The versatile Duke Williams could be a third round target for the Browns (Photo: silverandbluesports.com)
DraftBrowns.com Editor: Justin Higdon
The East-West Shrine Game in St. Petersburg, Florida is an annual showcase for collegiate football players who are generally considered mid-to-late round NFL Draft prospects. While former Illinois wide receiver A.J. Jenkins parlayed a Shrine Game invitation into and eventual first round landing spot, participants more often wind up being drafted in rounds three through seven, if at all. Last year’s game yielded 37 draft choices, including Jenkins, Greg “The Leg” Zuerlein, and Redskins’ rookie sensation Alfred Morris. Theoretically, an NFL team could bolster its roster by using picks in rounds three through seven solely on Shrine Game participants. So what if the Cleveland Browns attempted to do just that? Based on the current roster, and without accounting for potential trades, it might turn out something like this…
Third Round
Michael “Duke” Williams DB Nevada
Williams started for most of three seasons for the Wolfpack and is generally considered a safety prospect. However, recent reports suggest that Williams has the athletic ability to play cornerback in the NFL. The Shrine Game is the perfect place for players to showcase versatility, so Williams will likely practice in a variety of roles. If he proves to be a reliable coverage guy, he could be an option for the Browns at safety alongside T.J. Ward, or even as a replacement for Sheldon Brown. While he intercepted just four passes at Nevada, Williams broke up 19 total, so he has shown adequate ball skills throughout his career. However, if the Browns determine that his coverage ability is sub-par, or that he is too similar to Ward, another third round option might be…
Jamie Collins OLB Southern Miss
Collins was stuck on Golden Eagle team that finished 0-12 during his senior season. Despite dwelling amid futility, he finished the year with a career high 10 sacks. In addition to pass rush skills, Collins is an excellent athlete with good speed who has shown ability to help in coverage as well. It can be easy for a player to get lost in the shuffle when his team is struggling, but those who have missed Collins will have a chance to see him in action. All Star game practices tend to be light on tackling, so Collins will get plenty of opportunities to prove that he can run with tight ends down the field. It wouldn’t be too surprising to see Collins elevate his standing into the second round, in which case the Browns would need to trade up for him.
Fourth Round
Gerald Hodges OLB Penn State
If they haven’t addressed the linebacker position up to this point, the Browns could do a lot worse than Hodges – a key cog in Penn State’s defense over the past two seasons. Hodges wasn’t used often in pass rush, but he excels in coverage, and is a good enough athlete that the Nittany Lions tried him on punt returns early in the season. That experiment was a failure, but the fact that Hodges even attempted to assist in that role can be seen as a positive. Shrine Game coaches aren’t going to get fancy and use him in the return game, but he’ll have plenty of opportunities to make his mark on defense. If the Browns have already drafted a linebacker, they may opt for…
Terry Hawthorne CB Illinois
Like Collins, Hawthorne fell under the radar while his team limped to a double-digit loss season. He’s an aggressive corner with good size who isn’t afraid to come up and play the run. Hawthorne showed some real promise as a junior, and while his production dipped in 2012, he may have been affected by a mid-season concussion. Hawthorne will have a chance next week to prove that he has overcome a difficult senior campaign.
Fifth Round
Micah Hyde CB Iowa
The Browns need help in the defensive backfield, even if they address it with one of their earlier picks. Hyde has excellent size for a corner and appears to have enough speed to cover down the field. Like Williams, Hyde has lined up at different positions in the secondary, and that versatility will appeal to NFL teams. He is likely to line up in different roles during next week’s practice sessions as coaches attempt to get a feel for his best position. Unfortunately, Hyde brings some off the field baggage with him. He was arrested in October for public intoxication and was charged with disorderly conduct in December for playing his music too loud. There is no doubt that Hyde will eventually have some questions to answer and show that he has matured. If the team is not satisfied, or has already addressed its needs in the secondary, they may instead select…
Omoregie Uzzi G Georgia Tech
Uzzi was a three-year starter in Tech coach Paul Johnson’s run-heavy attack. The senior guard helped pave the way for the second ranked rushing attack in the FBS ranks – one that averaged over 330 yards per game on the ground. Uzzi isn’t the biggest guy at “only” 6’3 and about 300 pounds, but he gets good leverage and plays with a nasty streak. It will be interesting to see how Uzzi plays in pass protection simply because he wasn’t asked to do it often, but he has the ability to develop into a starter eventually.
Sixth Round
Earl Watford G James Madison
The pride of FCS James Madison, Watford has been a three-year starter for the Dukes. He is another “undersized” guard who plays with a nasty streak. But unlike Uzzi, Watford has proven to be strong in pass protection. He is no slouch in run blocking either, and has athletic ability to pull and lead the way on rushing plays. Watford will get a steady dose of FBS level competition in practice all week, so if he shows that he can handle himself, there is a good chance he won’t still be on the board in the sixth round. If he isn’t, the Browns could decide on…
Zach Sudfeld TE Nevada
Sudfeld had caught two passes in three years at Nevada prior to 2012, but finished this pass season with 45 receptions for 598 yards and nine total touchdowns. In the Wolfpack’s bowl game, the big tight end caught two passes for scores in losing to Arizona. Sudfeld is a traditional tight end, most often lining up on the line, and has extensive run blocking experience. He isn’t fleet of foot, but he’s a high effort guy on every play, and should fare well in the run game next week. His well-rounded game, highlighted by recent receiving contributions make Sudfeld an appealing late round target.
Seventh Round
D.C. Jefferson TE Rutgers
Jefferson went to Rutgers as a quarterback, but was moved to tight end almost immediately. While he looks the part, his career has never taken off. In his four years with the Scarlet Knights, Jefferson never caught more than four passes in a game, never gained more than 57 yards in a game, and scored only two total touchdowns. Jefferson will have an opportunity next week to show that he was underutilized as opposed to just unproductive. Of course, if tight end has been addressed, the Browns could draft…
Kejuan Riley FS Alabama State
Riley was a prototypical ball-hawking centerfielder for FCS Alabama State for the past four seasons. He intercepted 21 passes and broke up 14 others during his college career. Riley does a good job hanging back in coverage, reading the quarterback, and playing the ball. He’s a willing tackler but lacks strength and sometimes gets dragged for extra yardage. Riley is a good athlete with speed and long arms. He’ll get a chance against a higher level of competition next week, and could play his way into a better draft position.
Possible Undrafted Free Agent Targets
Nathan Williams DE Ohio State, Trey Wilson CB Vanderbilt, Robert McCabe ILB Georgetown, Alex Carder QB Western Michigan, Nathan Stanley QB Southeast Louisiana, Jasper Collins WR Mount Union