The Browns had their NFL Draft last week, and we’ve all had time to think about it and how they did. I feel this is always the best thing to do, step back and really look at it honestly. No two fans will see it the same.
They bypassed Travis Hunter and traded back with the Jags, and the Jags snagged the Heisman Trophy winner. They grabbed the 5th pick and a first rounder from next year, which is nice. Then as the draft went on, they had their moments both positive and negative, But in the end, we were the franchise that took Shadeur Sanders in the 5th round and left Hunter on the board.
So where do we stand now? After the Watson disaster and not having 1st round picks for a third of a decade, we had more to gain this year than recent years past. In the end, what matters is how many games you win this year. And in 2025, I’m not sure the Browns care how many they win. Chances are they will win few games. I have nothing to say about anyone of these picks personally, or their possible strategy. They can all play, but the thinking behind what the Browns need it is flawed. Not because I say so, recent math does.
Really good teams take really good players at the top of the draft, especially with the first couple picks, which generally are can’t miss. And the Browns decided that wasn’t the way to go. If it was me, I would have taken a lot of offense with the first 4 picks I had, as this team can’t score points. Last year they were 32nd in offense, and there are 32 teams. On offense they need RB, WR, OL, QB, and TE. Pretty much everything, and we took defense at #5, and again in the 2nd round.
They did get around to RB, and QB (twice) and TE in later rounds. The QB’s puzzle me, as one is about 5’10 and a very long shot. I feel he will never play a meaningful down for this team. They didn’t take a WR or a OL, which seems like malpractice to me, with this highly mediocre receiving core and a rapidly aging OL. Sanders is the other pick that is full of questions but he does have raw talent, he’ll sell merch and bring the TV cameras to town at minimum. Overall, I’m not going to get too “footbally”, but I will say this.
Again, we did the kind of things this bunch usually does, and this regime has a horrible draft record, and that’s nothing short of fact. This group loves to trade down and acquire future picks, and I can’t say that’s a horrible idea. But it’s what you do with those picks is the issue, that is where this bunch gets it wrong on the regular. We again tried to prove we are smarter than the Chiefs, or the Lions or about anyone else. There are times you need to take the really great players at the top, and we just don’t do that. Will this work? I have no idea, but we have history.
We will find out – as we used the same thinking always here. Should be interesting.
GO BROWNS!
