NFL Draft: Re-Drafting Last Year For the Browns

While the Cleveland Browns would never say it, their fans will. They want a do over on the 2014 NFL Draft. The draft, which created so much buzz, fizzled quickly, like a cheap July 4th firework. The night after the 1st Round of last year’s draft the NFL Universe was buzzing about what the Browns pulled off. They had added what was assumed to be the best cornerback in the draft, the most electric quarterback in the draft and had another another 1st and 4th round pick to next year’s draft.

Everything was looking great for the Browns. HC Mike Pettine had the other physical corner to put across from Joe Haden while the team had their quarterback of the future. All of that and two more draft picks next year and 6 more rounds of the NFL Draft to continue to dominate.

We all know how the story went. Justin Gilbert and Johnny Manziel were not the stars coming out of the NFL Draft, far from it. They were two of the biggest busts in their rookie seasons. Even though the rest of the draft provided the Browns with starters and key contributors it hasn’t been enough to get fans off GM Ray Farmer‘s back. It doesn’t help that Farmer didn’t do what they wanted, draft a wide receiver, and now Josh Gordon is suspended for yet another season.

So after only one season (I think it is pretty dumb to grade/assess players after one or two seasons, 3 or 4 is far more accurate) we are looking at what it might mean if the Browns were to get a do over on the 1st round of the NFL Draft. Thankfully our guy at Optimum Scouting did the leg work and we get to look at it and give feedback to it.

"4. Cleveland Browns – Derek CarrReports were leading up to the draft that Carr was their man. Instead, they opted to move up for Manziel, and may already be in the market for a new passer. Carr’s last few games have shown great promise despite poor Oakland receivers."

Not a shocking pick here. With Teddy Bridgewater, Odell Beckham and Aaron Donald off the board he has the Browns going with Carr. While many love Carr, there are concerns about his pocket presence and touch on the football. Khalil Mack, Blake Bortles, Mike Evans and Sammy Watkins all are more likely Browns picks than Carr here. Yet one can’t argue that the Browns would be in a better position with Carr going into his second season.

"26. Cleveland Browns – Brandin CooksGetting Derek Carr and Bradin Cooks over Justin Gilbert and Johnny Manziel may not have been as sexy on draft day, but you’d better believe they’d rather that now."

Cooks was a player the Browns were reportedly interested in as well in this draft. He isn’t the big receiver fans wanted but he can play both inside and outside, providing Carr a dynamic playmaker. The Browns don’t get any help in the defensive backfield but get a huge upgrade to their offense here.

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Yet a couple things likely being missed by fans with this re-draft. 1st the Browns do not trade down so they do not have an extra 1st and 4th rounder this year. Second, and maybe more important, is that the Browns lose out on Joel Bitonio in this draft. Bitonio had a great season and is seen as a building block on the offensive line. In this draft he is selected 16th overall.

So with this re-draft of the 2014 NFL Draft the Browns would have a QB they feel better about in Carr, a small but dynamic receiver in Cooks but not have Bitonio or the two extra picks this year. This is where thinking backwards sometimes can hurt. Even Browns fans who desperately wanted a wide receiver, especially after the 1st round, forget what the team would have had to lose. Had they selected a receiver after the first round one of Bitonio, Terrance West, Christian Kirksey or Pierre Desir would not be on the roster.

What do you think of this 2014 NFL Draft Re-Draft for the Cleveland Browns?

Next: A Great 4 Round NFL Mock Draft for the Browns

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