Browns, Falcons and WR talk
NFL Draft Mailbag
March 25, 2004
Lou Pickney, DraftKing.com
Reader feedback is always welcomed here at DraftKing.com. Send your thoughts to me at LouPickney@gmail.com.
From: Jon Sarver
Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2004 4:17 AM
To: Lou Pickney
Subject: Mail Bag/ Mock Draft
I really enjoy your site and your insight on the draft. (Note, bad pun intended)
I am a rabid Browns fan, and I really do not see the Browns choosing Mike Williams or any other WR in the first or any other round. WR is one of the Browns best positions, and they have much more pressing needs. I like the way you have the first round going, but do you think if the Browns can't trade up and get gallery, or taylor or winslow are not available, I think they would trade down, with say San Fransico and the 49ers need Wr's badly, and better yet for them Mike Williams is a USC guy, good for their fan base. Then the Browns swoop up Shawn Andrews, who is definitely not worthy of a top ten pick, due to his weight.
Lou: While I agree that the Browns would certainly benefit from drafting an offensive lineman like Shawn Andrews (especially if they could get him at #16 -- what a bargain!), I must disagree about the strength of Cleveland's wide receiving corps. Consider the top three receivers from 2003 for the Browns:
Dennis Northcutt: 729 yards, 2 TDs
Andre Davis: 576 yards, 5 TDs
Quincy Morgan: 516 yards, 3 TDs
Especially with the abrupt release of Kevin Johnson midway through last season, and the amazing talent level at WR in this draft, I could see Cleveland taking a player like Mike Williams and reaping the benefits for years to come. Even if Northcut and Davis begin the 2004 season as the starters, that would only allow a younger player like Mike Williams the needed time to learn the little details about the game on the NFL level.
Here's an interesting potential situation: what if Ben Roethlisberger slides and Pittsburgh offers a nice deal to trade up from #11 to #7? Would the Browns do the deal (and likely be in a spot to get Andrews at #11, not having to pay a Top 10 bonus, and also potentially able to trade down further), or would they stand pat to spite their bitter divisional rival?
As for Andrews, yes he has had weight problems, though those have been at least in part attributed to nasal problems he's had (which were recently corrected by surgery). But looking at what he did at the tackle position in the SEC, starting at Arkansas as a true freshman, and I think he would be an excellent fit for Cleveland. If the Browns play their cards right, they could end up with Andrews, an extra 2005 first rounder, and other picks to boot.
From: Chris Bishop
Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2004 11:45 AM
To: Lou Pickney
Subject: Atlanta Falcons
Thank you so much for a very informative and enjoyable NFL draft site. I would like to hear more about why you think the Atlanta Falcons will be looking for another receiver with their #8 pick this year. Prior to this week, I would have told you that need to pursue the best DT or DE still available, but with the signing of WR Dez White and CB Juran Bolden signing with Jacksonville this week, I expect them to go after a very good shutdown corner like DeAngelo Hall. It's their most glaring need right now, albeit one of many.
Lou: Dez White is young (24 years old), but he also didn't post numbers last year that struck me as being anything special (583 yards receiving and 3 TDs). But with a 2 year, 2 million dollar deal, he's relatively inexpensive for a player of his age, and he should be a good receiver for Atlanta to have on board.
However, this draft is loaded with WR talent, perhaps as much so as the 1996 Draft. The Falcons might decide to go for a WR in the second round (a Lee Evans or Rashaun Woods or Michael Clayton type of player), but Roy Williams at #8 is, in my mind, a great value pick. Imagine a three WR set with Price, Roy Williams and White split out, Vick in the shotgun standing next to T.J. Duckett in the backfield. Good grief, what is a defensive coordinator to do? Spy on Vick, and someone will be open (or at least have single coverage). Ignore Duckett and he'll take the draw from Vick and break a long run up the middle.
I think DeAngelo Hall is the best cornerback in this draft, and it's not inconceivable that the Falcons would take him (since their secondary needs help, and Hall would also provide a special teams boost). But if Atlanta plans to do that, then trading down would be in their best interest (perhaps moving down two spots to #10, allowing Houston to leapfrog Jacksonville and snag Kenechi Udeze if he's on the board at #8).
