2015 NFL Draft: The Cleveland Browns And Their Not So Sexy Picks
Ever since Super Bowl XLIX finished, all eyes turned to the 2015 NFL Draft. OK, it was funny to post memes about Russell Wilson‘s game-deciding interception at first, but eventually we needed to focus on the draft.
There were lots of rumors, in Cleveland more than anywhere else, about which players the teams could pick, what trades could be made, and everything else that could possibly happen. It was fun to talk about in what otherwise would have been a very long off-season, but in the end, no team made the big splash.
For the first time ever, two Heismann Trophy winners, Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota went off the board with the first two picks. The only question heading into the draft was who would make that second selection. In the end, the Tennessee Titans kept their pick and drafted Mariota, instead of opening the draft with a big bang. Trading the pick was a Big Bang Theory, but didn’t turn out to be more.
“I know these aren’t the two sexiest picks.” – Head coach Mike Pettine
Front-runners for a trade up to the second overall position were our Cleveland Browns. At least that’s what just about every NFL expert reported. I mean, it’s their job to report things that interest the reader or TV audience, right? From what has been reported, the Browns made multiple offers for the Titans to snatch Mariota. However, Browns general manager Ray Farmer made a clear statement regarding that topic at his post-draft press conference: “No. No. Again, I’ve tried to tell people without telling them specifically, but the answer is no.” And just to be sure, because I honestly didn’t really know if Farmer just said that they did try, head coach Mike Pettine threw in a little “I didn’t either.” OK, I think we got it.
So who did the Browns pick? At 12th overall, they went with nose tackle Danny Shelton from Washington. With the 19th pick, the Browns selected Cameron Erving. A tackle… no wait, a guard? Center? Well, that offensive line guy from Florida State that can apparently play anywhere on the offensive line. Doesn’t sound too bad to be honest.
Now, Pettine admits that “these aren’t the two sexiest picks.” Woah. I mean, they weigh 340 pounds and 315 pounds, respectively. But that really doesn’t mean they aren’t sexy. Just put them in one of the new beauties that are Browns jerseys, and they’ll look super sexy in an instant. Especially when Erving decides to go with a belly top, like he usually does. Sorry, I’m running off the track.
Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Cameron Erving (Florida State) poses for a photo with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected as the number 19th overall pick to the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Of course, Pettine was talking about the fact that a skill player, like a quarterback or wide receiver, is generally considered a fancier or “sexier” pick. The important news, according to the head coach, is that “we know with a great degree of certainty that the Cleveland Browns got better tonight.”
I am not even going to question that for a single second. Shelton will be an immediate improvement for the run defense. Add to that a player that can apparently play pretty much anywhere – and play well wherever he does – and you got yourself two pretty solid players. The question, however, is this: could the Browns have had more than two solid players with the two picks?
I will go as far as to say that the answer to that is yes. Definitely. For example, picking Louisville wide receiver DeVante Parker, as it was my personal wish, would have had the potential to get a really great replacement for the suspended Josh Gordon. Had the Browns traded up to select Mariota, we would have the ultimate super sexy pick – in both looks and talent – that would have the potential to turn it around for the Browns.
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The thing is, despite what I just said, I believe that the Cleveland Browns staff did not do anything wrong on Day 1 of the draft. Not a single thing. Weird, eh? No, I have to disagree here. It is not weird at all. The Browns have failed too many times in recent drafts to do that same thing all over again. Skill players often bring a lot of risk with them, as it is harder for them to translate their game into the NFL. Linemen, both offensive and defensive ones, are usually much, much safer picks. We could have had a wide out and a solid defensive tackle; instead we have what defensive line coach Anthony Weaver believes to be the best defensive tackle in the draft, and a very versatile offensive lineman. Sounds good to me. To elaborate, according to Pettine, Weaver watched Shelton’s tape first, and “it just went downhill from there.”
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So here we are, going into Day 2 with our “not so sexy” first round picks. Ha! There is a Day 2! And with it comes the chance to grab skill players, first and foremost a wide receiver. But will we even see that? Possibly not. Farmer seems to be sold on the idea to bolster up the defense, before he does anything on offense. The motto here is “get one less point against than the opponent,” rather than “score one more than the opponent.” Whatever works, Mr. Farmer.
At the press conference after the first round, Farmer went on to say that basically every position that wasn’t addressed, will be “even better than this year” come next season. That includes wide receivers, where the No. 1 receiver is still suspended, but free agents were signed. Especially Travis Benjamin will apparently be “even better than this year” after some more time to recover from his knee injury. Let’s hope for the best.
To me, this all sounds like the team has Super Bowl potential now. Finally! Because, oh, I almost forgot. Johnny Manziel is “night and day” from last season, according to Joe Thomas. Well, we should probably take it a little slowly and not get too excited about our team just yet. What we can be sure about is one thing. The draft is already more successful than many others in recent history. We got two more than solid improvements for both lines that should have an immediate impact. And that’s what it’s all about, right? Get players that make an immediate impact.
What do you think about the Browns drafting two linemen instead of a wide receiver?