Andrew Berry and the Pro Football Focus crew are of like minds!
So what's the deal with Andrew Berry and Pro Football Focus?
Through the first three rounds of the draft, Andrew Berry and the Cleveland Browns have picked up three of Pro Football Focus's top 25 ranked players in the NFL, while adding a fifth round selection this year and a third round selection next season by trading down in the second day of the draft.
What PFF had to say: "Elliott may not have freakish tools, but he's more than athletic enough to be an all-around quality defensive tackle in the NFL. With how consistent he was in 2019, I'd bet on him being that sooner rather than later."
According to PFF, this was the third best interior defensive lineman in the draft with only Javon Kinlaw (13) and Derrick Brown (16) ranked higher. The Browns selected Elliot as the 88th pick in the draft, while collecting an additional third round draft pick in 2021.
The outlier pick, according to PFF was the Browns' selection of Jacob Phillips with the 97th pick in the draft.
What PFF had to say: "Phillips has the ideal build and burst for the linebacker position in the NFL, but he's far from a difference maker in coverage. You have to like the room he has for development though late in the draft."
PFF rated Jacobs as the 13th best linebacker in this draft. Phillips was taken with many higher ranked linebackers still on the board at that time, including Akeem Davis-Gaither (67) and Malik Harrison (102).
So what do we think we've learned from this trend? First, that the Browns generally line up with how PFF grades players. Second, that when the choice is between a power 5 conference player and a non-power 5 conference player, the Browns seem willing to bet on the power 5 conference player. Third, that this front office loves SEC players. And, fourth that these Ivy League geeks do not put combine measurables above big school production.
Taking these theories into account a day 3 draft (absent trades) might look something like this:
Round 4 • Pick 9 (115)
K’Von Wallace a safety from Clemson could be targeted at this pick. PFF rated him as the 60th best player in the draft and he comes from a power 5 program.
What PFF has to say: "Wallace would fit best as a box safety or nickel/dime backer in a scheme that doesn't ask him to think too much. If he could speed up his play speed a touch, he'd be extremely reliable in such a role."
With Karl Joseph on a one-year deal a box safety that also has nickel/dime versatility seems like a fairly attractive pick at this point in the draft.
Round 5 • Pick 15 (160) • From Colts • Acquired by trading down from #41 to #44
What PFF has to say: "Hightower is yet another wideout with some speed to burn as he clocked in with a 4.43 at the Combine in Indianapolis. That showed up repeatedly on tape as he averaged 18.5 yards per catch this past season. The Boise State wideout is exceptionally fluid and he isn’t simply winning by striding straight past slower defensive backs on go balls. He sells post-corners and other downfield double moves exceptionally well. We’d love to see him continue to add muscle to his frame, though, as he still only checked in at the Combine weighing 189 pounds — and his ability to fight through contact was inhibited because of it."
Hightower is the 17th rated receiver in this draft by PFF and there are actually a few recievers left on the board at the beginning of day 3 that PFF would rank higher, such as Tyler Johnson (48), Jauan Jennings (70), KJ Hill (73). Following strictly the trends I set forth above, all of these receivers would be selected before Hightower, provided they are still there. Hightower, however, is the only receiver in the group who would has over-the-top speed and some size to complement Beckham and Landry immediately with room to grow.
Round 6 • Pick 8 (187) • From Cardinals
What PFF has to say: "With multiple ACL injuries over his career, Bailey's draft stock is in the hands of doctors now. He's one of the most productive and versatile linebackers in the class though when healthy."
It is almost impossible to predict what players will be available in the 6th and 7th rounds, and I believe that the Browns will remain position flexibility and attempt to take what they feel to be the best player available. The position for the pick lends itself to drafting someone who has fallen due to injury concerns (also character concerns, but I believe this front office is avoiding taking those risks).
Of course, the Browns will likely move around on the board some on day three based on the history. When they pick, it will be interesting to see if their choices line up with the PFF rankings or if the first two days were more of a coincidence than a trend.
Through the first three rounds of the draft, Andrew Berry and the Cleveland Browns have picked up three of Pro Football Focus's top 25 ranked players in the NFL, while adding a fifth round selection this year and a third round selection next season by trading down in the second day of the draft.
What PFF had to say: "Wills is one of the most explosive and agile offensive tackles you'll ever see. That's a winning combination at tackle in the NFL."
Wills was ranked by PFF as the third best tackle with Thomas and Wirfs ranking 8 and 9 respectively.
Although the pick of Wills did not line up precisely with the PFF ranking, which would have had the Browns drafting Wirfs at this spot, the pick reasonably lines up with PFF's assigned value. Only Wirfs, Jerry Juedy and CeeDee Lamb were on the board and ranked higher and the Browns had a stronger position of need at tackle in a deep wide receiver draft.
What PFF had to say: "Missed tackles be damned, Delpit does things in coverage no other safety in this class can match. At the very least, he can completely erase tight ends or bigger slot receivers in a man heavy defense with his length."
PFF had only one safety ranked higher, and that is because they ranked Isaiah Simmons as a safety. Certainly, if PFF is the judge, the Browns knocked it out of the park by taking Delpit at 44 and picking up a fifth round draft selection along the way.
What PFF had to say: "Elliott may not have freakish tools, but he's more than athletic enough to be an all-around quality defensive tackle in the NFL. With how consistent he was in 2019, I'd bet on him being that sooner rather than later."
According to PFF, this was the third best interior defensive lineman in the draft with only Javon Kinlaw (13) and Derrick Brown (16) ranked higher. The Browns selected Elliot as the 88th pick in the draft, while collecting an additional third round draft pick in 2021.
The outlier pick, according to PFF was the Browns' selection of Jacob Phillips with the 97th pick in the draft.
What PFF had to say: "Phillips has the ideal build and burst for the linebacker position in the NFL, but he's far from a difference maker in coverage. You have to like the room he has for development though late in the draft."
PFF rated Jacobs as the 13th best linebacker in this draft. Phillips was taken with many higher ranked linebackers still on the board at that time, including Akeem Davis-Gaither (67) and Malik Harrison (102).
So what do we think we've learned from this trend? First, that the Browns generally line up with how PFF grades players. Second, that when the choice is between a power 5 conference player and a non-power 5 conference player, the Browns seem willing to bet on the power 5 conference player. Third, that this front office loves SEC players. And, fourth that these Ivy League geeks do not put combine measurables above big school production.
Taking these theories into account a day 3 draft (absent trades) might look something like this:
Round 4 • Pick 9 (115)
What PFF has to say: "Wallace would fit best as a box safety or nickel/dime backer in a scheme that doesn't ask him to think too much. If he could speed up his play speed a touch, he'd be extremely reliable in such a role."
With Karl Joseph on a one-year deal a box safety that also has nickel/dime versatility seems like a fairly attractive pick at this point in the draft.
Round 5 • Pick 15 (160) • From Colts • Acquired by trading down from #41 to #44
What PFF has to say: "Hightower is yet another wideout with some speed to burn as he clocked in with a 4.43 at the Combine in Indianapolis. That showed up repeatedly on tape as he averaged 18.5 yards per catch this past season. The Boise State wideout is exceptionally fluid and he isn’t simply winning by striding straight past slower defensive backs on go balls. He sells post-corners and other downfield double moves exceptionally well. We’d love to see him continue to add muscle to his frame, though, as he still only checked in at the Combine weighing 189 pounds — and his ability to fight through contact was inhibited because of it."
Hightower is the 17th rated receiver in this draft by PFF and there are actually a few recievers left on the board at the beginning of day 3 that PFF would rank higher, such as Tyler Johnson (48), Jauan Jennings (70), KJ Hill (73). Following strictly the trends I set forth above, all of these receivers would be selected before Hightower, provided they are still there. Hightower, however, is the only receiver in the group who would has over-the-top speed and some size to complement Beckham and Landry immediately with room to grow.
Round 6 • Pick 8 (187) • From Cardinals
What PFF has to say: "With multiple ACL injuries over his career, Bailey's draft stock is in the hands of doctors now. He's one of the most productive and versatile linebackers in the class though when healthy."
It is almost impossible to predict what players will be available in the 6th and 7th rounds, and I believe that the Browns will remain position flexibility and attempt to take what they feel to be the best player available. The position for the pick lends itself to drafting someone who has fallen due to injury concerns (also character concerns, but I believe this front office is avoiding taking those risks).
Of course, the Browns will likely move around on the board some on day three based on the history. When they pick, it will be interesting to see if their choices line up with the PFF rankings or if the first two days were more of a coincidence than a trend.
Andrew Berry and the Pro Football Focus crew are of like minds!
Reviewed by AT Dawgger
on
11:28 AM
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Reviewed by AT Dawgger
on
11:28 AM
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