our board draft,  but there are like 4 different candidates:     Wirfs, Becton, Thomas,  Wills.

Who would actually, really be best for the Browns...in your opinions?  

@texasag1969 said:

True, but we have a Georgia RB who knows how their OTs block already.?

Or, maybe we should look for a MAC  lineman, since we have a Toledo RB. 

@the-gipper said:

Well, when I flip a coin it goes for the Big Ten....especially when it come to offensive linemen as it has produced more quality OL/OTs than any other:   Joe Thomas, Orlando Pace and many others.

True, but we have a Georgia RB who knows how their OTs block already.?

@texasag1969 said:

I'd have taken Thomas from Georgia. Time will tell if one shows better than the other. But when flipping a coin I go with NFL, Jr.-the SEC. They consistently lead all leagues overall at draft time. And he has tons of experience blocking for good Georgia backs.

Well, when I flip a coin it goes for the Big Ten....especially when it come to offensive linemen as it has produced more quality OL/OTs than any other:   Joe Thomas, Orlando Pace and many others.

Then I saw Jones... and now this consensus #5 OT is my 1b to Thomas' 1a.

Sometimes you have to plow your own field.

@calfoxwc said:

When I did my mock, well before the combine - I knew I'd be disagreed with. lol

I disagreed with myself, often, in studying each pick at length, then trying to figure who would be there, and who would be gone, etc etc etc.

Then there is the "can I get about as good a player later?" question.

My biggest struggle was the 2nd round - it was tempting to take a wr - that class is deep, and first round quality will surely be there. But I ended up wishing Simmons would fall to ten in the first round, but couldn't make it make sense.

So, I looked at some of the top big safety/lb hybrids - and I ended up with Dugger in the second round. I admit I never even looked at Tiam's Jeremy Chinn - who really is right up there in "special player" status.

SD, I'd love to see your mock. It's complicated to do one. Even the "experts" on TV get all the picks wrong often.

And you were on Dugger before I was... tia, found Chin... that's how it works around here.

It's like a pot luck dinner... and just like a pot luck sometimes we like what other folk bring... and sometimes not so much.

I'm trying to remember who I "brought to the table" this year. Gordon (QB) was five or so months ago around mid-season.

Can't take credit for Muti.... that was PFF. Fairly shallow dives, but Lemieux (OG, Oregon) and Peart (OT, UConn) qualify. My deepest dive this season has to be Benito Jones (DT, Ole Miss), but his disappointing Combine ended up not aligning with what I thought I saw on tape. However, even in Benito's case he rose on some lists I follow... all the way from a late 7th rounder to a late 6th... lol...

Oh well... any validation in a storm.

@the-gipper said:

I picked an OT for the Browns in round 1 of our Browns Board draft.   

Who might you say Browns/me for my pick  should think about at LB in Round 2?  With like the #42 pick.   I am just starting to look at it for when I get back on the clock with the Browns......What would be your thoughts? 

I'd have taken Thomas from Georgia. Time will tell if one shows better than the other. But when flipping a coin I go with NFL, Jr.-the SEC. They consistently lead all leagues overall at draft time. And he has tons of experience blocking for good Georgia backs.

I disagreed with myself, often, in studying each pick at length, then trying to figure who would

be there, and who would be gone, etc etc etc.

    Then there is the "can I get about as good a player later?" question.

My biggest struggle was the 2nd round - it was tempting to take a wr - that class is deep, and first round quality

will surely be there. But I ended up wishing Simmons would fall to ten in the first round, but couldn't make it make sense.

So, I looked at some of the top big safety/lb hybrids - and I ended up with Dugger in the second round.

I admit I never even looked at Tiam's Jeremy Chinn - who really is right up there in "special player" status.

   SD, I'd love to see your mock. It's complicated to do one. Even the "experts" on TV get all the picks wrong often.

@the-gipper said:

Experts disagree with you. I had considered Becton, but I just thought he had more bust potential, being so huge and all, and they rated Wirfs higher. I also thought that Iowa OL seem to have a good record. 

I'm well aware that many do... maybe even most.

One of the hazards of doing your own work... forming your own opinions.

@tour2ma said:

You're welcome... No argument on the needs you've ID'd... just pointing out that need order can't set draft order.

On players...

• Agree on Jackson... I think he has OK potential, but not worth a Day 1. Bigger bust potential in my book is Wirfs at least at OT (sorry, Gip). Chance he may work out inside ala Scherff.
•  
• Experts disagree with you. I had considered Becton, but I just thought he had more bust potential, being so huge and all, and they rated Wirfs higher. I also thought that Iowa OL seem to have a good record. 
•  

@sdbacker80 said:

Thanks man!

I think I know what we need.  I watched more CFB than I ever have.  But I was just not into the Combine this year and some of the post season Sr. Bowl and other all star games.  Next few weeks I’ll dive into it a little more.

I got my first round bust- Austin Jackson T USC I think he’s going to struggle with speed at the next level.  
 

Steal...I watched A lot of Wisconsin and Zack Baun initially thought Probably a 2nd 3rd round guy will just test okay but will be Pro Bowler at the next level and now experts are pushing him into Day 1. 
 

Of course I follow OSU a lot and I think Austin Mack WR is a 6th 7th round guy probably a great 3rd WR type on a lot of rosters. 

You're welcome... No argument on the needs you've ID'd... just pointing out that need order can't set draft order.

On players...

• Agree on Jackson... I think he has OK potential, but not worth a Day 1. Bigger bust potential in my book is Wirfs at least at OT (sorry, Gip). Chance he may work out inside ala Scherff.
• Baun is right on the Round 1-2 cusp and has been for a while. He can stand up at OLB on early downs and then pass rush in dime packages for sure. Problem is our pick s aren't near the cusp.

Have fun....