Browns Senior Bowl Takeaways: Offense
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The Reese's Senior Bowl had some intriguing names on the offensive side of the ball take part in this year's festivities, but some players who opted to pull out of the event or suffered injuries during the week took proved to be disappointing. Nevertheless, the Cleveland Browns got to speak with everyone that participated and see how they fared over the course of the week.
The Browns aren't likely to draft offensive tackle Dawand Jones from Ohio State. It's possible he may be picked before they ever get on the clock. Still, his injury limited him to just one day of practice. Texas running back Roschon Johnson suffered a broken hand that took him out for the week. He's a player the Browns might have interest. That may impact his availability for the NFL Scouting Combine and force him to wait until Pro Day to work out for teams.
There were some players that shined this week like Michael Wilson from Stanford and Puka Nacua from BYU. In addition to being older than the Browns tend to draft, Wilson has never played a full season of football, limited by injuries. Nacua is fine for age and he even plays the jet player role the Browns could seek, but he only played one full season for the Cougars. To this point, the Browns have tended to stay away from players with injury histories, stressing availability as part of their evaluation.
Both receivers were fantastic in this event, but it's the reason they aren't featured. On to the six who are.
Malik Cunningham, QB Louisville
Cunningham had a better week than some may have anticipated. He's electric with his legs and he made a ton of plays that way throughout his time at Louisville. However, Cunningham threw the ball reasonably well. Where he really shined was extending plays with his legs and finding receivers in the resulting chaos.
Cunningham is steadfast in his desire to play quarterback. He's virtually the same height as Michael Vick, but noticeably lighter than Vick coming out of Virginia Tech. Cunningham's style is incongruent with the majority of teams in the league and plenty could opt to pass on him. If there's a scenario where he goes undrafted, he would be ideal behind Deshaun Watson and Kellen Mond.
Stylistically, it's a great fit for him and he would be an excellent scout team quarterback against opponents to help prepare for some of the more athletic passing threats in the league.
Tyjae Spears, RB Tulane
No one did more to make their case to NFL teams than Spears. Simultaneously, I'm not sure how much difference it's going to make in terms of his draft prospects.
Spears came in weighing 205 pounds, which was great for him. He's got a lean looking build but clearly has some density. He showed out as a runner and tried to make the case for himself as a receiver and blocker.
Coming out of the week, fans are buzzing about Spears being added to their team. It's warranted. The potential problem for Spears is that this running back class is so stacked, it may be difficult to make a big move up the board.
Nevertheless, his burst and raw speed is tantalizing and could provide a great changeup behind Nick Chubb, competing with Jerome Ford for the second running back spot and primary third down option.
Perhaps Spears has pushed his way firmly into the third round as opposed to being a third/fourth round option. There are just so many good backs and teams may be patient with the position outside of Bijan Robinson from Texas.
Tank Dell, WR Houston
This venue was designed for receivers like Dell to excel. Dell made the most of it and was arguably the best receiver of the event.
In terms of his build, Dell is almost identical to Tyreek Hill, who is currently with the Miami Dolphins. There is one notable exception. Hill was 185 pounds when he tested, 22 pounds heavier than Dell was for the Senior Bowl.
Maybe Dell will gain a few pounds ahead of athletic testing, but because he is so small, he now has to put up ridiculous numbers to make up for his lack of heft.
The question I continue to have with Dell is how he will fare in a division that has the type of weather the Cleveland Browns endure. Dell is great, but his catch radius is small, requiring pinpoint accuracy from the quarterback. If that's now also impacted by wind, cold or precipitation, it could be a challenging fit. Dell looks like someone who would be best served playing in a dome or at least a more welcoming climate.
None of that changes the fact that Dell was dominant this week and he was prolific in his time with the Cougars.
Dontayvion Wicks, WR Virginia
Hicks had a miserable senior year, so the Senior Bowl offered an opportunity to remind teams of just how dominant he was as a junior. He offers imposing physical size and the largest wingspan of any of the receivers in the event.
Drops have been an issue for Wicks, but he caught the ball well this week, including through traffic. This venue allowed him to showcase his toughness inside, but one of the elements that could make him attractive to the Browns is just how effective Wicks has been as a downfield weapon.
Jonathan Mingo, WR Ole Miss
Mingo is a hybrid player. He's a tweener that can contribute in multiple roles. The Senior Bowl highlighted some of the elements that work really well for Mingo while showing areas where he struggles.
Mingo is better equipped to play in the slot than on the outside. At Ole Miss, he'd even play as a wing. There were certainly some matchups he won handily but there's a real question as to how much he can offer as an outside threat.
The former Rebel excelled on routes that didn't ask him to flip his hips too much. In routes were his best, but slants and some of the routes near the goal line where he'd sell inside and work to the corner. Meanwhile, he struggled running comeback style routes.
Blake Freeland, OT BYU
Freeland is a tower. His length is outstanding for the position and he held up reasonably well when facing power. There were times when he gave up some ground. Anchoring isn't easy for him and something he will need to improve.
Freeland possesses a narrow build. As a result, he needs to be right with his feet to avoid getting crossed up. There were multiple times where he overset if only slightly, opening the door for an inside move. That's the biggest vulnerability Freeland is going to have.
Freeland isn't ready for prime time, but he's an interesting prospect that could be selected on day three of the NFL Draft.
