Author: JEC (Page 33 of 46)

Aaron Rodgers has fallen…hard. To the point, in fact, where the Green Bay Packers, looking for Brett Favre’s successor, have the opportunity to nab him at #24. This is potentially great news for the Browns, who have been rumored to be interested in Auburn QB Jason Campbell. The Packers seem to like Campbell too and some thought they may jump the gun and take him in the first. But now that Rodgers is out there for Green Bay, the chances look good that Campbell will be there in the second.

The Browns picked the right guy in Braylon Edwards, but they weren’t the only ones in the AFC Central who made good selections today. The Bengals nabbed Georgia DE David Pollack, one of the guys reportedly on the Browns’ radar had they been able to trade down. An undersized guy with a non-stop motor, Pollack will be pressuring Browns QBs for years to come.

Torry Holt, working the draft for ESPN, loves the Ravens’ selection at #22, Oklahoma receiver Mark Clayton. He’s small (5-10, 193) but this kid’s ultra-talented and pretty damn quick. The Ravens filled a big need here (remember the botched Terrell Owens trade?) and Kyle Boller gets some help on draft day. Judging by his first two years in the NFL, he needs it.

Early word this morning had the Browns talking about trading up for Alex Smith. Thankfully, Phil Savage was too smart for that, though I have to wonder if the Browns had any offers for the third pick when Braylon Edwards fell. I would think if there were any offers that made sense for the Browns, Phil Savage would’ve jumped at the opportunity to move down.

So now the question is, who’s #2? Quarterbacks Jason Campbell (Auburn) and Charlie Frye (Akron) have been the hot rumors for the Browns in the second round, and both would make sense for a team without a QB of the future. But don’t be surprised if Savage and Romeo go defense with their second pick. One of the top remaining DE/OLB would make sense, or maybe a corner, but only if they’ve decided to pass on Campbell and Frye.

Regarded by most as the top offensive tackle in the draft, the 6-7, 320-pound Alex Barron is a tremendous athlete with a massive 7-6 wingspan who allowed just one sack in his senior season at Florida State. There are injury concerns here, including a torn ACL in 2000, fractured hands in 2001 and shoulder surgery last year, but Barron looks like an ideal NFL right tackle with the potential to develop into an anchor at left tackle. Some question his work ethic and motivation, while others wonder if he?s mean enough to dominate in the NFL, but the physical characteristics are all there. Still, the only way Barron winds up in Cleveland is if they?re able to trade down in the first round, but all indications are that Phil Savage would love to move down a couple times to stockpile picks. If they end up in the 10-15 range, Barron could be targeted.

The Plain Dealer?s Mary Kay Cabot says Barron?s college coaches believe he?ll be an All-Pro tackle one day while admitting that he has some growing up to do.

Dennis Gilbert from the Sporting News says scouts love Barron because he?s ?fast, he’s huge, and he’s a gifted athlete.?

A February 2004 column from CollegeFootballNews.com tabbed Barron the best tackle in the nation while adding that he looks like the ?prototype NFL tackle.?

For more on Alex Barron, check out these links:

Sun Sentinel

Tampa Tribune

ESPN

FOX Sports

Northwest Herald

Draft profiles:
NFL.com
CBS Sportsline
ESPN.com
FOX Sports
CNNSI.com

This is going to be an interesting one, folks. Nobody knows who’s going where — nobody, not even the players — which means there will be plenty of drama tomorrow afternoon. ESPN Insider is now reporting that the 49ers could pass on Alex Smith and Aaron Rodgers, instead selecting Braylon Edwards with the first overall pick. The ‘Niners and Smith reportedly are far apart in contract negotiations, with both sides conceding that a deal will not be done by the draft.

This potentially is good and bad news for the Browns. If they want Edwards at three, then obviously this isn’t a good development, but if Smith is the top guy on their board, as some people claim he is, then Phil Savage could be smiling right now. Of course, if Edwards goes #1, the Buccaneers may very well trade up to #2 with the Dolphins to nab Smith, leaving the Browns in a tough position. Do they reach for their top defensive player? Do they try to trade down, hoping someone who wants one of the top running backs will be willing to deal? Do they take Mike Williams?

I’ve said all along that if Edwards and Smith are both gone and the Browns are unable to move down, Mike Williams should be the pick. This guy’s a beast (6-5, 229) and although he’s not a burner, he knows how to get open and make plays on the ball. I know everyone’s talking about taking a defender here but getting a top receiver like Edwards or Williams and teaming him with Kellen Winslow immediately improves the entire offense. You can get solid linebackers and defensive linemen later in the draft, but not receivers the caliber of Edwards and Williams.

Incidentally, ESPN’s Mock Draft had Smith going #1, Rodgers #2 and Edwards #3, with neither of the top-three teams able to move down. With all the trade talk swirling around, I’d be surprised if none of the top-three teams are able to deal their picks, but stranger things have happened.