 Posted: Tue 16:31, 26 Nov 2013 Post subject: Notre Dame.Round 7 |
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| Draft review: Cleveland Browns
APBefore the draft, we looked at the needs of the Cleveland Browns. (Eventually, those needs included a really good lawyer.) Now that the draft is over, it's time to look at how they did.What they needed: Cornerback, quarterback, receiver, linebacker, safety, tight end, kicker.Who they got:Round 1: Barkevious Mingo, LB, LSU.Round 3: Lee McFadden, CB, San Diego State.Round 6: Jamoris Slaughter, S,[url=http://www.christianslouboutinvip.com/]Christian Louboutin Discount[/url], Notre Dame.Round 7: Armonty Bryant, DE, East Central (OK); Garrett Gilkey, OT, Chadron State.Where they hit: Mingo can be called a luxury pick,[url=http://www.christianslouboutinvip.com/]Christian Louboutin Black Friday 2013[/url], given that the Browns didn't have a pressing need at outside linebacker. But the ability to get to the quarterback no longer is a luxury in the NFL; it's a necessity. With free-agent acquisition Paul Kruger, the Browns suddenly have the ability to apply the Chudzinski Crunch to the likes of Ben Roethlisberger, Joe Flacco, and Andy Dalton. McFadden gives them a potential starter across from Joe Haden, and Slaughter fills an obvious need at safety.Where they missed: With their second-round pick used last July on receiver Josh Gordon, the Browns traded their fourth-round pick for a third-round pick in 2014, and then their fifth-round pick for a fourth-round pick in 2014. For a team that needs to get better now, deferring a pair of picks to next year won't help that effort, regardless of who they eventually get.Impact rookies: Mingo could become an instant star, especially if opposing offenses opt not to game-plan around him until he proves his ability at the NFL level. McFadden could get a lot of interceptions, if quarterbacks avoid Haden and test the rookie. And if the rookie passes.Long-term prospects: The Browns already had a decent amount of talent, and the decision to not draft a quarterback means that Brandon Weeden will indeed get another year to show that he's the long-term answer. The lack of any new tight ends, given coach Rob Chudzinski's affinity for those who play the position, is a good sign for the five guys already under contract. |
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