05-08-2017, 05:08 PM
(05-07-2017, 10:14 PM)Vambo Wrote: The Bengals won just six games last season and then got worse by losing their two best offensive linemen, Whitworth and guard Kevin Zeitler, on the free-agent market. It marked the second consecutive offseason in which they suffered major net losses in free agency despite having money to spend.
And they didn't do much in the draft to convince us they're suddenly on the right track.
They reached for speedy wide receiver John Ross in the top 10, despite the fact Ross is arguably a one-dimensional player who comes with medical red flags. Then they followed that up by drafting a walking red flag in running back Joe Mixon, who has first-round talent but could do more harm than good and, like Ross, doesn't really fill a major need.
They did get great value for Mixon and third-round front seven defender Jordan Willis, but that doesn't make up for all of the losing they've been doing on and off the field. The offensive line still lacks experience, and the secondary lacks young talent.
The way things are looking, the Bengals will be lucky to win more than a handful of games next season in the increasingly tough AFC North.
Browns
Already gaining steam coming off a run in free agency in which they revamped their offensive line and added an experienced and talented new No. 1 wide receiver in Kenny Britt, the Browns significantly upgraded their defense early on with top pick Myles Garrett and versatile first-round defensive back/linebacker Jabrill Peppers. But they weren't done there. They traded back into the first round and grabbed former Miami tight end David Njoku as well, giving them three of the best athletes in the draft.
Looking at the Browns depth chart now, it's hard not to be excited, especially if you place your finger over the quarterback slot.
That, of course, is the elephant in the room. Cleveland has a loaded offensive line featuring potential Hall of Famer Joe Thomas and newly acquired studs Kevin Zeitler and J.C. Tretter, and a loaded pass-catching corps led by Britt, top 2016 selection Corey Coleman and 2017 first-rounder Njoku.
The Browns have a promising young running back in Isaiah Crowell (4.8 yards per carry last season) and a defense that features Garrett, Peppers, veterans Jamie Collins and Joe Haden, and recent high draft picks Danny Shelton and Emmanuel Ogbah.
I kid you not, the Browns are—at least on paper—a good team, with a very bright future. But when you remove your finger from the quarterback slot on that depth chart and you see second-round project DeShone Kizer alongside Cody Kessler, Kevin Hogan and Brock Osweiler, you're reminded not to get carried away with predictions regarding the 2017 Cleveland Browns.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2706187-nfl-power-rankings-where-does-every-team-stand-after-the-draft
All that cut and paste only to realize the browns will still finish last in the AFCN....again.
