Latest SB Nation Mock Draft: Browns Trade Up for RGIII
by Chris Pokorny on Feb 20, 2012 3:00 PM EST
in 2012 NFL Draft
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PrintIn their pre-combine mock draft, SB Nation has changed their projection of what the Cleveland Browns will do in the first round of the draft. This time, instead of going against the majority (like they had done in their first two mock drafts), they went with the common projection of Robert Griffin III. There was no second first-round pick for the Browns this time, since they believe Cleveland will have to trade up to No. 2 overall to secure their quarterback.
2. Cleveland Browns (projected trade with St. Louis), Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
It looks as if the Browns are the favorites in the RG3 race ... for now. The Cleveland Plain Dealer says that the team is "very likely" to trade up, and their two picks in the first round would be the best deal any team could offer. Griffin has questions to answer this week at the Combine. Height -- is he closer to 6'0 than 6'2? -- is one issue. If he wows teams during one-on-one time and the drills, which he probably will, it will chum in the water for rebuilding teams and the media.
Who does SB Nation think the Rams will then take at No. 4 overall? Running back Trent Richardson, despite the fact that they have Steven Jackson on their roster. Jackson is still a beast, but they believe that Richardson can be his understudy and take over for Jackson as he continues to wear down from too many touches.
I know these SB Nation mock drafts are going to change all the time for Cleveland, just like they did last year. Therefore, this year I will keep a log to show what the projection for Cleveland has been for each version.
Version 3: Robert Griffin III
Version 2: Morris Claiborne & Michael Floyd
Version 1: Justin Blackmon & Ryan Tannehill
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Pretty tough for the Rams to get a better deal than this, especially if they’re looking to draft someone like Richardson. Trading to 4 allows them to get their guy and also pick up another pick in this year’s first round.
Good deal for both sides if RG3 is the QB we all hope he will be and the Rams are fine with sticking with Bradford.
by DisplacedBuckeye on Feb 20, 2012 3:07 PM EST reply actions
As I see it the if the RAMS take a deal means they are not sold on Big K otherwise if anyone wanted to trade for RGIII up the Vikes would be the next target. Except for us I doubt they have given up on Ponder yet so I don’t see them wanting RGIII.
"Nobody in football should be called a genius. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein."
Agreed- it makes me nervous actually, bc they can get Richardson still with another trade partner other than the Brown’s #4.
by Boston Browns on Feb 20, 2012 5:22 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Not something the Rams were expecting either!
"Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened."
— Winston S. Churchill
I have the best wife - ever.
by JustBob on Feb 20, 2012 5:34 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
ha ya no way they make that move… either Kalil or Blackmon will be on the board at #4, both huge positions of need for them.. no way they pass that up for a RB
I jsut really hope they fall in love with Kalil and they want him at 2. I think thats the best chance to make most fans happy by not having to trade up (though they still may need to swap with Minny) and still getting RG3.
Lloyd is heading to NE.
Why did the Steeler fan grow a mustache? So he could look like his mother.
by Bernie19Kosar on Feb 21, 2012 1:34 PM EST up reply actions
Why would we want the Vike’s pick are they looking to replace Ponder?
"Nobody in football should be called a genius. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein."
Not that I’m aware of, and if they were they certainly wouldn’t trade the pick. I’m saying if the Rams want Kalil and take him at 2, and there’s still a danger of those same teams (Washington/Miami/Seattle/etc) trading up in front of 4 to grab RG3, we have to like our chances even better. Because the cost to trade up to 3 instead of 2 will be cheaper.
Steel Nick
He turns 29 this summer, not a bad idea. nothing wrong with having several good backs either… works for the Saints.
Not too high on Richardson, doe
"A drug person can learn to cope with things like seeing their dead grandmother crawling up their leg with a knife in her teeth. But no one should be asked to handle this trip." Thompson
Cadillac Williams is a solid backup. #4 overall is also extremely high for a RB.
I teach good life choices. That's why I almost didn't graduate high school.
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Because of Justin Blackmon probably. I’m with Jon though. I would love to have RG3 but if we don’t get a solid #1 WR in FA then I say we get one in the draft. I think a WR is a MUST for the Browns.
BREAKING NEWS! Apple is releasing a special edition LeBron James iPhone. Problem is it only vibrates b/c it has no RING!...
A few over at the Turf Show feel that the Browns would need to trade both of our 1st rounders this year + a late round pick AND our 1st rounder in 2013. I think that’s pushing it.
"A drug person can learn to cope with things like seeing their dead grandmother crawling up their leg with a knife in her teeth. But no one should be asked to handle this trip." Thompson
I agreed with them until they threw in the 1 next year. A bit ambitious. Still, they are in the catbird seat – as they will get the player they want and an extra first, and at least one other pick from our Brownies. I guess they are really sold on Sam Bradford depite pedestrian statistics. I have to admit, I thought he was Pro Bowl bound when drafted too.
Change isn't good or bad it just "is". Don Draper of Madmen
This is what I have been wondering…I think the fans are sold on Bradford. But is their F.O.?
When you consider more things from all angles, you'll get more things from all angles. We'll be kicking ourselves if we don't get Burflict.
by The New Kardiac Kids on Feb 20, 2012 5:54 PM EST up reply actions
i think the reason Fisher chose the Rams over the Fins was because of Bradford, stability at the QB position cannot be undervalued in this league… he must think Bradford’s got it
Very good point. Fisher probably believes in Bradford. Bradford just needs a LT. Badly.
I teach good life choices. That's why I almost didn't graduate high school.
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But what if Fisher comes in because of the #2? Not for the stability.
When you consider more things from all angles, you'll get more things from all angles. We'll be kicking ourselves if we don't get Burflict.
by The New Kardiac Kids on Feb 21, 2012 1:34 AM EST up reply actions
The problem is that no one else can make a deal like that. We aren’t doing this in a vacuum. They may think that’s what the pick is worth, but it doesn’t matter, because we are the only team that can pay that price. It’s not like someone else can make that deal if we refuse to.
"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway
by notthatnoise on Feb 20, 2012 5:16 PM EST up reply actions
This. Nothing but the fevered dreams of fans whose franchise arguably in worse shape than us. I’d love a lot of things too but only Cincinnati could match that offer and I doubt Mike Brown feels like moving up. The Redskins/Phins/Seahawks would have to enter crazy town or add players to beat two firsts this year plus a later pick(s). I’d say we’re still in the driver seat.
It doesn’t surprise me that Rams fans want the Rams to get as much as possible, even as if the price they mentioned is ludicrously high. Seriously, if the Rams’ FO asked for that, I’d tell them to enjoy Blackmon/Kalil, we’ll draft RG3 at No. 4.
Furthermore, if the Redskins/Dolphins/any team is willing to trade 3 first round picks to move up to No. 2 overall, said team can enjoy their prize.
And if they are willing to give up 3 first rounders, why not just go to one and take Luck?
Why did the Steeler fan grow a mustache? So he could look like his mother.
by Bernie19Kosar on Feb 20, 2012 7:51 PM EST up reply actions
Bingo.
"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway
by notthatnoise on Feb 20, 2012 9:15 PM EST up reply actions
I’d be down with that.
Once you start comparing a QB to Drew Brees, you've lost the argument.
by TheDriveStillHurts on Feb 21, 2012 12:21 AM EST up reply actions
I could see a second rounder next year, but that’s it. They can have their extra first this year or next – -that’s the choice they’ll need to make. Also if Washington and/or Miami get a QB in FA that price plummets.
Of course they’re going to feel that way. We all overvalue what we have.
by woodsmeister on Feb 21, 2012 2:14 PM EST up reply actions
According to the draft chart, our 2nd and 3rd rounders (#37 and #68) combined are worth exactly the same as #22. I’d rather trade those two picks than the first-rounder.
That’s interesting, I hadn’t considered that. My gut reaction was to say no to that, but I’m not so sure.
"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway
by notthatnoise on Feb 20, 2012 5:16 PM EST up reply actions
It’s amazing that a TRADE is a consensus – I’ve literally never seen that before in a mock.
Could you imagine being a part of the Brown’s front office right now? Everyone – the fans, the media, the players – they’ve already made the decision FOR you! Your move, Heck!
by Boston Browns on Feb 20, 2012 5:19 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Hopefully, they don’t care what the fans think.
Once you start comparing a QB to Drew Brees, you've lost the argument.
by TheDriveStillHurts on Feb 21, 2012 12:22 AM EST up reply actions
If the Rams pick Richardson at #4 then they’re making a huge mistake. They need a WR and a LT. If they trade down to #4 and Kalil is gone (he will be) then they might even trade down again with whoever wants Claiborne and take Riley Reiff or Blackmon with whatever pick they get (#6?).
If the Rams want Kalil they can’t trade down at all because of the Vikings. If they want Claiborne or Blackmon they can’t trade past #4 because of the Buccaneers or anyone who trades up to get ahead of the Bucs (possibly the Redskins).
Giffin is 6’2. My friend that lives in Waco, Texas said he saw a local sports show where they actually measured Robert Griffin III and he is exactly 6’2". So that fear will go away.
Thank you. I swear people need to always find something to question about a guy. They can’t question his talent, intelligence or work ethic so now they’ve resorted to questioning his height.
Also those same people seemingly have no questions at all about Luck, who I’ve seen play twice and was not impressed either time (not that that means anything).
Coming from someone as sensitive to height as you are, I believe it.
Resident Tim Couch Apologist.
by Dawg Nuts on Feb 20, 2012 7:43 PM EST up reply actions 5 recs
One person who would not embelish a quarterback’s height is me. The report is true. He is 6’2". Crap we agree on something.
by champion64 on Feb 20, 2012 8:36 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
According to Adam Scefter the Browns move up and get RG3 with their second round pick and wont have to give up their #22 because of the value of the Browns #4 compared to what Washington can offer. This would be nice!!!
Are you saying Schefter is predicting this somewhere? And if so, could you flesh that out a little?
Schefter is someone who rarely predicts what will happen in the draft, but when he does, it’s usually a lock.
Steel Nick
I like Schefter a lot. I also like that trade a lot. This seems more level-headed than a lot of other scenarios thrown around as well. The fact that the Rams can still grab Blackmon or Kalil at 4 but not 6 makes our pick worth a lot more than Washingtons, even more so than any draft chart would show.
"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway
by notthatnoise on Feb 20, 2012 9:18 PM EST up reply actions
He said it earlier today on ESPN. Might want to check his twitter it may be on there. Not sure if there would be any later picks just heard him say their second round pick. Alot of this will depend on the combine, but he is a true insider and I would take his word before most others
so he said our #4 and the #37 this year?.. that seems a little too good to be true… the chart values our #4 and #22 almost dead even with the #2… it seems more likely that we’d be forced to do the latter and maybe even through in a 3rd or 4th rounder if there is a bidding war
The chart is outdated and was arbitrary to begin with. Very few GMs use it any more.
"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway
by notthatnoise on Feb 20, 2012 9:19 PM EST up reply actions
Yes the #4 and #37 this year. I’m sure there would be later picks, but can Washington offer anything better?
Yes but there is no way of saying at what point of first round they would get that pick next year and in my opinion future first round picks hold about same value as current high second round picks, and Browns own high second round pick to go with higher first round pick than Washington and thus edge goes to Cleveland
If you hit the “reply” button it will automatically stagger your responses to make this easier to follow.
"They kept throwing it at me. I don’t know why. They just kept trying, and I just kept knocking it down." -- Joe Haden
by Kimble_79 on Feb 20, 2012 7:33 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
if we’re only dealing with 2 picks i agree, but washington might just be QB-desperate enough to give their #6, next years 1st rounder and say… their 3rd this year or even 2nd rounder this year… then the edge goes to the Skins, and you gotta wonder if H&H think RGIII is worth all the picks it’s take to beat that
I just hope Heckert doesn’t get bluffed out of picks..
by Boston Browns on Feb 20, 2012 8:08 PM EST up reply actions
That’s still only 2 (worse) firsts and a (worse) second. Why would they take that when they could just take our 2 better firsts.
Ultimately the Browns have the best pick#4 so the Rams will say ok this is what the Skins are willing to do and then its just whether H and H think he is worth it. They wont sell the farm for this kid because they still have to many needs. Yes we all know how Washington does things and would most likely give a lot as they have in the past, but look what its got them in FA.
Do not use our #4 pick to draft QB.
I do not agree with the writer of this article that we will or even should trade up to get RG3. It is fairly obvious to the majority of those that know football in general and the Browns in particular that we need a stud offensive lineman like Reiff or Kalil. A receiver who can spread the defense and yes actually catch the ball, and a linebacker who hits so hard that opposing runners soil their uniforms in pure fear. Yes we have other holes to fill, but these are the most obvious I believe that if we can fill these three holes, through the draft or free agency, that we can easily be 8-8 next year, and with a little luck we could even make the playoffs. For the last decade, this has been the battle cry of our Browns, but that battle cry has become quite old.
by Greg1958 on Feb 20, 2012 11:19 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
Do not use our #4 pick to draft QB.
we need a stud offensive lineman like Reiff or Kalil. A receiver who can spread the defense and yes actually catch the ball, and a linebacker who hits so hard that opposing runners soil their uniforms in pure fear.
You know, I’ve been all aboard the RG3 bandwagon, but I think this guy’s right. If there’s a player that plays all three of those positions that well and he’s still there at 4? Gotta take him. Not too many exceptional OT/WR/LB hybrids nowadays.
However, IF this superman doesn’t exist or gets snatched up before #4, I think RG3 should be second on the wish list.
Steel Nick
by nickjs21 on Feb 21, 2012 11:48 AM EST up reply actions 5 recs
It is fairly obvious to the majority of those that know football in general and the Browns in particular that we need a stud offensive lineman like Reiff or Kalil.
It is becoming very obvious to me that this kind of comment will lead me to hanging myself this off-season. It’s not even March yet…
Why did the Steeler fan grow a mustache? So he could look like his mother.
by Bernie19Kosar on Feb 21, 2012 1:40 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
This does not make sense to me…I would think that St. Louis would get Blackmon at #4…another runnningback is not going to help Braford if he is their franchise QB…if Lloyd goes than I would think Blackmon is the obvious choice…what are the possibilities of St Louis drafting someone for their OL? Didn’t he get sacked a lot last year?
I know that whether running back is a position of need or not is still up in the air, but does anyone else think Isaiah Pead would be a nice upgrade to the position if we could get him in the 2nd round?
"Tracers work both ways" ~US Army Ordnance
I had the privilege of watching him the past three years, and man was he fun to watch. If that translates at all to the pros, I think he’ll be good for years.
As far as actual skills, he’s fast, shifty, and has good hands. Also, he runs well out of the shotgun, which Cincy uses 90% of the time.
"Tracers work both ways" ~US Army Ordnance
Question: Has Heckert of Holmgren ever pulled the trigger on draft day like we are all saying? Just curious if either of them ever had 2 first round picks and what they did. And also what was the most Heckert ever gave up for a pick?
(the Favre deal was orchestrated by Ron Wolf so that does not count)
"There's a gleam men, there's a gleam!" Marty
I doubt they’ve ever had multiple first round picks, and I’m positive they’ve never had one as high as #4. Basically, you can’t look at what they’ve done in a similar situation because they’ve never been in a similar situation. They have always had a quarterback.
We do know that Heckert will trade up in the first and second rounds though.
"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway
by notthatnoise on Feb 21, 2012 9:57 AM EST up reply actions
H&H also said they’re gonna stick to their philosophy of drafting the BPA. I doubt RG3 is the 2nd (or even 4th) best player in the draft on anyone’s board.
by More passing yards than Dan Fouts on Feb 21, 2012 10:24 AM EST up reply actions
I think he might be 1st on a couple of boards.
by Legoman0721 on Feb 21, 2012 12:03 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
especially once he kills the combine…proves he is 6’2"…and sounds like a british professor in his interviews.
if it truely only costs us 2 of our 3 high picks to get him, do it. whichever pick is left nail down a defensive beast. Here’s hoping they prove to us they’re serious by getting a OG and WR1 in free agency.
Paul Newman's an old friend of ours out of Cleveland, OH. He's the only man I've ever known to drink a case of beer all by himself. - L. Wasserman
true but his pro day is the 21st and free agency begins on the 20th. This kind of puts teams in a bind if they are not 100% convinced and would like to see him throw and have time to evaluate him.
Good. Then Washington get grab Flynn and let us get Griffin at 4.
by Brownie's Year on Feb 21, 2012 9:44 PM EST up reply actions
I doubt RG3 is the 2nd (or even 4th) best player in the draft on anyone’s board.
Source?
Why did the Steeler fan grow a mustache? So he could look like his mother.
by Bernie19Kosar on Feb 21, 2012 1:43 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Well Mel was stammering about something like it was based on their previous years rankings, then Mel said he thought RG projected as a WR coming out when he was a RS Sophomore so he really moved up a lot and should be proud of it, etc. meanwhile RG’s not saying anything until Mel’s done and he said something like he’s right up there with Andrew. He’s taking this Luck competitiveness seriously, he says he’s pretty motivated by people telling him he should be playing second fiddle to someone else.
I like that. I wouldn’t want a guy who thought he was second best.
"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway
by notthatnoise on Feb 22, 2012 10:49 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
According to Yahoo! Sports 14 out of 15 scouts prefer Luck over RG3.
Still, the overall feeling of most scouts and coaches is that Luck is an ever-so-slightly-safer pick. In a process filled with risk, that’s not a small consideration. Of 15 NFL scouts and coaches surveyed since the Senior Bowl in late January, 14 said they would take Luck first. Some of that came down to Luck being a little bigger (he is 6-foot-4, 235 pounds compared to Griffin at 6-2, 220), which means he could take more of an NFL pounding. Some of it came down to the systems they played in (Baylor’s spread offense gave Griffin more opportunities to show off his immense talent).
Cry havoc and let slip the dawgs of war
ever-so-slightly-safer
That’s telling. Actually, that phrasing makes me like RG3 as a prospect even more.
I’ve been a huge vocal fan of RG3 since about Week 5, and I would trade multiple picks to get him at 2; but make no mistake, I’d take Luck in a heartbeat.
Steel Nick
by nickjs21 on Feb 22, 2012 1:06 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
And they should prefer him. Griffin could become the better player, but Luck is the better prospect.
Still, I love that Griffin wants to be seen as the best. He’s confident without being cocky, which is a great line to be able to walk.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
Unless I’m mistaken, the Browns play in Indy this year.
Steel Nick
by nickjs21 on Feb 23, 2012 2:27 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Footballgameplan on YouTube mocked Blackmon to us at 4 and the Trent Richardson at 22…. I’d poop my pants.
by lightninmcqueen on Feb 21, 2012 4:00 PM EST via mobile reply actions
If we can’t get Griffin, I wouldn’t mind that at all.
by Brownie's Year on Feb 21, 2012 9:54 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah I would say that’s far from my worst-case scenario.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
true but i’d just prefer defense at #22. i think Hillis will be back, he’s multi-faceted for both the WCO (catching) and ACF North (bruising).
Paul Newman's an old friend of ours out of Cleveland, OH. He's the only man I've ever known to drink a case of beer all by himself. - L. Wasserman
I would like Hillis back, but it’s admittedly hard to predict at this point.
"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway
by notthatnoise on Feb 22, 2012 10:51 PM EST up reply actions
If Richardson is on the board, he’ll undoubtedly be the best player available.
While he may not present the greatest value to us because we (could) already have Hillis, it would be hard to pass on him.
This is assuming, of course, that Heckert doesn’t think there is a franchise QB on the board.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
Richardson at 22 doesn’t bother me.
"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway
by notthatnoise on Feb 22, 2012 10:49 AM EST up reply actions
Agreed. Don’t want him that high, but late 1st is perfect.
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