2018 NFL Draft: Reaction to Cleveland Browns drafting Antonio Callaway
By Randy Gurzi
The Cleveland Browns made a risky pick at No. 105 in the 2018 NFL Draft by selecting twice-suspended receiver Antonio Callaway out of Florida
Well we saw the negative reactions coming. The Cleveland Browns took a big chance by moving up from No. 114 to No. 105 for the rights to Florida receiver Antonio Callaway.
He’s got all the talent, but has made a ton of bad decisions. If it wasn’t bad enough that he was suspended a couple times, he continued to make foolish mistakes after declaring for the 2018 NFL Draft.
Callaway was once suspended for academic reasons, but then the big one was when he was part of a sexual assault case. He was cleared, but the problems didn’t stop there. He then failed a drug test as the Scouting Combine, which had him off many team’s boards.
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Twitter had plenty to say about the move, including the great Spider-Man meme comparing him to Josh Gordon, who has had his own issues with failing drug tests.
When Josh Gordon meets Antonio Callaway pic.twitter.com/OA9Cw48pU5
— Brandon Baker (@brandonjbaker) April 28, 2018
Gordon and Callaway were compared by more than one person of course.
Wonder what Antonio Callaway and Josh Gordon will talk about.
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) April 28, 2018
Others brought up the fact that the team sent a bad message about culture to the locker room — which is a fair point.
The Browns didn't send the right message about changing the team's culture when it selected Antonio Callaway over Shaquem Griffin
— Brent Sobleski (@brentsobleski) April 28, 2018
Even Pat McManamon of ESPN was all over the character question.
The Browns say they want players of high character. They just drafted wide receiver Antonio Callaway of Florida. He was investigated for a sexual assault and suspended for all of 2016 spring practice. In July he pleaded no contest and was fined for... https://t.co/aFqg73tZpg
— PatMcManamon (@PatMcManamon) April 28, 2018
Still, general manager John Dorsey gets a ton of respect. Some very smart people seem to think he did a great thing here.
So much ability and talent with Antonio Callaway. If he stays out of trouble (HUGE if), that could be a home run pick for the #Browns.
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) April 28, 2018
The talent surely isn’t a question, as Albert Breer points out.
Florida WR Antonio Callaway is a dynamite talent. Shades of Browns GM John Dorsey rolling the dice on Tyreek Hill in Kansas City.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) April 28, 2018
Even the good people at Pro Football Focus are big on his skill.
The Browns trade up to grab Florida wide receiver Antonio Callaway, who was our 46th highest graded receiver in 2017 pic.twitter.com/k2IMXFsVgZ
— PFF (@PFF) April 28, 2018
Rob Rang even thinks Dorsey may have won the draft with this move.
John Dorsey drafted Tyreek Hill in KC and takes a similar gamble on Antonio Callaway. Could wind up being one of the steals of this draft. Easily a first round talent in the 4th. That's how you win the draft. #Browns #NFLDraft
— Rob Rang (@RobRang) April 28, 2018
What isn’t up for debate is the talent on this offense is potentially great.
While the people bringing up Callaway’s talent are correct, it’s a huge risk.
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Personally I would have preferred a DaeSean Hamilton out of Penn State, who is also a strong player, but without all the red flags.