The draft is important, but rarely is it the driving force to push a team into contention status. This year is no different, but it is going to be an important piece for the Browns and their push into the playoffs.
Main Targets for the First Few Rounds
The main targets have been similar for the past few years, and they haven’t changed this year. Defensive Tackle and Offensive Tackle are still the main targets, and for a good reason. We have tried to fill those places, and have done an OK job, having got Dalvin Tomlinson and Dawand Jones. But those are out starters, and we still need multiple depth pieces to help fill the area behind the starters. This has been our main problem, and has been ever apparent as these positions are constantly getting injured. When a starter goes down it forces the depth players to step up, which begins to cause problems for the Browns. Hopefully, this will be the final year the Browns will have to address these places with the draft.
Secondary Targets for the First Few Rounds
Some other targets that the Browns may have on the board may include edge, linebacker, and secondary support. Linebacker is definitely something the Browns may want to look at, since we do need some depth around that area. I do believe that position is the least likely to be taken in these rounds, and I think it will be taken in the latter part of the draft. Edge is also a position they may look at, and I think this is probably the most likely of the three to be taken early. Secondary help may be the last of the three to be looked at, since this one is mostly filled. If the Browns are going to be taking any secondary players (which includes cornerback and safety), they will be taking them later in the draft since they aren’t very high priority.
Targets for Latter Rounds
These picks are (most likely) not going to mean as much initially to the team, since most of the good players are gone by this time. That doesn’t mean good talent isn’t around, you just have to get lucky and look extra hard. At this point in the draft the board will be more focused on positions instead of players, though names will still be on the board. I think the most likely pick for these rounds is either another offensive or defensive tackle, a linebacker, or maybe some secondary players. Don’t forget the Browns might take two of a position, to increase their chances of getting someone who works. These rounds are less influential than the first ones, but never underestimate a team and their performance at the end of the draft.
Conclusion
This draft is going to be a pretty big one for the Browns. With the team the best it’s been in a while, I think this draft is going to be a crucial piece for the Browns and their push into the playoffs. Now knowing they can make the playoffs, they should be even more motivated to perform the best they can this season. There are some really good players that may fall to the Browns second and third round picks, and I think some of them can easily make a difference on the team. In case you are wondering who these may be, it includes T’vondre Sweat (Texas), Audric Estime (Notre Dame), Dominick Puni (Flordia St.) and Byron Murphy II (Texas). I’d totally recommend you look up some highlights for these guys, just to get a feel with how they play.
The post How Important is the Draft this Year? appeared first on Cleveland Sports Talk.
The post How Important is the Draft this Year? appeared first on Cleveland Sports Talk.