@secondwave said:

After watching all of this tape on Lomu, he's starting to grow on me. I'm really hoping we can land him with our 2nd 1st.

If we somehow land Fano (or Mauigoa), and potentially another lineman with our 2 1sts, I'm really liking the idea of Denzel Boston. Big, smooth receiver who run every route. I have a feeling he might fall to us in the 2nd round.

I'm starting to worry he might not be there at #24.

I like him and Omar Cooper around that area. 

@flugel said:

We need 2 Tackles so getting one of THE best OTackle prospects would be a great start.  The guy EARNED/WON the Outland Trophy vrs the sweet nothings the Browns got from this position in 2024 and the encore in 2025.  It sure looks like AB is counting on the 385 pound pogo stick coming off 3 consecutive IR lists and ensuing surgeries to remain HIS solution on the blindside.  Ohio State didn't think Jones was a LT but they win consistently.  

BTW, I used to love the band KISS back in the day - and Fano gives off a vibe like he would have fit right in with that group back in the day...

Mauigoa seems to be the media fave and I'm sure a lot of it was well earned so he'd probably be a safe alternative to Fano or the best LT.  I know he's a helluva run blocker on the right side. I wish he would have worked out but his team went all the way to the National Championship Game so I get why he wants to wait until his Pro Day.

My 2 favorite LTs (Lomu & Freeling) aren't beasts but they're both relentless and stay with their man as necessary or hightail it to the next level when applicable. In short, they'e a 60 minute pain in the ass for their opponents. Lomu looks better in highlights than he did in the drills yesterday (even though he wasn't bad).  His official 40 time was a 4.9 which ain't bad for a guy that is leaving 2 years of eligibility remaining. BTW, he gave up ZERO sacks on his edge.  Yeah....  That said, Monroe Freeling impresses me a lot as well. He did vey well against strong competition.  If that's not enough, look who he has to succeed against daily in practice at Georgia. He's as battle-tested as anyone in this draft. I'd be happy adding either LT here...

After watching all of this tape on Lomu, he's starting to grow on me. I'm really hoping we can land him with our 2nd 1st.

If we somehow land Fano (or Mauigoa), and potentially another lineman with our 2 1sts, I'm really liking the idea of Denzel Boston. Big, smooth receiver who run every route. I have a feeling he might fall to us in the 2nd round.

@secondwave said:

After the combine, I'm starting to think Fano has played himself into a top 3 pick ?. 

I was really leaning towards a WR with the 6th pick, but if Fano is there. I would want him over everyone. Next would be Mauigoa.

I just want a lineman who will go out there and embarrass elite rushers.

We need 2 Tackles so getting one of THE best OTackle prospects would be a great start.  The guy EARNED/WON the Outland Trophy vrs the sweet nothings the Browns got from this position in 2024 and the encore in 2025.  It sure looks like AB is counting on the 385 pound pogo stick coming off 3 consecutive IR lists and ensuing surgeries to remain HIS solution on the blindside.  Ohio State didn't think Jones was a LT but they win consistently.  

BTW, I used to love the band KISS back in the day - and Fano gives off a vibe like he would have fit right in with that group back in the day...

Mauigoa seems to be the media fave and I'm sure a lot of it was well earned so he'd probably be a safe alternative to Fano or the best LT.  I know he's a helluva run blocker on the right side. I wish he would have worked out but his team went all the way to the National Championship Game so I get why he wants to wait until his Pro Day.

My 2 favorite LTs (Lomu & Freeling) aren't beasts but they're both relentless and stay with their man as necessary or hightail it to the next level when applicable. In short, they'e a 60 minute pain in the ass for their opponents. Lomu looks better in highlights than he did in the drills yesterday (even though he wasn't bad).  His official 40 time was a 4.9 which ain't bad for a guy that is leaving 2 years of eligibility remaining. BTW, he gave up ZERO sacks on his edge.  Yeah....  That said, Monroe Freeling impresses me a lot as well. He did vey well against strong competition.  If that's not enough, look who he has to succeed against daily in practice at Georgia. He's as battle-tested as anyone in this draft. I'd be happy adding either LT here...

@flugel said:

Nowhere to run and no time to throw?  At ease. The time to fix this is 2026 - so let's giddy-up and get after it.  The Browns have picks #6 and #24 in the 1st round and pick #7 (39th overall) in round 2. That's 3 picks to find 2 Offensive Tackles that can help us this year (and we can use the other one on a talented WR & get us some OGs between Rounds 3 & 7).  More specifically, I'm looking for 2 Big Ugly alphas that want to go John Deere tractor on anyone in a different color uniform facing them. That makes my football wood factor go from Balsa to Sequoia on game day. Nothing better than watching our favorite team run the ball down their opponent's esophagus and/or watching our QB benefit from good pass protection up-front.

There's a limited supply for a Big Demand of 32 teams; so here's the deal.  I'm gonna list a lot of OT Prospects that could be available within these first 3 picks the Browns have so you can see we have a great shot at landing 2 of them.  When I list them, I'm going to classify them in 3 tiers in accordance with my perception of their talent beginning with Sequoia (Elite), Sequoia-In-Training/SIT (Almost Elite), Balsa (Steady Progress/Gaining Consistency with experience). It's okay if you disagree with my classifications and some of these guys could go in mid-late rounds:

Spencer Fano - Utah - Sequoia

Francis Mauigoa - Miami - Sequoia

Caleb Lomu - Utah - Sequoia

Monroe Freeling - UGA - Sequoia

Gennings Dunker - Iowa - Sequoia

Blake Miller - Clemson - Sequoia  (Valuable feedback provided by SdBacker80 gave this a helpful nudge up from SIT)

Caleb Tiernan - Northwestern - SIT

Drew Shelton - Penn State - SIT

Austin Barber - Florida - SIT

Trey Zuhn III - UTAM - SIT

Kadyn Proctor - Alabama - Balsa  (Could move to RT/OG - Bigger version of Nate Newton w/longer arms)

Aamil  Wagner - Notre Dame - Balsa

Max Iheanachor - ASU - Balsa

Elijah Pritchett - Nebraska - Balsa

Fernando Carmona Jr - Arkansas - Balsa

JC Davis - Illinois - Balsa

Carter Smith - Indiana - Balsa

Kage Casey - Boise State - Balsa

Jude Bowry - BC - Balsa

Izavion Miller - Auburn - Balsa

Markel Bell - Miami - Balsa

Isaiah World - Oregon - Balsa (he's projected to go in round 3 due to a ACL in the CFP injury or he would have been rated higher than left off so thanks IBB. Feel bad for this kid)

Micah Pettus - Florida State - Balsa

Nolan Rucci - Penn State - Balsa

Austin Siervelde - Ohio State - Balsa  (Could move back to OG in the NFL)

Since we are talking about the Browns front office, who rates as plywood or particle board?

 2. Freeling or  3. Lomu at  LT

 1. Mauigoa or  5. Fano at RT

 4. G Vega Loane... fits just before Fano

I was really leaning towards a WR with the 6th pick, but if Fano is there. I would want him over everyone. Next would be Mauigoa.

I just want a lineman who will go out there and embarrass elite rushers.

@flugel said:

Yeah, Max Iheanachor (from Nigeria) hasn't lived in the US very long and he just stated playing football in college.  It's amazing how quickly he's picking things up.  He's still a little raw; but the soccer background reminds us he's a great athlete with some transferable skills, agility/change of direction, etc.  I think I saw that he's gained somewhere around 90 lbs since he arrived at ASU; and I think he still needs to add another 30 lbs or so to handle an NFL workload.

Georgia's Monroe Freeling has really improved his game at LT; and he's well suited to play Left or Right Tackle. Like him a lot.

@dutch-oven Seeing Max Iheanachor at 321 lbs today in that frame means the picture I saw of him I was a little dated; meaning I was wrong thinking he still needed to add another 30 lbs or so.  He's fine at 321 lbs.  

@syd said:

well i kinda just assumed he was talking about our pick # 6  and there is no freaking way i am picking a RT with a right handed QB at 6, maybe at 24 i would, now what do you think of his partner in crime Lomu at 6 ?  do you think we could trade back a few spots and still get him ?

The beauty of Lomu is people/teams seeing he's coming out after his soph year (albeit redshirt with 2 full seasons starting) won't trust the experience in tandem with Utah's conference schedule of battle tests on the edge.  The ole "Yeah? What top edge rushers did he face consistently out on Waltons Mountain?"  While that maybe worthy of note to some extent - it does explain the variance we've seen in all the mock drafts showing him drafted at #24 just as often as he is at #6. Take the mean and he's available at a short trade-back - but understand this is the Cleveland Browns where that would invite someone else to jump in front of our trade-back slot (options covered below).

The beauty is Monken knows what a reliable LT looks like in this league way more than AB does - at least, I hope that's a beauty if they're all collaborating in the brain trust like I'm reading and hearing.  If Lomu gets snagged before we pick - there's still some quality LTs like Monroe Freeling (GA), Caleb Tiernan (Northwestern), Austin Barber (Florida), Butchbob Cabunzo (Wild Horse Saloon Tech), etc.  There's even guys I listed as Balsas that the mock drafters/media guys/gals think much more highly of - but they're the ones getting paid for their football opinions today.  I could be REALLY wrong about seeing Proctor more as an OG with all space beyond his outside shoulder protected  by an OT.  If you're old enough - I see the next Nate Newton which is quite a compliment but OT needs to be our priority.

@syd said:

well i kinda just assumed he was talking about our pick # 6  and there is no freaking way i am picking a RT with a right handed QB at 6, maybe at 24 i would, now what do you think of his partner in crime Lomu at 6 ?  do you think we could trade back a few spots and still get him ?

That’s actually exactly what I’m hoping the Browns do - trade down and draft Lomu. We would get our Left Tackle and pick up additional picks. 

@sdbacker80 said:

Sonny Styles may have made it easier for us to find a trade partner.

Washington Dallas and Cincinnati all need defense badly.  They could all be in play to outbid each for 6 for a chance to take one of the top defensive players. 

Yeah, I think we can get Jerry Jonesin to trade for our 6th pick.  The old feller had to look like he just took Ecstasy watching those HOT Buckeyes blaze those 40s... 

@syd said:

well i kinda just assumed he was talking about our pick # 6  and there is no freaking way i am picking a RT with a right handed QB at 6, maybe at 24 i would, now what do you think of his partner in crime Lomu at 6 ?  do you think we could trade back a few spots and still get him ?

Sonny Styles may have made it easier for us to find a trade partner.

Washington Dallas and Cincinnati all need defense badly.  They could all be in play to outbid each for 6 for a chance to take one of the top defensive players. 

@dutch-oven said:

He never said anything about either guy moving from the right side to Left Tackle. We need tackles on both sides

well i kinda just assumed he was talking about our pick # 6  and there is no freaking way i am picking a RT with a right handed QB at 6, maybe at 24 i would, now what do you think of his partner in crime Lomu at 6 ?  do you think we could trade back a few spots and still get him ?

@syd said:

as Monken just said in his presser, it all starts up front, but yes I agree that is to much to ask, I would hope a LT in the first and how deep is the guard class this year ? wait till the 3rd ? 

yo dutch I have to be honest with you.........................................I really am looking forward to this draft more than i have had in years 

This is going to be an absolutely fascinating spring/summer for the Browns.

Can’t guarantee it will be successful, but it should be interesting to watch 

@flugel said:

Thanks IBB!  What a horrible injury for such a promising prospect; especially the timing of it all.  Since he could still be a day 3 pick - I added him to the list as a Balsa.  Having said that, if/when he becomes a star I'll put my Village Idiot hat on that I originally didn't include him.

Perhaps a Sequoia in Training with a banged up taproot? 

@dutch-oven said:

That is a lot to ask, I like the idea of drafting a guard and a tackle and then acquiring through free agency or trades a tackle and guard too. 

as Monken just said in his presser, it all starts up front, but yes I agree that is to much to ask, I would hope a LT in the first and how deep is the guard class this year ? wait till the 3rd ? 

yo dutch I have to be honest with you.........................................I really am looking forward to this draft more than i have had in years 

@syd said:

I would draft a guard at 24 and who is ever the best LT at 6 , I would not feel real comfortable starting to rookies at the tackle position,

That is a lot to ask, I like the idea of drafting a guard and a tackle and then acquiring through free agency or trades a tackle and guard too. 

@dutch-oven said:

He never said anything about either guy moving from the right side to Left Tackle. We need tackles on both sides.

I would draft a guard at 24 and who is ever the best LT at 6 , I would not feel real comfortable starting to rookies at the tackle position,

@ibleedbrown said:

I totally watched the Peach Bowl but l forgot the part where Isiah World got injured. He was a decently touted OT for Oregon, a likely top 100 pick guy. 

It will certainly hurt his draft stock, but if he tumbles down to say the 4th round it might not be a bad idea to roll the dice on him. 

Thanks IBB!  What a horrible injury for such a promising prospect; especially the timing of it all.  Since he could still be a day 3 pick - I added him to the list as a Balsa.  Having said that, if/when he becomes a star I'll put my Village Idiot hat on that I originally didn't include him.

@sdbacker80 said:

Not too many issues with this creative list.  
 

Id put Blake Miller as a sequoia and I’d have no problem taking him at 24.   He has the measurables, 54 college starts and a wrestling background.  Sign me up 

Appreciate the feedback SdB80!  Looking where I had him on the list - I gave it serious consideration for Blake as a 4 year starter (No easy feat).  Loved that wrestling reminder considering how important leverage is to winning in the trenches.  You left me no reason to keep him as a SIT.  In your honor he is now a Sequoia.  I wouldn't have any problem if the Browns drafted him at #24.

@flugel said:

Nowhere to run and no time to throw?  At ease. The time to fix this is 2026 - so let's giddy-up and get after it.  The Browns have picks #6 and #24 in the 1st round and pick #7 (39th overall) in round 2. That's 3 picks to find 2 Offensive Tackles that can help us this year (and we can use the other one on a talented WR & get us some OGs between Rounds 3 & 7).  More specifically, I'm looking for 2 Big Ugly alphas that want to go John Deere tractor on anyone in a different color uniform facing them. That makes my football wood factor go from Balsa to Sequoia on game day. Nothing better than watching our favorite team run the ball down their opponent's esophagus and/or watching our QB benefit from good pass protection up-front.

There's a limited supply for a Big Demand of 32 teams; so here's the deal.  I'm gonna list a lot of OT Prospects that could be available within these first 3 picks the Browns have so you can see we have a great shot at landing 2 of them.  When I list them, I'm going to classify them in 3 tiers in accordance with my perception of their talent beginning with Sequoia (Elite), Sequoia-In-Training/SIT (Almost Elite), Balsa (Steady Progress/Gaining Consistency with experience). It's okay if you disagree with my classifications and some of these guys could go in mid-late rounds:

Spencer Fano - Utah - Sequoia

Francis Mauigoa - Miami - Sequoia

Caleb Lomu - Utah - Sequoia

Monroe Freeling - UGA - Sequoia

Gennings Dunker - Iowa - Sequoia

Blake Miller - Clemson - SIT

Caleb Tiernan - Northwestern - SIT

Drew Shelton - Penn State - SIT

Austin Barber - Florida - SIT

Trey Zuhn III - UTAM - SIT

Kadyn Proctor - Alabama - Balsa  (Could move to RT/OG - Bigger version of Nate Newton w/longer arms)

Aamil  Wagner - Notre Dame - Balsa

Max Iheanachor - ASU - Balsa

Elijah Pritchett - Nebraska - Balsa

Fernando Carmona Jr - Arkansas - Balsa

JC Davis - Illinois - Balsa

Carter Smith - Indiana - Balsa

Kage Casey - Boise State - Balsa

Jude Bowry - BC - Balsa

Izavion Miller - Auburn - Balsa

Markel Bell - Miami - Balsa

Micah Pettus - Florida State - Balsa

Nolan Rucci - Penn State - Balsa

Austin Siervelde - Ohio State - Balsa  (Could move back to OG in the NFL)

Not too many issues with this creative list.  
 

Id put Blake Miller as a sequoia and I’d have no problem taking him at 24.   He has the measurables, 54 college starts and a wrestling background.  Sign me up 

It will certainly hurt his draft stock, but if he tumbles down to say the 4th round it might not be a bad idea to roll the dice on him. 

@syd said:

we tried to switch a RT to a LT recently and how did that work ?

this guy is so wrong

Tap the brakes here for a second Syd. Spencer Fano WAS a LT his 1st year starting at Utah; when they were redshirting Caleb Lomu to eventually play that position.  One year later they moved Fano to RT and started Caleb Lomu at LT the entire season. 

Let me explain the 2 word difference between the Outland Trophy Award Winner (Fano)and Jed Wills - WORK ETHIC!   One who refuses to lose battles in the trenches conditions and prepares his tail off to do so.  Jed Wills had trouble being consistent with his stance, which assured me the feller didn't work at his craft like better professionals (ie; Tristan Wirfs/Joe Thomas) did/do.  It wasn't ever the simple fix of just moving him back his RT comfort zone - there was far more to it all.  

This is probably just a coincidence but Cincy drafted Alabama LT Jonah Williams in the 1st round and he never panned out; while Jax drafted Alabama LT Cam Robinson in round 2. The Browns are now the 4th team Cam Robinson hasn't impressed enough for a long term stay...

@syd said:

we tried to switch a RT to a LT recently and how did that work ?

this guy is so wrong

He never said anything about either guy moving from the right side to Left Tackle. We need tackles on both sides.