In an effort to forecast which players the Cleveland Browns will most likely select in the draft, Jack Duffin uses his Age & RAS guardrails in addition to additional data pieces.
In order to narrow down the list to the best targets, this series will first examine the positions that the Cleveland Browns are most likely to choose in the NFL Draft.
Previous pieces in this series: Reversing Course
There aren’t many openings on the squad and a ton of talent, so Andrew Berry can choose the best players. In a recent piece, I examined this in greater detail. The positions that I believe they will look at the most are:
Most likely
Tight End Guard Linebacker Tackle End
50/50 Running Wide Receiver Safety at the Back
Low Center Cornerback (should Newsome stay unsold)
Exceptionally Low Quarterback Edge Defensive Tackle Teams
RAS GUARDRAILS & AGE
RAS is the ideal statistic to track this until a time when we have access to more information about athletic testing, as the Cleveland Browns will have player tracking data while they are on the field that is considerably more accurate than anything we can access.
Here are the draft hopefuls’ ages, athletic test results, and anticipated rounds based on the consensus big board from Mock Draft Database. Any player in red is either older or less athletic than any athlete that Andrew Berry has ever selected in that round of the draft.
Taking out a few more names
Here are some players that I don’t believe the Browns will target:
Troy Franklin, Marvin Harrison Jr., Ladd McConkey, Keon Coleman, Brian Thomas Jr., Adonai Mitchell, Xavier Worthy, Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze, and Brian Thomas Jr. I wouldn’t spend too much time considering this group as realistic targets because they are either high in the second round or going in the first round. But if Franklin is there when they pick, I really want him.
Players like Luke McCaffrey, Johnny Wilson, Jermaine Burton, and Devontez Walker are older than the players I would prefer to target in the draft.
Marcus Jacksaint Rosemy Since his athletic testing did not meet your standards, I would remove him from the board.
There are now eleven players on the shortlist for you to think about:
Malachi Corley, Ja’Lynn Polk
Brennan Rice Jalen McMillan
Baker Javon
Smith Ainias
Anthony Gould
Johnson, Cornelius
Lideatrick Tahj Griffin Washington
Baby Means
THE TOP THREE TARGETS
I believe the following three players should be at the top of their list of targets:
Brenden Rice: It’s worth a try to combine excellent but not exceptional athletic testing with reading about exceptional route running and football intelligence.
Ainias Smith: The Browns need a wide receiver to offer a special teams and return element to the squad because drafting one would push them to six players overall. They can use two returners on kickoffs and have Hines, but this is a one-year deal. Many people are excited about Ricky Pearsall because of his immediate impact, but since the rookie won’t play unless one of the best players is injured, instant impact shouldn’t be the main goal. However, he can also contribute in the slot.
Tahj Washington: Another player who will be helpful with special teams, Washington also seems to be the kind of player Stefanski is looking for, one who can fill a variety of roles and be utilized in the trick plays that they always strive to incorporate into the strategy.
