2011 NFL Draft

[hammb]

Kinda surprised that there hasn't been any draft chatter in here yet this year.

The Browns made probably the biggest move in yesterday's first round by dropping way down to acquire a boatload of additional picks, including a 2012 first rounder. Gotta say I absolutely LOVE this move for the team. I really liked Julio Jones, but no WR is worth what Atlanta traded for him. The Browns added major trade ammunition for next year and I think they could be on their way to working the draft similar to how Philly and New England do every year where they always seem to end up with 3-4 picks in the first couple rounds. I like that a LOT.

Later they made a second move to get back up into the 21 spot and take Phil Taylor. This move caught me off guard because I figured that the Browns would be transitioning into a more attacking style 4-3 with penetrating DTs to disrupt the plays. Not sure why I believed this knowing that Jauron always liked to have the 2 mammoth DTs in the middle of his defenses, but that was my thought prior to this move. Now that I see the type of defense they must want to run (think Minny with 2 massive DTs, and edge rushers/athletic LBs around them), I love the player that Taylor can be. He is the absolute best run plugger in this draft, and they got him while adding a ton of additional picks. I'm a little bummed that they gave up a 3rd rounder to move up for him, but he would probably not have made it to 27, so I get it...clearly he was the guy they targeted; which makes sense if that's the 4-3 they want to play because they probably didn't have another similar talent available to them anywhere.

Rubin & Taylor next to one another should be a great tandem. Now they need to get some pass rushers to put on the outside...a MLB would be nice as well. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see them drop from the 37 pick to add back that 3rd (or maybe a 2nd next year). We'll see...there is a lot of talent I love available in this 2nd round.

Overall I was pretty happy with what the Browns did. Maybe I'm just being too rosy with the new regime, but I am really loving Heckert so far. I think this guy understand how to manipulate the draft and come away with the players you want. That is a major step in the right direction for the Browns. Now if they can combine that with having the players they do pick actually be the right ones? Wow...I won't know how to act!

As for other teams, I loved what the Lions did yesterday. Fairley fell right into their laps and he will be dominant next to Suh.
Pittsburgh will be pretty happy with Cam Heyward too, unfortunately.

[Flipper]

Yeah, the Falcons really helped the Browns out...that's a lot to give up for a WR with somewhat questionable hands. I have to thank the Vikings...they reach for a QB at 12 and let Fairley drop to the Lions at 13. Suh, Williams and Fairley should be the best DT rotation in football...and it gives Sammie Hill a chance to develop a bit. Sammie Hill is going to be a dominant interior lineman some day, he just has to learn the game.

[Warthog]

I'd pretty much echo hammb's thoughts on the Browns. Love the trade down, not sure trading back up was needed to get Taylor though. The Saints were the only team between 21 and 27 to take a defensive player. And how it played out with the Bears screwing the Ravens by not making the trade call, it would have been hilarious to have the Browns run the pick up there to get ahead of the Ravens.

Really like the two second round picks now also. Sheard was a solid three year starter and contributed all three years. Little is a bit of a gamble as he sat out last year, but he has a ton of athletic ability.

[VDub26Falcon]

Isn't it great how we used to be the ones people were saying made a dumb trade but now that we have someone with a brain in the front office, we are making OTHER teams look dumb. And Atlanta is going to look very dumb when Julio Jones becomes the next 2008 Braylon Edwards.

[Flipper]

I really like what the Lions did...Fairley was a steal at 13. They added Titus Young and Leshoure in round 2. Young fills a definite need in the slot (TE Tony Sheffler was often the slot WR last year...that's just wrong) and Leshoure gives them the perfect complement to Jahvid Best. They now have two TE's that can catch, Three WR's that can get downfield and a power back to go with the speed guy they laready had. They're set at the skill positions. People are talking about the DLine with Suh, Williams, KVB, Avril and now Fairley as a strength. IMHO, the offense could be the most balanced group in the division.