It’s already been a busy day for the North divisions, with the Ravens re-signing Lardarius Webb and Marvin Lewis weighing in on the potentially legitimate possibility he becomes a lame-duck coach in 2017. Let’s check out the latest from the Norths.
- The Steelers have not been shy about selecting linebackers in recent first rounds, but they hosted Florida linebacker Jarrad Davis on a visit, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports. Already housing Ryan Shazier and Vince Williams on the inside, the Steelers would continue their second-level-stocking ways by adding the former Gators ‘backer. Pittsburgh, though, did lose Lawrence Timmons — a 2007 first-rounder — to the Dolphins. The Steelers have selected a linebacker in the first round in three of the past four drafts, with the now-departed Jarvis Jones (2013) preceding Shazier (2014) and Bud Dupree (’15).
- The Browns remain interested in A.J. McCarron, a former charge of Hue Jackson while in Cincinnati, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com notes. Familiarity with Jackson and a knowledge of his system endear the Browns to McCarron, with Cabot categorizing the quarterback as a bridge player while the franchise develops the rookie passer it’s expected to select. McCarron has two years remaining on his rookie contract. Cabot adds the fourth-year backup wants to be traded.
- Cabot connects the Browns Mitchell Trubisky, Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes, believing they will draft one of this trio later this month. But sources informed the longtime Cleveland reporter the 2018 crop of passers outflanks this one. In particular, Wyoming’s Josh Allen is a “once-in-every-10-years talent,” one evaluator told Cabot.
- Anquan Boldin continues to insist he will play in 2017 but plans to wait until close to training camp to make a decision, per CBS Sports’ Jamey Eisenberg, who added the Ravens and Lions remain interested suitors. This gibes with what we’ve heard from the 14-year veteran throughout the offseason. Boldin’s teammate in both places, Haloti Ngata plans to help recruit the veteran wide receiver back to Detroit, per Eisenberg.
- DeAndre Levy also underwent surgery recently and is not happy with how the Lions handled his injuries over the past two seasons.
I see Mary Kay has moved on from the “Browns are trading for Garoppolo” spiel and trying something else.
Sigh……….
She is the one who wanted the browns to take a QB 1st overall and trade the 12th for Jimmy G. Ridiculous
The reason so many teams chase QB’s is that 13 of the last 20 SB winners had an elite QB. The other 7 had a dominate “D”. It will always look like an easier fix to find one great QB than build a great “D”.
You have to go the route the draft takes you. For this Brown’s team, the 2018 draft is deep in defensive talent.
Take Garrett at # 1. He is a generational pass rusher according to most draft analysts. And is the next best thing to landing a franchise quarterback.
At #12, strong safety Jabril Peppers should be on the board. It may seem a tad early, but he would fill that hybrid safety/linebacker spot DC Greg Williams employed with TJ McDonald in LA. Peppers is a MUCH better player however, and would thrive in that role.
You then trade up from pick #33 in the 2nd, into the bottom of the 1st round. There Cleveland could take free safety Budda Baker out of Washington. This guy has terrific range which makes up for his small stature. He, combined with Peppers, would fix the Browns biggest need which is safety.
With pick #52 quarterback Davis Webb out of Cal would be a solid selection. He played in a spread offense at Cal, but possesses the size, arm strength, and smarts to succeed in the NFL. The Browns would have to redshirt him for 1 season, but he could be worth the wait. It also would gives the Browns the flexibility to draft another QB high in 2018. Taking one 12th overall this year would not !
Lastly, players such as Ashland’s tight end Adam Shaheen at #65 (3rd RD), and Oaklahoma running back Joe Mixon at #108 (4th RD), would make sense. Shaheen is a big target at 6/6 278, and possesses good speed for his size. He is a very good receiver with after the catch ability. He is a good pass blocker who needs some work with his run blocking, but has the size to do it. Mixon’s off the field incident is well documented. But he has gone 2 plus years staying out of trouble. And if the Browns can get him at 108 should pounce, as he very well could be the most talented back in this draft !
I feel the above selections would go a long way in bettering the Browns. Their defense would be instantly transformed, and the offense would get much needed toughness and smash mouth ability with Mixon, and Shaheen. The only thing missing is the franchise QB. But that could appear in 2018 in the form of a developed Webb, or a 1st round difference maker from that year’s draft.
Not bad, but one point I would make: If Adams and Hooker are gone at #12 and the Browns are considering taking Peppers, I would trade down a few spots first, get another pick, maybe next year, and then take him. Getting another pick next year would give them more ammunition to trade up for Darnold, Josh Allen, etc.
Allen > Darnold
Agreed
Marvin L. should have been a lame duck 10 years ago. He’d be a good coach at a prison system somewhere.
I couldn’t have said it better outside of trade back up into the 1st rd. Safty should be drafted twice. I’d do it with the 2nd 4 th rd pick or in the 5th. Safty is deep this year. Do what you said but keep or trade back from 33 and get best DL available. I also think they need to draft 2 qbs this year. Get Chad Kelly in the 5th or 6th. But I’m feeling what your saying. Those moves would help us a lot.
The # 33 next years 2nd and a prospect player or a 5th for mccaron