The 2013 NFL Draft has come and gone and there were many moments in the draft that will last a lifetime. Geno Smith experienced one of the biggest draft slides in NFL Draft history when we fell out of the first round and then was finally drafted by the New York Jets who have now added another quarterback to their already deep quarterback position. DJ Hayden, who was expected never to play football again or even be alive for that matter, was drafted by the Oakland Raiders. He was chosen as the 16th pick of the NFL Draft after he tore his inferior vena cava, which is the largest vein in the human body, last November. Another memorable moment from draft was Tyrann Mathieu being drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round. Mathieu was one of the most criticized draft prospects in a long time, due to his off the field issues. Issues which got him kicked off the team in August of 2012 and he did not playing football at all this past year.
The Cleveland Browns picked just 5 players in this year’s draft (linebacker, cornerback, safety, offensive lineman, and defensive end). The Browns first pick was LSU defensive end Barkevious Mingo. Mingo is sure to make an instant impact for the Browns defense who also added Baltimore Ravens defensive end Paul Kruger who will help a struggling defensive line. Later in the draft, the Browns selected San Diego State cornerback Leon McFadden who was a four year starter and who is one of the more underrated players in this year’s draft.
With the 176th pick the Browns selected Notre Dame safety Jamoris Slaughter who sat out 10 games last season with a ruptured Achilles tendon but is projected to be in serious consideration for the Browns starting safety position. Armonty Bryant was the next player taken by the Browns in the NFL Draft who has experienced some serious off the field problems during his college career. He only played in 8 games last season before he was suspended but Bryant should prove as a solid player for the Browns. He won the Lone Star Conference North Defensive Lineman of the Year back in 2010.
Probably one of the best picks the Cleveland Browns made was when they drafted Chardon State offensive lineman Garrett Gilkey with the 227th pick in the NFL Draft. Gilkey comes to the Browns with an impressive resume (2 time All Rocky Mountain West Conference Pick, straight A student since high school who played baseball, track, and wrestling, and he possess the versatility and superior upper body strength needed to succeed in the NFL). Gilkey was bullied many times during his childhood and he has promised to start an anti-bullying campaign for kids who suffered through bullying like he did during his childhood.
Overall the Browns had a solid draft by picking up key pieces for their team like Mingo, McFadden, and Gilkey who can contribute immediately for the Browns on their respective side of the ball, offense or defense. One key move was trading their fourth and fifth round picks for Miami Dolphins Wide Receiver Davone Bess and Miami’s fourth and seventh round picks. The Browns are slowly but surely building for the future and they now have some key pieces that will allow them to have a good team in the future.
