Building A Better Team Through The Draft

[JayOzOne]

I get the impression that some of the debates on TATF of late are based on the fact that we will wreck the team by not drafting this player or that one. We won't wreck the team next week; we may miss an opportunity to hit a home run, but we'll definitely score in our efforts to improve the team, no matter who we get. Well, unless our guy gets hurt and doesn't play this year.

Let's all be honest and recognize that there is little chance that we won't be a better team after next week, regardless of who we select. We argue over which edge rusher we should take, but honestly, any of the top five that are likely on our board is going to be better than anybody we currently have on the squad.

We debate over how soon to take a running back. Even taking Gurley with #8 would make us a better team than we have right now, even if we don't improve the defense. And we'd be better if we took Scherff or Collins, whether we took them at eight or moved back.

So the real question is which player will make us better than the others? We have game film, college loyalties, and big moments to consider, but the FO will hopefully have a lot more relevant data and background info to consider. I challenge anybody to suggest that we can actually hurt the team by taking anyone other than a QB with our first round selection.

Just something to consider as we get closer to Christmas morning.

[nbostp]

[RYNE]

There is a difference between getting better and maximizing your draft picks to get the best possible result. Everyone has a difference of opinion on who to take to make that happen

[Tribal Chief]

Good post

[JayOzOne]

There is a difference between getting better and maximizing your draft picks to get the best possible result. Everyone has a difference of opinion on who to take to make that happen

I dig that. But we realize the board is going to crash a minute after we pick and 90% of the reason will be because of complaints about the pick. The thing is, we'll never know if we are right because some players blossom under some coaches and likely will tank under others. Personally, I'll only be p*ssed if we absolutely fail to address the pass rush in the first two rounds, but not by who we get to do it.

[FentayeJones]

Quinn was hands down the best off-season aquisition so I would say we're already better.

[Francis York Morgan]

31 other teams getting better too after next week.

[RYNE]

I dig that. But we realize the board is going to crash a minute after we pick and 90% of the reason will be because of complaints about the pick. The thing is, we'll never know if we are right because some players blossom under some coaches and likely will tank under others. Personally, I'll only be p*ssed if we absolutely fail to address the pass rush in the first two rounds, but not by who we get to do it.

Yup that's true.

That's what makes it so good. I love the speculation and draft talk.

[Sponge]

Good post and I agree next week's draft won't make us worse. But not capitalizing on the picks will keep us stuck in neutral while teams around us get better.

[JayOzOne]

I honestly believe that we'll rise or fall on how well Schofield, Durant, and Reed do. If the players buy into what Quinn wants them to do (attack the ball, maintain assignments, tackle), that'll make the defense better with or without a stud edge rusher. If they do that AND we get a heat seeker...?

The rook will only be as good as the rest of the defense allows him to be.

The same is true on offense, though.

[Tribal Chief]

Another good post^^^

[DonDaLuvMaker]

31 other teams getting better too after next week.

I don't know.

The Browns always find a way to screw up around this time of year.

[JayOzOne]

I don't know.

The Browns always find a way to screw up around this time of year.

It's all relative. Teams like the Seahawks and Pats just need to maintain their edge over everybody else. In other words, they need improved depth or youth. Teams like the Falcons need key improvements in order to compete with them. We need to strike oil with most of our picks in order to get strong enough to compete for championships. Seattle's drafting of Sherman in the sixth round essentially have them the equivalent of two first round picks that year. We need that.

[Steel City Falcon]

I understand what you're saying. But you can get worse. Just look at the 2012 draft. Drafting Konz, Holmes, Ewing, etc.. Set this team and franchise back.

[PokerSteve]

Quinn was hands down the best off-season aquisition so I would say we're already better.

Dumping Smittyball was pretty huge; that's a two game up-grade in your win total right there. Getting a HC who brings the kind of attacking philosophy and high-intensity that Quinn does should add another two games to the win total. The improved pass rush from the FA we got should be good for at least one more win. That puts us at 11-5 before we even draft the first player.

[Tuggle'2]

Excellent content bro.

[Lornoth]

31 other teams getting better too after next week.

This. You won't win by just getting better, you have to get More better than the rest of the league to really improve.

Now this isn't to say picking anybody at 8 makes that impossible or a given in the other direction either. There are a lot of ways to have a good draft, it just depends on what you're trying to do. If we pick Dupree, I won't like it, but it could end up being a better pick than the player is by himself, depending on how the rest of the draft goes, if that makes sense. As long as you have a plan and manage to execute it, your draft will probably be pretty good, it's often more about a big picture than one guy, which I think gets lost around here sometimes.

Now, picking, or not picking, a player can make it more difficult to pull off a good draft, but no guy will make it impossible.

[Tuggle'2]

Might just be me, but some of you seem to be really missing the point. Of course most of the other teams get better too.

Possibly it is just me. I am still high off the Quinn and crew hires plus our FA. I am absolutely stoked.

[Francis York Morgan]

Might just be me, but some of you seem to be really missing the point. Of course most of the other teams get better too.

Possibly it is just me. I am still high off the Quinn and crew hires plus our FA. I am absolutely stoked.

I'm super excited. Just still think we need a good draft and not "anybody" will fix our holes. Quinn is something to be excited about, but this team still has a lot of issues yknow

[Moist Words]

Might just be me, but some of you seem to be really missing the point. Of course most of the other teams get better too.

Possibly it is just me. I am still high off the Quinn and crew hires plus our FA. I am absolutely stoked.

Not just you.I love watching and listening to Quinn's interviews.You can just see and hear how passionate he is about the game.That attitude and passion can be infectious with the right group of players.

[AtlantaFanatic]

From my point of view, in order to keep getting better you have to hit on your first two picks. If your first and second rounders bust, it's going to set your team back a ways. Why do you think the Browns can never seem to get any better? After the second round if you can get one or two contributors for depth, you did well in the draft.

I believe you have to be VERY lucky in order to win a superbowl. Obviously there are factors that put your starting line ahead of everyone else's like good coaching, however luck plays a major role into drafting busts and getting bit by the injury bug. Don't even get me started on the refs too.

If you have 4 or 5 years of nailing the draft (and have a good QB and coach) you can contend for a Superbowl for many years and supplement your roster with free agents during the offseasons.

[JayOzOne]

What I'm trying to say is there may be more than one "right answer" next week. Even if we don't draft Beasley/Gurley/Ray/Fowler/Scherff, we will likely get somebody who will help a lot. I will be happy with either. This is a good draft and the difference between how much either guy will improve our team will be minimal.

I'm not going to suggest that we can't lose, but between who will be available, it will hard to pout over who we get until he hits the field and lets me down.

[FalconFanSince1970]

I get the impression that some of the debates on TATF of late are based on the fact that we will wreck the team by not drafting this player or that one. We won't wreck the team next week; we may miss an opportunity to hit a home run, but we'll definitely score in our efforts to improve the team, no matter who we get. Well, unless our guy gets hurt and doesn't play this year.

Let's all be honest and recognize that there is little chance that we won't be a better team after next week, regardless of who we select. We argue over which edge rusher we should take, but honestly, any of the top five that are likely on our board is going to be better than anybody we currently have on the squad.

We debate over how soon to take a running back. Even taking Gurley with #8 would make us a better team than we have right now, even if we don't improve the defense. And we'd be better if we took Scherff or Collins, whether we took them at eight or moved back.

So the real question is which player will make us better than the others? We have game film, college loyalties, and big moments to consider, but the FO will hopefully have a lot more relevant data and background info to consider. I challenge anybody to suggest that we can actually hurt the team by taking anyone other than a QB with our first round selection.

Just something to consider as we get closer to Christmas morning.

I have given yall boys the answer to that question numerous times.

QuinnDimioliff will be on the clock next week. Let's see what they do. Can't wait.

[atlGM]

I get your point but selecting Dupree won't give us a better pass rush.

[Knight of God]

Good write-up but we will see.