And With the 6th Pick the Cleveland Browns Select... a DE?
by Brownsyup on Mar 23, 2011 3:58 PM EDT
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Strategy in the NFL draft can be a tricky thing. It is a synthesis of available players and team needs. Every aspect of every part of the decision is a variable. There may be several players that could be considered "best available". As a player is considered numerous factors come into play. Is he injury prone? Is there any sign of character issues on or off the field? Is the player smart enough to deal with increased complexity at the next level? Is he an elite athlete or can he become one? Also, a given team will typically have several needs to fill. How do they prioritize these needs? Is a speedy pass rusher more important than an impact defensive back or a freakishly talented wide receiver? Let's take a look at why the Browns should select a defensive end with their first pick in the 2011 NFL draft.
ESPN recently had an interesting article on the power rankings of pass rushers. Though some of them are outside linebackers, half are defensive ends. The interesting thing about this list of players is that with very few exceptions, they are all on contending teams. So is it necessary to have a great pass rusher in order to be a contending team? There is no doubt that pressure on the quarterback is a very important characteristic of a top defense and a top defense is almost a guaranteed ticket to the post season and beyond--just ask the Ravens.
The Browns have been playing a 3-4 defense and so, in effect, have been playing with a different kind of defensive end. Ends in this scheme are typically converted tackles designed to clog up the middle and stuff the run. The 4-3 features athletic, agile pass rush specialists. The current Browns roster lists only two DEs: Titus Adams and Derreck Robinson. Adams was a 7th round draft pick who has spent a lot of time on practice squads and Robinson was an undrafted free agent when he entered the NFL in 2005. A couple of Browns linebackers may have potential at DE namely: Matt Roth and Marcus Benard. Roth has decent sack production and good size for the position but Bernard, while successful at getting to the quarterback, is a bit undersized at DE and may be pushed around a lot by offensive tackles. So looking at the Browns roster and knowing that the scheme is about to change, there is a definite need for one or more likely two prototypical 4-3 defensive ends.
When it comes to sacks, the Browns performance last year was in the bottom quarter of the league. They also were near the bottom when it came to passing touchdowns allowed. But the Browns were firmly in the middle on most of the other passing defense statistics such as percentage of completions and passing yards allowed while they excelled against the run particularly in the scoring category. So there is some low-hanging fruit here that a high-performance DE might collect to bring the entire defense to a new level.
Having established that there is definitely a need for DE's on the Browns, there are some compelling reasons to pass on one at the 6th pick. First, this year happens to be one of the better years in a long time for defensive linemen. There are fully 8 first-round-eligible ends and one or two are bound to fall into the early second round, so it may be possible to pick up a very good DE in the second round and maybe even lower in the draft. Also, having this high of a pick, can you really pass on another one of the skill positions like wide receiver for a defensive end? As mediocre as the defense was last year, the offense was even worse which means you might be able to make a bigger impact to the team overall by drafting offense with the first pick. There are also quite a number of excellent and serviceable ends on the free-agent market but that is somewhat in limbo at this time. It is pretty difficult to dismiss the need for defensive ends on the Browns so it is likely one or more will be drafted by them this year.
Browns Need Gauge: Near empty (the light is blinking)
Potential picks: Da'Quan Bowers, Robert Quinn, Cameron Jordan, J.J. Watt, Aldon Smith, Adrian Clayborne, Ryan Kerrigan, Cameron Hayward
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Just for fun...
1) Da’Quan Bowers = 30 starts with 45 plays behind LOS not counting 32 QB hurries total the L2Y
2) Robert Quinn = 25 starts with 24.5 plays behind the LOS – broke Julius Peppers 40 yd dash record with a 4.51 spd in 2009 spring – but suspended LY
3) Cameron Jordan = 33 starts with 32 plays behind LOS
4) JJ Watt = 26 starts with 36.5 plays behind LOS not counting 10 QB hurries LY walkon transfer from C Mich as a TE
5) Aldon Smith = 22 starts with 29 starts behind LOS
6) Adrian Claiborne = 37 starts with 36 plays behind LOS
7) Ryan Kerrigan = 35 starts with 56 plays behind LOS – 2 year Captain
8) Cameron Hayward = 45 starts with 37.5 plays behind LOS
Just thought i’d strip it down some. i can care less about tackle stats as the college guys use halo rules for the best prospects. plays behind LOS are sacks & tackles for loss combined. thought i’d just toss this out there.
by sleepy042 on Mar 23, 2011 4:43 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
FWIW – here are the stats on Sam Acho DE Texas – obviously was a homer post. Looks like Acho has like 70 plays behind the LOS.
He makes things hapen and is a sack specialist. In 26 starts he posted 148 tackles, 23.5 sacks (10th on UT’s career list) 37 TFL, 44 pressures, eight PBD, eight forced fumbles and nine fumble recoveries (second on UT’s career list) in his career. He would likely lead the Browns in sacks in his first year.
Change isn't good or bad it just "is". Don Draper of Madmen
He is a very productive player. Because he is like an inch short – will be a great bargain in the 3rd round.
Change isn't good or bad it just "is". Don Draper of Madmen
Nice info sleepy. And about Acho… I like this kind of player in a later round like the third. He is graded as an OLB in some places but that would be for a 3-4 scheme. He started 2 years for Texas and was impressive both years—especially in getting to quarterbacks and disrupting offenses. Two DEs from a draft this deep with defensive linemen would not be a bad thing.
Brownsyup
He is Brandon Graham/Dwight Freeney Size. Those are 2 guys under 270 who can play with their hand in the dirt.
I teach good life choices. That’s why I almost didn’t graduate High School.
Intensive Purposes? I could care less...
your whole argument is a fallacy!
i would like to say that i had posted before that the browns should trade back a few spots and select kerrigan, with the stats that sleepy posted, his ratio is one of the best on the list. production like that cant be ignored, and he has great character. picking up acho in the 2nd or third wouldnt be a bad compliment either. plus with trading back with someone who wants to get their hands on one of the qb prospects( minnesota, tennessee,possibly san fran) one of these teams might be willing to give up some good extra picks. 2nd or 3rd round possibly?!
Lifes A Dance, You Learn As You Go!
by findlaybrownslover on Mar 24, 2011 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions
I wouldn’t mind Kerrigan. Kerrigan and Acho are similar in a few ways. they both tested very well at the combine, both a bit undersized, and both have good quickness. Kerrigan is better (I mean, there is a 2 round difference in projections), he is bigger, a bit stronger, and more polished.
I teach good life choices. That’s why I almost didn’t graduate High School.
Intensive Purposes? I could care less...
your whole argument is a fallacy!
Those are some beautiful stats. I’m gonna try and look up some footage on this guy, but from this and what else I’ve heard, I’m on board. I’d be 100% okay with Green in 1st, DL in 2nd (either tackle or another end), Acho in the third, then onward from there.
by Don'tByBrownsQBJerseys on Mar 24, 2011 12:44 AM EDT up reply actions
I think Acho will go in rd. 2 but would be great if he’s there in the 3rd
by HenryDawg on Mar 24, 2011 11:36 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
How about trading down and getting a team’s 1st and 2nd for our 1st? I’ve been hearing on ESPN that it is possible the top 3 QBs go in the top 10, so maybe someone like Minnesota might be a good trading buddy. I wonder what we could still get at 12? Would we still have a shot at Julio Jones? I read one mock draft that has Bowers falling to 12. So anyway, what I’m trying to get at is 2 2nd round picks could = Sam Acho. I like that idea.
At this point I really just want to see the Browns get someone who can not just help the team, but also give other teams something serious to worry about. Maybe it’s just that I’m paying more attention to draft prospects this year, but this really seems like the first year that I haven’t worried about the Browns screwing up their draft. There seems to be a ton of seriously good (not just hyped) players coming out.
That said, if there is a non-DE stud player available when the Browns pick, I think I would like to see them take their chances on getting a good DE in the 2nd – though McShay makes a good arument too. Glad I’m not the one who has to make the pick.
I am effing hurdling you and you can't stop me.
They shoulda taken my advice and taken Clay Matthews…yes, Clay freakin’ Matthews!!! Woulda sold seats, jerseys, and got a load of sacks to boot….
I think the light is more than blinking near empty- I think with the switch to a 4-3 the light is full on, even if Roth can fill one position. I see Benard adding mainly in blitz packages.
Big question is can we ignore such a hole in R1 and take Green (with that low wonderlic) and risk getting the playmaker in R2?
Worse if Roth doesn’t step back up to DE, we have no pass rush whatsoever.
This Space available for Rent!!!
I would be okay with Robert Quinn at six. I hate the idea of Bowers.
I would love a DE at six, but I think with the depth of the ends in this draft, we grab the highest impact player at 6, and grab DE depth later on in the draft. Clayborn is dropping in most mocks, and would be a fantastic strongside DE in the second round.
I really would like to see Marcus Benard get a shot at a full time job.
I’m with you on Bowers. I think the knee injury to a big guy like that is a big concern. He has two knees. Likely the other one will follow the same pattern. I also don’t like that he hasn’t started that many games. I think his risk factor will cause him to fall quite a ways in the draft.
Brownsyup
A meniscus tear is really a one off thing from a trauma event, and I don’t think would be an indication that the other knee is “faulty”. From what I understand, if the knee were healthy, he would be the consensus number 1 lineman – so if we get him at number 6 would be sort of a bargain. When they sew that meniscus back it usually holds up pretty darn well. Now if he has some osteoarthritis in there – wouldn’t pick him in the second round.
Change isn't good or bad it just "is". Don Draper of Madmen
Good info. I’m no doctor but I’ve known a few runners who got the right meniscus sewn and were back on the table within a year or two getting the other. Their injuries were not one-time trauma but more from repetitive motion wearing the joint down. These are older guys (like me) so that is probably a way different case than Bowers. I’m just not willing to support Bowers as a number 6 pick with this and the fact that he is basically a one-year wonder (his previous two years were very mediocre compared to his senior year).
Brownsyup
The knee does bother me, but the biggest problem for me is his slow first step.
When I watch him on tape, he doesn’t get off the ball well. That isn’t someone I would take with sixth pick. Dareus has a much better first step as a DT.
by Bernie19Kosar on Mar 24, 2011 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions
Bowers for some reason just makes me think of Courtney Brown…..Brown was a good player but was hit with buzzards luck all his time with the browns
I truly think Courtney Brown would have been a monster if he had stayed healthy.
by Bernie19Kosar on Mar 24, 2011 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions
Screw the Wonderlic
Doubt very much that that test deserves the attention it gets.
I think it should be banned if they cannot keep the information confidential. It has been shown not too correlate well, there are more effective questions and methods to determine “football intelligence”, and often the scores are used solely to laugh and say how dumb some of these kids are. Give them a break, some of these kids like Dez Bryant really come from tough, tough situations.
Change isn't good or bad it just "is". Don Draper of Madmen
I don’t even think a bad score necessarily means you’re dumb. And if it did, still wouldn’t matter.
Steel Nick
In 2010 we drafted a nickelback at pick 7, we needed a quarterback, but we found a way to pass on the forum maligned Jimmy Clausen, at high picks 38 and 59 (round 2 picks), until we snatched Colt McCoy at pick 85 (round 3).
In 2009 we traded out of slot 5, not once, but three times (down to slot 17, down to slot 19, down to slot 21) to make sure Alex Mack was the most highly rated center in the draft. Way up in round 2, pick 36, Brian Robiskie also got the Browns quality designation above all comparable receivers. If you go by their career fates, two more players were deemed worthy of a 2nd round evaluation, Mohamed Massaquoi at 50 and David Vaikune at 52.
In 2008, believe it or not, the Browns were completely absent from the first 3 rounds, choosing no one. Their first pick that year was LB Beau Bell out of UNLV at 104, round 4. They did secure three standout Defensive Tackles that year though, through trades with other teams, namely Corey Williams and Shaun Rogers, and picked up Ahtyba Rubin was a steal at pick 190 in round 6, thus seriously shoring up their d-line for the entire year.
In 2007, Joe Thomas got a life long free pass, at the amazing slot 3 overall for an OT, which he may not even have realized until later, for he was fishing on a boat. Brady Quinn, who became a spectacle for slipping into so low of the first round, got the mercy call from Cleveland at pick 22. CB Eric Wright has managed to stick unto the starting roster, for he was worth pick 53, round 2.
2006: 1/15 DE Kamerion Wimbley; 2/34 LB D´Quell Jackson; 3/78 WR Travis Wilson; 4/110 LB Leon Williams; 4/112 G Isaac Sowells;
2005: 1/3 WR Braylon Edwards; 2/34 Brodney Pool; 3/67 Charlie Frye; 4/103 Antonio Perkins; 5/139 David McMillan;
Well, whatever, we´re not exactly draft gods here.
DE, just to make sure the proposed change to the 4-3 is implemented, is non sense and an overblown effort to underscore your achievement of losing the traditional 3-4 alignment. At pick 6, and we won´t wait for A.J. Green to drop, due to his publicized Wonderlic flub, we take DT Adrian Clayborn, or QB Ryan Mallett due to Colt McCoy not getting the backing he deserves. DT Marvin Austin is our round 2 selection.
by mooncamping on Mar 24, 2011 1:32 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Well, whatever, we´re not exactly draft gods here.
Classic.
2010 Official DBN League Fantasy Football Champion
by TheDriveStillHurts on Mar 24, 2011 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I know the rest of you have some weird understanding of what Mooncamping is about, but seriously:
A) What was the point of everything before the last paragraph?
B)
In 2010 we drafted a nickelback at pick 7, we needed a quarterback, but we found a way to pass on the forum maligned Jimmy Clausen, at high picks 38 and 59
If you go by their career fates, two more players were deemed worthy of a 2nd round evaluation
Brady Quinn, who became a spectacle for slipping into so low of the first round, got the mercy call from Cleveland
DE, just to make sure the proposed change to the 4-3 is implemented, is non sense and an overblown effort to underscore your achievement of losing the traditional 3-4 alignment.
At pick 6, and we won´t wait for A.J. Green to drop, due to his publicized Wonderlic flub, we take DT Adrian Clayborn
Steel Nick
You must learn to push yourself beyond punctuation.
Use "The Force", Nick.
In theory there is no difference between theory and practice.
In practice there is. -- Yogi Berra
by JustPlainBrowns on Mar 25, 2011 7:19 AM EDT up reply actions
So, what are you saying, you discern that you are smarter than like a 30th grader?
by mooncamping on Mar 25, 2011 8:09 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Well as long as you buy yourself, because your stock around here isn´t astronomical either, I suppose we´ll be fine.
by mooncamping on Mar 26, 2011 9:25 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
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