The Browns Draft class recap and potential

BEREA, Ohio – For the first time in recent memory, mans Browns fans are excited, and rightfully so after a very strong draft by the Cleveland Browns front office this past weekend. They have multiple new players, who all show the potential to be long-term starters in this league, several of which may just be the steals of the draft! Let’s break things down pick by pick!

WR – Corey Coleman out of Baylor – He has lighting fast speed, running a 4.3 at the combine and played well working with several quarterbacks last year at Baylor. His hands may be a small concern at times however. With his speed and overall strength, he should make an immediate impact on this roster. Whlile the first choice for many was Treadwell or Fuller, Coleman will get the job done in a position of serious need for the Browns. He was an All American and Biletnikoff winner.

DE – Emmanuel Ogbah out of Oklahoma St – This 6 foot 4 inch monster is chiseled out of stone! He has a strong work ethic and easily could have been a round one pick. He gets out of his stance with heavy hands that can go through blockers and attack the QB.

DE – Carl Nassib out of Penn State – He is very quick off the line with a great burst. He is a great tackler as he keeps his pads low, and punishes the ball carrier forcing turnovers when engaged. The Browns have struggled since coming back in 1999 to stop the run and they will count on Nassib to stop the run.

OT – Shon Coleman out of Auburn – He has a massive frame with a lot of power above the waist. He has a violent punch and will stifle defenders in their tracks as they try to blitz. He is also a great feel good story as he overcame cancer in 2011-2012. He has heart and hustle and will help at RT now that Mitchell Schwartz is with the Chiefs.

QB – Cody Kessler out of USC – There is no doubt in my mind that Kessler is the best quarterback to enter the 2016 draft. He was overlooked by many simply because he played for several different head coaches in college and never got the proper consistency needed. He has all the tools of a great QB. He shows quick feet in the pocket and great mobility to throw on the run out of the pocket.

OLB – Joe Schobert out of WISC – He can play on both the inside and outside and has a tendency to get to the quarterback as he did 9.5 times last season for the Badgers.

WR – Ricardo Louis out of Auburn – He has a great vertical and can pull down any jump ball thrown his way. Last season, Louis caught 46 passes for 716 yards (15.6 Avg per catch) and three touchdowns, pitching in another 158 yards rushing with a touchdown on 29 carries.

FS – Derrick Kindred out of TCU – The Browns loaded up on Big 12 players in this draft. He is tough and won’t miss games because of injury. I know this because he played 2015 with a collarbone injury and still finished with 86 tackles, 2 Ints, and two forced fumbles. He is also very versatile and can play free safety or strong safety.

WR – Jordan Payton out of UCLA – I believe strongly that this pick was a message to Josh Gordon and perhaps Taylor Gabriel. You’re done! Payton was as the all-time leader at UCLA with 201 career catches. Last season he reeled in 78 passes for 1,105 yards and five touchdowns.
OT – Spencer Drango out of Baylor – Another Big 12 pick. I do not expect Drango to start, but he will be a great option off the bench when the sure fire injury occurs to John Greco as it does every season.

WR – Rashard Higgins out of Colorado State – This former Biletnikoff runner-up and All-American while finishing his career with 239 receptions, 3,649 yards, and 34 touchdowns—all Colorado State records will give the Browns needed depth at wide receiver. He will also help provide plenty of competition for a starting role.

DB – Trey Caldwell out of Louisiana Monroe- The Browns secondary was the worst in the NFL and maybe in the history of the NFL last season. They could not stop anyone on third down and almost never caused a turnover. Any help, is good help at this point with this hideous secondary in Brown and Orange.

LB – Scooby Wright III out of Arizona – He is widely considered the steal of the draft. If it was one year earlier, he would have went top 5. In 2014, Wright won the Nagurski Trophy, the Chuck Bednarik Trophy, and the best linebacker, while being named a unanimous All-American and Pac 12 Defensive player of the year. He had 163 tackles, 29 for a loss, 14 sacks, and six forced fumbles. The problem and the reason he slipped this far was because of a severe knee injury in 2015 that forced him to only play 3 games. This pick is boom or bust.