Just because a player is a top 10 draft pick, it does not mean that they will be a top 10 player. And the same goes for later round draft picks. Just because you draft a guy in the 4th round, it does not mean he is just a backup player. As almost any coach, General Manager, or team President will tell you, a team is built on the later rounds of the NFL draft. Some of the NFL’s greatest players were selected in later rounds. Players like Tom Brady (6th round), Terrell Davis (6th round), and Shannon Sharpe (7th round) were all selected late, yet they have had outstanding NFL careers. So let’s take a look at some of the players that H&H (Holmgren, and Heckert) appear to be interested in beyond the 1st round.
Brandon Boykin CB Georgia
Boykin is an interesting player. He is a 5-foot-10, 184-pound corner-back from Georgia. He has the skills necessary to, at the very least, start as a nickel corner in his rookie year. He had 3 interceptions, and 3 pass break-ups in the 13 games he played in his senior year. He is also a kick return specialist. Boykin had the best kick return average in the SEC at 24.3. He was also named Georgia’s defensive MVP in their appearance in the Auto Zone Liberty Bowl.
If anything hurts Boykin in the draft, it will be his size. At only 5-foot-10 he could have difficulty in those “jump-ball” situations. However, he can offset this issue with an improvement of his man-to-man corner skills. He is not as polished as some of the other corner-backs in the draft (i.e. Morris Claiborne), but he has a great deal of upside. The Browns met with him at the combine, and like what they see.
David Wilson RB Virginia Tech
For being considered the 2nd best running back in the draft, it’s surprising how little you hear of Wilson. He ran a 4.49 in the 40-yard-dash at the combine (He also ran a 4.35 at the VT pro day), and is considered a “banger” type of back with some elusiveness. He was the ACC player of the year and is expected to be picked up in the second to third round of the NFL Draft.
He rushed for 1,709 yards and 9 touchdowns in 2011. But the most intriguing stat for me is that out of that 1,709 yards, 1,000 of his yards came after contact. It is believed that the Atlanta Falcons are possibly interested in Wilson at their pick in the 2nd round (55th overall). Cleveland is planning on bringing him in for a visit prior to the draft in April.
Isaiah Pead RB Cincinnati
Pead is a “project” prospect. He is a 5-foot-10, 197-pound running back that could be designed for the West Coast offense with his speed and pass catching ability. He has good hands out of the backfield, but does need to work on his pass-blocking game. He shows elusiveness, and quick, one-cut ability. Pead's senior year was his best with 1,259 rushing yards, and 12 TD’s.
The questionable side of his game however is the mental side. Many scouts find him immature with questionable football aptitude. They also feel that his character at the pro level may cause issues, and should be studied more closely. The Browns plan on spending extra time with him prior to the draft according to Mary Kay of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Pead is projected to go late 3rd or early 4th round.
So with the Browns having a total of 9 picks in this NFL draft, combined with the draft history of Mike Holmgren, and Tom Heckert. I am confident that they will find the right players to make the Browns Competitive once again.
Do you have some other players in mind for the late rounds? Tell us what you think.
Michael W. Youngman
(Lead Analyst C.B.R.)
http://www.clevelandbrownsreport.info/2012/03/cleveland-browns-and-nfl-draft-looking.html
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