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A PADDED CELL CHRISTMAS – BILL WUNKLE’S FIRST LOOK AT THE 2016 NFL DRAFT
Merry Christmas, everyone! With our sometimes not-so-beloved Browns wallowing in the quagmire of ineptitude, I thought I’d take a look at the top of the 2016 NFL draft in hopes of getting our spirits in the holiday season.
Looking at what appears to be a consensus of the top 32 players, I came across a few points of interest. Here’s how it breaks down in class . . . One fifth year Senior, five true Seniors, nine redshirt Juniors, sixteen true Juniors (including eight of the top eleven overall) and one redshirt Sophomore. I don’t know about you, but that seems pretty top heavy with underclassmen to me. Granted, the redshirt Juniors have been in their respective programs four full years; so that somewhat balances things out. Here’s the breakdown by conference . . .
SEC (13), Big Ten (6), PAC 12 (4), ACC (3), Big 12 (3), AAC (1) and 2 from Notre Dame; which is (of course) Independent.
Here’s the breakdown by position . . .
Defensive End (6), Defensive Tackle (5), Offensive Tackle (5), Cornerback (4), Quarterback (3), Linebacker (4), Wide Receiver (3) and Running Back (2).
As for predicting an initial mock draft, I’d only try a top ten at this point of the season. That being said, here goes nothing. The draft positions are as of Christmas Eve, 2015.
Tennessee Titans: Joey Bosa – DE – Ohio State. Tennessee already has their quarterback of the future in Marcus Mariota, and many comments have been made concerning the need to protect their investment. All this even after taking Taylor Lewan previously. And while the O-line play needs improvement, I think they’ll see that improvement with two of their current starters getting more seasoning. I also suspect with the new regime will also come a new defensive scheme that will best utilize Bosa’s skills as a pass rusher.
Cleveland Browns: Paxton Lynch – QB – Memphis. Something tells me this selection will not be made by either Ray Farmer or Mike Pettine because they’ll both be relieved of their duties – although nothing is official at this time. Sooner or later (and the sooner, the better) the Browns will cut ties with the diminutive Johnny Manziel (and the three ring circus that comes with it) for a legitimate NFL sized franchise quarterback – much to the dismay of all the Man-zealots out there. At a legitimate 6′-6″ and 240 lbs., Lynch would finally give the Browns a franchise caliber QB capable of reading NFL defenses and making all the required throws from the pocket. He also provides the ability to stretch plays with his mobility inside and outside of the pocket.
Baltimore Ravens: Laremy Tunsil – OT – Mississippi. Ozzie Newsome understands the value of protecting your franchise quarterback, and the best OT in the draft falls into their lap. Sometimes it’s just that simple.
San Diego Chargers: Ronnie Staley – OT – Notre Dame. The Bolts’ issues with their O-line are well documented. Here’s a blue chipper to throw into that mix.
Dallas Cowboys: Jalen Ramsey – CB – Florida State. When it comes to the top talent, you either pick them or you play against them. Choose wisely.
San Francisco 49ers: Jared Goff – QB – California. Colin Kaepernick has digressed to the point where Jaguars draft bust Blaine Gabbert is starting ahead of him. How are the mighty fallen.
Miami Dolphins: Myles Jack – OLB – UCLA. Ndamukong Suh cannot take on the opposing offense all by himself. An O-lineman wouldn’t be outside the realm of possibilities here either.
Jacksonville Jaguars: DeForest Buckner – DE – Oregon. Pass rushers are at a premium in this league, and the Jags need one.
New Orleans Saints: Robert Nkemdiche – DT – Mississippi. The Saints defense has been abysmal this year and they need to put more pressure in the opposing QB’s face.
Chicago Bears: Laquon Treadwell – WR – Mississippi. Giving Jay Cutler another weapon will do wonders for their offense.
Well, there you have it for the ADD/ADHD version of the 2016 NFL mock draft – just a snippet to satisfy your hunger until the regular season is over. Let me know what you think.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
Did you coin the term “Man-zealots”? Because if you made it up, that’s gold.
What if we don’t grab a QB? How about Tunsil? I know it’s ridiculous to spend a top 2 pick on an RT when you have Joe Thomas, but he isn’t getting any younger.
Since we are talking draft I thought I’d throw this here. Best candid take on Goff I have seen.
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I have the same concerns with Lynch mentally as I do with Goff. Almost NOTHING of the Air Raid offence prepares QB’s for the NFL. The NFL will be basically getting a college freshman level prospect at in pro style football at:
Reading defenses
Calling Plays
Audibling
Understanding coverages vs the set play
Film Study/Breakdown properlyjust to name a few.
The above reasons and many more is why the Air Raid offence has a 0.00% success rate at producing year in and year out NFL starters let alone franchise QB’s.
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Considering that Goff has to read the defense EVERY PLAY and decide to go with or change the play – his intelligence is of no concern.
As for arm strength, according to one executive he’s Matt Ryan with a STRONGER arm.
He’s the pick. If we miss on him wevare making a dire mistake.
Freedom!!!
There’s only a handful of colleges nationwide that actually prepare QB’s for the NFL. It makes me sick. You can see the fundamentals of a college QB but that’s it. Can he throw a football? Can he throw it really far? Can he run? Can he run while throwing?
Forget about reading a defense. These single read offenses don’t challenge the QB to read the defense, he just looks at one key defender. If you compare reading the Steelers defense to reading War and Peace, then reading a college defense in a single-read offense is like reading a picture book. It makes picking an NFL QB almost a total crapshoot. We tend to gravitate to the big school QB’s who have seen a lot of success in college.
He’s accurate as all hell with a good arm.
So was JaMarcus Russell.
Scary scenario…we need a QB and I don’t see any of the three top candidates as “blue chip” prospects…but what if we get scared into trading up for one of them? I’ll bet Tennessee shops the #1 pick pretty heavily this year, and what if they get the 49ers, Saints or Eagles interested? Do we blink and give up another pick to move up and be sure we get “our” guy? I’m sure Tennessee will at least try to bluff us into doing so.
Okay for those that haven’t read the things I hae written about the Air Raid offence.
Here’s the quick and dirty version. Over the last 2 decades it has had a 100% failure rate at producing a year in and year out NFL starter let alone a franchise QB. 20 years at a 100% failure rate is just to damn much to ignore IMO. And the idea that a brand new Browns HC and or OC could be the one to find the exception and turn one of those guys into a franchise signal caller laughable. It’s not like the Browns are going to get top flight coaches.
Therefore I want nothing to Lynch or Goff. I am MUCH more interested in Cook, Wentz, Hackenberg, and Hogan with there pro scheme experience/education.
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Of the QB’s considered to be the top two, I prefer Paxton Lynch over Jared Goff. Lynch has the height and frame you’re looking for in a prototypical NFL QB combined with a strong arm and the agility to extend plays when protection breaks down. While Goff is an accurate passer, his arm strength is lacking. He’s pretty much the Colt McCoy of this year’s draft. I’m not interested in Connor Cook. There’s something to be said (and not in a good way) about a starting QB in his Senior year that was NOT named a captain by his teammates. If this were Draft Day, Connor Cook would be cast to play the part of Bo Callahan. Christian Hackenberg is too Jeckyl and Hyde to suit me. He would’ve been far better served to stay in school for his Senior season. Cardale Jones, Carson Wentz and Kevin Hogan intrigue me and for various reasons; and I’ll go over those reasons as we get closer to the draft.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
Of the QB’s considered to be the top two, I prefer Paxton Lynch over Jared Goff. Lynch has the height and frame you’re looking for in a prototypical NFL QB combined with a strong arm and the agility to extend plays when protection breaks down. While Goff is an accurate passer, his arm strength is lacking. He’s pretty much the Colt McCoy of this year’s draft. I’m not interested in Connor Cook. There’s something to be said (and not in a good way) about a starting QB in his Senior year that was NOT named a captain by his teammates. If this were Draft Day, Connor Cook would be cast to play the part of Bo Callahan. Christian Hackenberg is too Jeckyl and Hyde to suit me. He would’ve been far better served to stay in school for his Senior season. Cardale Jones, Carson Wentz and Kevin Hogan intrigue me and for various reasons; and I’ll go over those reasons as we get closer to the draft.
Hogan has been intriguing me for a while. Personally he’d be the only other guy I’d be excited about. Of course, that’s also dependent on getting a run first play action guy as a coach and identity. Which, of course, we won’t do.
Freedom!!!
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