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Now that the 2015 NFL draft is behind us, I thought I’d give you a look inside Wunkle’s war room – otherwise known as the padded cell. As I mentioned in my 20 questions article, we took the padded cell on the road to our son and daughter-in-law’s home in Canton where we could all watch the draft unfold on the big screen. In tow were my wife of nearly thirty-two years (how I was lucky enough to land her still amazes me to this day) and our daughter, along with more than enough chili, hot dogs, burgers and restaurant style tortilla chips to feed a small army.
Even before arriving, the airwaves were full of speculation concerning what the Tennessee Titans were going to do with the second overall pick. Even in the early morning hours, the rumors were running rampant about Cleveland and Philadelphia trying to outbid each other for the pick. The Titans had made it known that the organization was “listening to offers”, which made Browns fans even more restless than usual for draft day. The ensuing hours at work only moved the anticipation meter higher and higher until the event finally began.
By the time the four letter giant sports network began its coverage, everyone was comfortably seated with the first round of filled plates. Then Commissioner Roger Goodell strolled to the podium accompanied by the usual symphony of boos, hisses and jeers. It’s nice to know that some things never change. He then proceeded to announce that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were on the clock – as if no one had a clue as to whom they were going to take. A few minutes later he returned with what was perhaps the worst kept secret in recent NFL draft history. Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston was the first overall pick and Tennessee was on the clock.
The time between the announcing of the first two picks seemed like an eternity to some; but we’d already gotten word beforehand that Cleveland was out of the bidding, and that the last team making bids for the pick was indeed Philadelphia. In the end, the Titans selected Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota because no team was willing to give them three first round draft picks in exchange. So the truth of the matter was that they weren’t going to give up the pick for anything less than a king’s ransom.
The next nine picks seemed to come and go fairly quickly and with little surprise . . .
Jacksonville: Dante Fowler Jr. – OLB – Florida
Oakland: Amari Cooper – WR – Alabama (I guessed the right position, but the wrong player)
Washington: Brandon Scherff – OT – Iowa
NY Jets: Leonard Williams – DE – USC (it was either him or a pass rusher)
Allow me to interrupt the selection order for an editorial commentary . . . Any NFL GM who tells you that their organization doesn’t draft for need or that need does not trump talent is lying through his teeth. How else can you explain the top rated player in the entire draft – head and shoulders above the rest by the NFL’s rating system, mind you – sliding all the way to sixth where the New York Jets could take him?
Chicago: Kevin White – WR – West Virginia
Another commentary if I may . . . I thought that, if any team other than the Browns would take Washington defensive lineman Danny Shelton, it was the Chicago Bears because their run defense last year was almost as bad as Cleveland’s. Fortunately for Cleveland, Chicago took a receiver.
Atlanta: Vic Beasley – OLB – Clemson
New York Giants: Ereck Flowers – OT – Miami (this was the first “huh?” pick of the draft)
St. Louis: Todd Gurley – RB – Georgia
Minnesota: Trae Waynes – CB – Michigan State
Now the Browns were finally on the clock and both Danny Shelton and Louisville WR DeVante Parker were still on the board. I texted a few people and considered the possibility of Browns GM Ray Farmer packaging the nineteenth pick to New Orleans so that Cleveland would get both of them. In the end, Danny Shelton was indeed the selection and I could not have been happier over the choice. Not because he was my pick for the Browns in my final mock, but rather because it was the choice that filled the greater need. And now, we rejoin our regularly scheduled program already in progress.
New Orleans: Andrus Peat – OT – Stanford
Miami: DeVante Parker – WR – Louisville
It was about here that our son got called into work unexpectedly to do inventory, which resulted in our daughter-in-law having what we’ve come to know as a, “What the _________?!“ moment. Thus we made an early night of it at their place and headed back home. To ensure that I wouldn’t miss any of the picks; our oldest son, who lives out of State and was also watching the draft, texted them to us as we drove. Since I was the one driving, I handed my cell phone over to my wife so that she could read them off to me.
And now for this article’s public service announcement . . . Please, don’t ever text while you’re driving. The life that you save could be your own.
We finally get out first trade of the evening. . .
San Diego (from 49ers): Melvin Gordon – RB – Wisconsin
Houston: Kevin Johnson – CB – Wake Forest
San Francisco (from Chargers): Arik Armstead – DE – Oregon
Kansas City: Marcus Peters – CB – Washington
Then the Browns were on the clock for the second time in the evening. As I thought within myself over and over again, “They really need to take Cameron Erving. The only question is ‘will they’?” After what seemed like an hour, the much anticipated text message read . . .
Cleveland: Bryce Petty – QB – Baylor
It was at that time where I had my own little “What the __________?!” moment. However, I didn’t dare say it out loud considering the present company. Instead, I instructed my wife to text back verbatim, “ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?!!!!!!!!!” You can imagine the sigh of relief I had when he replied, “LOL . . . JK . . . they took Florida State O lineman Cameron Erving. Once my heart rate and blood pressure got back to normal, the rest of round one seemed to go pretty unceremoniously . . .
Philadelphia: Nelson Agholor – WR – USC
Cincinnati: Cedric Ogbuehi – OT – Texas A&M
Pittsburgh: Alvin Dupree – OLB – Kentucky
Denver (from Detroit): Shane Ray – DE – Missouri
Side note . . . am I the only one who sees the incredibly ironic humor in Shane Ray going to a team that’s located in a State where marijuana is legal? How marvelous! This is exactly the type of thing that the Cannabis Society has been hoping for, but I digress.
Arizona: DJ Humphries – OT – Florida
Carolina – Shaq Thompson – OLB – Washington
Baltimore: Breshad Perriman – WR – Central Florida
Dallas: Byron Jones – CB – Connecticut
Detroit (from Denver): Laken Tomlinson – OG – Duke
Indianapolis: Phillip Dorsett – WR – Miami
I thought the Colts selection of Dorsett was one they could have easily traded down in to the second round to make. Considering their defensive issues, I thought for certain that they’d take a D-lineman or pass rusher. Texas DT Malcolm Brown and Nebraska DE Randy Gregory and Virginia OLB Eli Harold were still on the board. Any of those players would’ve made their defense better.
New Orleans: Stephone Anthony – ILB – Clemson
New England: Malcolm Brown – DT – Texas
And upon hearing the final selection of the night signifying that the first round was in the books, the head of the Wunkle household went to bed.
OBSERVATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS
As for the Cleveland Browns on Thursday night, they were able to wait it out and still take the player that just about every pundit had them taking at twelve in Washington NT Danny Shelton; thus filling a huge hole in the middle of the defensive line. Seven picks later, they made me look like a genius by selecting Florida State O-lineman Cameron Erving. And while a small part of me got some fleeting sense of self-satisfaction by correctly predicting whom the Browns would take; in the end, it’s exponentially more important that the Browns got the picks right – especially after last year’s first round debacle. By all appearances they did just that, but only time will tell for certain. None of the players selected have strapped on a helmet and shoulder pads since the draft, unless it was for the sole purpose of getting properly fitted with equipment for when rookie mini-camp begins. Shelton will project as the Browns starting NT and Erving will project as the team’s new starting right guard.
The value of selecting Erving is that he can play any of the five positions along the O-line; and his addition makes another point about the importance of the offensive line in today’s NFL. The Browns now have (from left to right) Joe Thomas (3rd overall), Joel Bitonio (35th overall), Alex Mack (21st overall), Cameron Erving (19th overall) and Mitchell Schwartz (37th overall); making all five projected starting offensive linemen selected in either the first or second round. That’s all five within the top forty and three in the top twenty-five. This also is a direct reflection of Head Coach Mike Pettine’s philosophy to run the football early and often on offense to shorten the game and limit the opponent’s opportunities to score.
The second round was even harder to predict because of the trade possibilities and the simple fact that it’s deeper in the draft. With the 43rd overall pick I had Cleveland taking Mississippi State LB Benardrick McKinney because of his size, speed and ability to play either inside or outside (projecting him as a possible successor to Karlos Dansby in 2016). As it turned out, the Browns traded with Houston who selected (drum roll please) . . . . . . Benardrick McKinney. Eight picks later, the Browns selected Utah pass rusher Nate Orchard; who doesn’t’ clock well in the forty, but his production as a sack machine on the field cannot be overlooked.
Round three was where I had Cleveland taking Louisville OLB Lorenzo Mauldin at 77th overall. And while Mauldin was still on the board, selecting him after the Browns had already taken a pass rusher would’ve been redundant. The Pick of Miami RB Duke Johnson was a bit of a surprise; but then again, receivers Jalen Strong, Tyler Lockett and Chris Conley were already off the board just a few pick previous to Cleveland. The Browns followed up by trading back up into the third round to select Washington State DT Xavier Cooper. I suppose the thought behind the pick was to play him at DE in a three man front and move him inside when a four man front is required. Considering his quickness off the snap and the fact that he was the second D-lineman taken by the Browns, some of the players that this current regime inherited might be on red alert.
The fourth round found the Browns selecting Northwestern safety Ibrahiem Campbell. On the surface it looked as if Ray Farmer was sending a message to holdout Tashaun Gipson. However, it more likely appears that they selected an eventual successor to Donte Whitner. Campbell is an in the box run supporting safety that needs to work on his coverage skills. Then they follow that with the selection of Washington State receiver Vince Mayle, whose production was only overshadowed by his number of dropped passes. This kid is definitely a work in progress.
The pick that the Browns originally had in round five was traded to New England, who subsequently traded the pick to Green Bay. The Packers ended up taking UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley. With Aaron Rodgers as his mentor, Hundley couldn’t have landed in a better place. So the Browns allowed the fifth round to come and go without making a selection. Having said that, it seemed that Cleveland made up for lost time in round six by selecting a cornerback and (not one, but) two tight ends. Louisville’s Charles Gaines had some off-the-field issues which caused him to slide into day three, but his talent level is far above where he was drafted. This kid has a nose for the football. Of the tight ends, Mississippi State’s Malcolm Johnson is a guy that’s always looking for someone to block. Thus, he’ll fill a role as an H-back initially. Once he adds some bulk, he’ll likely be asked to do more in-line blocking. USC’s Randall Telfer is pretty much another Jordan Cameron type of project. He’s a tall and athletic player with limited experience and could develop in a couple years into a very good pass catcher from the TE position.
In round seven the Browns selected a player they hope can become Dansby’s eventual replacement in USC’s Hayes Pullard. His rookie season will find him either on the practice squad or on special teams; so good luck filling those shoes, brother. And now for what could be the steal of the entire 2015 NFL draft in Oregon CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (please don’t ask me to pronounce his last name). Had he not blown out an ACL last season, he might have been selected in the top half of the first round. He’ll most likely spend 2015 on injured reserve, but this kid will be worth the wait.
Considering how good this draft looks on paper right now, imagine how well Ray Farmer would’ve done had he been allowed to make all the picks during last year’s draft.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
Absolutely fantastic writeup. Your son is jeopardizing his inheritance by texting you that we got Petty with the 19th overall pick. If nothing else he needs to get some coal in his stocking at Christmas time.
I agree with you that our best pick in the draft may have been Ifo Ekpre-Olomu. We may not see him at all in 2015, but it may be like drafting a 1st round CB in 2016. I really hope he can come back to form after the terrible knee injury.
Overall I’m very happy with this draft, much happier than I was last year. No we didn’t get a QB, but I don’t think there was one worth getting. If 2 QB’s from this draft class are starting in the NFL in 4 years I will be beyond shocked.
Absolutely fantastic write-up. Your son is jeopardizing his inheritance by texting you that we got Petty with the 19th overall pick. If nothing else he needs to get some coal in his stocking at Christmas time.
I agree with you that our best pick in the draft may have been Ifo Ekpre-Olomu. We may not see him at all in 2015, but it may be like drafting a 1st round CB in 2016. I really hope he can come back to form after the terrible knee injury.
Overall I’m very happy with this draft, much happier than I was last year. No we didn’t get a QB, but I don’t think there was one worth getting. If 2 QB’s from this draft class are starting in the NFL in 4 years I will be beyond shocked.
Ice, I would say that his son was just trying to cash in early….you know, due to an unexpected car accident. 😉
It kind of scares me that I really liked this draft. I know I gave it a B in the other thread, but really, if: (1) We don’t get any real “busts” in the early rounds and (2) some of the late round picks pan out (like last year’s seems to have done), this will have been a franchise changing draft.
Seattle has made a living on their ability to find talent late in the draft. Perhaps we can too.
If Manziel and/or Gilbert can start looking like a 1st rd pick, this team will actually look like its heading in the right direction.
(NOTE: We really don’t need hall of famers to come out of these last two drafts to field a winner…we just need competence.)
And finally, Bill, very nice write-up. But then again, we expect nothing less.
Glad to know that your expectations of me are still high, Durakbane. Where much is given, much is required. I’m convinced that the quarterback situation will be more clear by season’s end; whether it’s someone on the roster or in the 2016 draft. You use the word “competence”. We need players that are both competent and effective in carrying out their assignments; guys that put in the work in the film room, know their job and do it. We don’t need hype. We need football players.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
Very nice write up Bill! Overall I am pleased with the draft. It seems like we have a plan, maybe even an identity in the making. Cautiously optimistic about how the next two seasons will unfold but on paper it’s looking good.
Glad to know that your expectations of me are still high, Durakbane.
And your success this year will only raise the bar for next year. You better believe that I’m going to be advertising that BFT is the home of draft expert Bill Wunkle.
Bill Wunkle – the only person on the planet Earth that was not in the Browns draft room but knew exactly what they were thinking on draft day.
One thing I neglected to mention in the article . . . After the 19th pick is announced, my boss texted, “Wunkle’s the man.” I had to text back, “Even a blind squirrel gets a nut every now and then”.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
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