Finally Nailing Draft Picks
Back in 2016, Jimmy Haslem, the owner of the Cleveland Browns, hit the reset button. He cleaned house and tried something different. Sashi Brown and Paul DePodesta tried to bring a baseball strategy into the game of football and the Browns passed on a multitude of talent in 2016. We can still sulk about it because only six players are still on the roster out of 14 picks.
Notable Drops: Corey Coleman (cut this year) Carl Nassib (cut this year), Cody Kessler (traded)
We all expected a disappointing season, but a 1-15 record was ridiculous and unacceptable. Be that as it may, it was understandable. 2017 was the dagger in the heart though. A winless season should never happen and only five out 10 players drafted are still on the roster.
Notable Drops: DeShone Kizer (traded)
Sashi Brown deserved to be fired, but I will say this, though. The picks made under his regime that are still on the roster are definitely winners on my eye and some of them of key components to the current team.
2016
Emmanuel Ogbah: Career (3 years) – 106 tackles, 11.5 sacks 2018:- 24 tackles, two sacks (hasn’t been as explosive after an ankle injury, Week 1)
Joe Schobert: Career- 236 tackles, five sacks, two INT 2018- 64 tackles, 1.5 sacks INT, 2017 – led team with 144 tackles
Rashard Higgins: Career – 54 rec, 704 yds, four TD 2018 – 21 rec, 315, two TD (break out year)
Others still on roster: Derrick Kindred, Seth DeValve
2017
Myles Garrett: Career – 60 tackles, 17 sacks 2018 – 29 tackles, 10 sacks
Jabrill Peppers: Career – 110 tackles, interception 2018 – 52 tackles
David Njoku: Career – 73 rec, 817 yds, seven TD 2018 – 41 rec*, 431 yds*, three TD (career highs)
Larry Ogunjobi: Career – 70 tackles, 5.5 sacks 2018-38 tackles, 4.5 sacks (career highs)
Enter John Dorsey. He knows how to spot talent. He didn’t draft these players, but he kept them around and for good reason. The production speaks for itself. As does it for the players he did draft this year.
Baker Mayfield seems like he is going to take the league by storm. He has won three games out of eight starts but has won two of three since Gregg Williams and Freddie Kitchens took over. We are just starting to witness his potential.
Denzel Ward may not have eye-popping stats (46 tackles, three picks), but he is tasked with shadowing opposing teams’ number one receiving option. Some stats don’t show on the scoreboard. Ward has done a respectable job for a rookie and looks to be a stud.
Speaking of studs…what about Nick Chubb? He is making Carlos Hyde a quick afterthought with his play. This kid is once pace to break 1,000 rushing yards and is averaging 5.4 yards a tote.
Antonio Callaway is coming along recently and looks promising. Genard Avery doesn’t have the stats to equal his impact on the field. Totally worth the picks, though.
Many years of losing have been rough. Botching drafts has been worse. All these high picks and nothing to show for it. The last three years, though, draftees have been paying dividends. Add that to the free agent additions and the future looks bright with John Dorsey now leading the way.
Image: Browns
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