Browns’ GM John Dorsey has been full of surprises during this NFL Draft. Well, surprises to the fans and draftniks out there, at least.
Our guess (and reports have indicated this) is that Dorsey has known for a long time who he wanted and who he would take with both the first and fourth picks, and because they were different players than the national media reported, some people are disappointed.
We have always believed we will trust the professional talent evaluators until they give us a reason not to. That’s why we won’t second guess the front office’s choices this week.
Besides, we like Baker Mayfield as a quarterback. Yes, we would have preferred UCLA’s Josh Rosen, but said we wouldn’t have a problem with him, Sam Darnold, or Mayfield.
As for the pick being a reach, most mock drafts we saw had Mayfield going no later than at pick #3 to the Jets, so taking him two picks earlier isn’t a big deal.
The Heisman Trophy winner is accurate and has a strong arm. The biggest rap on him is his height, so he most definitely can become an elite quarterback. That said, we would still have him sit most, if not all of his rookie season, so he can learn the pro game before taking the field.
He’s 23 years old, not 28 or 33, so if he doesn’t play this season, it is quite possible he could be the Browns’ QB for 10-15 years if his performance merits.
In our opinion, the next most important position on defense after pass rusher is cornerback, so we understand the selection of Denzel Ward at #4.
Many thought the Browns really liked NC State pass rusher Bradley Chubb, but we think the Browns’ brass were impressed with Emmanuel Ogbah, and decided to go with someone who can guard wide receivers.
This goes along with what Dorsey did in free agency, when he added TJ Carrie, Terrance Mitchell, and E.J. Gaines, pretty much turning over the position.
Besides, we remember the last time the Browns were a perennial contender, their defense was built around two shutdown corners, Hanford Dixon and Frank Minniefield.
Friday night, Dorsey added to one of the team’s strengths selecting Austin Corbett, interior lineman from Nevada. This was the Browns taking the best player left on their board.
After correctly passing on Saquon Barkley in round one, by taking Nick Chubb from Georgia. Chubb will join Carlos Hyde and Duke Johnson to form a running attack Hue Jackson can have confidence in.
WR Antonio Callaway (4th round) has had all sorts of issues in his collegiate career, but if (and that’s a big if) he can stay out of trouble, he has first round talent.
LB Genard Avery is great get in round five. He should play in the middle and could be a leader on special teams. He should be a contributor in 2018.
As we said previously, until given reasons otherwise, we trust the Dorsey and his staff of talent evaluators who have a proven track record. We also reject the notion that Mayfield and Ward were reaches.
Both of them were considered among the best, if not the best player available at their respective positions.
So relax Browns’ fans. They are better today than on Wednesday before the draft started. The bigger question is will the head coach get the most out of this group?
JD
Cleveland Sports Perspective 