Pat McManamon breaks down the Cleveland Browns' 2017 draft class.
Round 1, No. 1 overall: Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
My take: Thank goodness, the Browns did not outthink themselves. A team should never take a chance with the top pick. The first overall pick is an opportunity to add a player who should start for several years and should go to Pro Bowls. It's not the spot for a developmental player. Garrett was the consensus top player in this draft for months. He averaged double-digits in tackles for loss and sacks in three years of college and played through an ankle issue in his final season at Texas A&M. He joins Jamie Collins, Chris Kirksey, Danny Shelton and Emmanuel Ogbah as young players on a growing defense. In a sense, the drafting of Garrett validates everything the Browns have said they are trying to do: build a young team that will grow together.
Piecing a team together: The consensus wisdom in the NFL is that a team needs a quarterback. If a team can't get the quarterback, the second-most important position is a guy who can get to the other team's quarterback. Afterward, the thinking points to cornerback (to stop the quarterback) and receiver (to catch passes from the quarterback). The Browns still lack a quarterback, but the first pick is not a spot for projections or projects. It's a spot for a player, for a guy who's as sure a thing as a team can find. Garrett is the player. The quarterbacks in this draft are not sure things. Garrett can get to the quarterback. It's a sound pick for a team that needs sound picks and talented players.
Why taking Garrett was smarter: The Browns had a choice between a defensive end or a quarterback (Mitchell Trubisky). They chose the defensive end, and they made the right choice because he is the best player on the board. However, the risk is also larger with a quarterback. ESPN Stats & Information reports there have been 10 defensive ends picked first overall in the common draft era and 22 quarterbacks. Three of 22 quarterbacks (13.6 percent) were named first-team All-Pro -- Cam Newton, Peyton Manning and Terry Bradshaw. Five of the defensive ends (50 percent) earned that honor -- Mario Williams, Bruce Smith, Lee Roy Selmon, Ed "Too Tall" Jones and Bubba Smith. Yes, a few are from 1985 and earlier, but the numbers over time show the importance of taking the more sure-bet player when it comes to the first pick.
About those plays off: There is a reasonable explanation for the criticism that Garrett took plays off in college. College offenses run plays quickly and emphasize tempo and speed. In the NFL, a defense might be on the field for 60 or 70 plays. In college it could reach 100. The constant grind of rushing the passer on every play takes a toll. As ESPN analyst and former coach Herm Edwards said, Garrett was fatigued, not lazy.
Round 1, No. 25: Jabrill Peppers, S, Michigan
My take: The Browns used a pick they acquired from Houston to take Peppers here. Peppers may prove a very good safety, and he may fill a need, but the Browns traded away from taking some very good players at the 12th spot, including quarterback Deshaun Watson, safety Malik Hooker, defensive lineman Jonathan Allen and tight end O.J. Howard. The Browns got the 25th pick this year and Houston's first-round pick next year, which vice president Sashi Brown said was about positioning the Browns to continue to build the roster. Brown said a team can reach the point of making too many moves down in the draft. When do the Browns reach that point? "Not yet," Brown said.
Versatile player: Peppers played several positions at Michigan, primarily safety and linebacker. He also lined up at receiver and running back and took snaps in the Wildcat. There was some thinking that Michigan hampered Peppers by moving him around last season. (ESPN Stats & Information reports he had 355 snaps at defensive back, 324 at linebacker, 29 at quarterback, 12 at wide receiver and 10 at running back. In addition, he returned 21 punts and 10 kickoffs.) Where will Peppers play for the Browns? Strong safety, coach Hue Jackson said.
Explaining the diluted sample: The Browns were not dissuaded by the fact that Peppers tested positive for a diluted sample at the combine. Peppers said he had to hydrate excessively because he was cramping and because he worked out at two position groups (linebacker and safety). "I explained to [the Browns] exactly what my agent said," Peppers said. "I had to hydrate well because I had to work out with two position groups. I have a history of cramping. It is what it is. I’m just excited to be a part of the organization." Peppers added that "my character speaks for itself."
Round 1, No. 29: David Njoku, TE, Miami
My take: The Browns decided to give up the first pick in the second round and move to Green Bay's 29th spot and take Njoku, the third of three big and talented tight ends taken in the first round. Jackson made it clear at the combine that he wanted to bolster the position -- there seemed to be some disappointment at Gary Barnidge's 2016 production -- and the Browns moved up for their third first-round selection to do so. Njoku is only 20, so he is early in his development. He averaged 16.2 and 17.2 yards per reception in the two seasons he played tight end and had 43 receptions and eight touchdowns with the offense inside the opposing 20-yard-line.
Matchup issues: The Patriots started the trend, and it's worked, so other teams follow. The worst matchup in the NFL passing game is receivers against corners. Even the top receivers sometimes have trouble with the athleticism of NFL cornerbacks. That makes tight ends against linebackers, nickelbacks or safeties the best matchups. Modern NFL tight ends have proven to be faster and more nimble than the linebackers who cover them. These matchups helped make Rob Gronkowski into a star and also were the reason the Patriots added Martellus Bennett last season. The Browns now have their own matchup problems for defenses with Njoku and Barnidge at tight end. It's up to Jackson to make use of them, though that shouldn't be difficult given the scarcity of talent at the receiver position.
Drop problems: Njoku is so new to the position -- he played only two seasons at tight end -- that he has yet to refine the skill of catching the ball. NFL.com reports he dropped 11 percent of the passes thrown his way in two years at the position; he had eight drops in 2016. He also is raw at both blocking and running routes. However, it's hard to find a draft analyst who did not see Njoku as a good pick late in the first round. He just has to grow.
Round 2, No. 52: DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame
My take: No complaints on this pick. The Browns had to take a quarterback on the second day of the draft, and they got one with ability and potential. At certain points of last season, Kizer was among the top two or three quarterbacks. He fell off late in the year and, against some advice, decided to enter the draft to join the NFL. Kizer is 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, which is excellent size. He has a strong arm, but he has to learn. The Browns needed to bring in a quarterback, and they did.
Imperfect player: None of the quarterbacks in this draft were considered immediate improvements for any team. Even the ones taken in the first round are not expected to play right away. Kizer fits that mold, but since he was picked in the second round, that reduces the pressure and expectations and gives him time to grow and learn. Every quarterback was imperfect in this draft. What matters is how hard they work at approaching perfection in the NFL.
No lack of confidence: Kizer had this to say about himself to USA Today before the draft: "Imagine taking Brady’s intellect and Brady’s preparation and putting it on a guy with Cam Newton’s body. Why can’t I be the greatest? The only thing stopping me from it is me. That’s what’s driving me now.” OK then. If this is Kizer's true attitude, he'll need some life lessons. On a conference call with the Cleveland media, Kizer said he was talking about "where I aspire to be."
How he fits: Measure the uniform, put him in the group and let him go. The Browns need a quarterback. Kizer is a quarterback. He has room to grow, but bringing him in and giving him a chance is wise. How good he can and will be is up to him, but bringing him in makes for a perfect fit.
Round 3, No. 65: Larry Ogunjobi, DT, Charlotte
My take: This screams a Gregg Williams fit, and it's a good one. Williams likes aggressive, attacking defensive linemen who can get up the field. Ogunjobi ran a 4.97-second 40 at the combine, which raised scouts' eyebrows because it's unusual for a 300-pound lineman to go under five seconds. Williams made Aaron Donald into one of the better defensive linemen in the league. He now has his chance with Ogunjobi on a young and developing defensive line. There's a lot to like with this player's potential.
How he fits: Well, according to vice president of player personnel Andrew Berry. Berry gushed about Ogunjobi, whom the Browns saw up close when the staff worked at the Senior Bowl. Berry called him one of the more physically-gifted defensive tackles in the draft, adding he is strong and explosive and that he improved every year and is an excellent fit in the Browns' defense. Last season the Browns ran a 3-4. But they've added Garrett and Ogunjobi to go with Danny Shelton and Emmanuel Ogbah. That's a potential strong defensive front and it leads to the switch to the 4-3 as the base defense. Even coach Hue Jackson admitted that the 4-3 would be the base system in Williams' adaptable system.
Round 4, No. 126: Howard Wilson, CB, Houston
My take: The Browns must have targeted Wilson before this round began because they traded two fifth-round picks to move up into the fourth round to take him. Nothing wrong with this selection. Joe Haden has battled injuries the past two years, and in the modern NFL, a team can never have enough corners. If it's a guy the Browns liked, it's well worth moving up to get him.
How he fits: Haden and Jamar Taylor are the starters. Briean Boddy-Calhoun had a nice rookie season. The rest of the position is a jumbled competition. Wilson, who tore his ACL in 2015 and returned to intercept five passes in 2016, will be among those competing.
Round 5, No. 160: Roderick Johnson, OT, Florida State
My take: Given this regime's propensity to jettison veterans when a younger player is taken at his position (See: Barnidge, Gary), it's mildly eyebrow-raising to see the Browns take a left tackle. Especially one who comes with criticisms. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel annually publishes an in-depth draft assessment quoting scouts. Some of the comments on Johnson included: "Never should have come out ..." And: "He gets bull-rushed all over the place." And: "Gets knocked around. But he could develop into a good player." And: "... awkward athlete, not very strong." Other than that ...
How he fits: Clearly this is a project player who is not ready to step in immediately and play. Even with the criticisms, scouts saw Johnson as a mid-round pick. I would not expect a Joe Thomas trade because he was drafted; I might expect the Browns to hope he can grow into a tackle who can compete to be a depth player and down the line grow into a starter.
Round 6, No. 185: Caleb Brantley, DT, Florida
My take: With so many players left on the board, the Browns took one with a pending misdemeanor charge of simple battery against a woman. Brantley is accused of striking a woman and knocking her unconscious during a dispute at a bar in Gainesville, Florida, on April 13. If Brantley is cleared, this could be a strong pick, as he has second-day-draft talent.
How he fits: First, he has to be cleared of these charges. If he's not, this is an awkward move by the Browns, who had seemed to be emphasizing character when drafting players. The Browns said they will continue to look into what happened, and if the team is not comfortable with what it learns, it will not keep Brantley. "We will continue to investigate on our end, and provided that we can get comfortable, keep him on the roster," vice president of football operations Sashi Brown said. "If we can't, we'll move on." Pending a resolution, Brantley will be with the team for rookie camp in the second weekend in May.
Round 7, No. 224: Zane Gonzalez, PK, Arizona State
My take: A kicker? The Browns are nothing if not unique. Not many teams think a kicker is worth drafting, but in the seventh round if a team believes he can be a special kicker, it's worth a shot. Thing is, the Browns have Cody Parkey on the roster already, and he had a strong season in 2016, making 20 of 25 field goal tries, including 12 of 12 from 39 yards and in.
How he fits: It's pretty simple for a kicker. Either he fits or he doesn't. If Gonzalez is the best kicker in camp, he'll keep the job. He has the advantage of being a draftee. One way he fits is that he won the Lou Groza Award, given annually to the nation's best kicker. Lou Groza is a Hall of Famer who played for the Browns as a tackle and kicker. His portrait is on the outside of the team facility. And the team's facility is on Lou Groza Boulevard. So it kind of fits that the Browns would have a Groza Award winner on the roster.
Round 7, No. 252: Matt Dayes, RB, NC State
My take: Dayes is a versatile back who ran for 1,166 yards and caught 32 passes in his final season at NC State. He had a solid career in the ACC, but he's only 5-foot-9. That doesn't mean he can't succeed. It just means he fits the profile of a running back taken in the seventh round.
How he fits: The Browns have Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson, so it's an uphill climb for Dayes. However, running backs tend to emerge from late-round slot like this, and Hue Jackson will give him a full chance.