Good morning, and welcome back to a somewhat annual post predicting how the first round of the NFL Draft will go. I am truly writing this in unfamiliar territory, as the Cleveland Browns are not picking high in the first round for the first time, due to a winning record, since 2003.
For those of you who don't recall, the 2002 Cleveland Browns were the last team to make the playoffs. In 2003, I can vividly recall sitting in Ohio Stadium, watching the 2003 Ohio State spring game, as there was a ticker on at the stadium, showing the Browns had selected Jeff Faine, C, from Notre Dame. Ah, such memories.
On to the top 11 picks. Why 11, you ask? Two reasons - one is because the NY Giants are slated to pick at 11, which is the favorite team of my good friend Tim Tallaksen. And the other reason is it gives me an opportunity to remind you of this awesome clip from "Spinal Tap"...
1. Jacksonville - Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson: Gutsy pick
2. NY Jets - Zach Wilson, QB, BYU: Poor kid
3. San Francisco - Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State: Yes, I know how everyone is saying it will be either Mac Jones or Trey Lance. I just have a feeling that Kyle Shanahan wants a QB with mobility, and that is Fields. I may be wrong.
4. Atlanta - Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida: Very tempting to pick a quarterback, but Pitts is too good and too immediate of an impact for the Falcons to ignore.
5. Cincinnati - Ja'Marr Chase, WR, LSU: Offensive line is a crying need for the Bengals, but CIN gives QB Joe Burrow a target that he has familiarity with and the Bengals will address the OL in later rounds.
6. Miami - Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama: The Dolphins grab a familiar target for their QB Tua Tagavailoa.
7. Projected Trade (NE with DET) - Mac Jones, QB, Alabama: The Patriots move up to grab a quarterback before Carolina. Detroit moves back to stockpile picks for their rebuild.
8. Carolina - Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State: Yes, I know that the Panthers recently traded for Sam Darnold. Lance is a project that they can slowly work in while they determine if Darnold is salvageable.
9. Denver - Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern: The Broncos just traded for Teddy Bridgewater, and look to build up solid protection for him.
10. Dallas - Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama: The Cowboys look to regroup defensively.
11. NY Giants - DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama: More offensive weapons for QB Daniel Jones.
As for the Cleveland Browns, here is how I can see it shaping out...
1. Trading out of the first round when a team wants to draft a QB at the end of the first round - Possible, and it saves the Browns money with their salary cap.
2. Best Player Available: Very cliche, but this can be any number of positions, including a WR like Rashod Bateman of Minnesota.
3. Defensive Back: If the Browns go this route, my hope is for Greg Newsome of Northwestern.
4. Linebacker: Doubtful, as the Browns are de-emphasizing the position, with more nickel looks, i.e., more defensive backs and less linebackers. If they go this route, someone like Zaven Collins of Tulsa could be the pick,
5. Defensive Line: Like my point number 2 about the best player available, this could be any number of raw, unproven players who could add depth to the defensive line. I would like Kwity Paye of Michigan, but it could be someone like Jayson Oweh of Penn State.
