Draft Grade: Cleveland Browns
Notable Picks
8th Overall: CB Justin Gilbert (Oklahoma State)
Gilbert is the best cornerback of the 2014 class, and his future pairing with Joe Haden gives the Browns an excellent secondary. Opposing receivers will have a lot to deal with when they face Cleveland in 2014.
22nd Overall: QB Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M)
Friend of Drake and LeBron, Manziel is already a celebrity and one of the most polarizing prospects in recent memory. Johnny Football has many positives, including his unnatural, eyes in the back of his head pocket presence, and also many negatives, namely his immaturity and doubts on how his scrambling playing style will translate to the NFL. He is the prototypical boom-or-bust prospect, but it’s been over a decade since the Browns had a decent quarterback, so it’s worth taking a chance on the position.
35th Overall: OG/OT Joel Bitonio (Nevada)
This was an excellent pick. Manziel was used to premium blocking during his tenure at Texas A&M, benefiting from playing behind 2013 2nd overall selection Luke Joeckel and 2014 6th overall selection Jake Matthews. Bitonio is an outstanding blocker, playing with a high motor and never quitting before the whistle.
Bitonio played tackle in college, but his build has him better suited to play inside the line, and Cleveland already has a superb pair of tackles in Joe Thomas and Mitchell Schwartz, so expect Bitonio to be plugged in at guard. Manziel will feel right at home behind this o-line.
94th Overall: RB Terrance West (Towson)
Don’t sleep on West just because he played at a college you’ve never heard of. His talent is undeniable, and he should be an excellent complement to Houston Texan turned Cleveland Brown Ben Tate.
Final Grade: C+
This grade would higher if Cleveland picked a wide receiver to replace the suspended Josh Gordon. Reports have come out claiming Cleveland knew about Gordon’s suspension before the draft and still they neglected to address the position at all, even in the later rounds. The wide receivers behind Gordon on Cleveland’s roster, Greg Little and Travis Benjamin, are not just below average: they are terrible. Manziel will likely struggle in 2014 with this weak a receiving corps.
Leave a Reply