NFL 2017 Draft Thoughts

NFL Draft hopes as a Cleveland Browns fan:

You can’t say we were shocked.  We knew the Browns were going to be bad. 

They were 3-13 the year before.  And then lost four of their top free agents hours after free agency began- including 2 parts of their offensive line (the best part of the football team).  We all knew RGIII was a gamble.  And they traded down in the draft, passing up good players (not only Carson Wentz, but Joey Bosa, Jack Conklin, Ezekiel Elliott…)  And while none of their rookies were busts… none of them overachieved, either.

So… yeah.  1-15 wasn’t that shocking. 

But hey- it’s 2017.  The Browns not only have the #1 draft pick, they have the #12 draft pick from Philadelphia.  And 2 second round picks.  And this is supposed to be a deep draft.

People keep focusing on the QB- but the Browns need help EVERYWHERE. 

Adding a curveball is that Mitchell Trubisky is not only the top QB in the draft… and from Northeast Ohio… but his father is a co-worker.  So regardless of where he goes in the draft, I’m rooting for him to succeed.

So here’s how I see things playing out:

There is a kind and benevolent deity and he wants me to be happy:   Browns grab  Myles Garrett #1.  No QBs go from 2-11… then someone (the Jets?) overpay Cleveland for the #12 pick.  The Jets trade this year’s 2^nd round pick, next year’s #1, and next year’s #2.  Browns continue the process, drafting defense for the next five picks, see how Cody Kessler plays this year- if he thrives, great.  If not, look for one of the QBs in 2018.

What I am hoping will happen:  Browns grab Garrett #1.  No QBs go from 2-9.  Buffalo grabs Watson at #10, and Arizona trades up to #11 to grab Trubisky.  This causes Jamal Adams to drop for the Browns to grab at #12.  Browns continue going heavy defense with 4 of their next 5 picks on the defensive side

What I expect to happen: Browns grab Garrett #1.  No QBs go from 2-11.  Browns grab Trubisky at #12, then keep drafting defense. 

What I am worried will happen:  Browns grab Garrett #1.  Suddenly panicking over losing their QB, they trade up to #5, offering their #12 and #33 to grab Trubisky at #5 before the Jets

The Darkest Timeline:   Browns grab anyone not named ‘Myles Garrett’ at #1

Fantasy Draft- SNL

I'm a sucker for fantasy drafts.  I used to play in fantasy baseball and basketball leagues, and still have a couple of fantasy football leagues that I play in. 

Recently, some friends of mine and I did a "Saturday Night Live" fantasy draft.  The rules were simple:

- 10 cast members, minimum 2 females (could pick from anyone who was an official cast member)
- 1 host
- 1 musical guest
- pick a news anchor from your cast members

It was interesting to see who went where and what people valued.  For instance, my top choice would have been Dan Aykroyd- but apparently a lot of people felt so, as he went #1 overall.

Out of eight teams, I ended up with the #7 pick overall (Rule #12- in any draft, I end up with one of the last numbers).  Here's the cast that I drafted:

Host: Buck Henry
Music act: Aerosmith

Cast:
Gilda Radner
Mike Myers
Jane Curtain- News Anchor
Robert Downey, Jr.
Billy Crystal
Andy Samberg
Joan Cusack
Michael McKean
Harry Shearer
Gilbert Gottfried

Almost- ALMOST- had all three members of Spinal Tap, but Christopher Guest was taken two picks before my turn.

Not a bad cast- a lot of people who had better post-SNL careers than during SNL, but I like the promise.  Buck Henry was a fantastic host.  And on any show with "Wayne's World" and 2/3 of Spinal Tap, I need a Heavy Metal band to work with.