Dawg Pound Daily
FanSided

Analyzing the roster heading into the 2017 Draft

By Matt Stevenson

Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Corey Coleman (Baylor) with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the Cleveland Browns as the number fifteen overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Corey Coleman (Baylor) with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the Cleveland Browns as the number fifteen overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
Nov 20, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) makes a diving throw for a completion as Cleveland Browns defensive end Carl Nassib (94) defends during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) makes a diving throw for a completion as Cleveland Browns defensive end Carl Nassib (94) defends during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

The Cleveland Browns selected 14 players in the 2016 NFL Draft. Through 11 games this season, there are several rookies that have certainly made their mark with the Browns.

No. 15 overall pick Corey Coleman has been hurt this season but has displayed excellent attributes while flashing his playmaking potential. There is no doubt Coleman and Terrelle Pryor will be the receiving duo heading into the 2017 season, so the receiver position likely will not be addressed early on in the draft.

Emmanuel Ogbah, (No. 32 pick), has played well in his rookie season also. Playing both linebacker and defensive end periodically, Ogbah has been quite impressive so far in 2016. Although he has played well at both positions he has shown exceptional skills at defensive end with his dashing speed.

The former Oklahoma Sooner was considered one of the best pass rushers in the draft and has not disappointed. Ogbah has registered 3.5 sacks and 19 tackles in his rookie season. He had his best game of the season against in-state rival Cincinnati Bengals with 2.0 sacks and 5.5 tackles.

Other rookies proving to be worthy of building with are Carl Nassib (No. 65), Joe Schobert (No. 99), and Derrick Kindred (No. 129). Of course, quarterback Cody Kessler has fared well in his eight starts but doesn’t necessarily offer the “franchise quarterback” feel the organization salivates over.

The Browns also selected two offensive lineman in Shon Coleman (No. 76) and Spencer Drango (No. 168). Coleman’s knee injury has limited him to only four starts. Drango, on the other hand, has played in all 11 games. Both players have seemed overwhelmed when playing — as many players do in their first season in the NFL. It will take time for these two to develop and an offseason will certainly help them.

Lastly, the handful of backup wide receivers taken have not offered much this season. Ricardo Louis (No. 114) has 16 receptions for 183 yards but his knack for dropping balls in college seemingly transferred with him into the NFL. Jordan Payton (No. 154) and Rashard Higgins (No. 172) have combined for a total of five receptions this season so evaluating them on such a small sample size is not accurate.

Home/Browns News