Cleveland Browns Redraft:1993
I’m continuing my series of reworking the drafts of the Cleveland Browns under Bill Belichick. Having completed a redo of thefirst two years, I now move on to 1993 and see what the team did originally.
Originally, the Browns made a few draft pick trades in 1993. The first was moving down three spots in the first round (from 11 to 14) by swapping picks with Denver, and also picking up the Broncos third round pick. They also gave up their original third round pick to Detroit (for DT Jerry Ball), 4th rounder to Chicago (for C Jay Hilgenberg), and 8th rounder to the Rams (for LB Frank Stams).That left the team with six picks total. Here’s how it played out:
| Round | Number | Player |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14 | C Steve Everitt |
| 2 | 42 | DE Dan Footman |
| 3 | 83 | LB Mike Caldwell |
| 5 | 124 | T Herman Arvie |
| 6 | 153 | LB Rich McKenzie |
| 7 | 180 | LB Travis Hill |
Overall,the original draft by Cleveland in 1993 probably would get a C grade. Everitt was a good player, as was Footman and Caldwell. However, none we spectacular. Arvie also had a decent career, mainly playing as a backup. McKenzie and Hill never did much with their short careers. However, looking back on the players available in 1993, this could have been a much more productive draft. Let’s now take this draft with what I’ve accomplished with the last two.
First off, let’s look at where the team stands based on our new 1991 and 1992 drafts, and see what positions are filled, and what’s still needed. I’ve included the number of Pro Bowls each player was actually elected to after their names.
| Offense | Defense | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| QB | Brett Favre (9) | DT | Chester McGlockton (4) |
| FB | Kimble Anders (3) | DT | Santana Dotson |
| RB | Gary Brown | DE | Michael Sinclair (3) |
| WR | Keenan McCardell (2) | DE | none taken |
| WR | Robert Brooks | MLB | Ed McDaniel (1) |
| TE | Ben Coates (5) | OLB | Mo Lewis (3) |
| C | Jay Leeuwenburg | OLB | Bryan Cox (3) |
| G | Kendall Gammon | CB | Aeneas Williams (8) |
| G | none taken | CB | Dale Carter (4) |
| T | Erik Williams (4) | SS | none taken |
| T | none taken | FS | Merton Hanks (4) |
I think that’s a pretty impressive team after only two drafts. Also, the Browns still had a few Pro Bowl players that were a part of the team before 1991: DT Michael Dean Perry, DE Rob Burnett, WR Webster Slaughter (remember I didn’t cut him), RB Eric Metcalf, QB Bernie Kosar and T Tony Jones. Both Kosar’s and Slaughter’s careers are winding down at this point, but we’ve effectively replaced those two positions. We also have drafted some depth at CB (Mark McMillian) and MLB/ILB (Corey Widmer).
Looking back withwhat we’ve done over the last two years, there’s some holes we still need to fill. We don’t have a stud strong safety and still have holes along the offensive line (mainly guard). I would also like to improve our running back situation and gain some additional depth at wide receiver. I also think the three draft trades mentioned above to pick up players is now unnecessary, since the three player positions that were traded for (DT, C, LB) were effectively filled via the draft. So our draft picks now look like this:
| Round | Number | Player |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14 | C Steve Everitt |
| 2 | 42 | DE Dan Footman |
| 3 | 68 | ??? |
| 3 | 83 | LB Mike Caldwell |
| 4 | 100 | ??? |
| 5 | 124 | T Herman Arvie |
| 6 | 153 | LB Rich McKenzie |
| 7 | 180 | LB Travis Hill |
| 8 | 209 | ??? |
We are now left with nine picks in the draft. Here’s what I would do with them:
| Round | Number | Original Pick | New Pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14 | C Steve Everitt | DE Michael Strahan |
Even though defensive end isn’t a pressing need at this point, you just cannot pass on Strahan. If every team had a doever this year, he would easily be one of the top three picks in that draft instead of sliding to the mid-second round. A seven time Pro Bowler, Strahan just ended his career this past season as the NFL’s all-time sack leader.
| Round | Number | Original Pick | New Pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 42 | DE Dan Footman | FS John Lynch |
This was probably the most difficuly repick I’ve come across, not because of Lynch’s talent, but because free safety is not a pressing need with Merton Hanks being taken two years earlier. I debated about drafting LB Chad Brown for a number of reasons. One being his versatility playing both as inside and outside linebacker during his career. It would also be a good ball-kicker to the division rival Steelers, who drafted Brown originally. But with taking Jesse Armstead later, and Lynch’s nine Pro Bowl selections, I just couldn’t pass him up.
| Round | Number | Original Pick | New Pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 68 | none | G Will Shields |
A stud out of Nebraska, Shields is probably the best offensive lineman during the 1990s. After becoming a starter early on in his rookie year, he started 230 consecutive games for the Chiefs, a team record and second in the league only to Favre. During his 14-year career, he failed to start in only one game, his very first, and was elected to 12 straight Pro Bowls from 1995-2006.
| Round | Number | Original Pick | New Pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 83 | LB Mike Caldwell | G Ron Stone |
Originally taken by the Cowboys, Stone was on the line with Erik Williams for two Super Bowl championship teams. However, he went to three Pro Bowls after leaving the Cowboys for the Giants and 49ers. He played 12 years with four different teams, and could also play tackle.
| Round | Number | Original Pick | New Pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 100 | none | QB Mark Brunell |
With Kosar becoming more fragile and Favre asserting himself as the new starting quarterback, it’s not a bad idea to find a capable backup. Its rather ironic that this is the exact same scenario that played out for real, but with the team being the Packers, and Don Majikowski playing the role of injured incumbent. Brunell also made the Pro Bowl three times after being traded to Jacksonville.
| Round | Number | Original Pick | New Pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 124 | T Herman Arvie | LB Jessie Armstead |
Another late draft steal (taken in the eight round by the Giants), Armstead was a terror on defense for 11 years, going to the Pro Bowl five times. Armstead had 752 career tackles with 40 sacks and 12 interceptions for 175 yards.
| Round | Number | Original Pick | New Pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 153 | LB Rich McKenzie | TE Frank Wycheck |
Originally drafted by the Redskins, Wycheck came into prominence during his second year in the league as a member of the Oilers (and later the Titans). During his 11-year career, he amassed 505 receptions for 5,126 yards and 28 touchdowns. He is one of only five tight ends to surpass 500 receptions in NFL history, and led the Titans in receiving for three consecutive years. He also went to three Pro Bowls. He would be a great compliment to Ben Coates.
| Round | Number | Original Pick | New Pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 180 | LB Travis Hill | WR Troy Brown |
Another late-round gem, Brown has played the last 15 years with the Patriots, playing a key role in their three Super Bowl championships. Although he’s only made one Pro Bowl during his career, following the 2001 season where he recorded 101 catches for 1199 yards and 5 touchdowns, Brown is know for his overall talent and versatility. He has on occassion played defensive back, has been an exceptional kick returner, and also played quarterback in emergency situations. He’s an overall talent that any team can use.
| Round | Number | Original Pick | New Pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 209 | none | SS Blaine Bishop |
Bishop had a stellar ten-year career with the Oilers, and was a steal in the eight round. Know as one of the hardest hitting safeties in the league, Bishop was elected to four Pro Bowls.
1993 Redraft Summary
Out of our four areas of focus, I think I’ve effectively addressed three of them. I loaded up the offensive line with Shields and Stone, drafted a stud SS with Bishop, and added receiver depth with not only Troy Brown, but Wycheck as well. I also turned a strong defense into one of the best with Strahan, Lynch and Armstead, and got some quarterback insurance with Brunell. With nine picks, I took players that amassed a combined 47 Pro Bowls. And this is still passing on players such as LB Chad Brown (3 Pro Bowls), FS Brock Marion (3 Pro Bowls) and MLB Barry Minter. This was a draft class that was second to only the 1991 class with quality and depth. Updating our chart from the beginning, the Browns would now look like this:
| Offense | Defense | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| QB | Brett Favre (9) | DT | Chester McGlockton (4) |
| FB | Kimble Anders (3) | DT | Santana Dotson |
| RB | Gary Brown | DE | Michael Sinclair (3) |
| WR | Keenan McCardell (2) | DE | Michael Strahan (7) |
| WR | Robert Brooks | MLB | Ed McDaniel (1) |
| TE | Ben Coates (5) | OLB | Mo Lewis (3) |
| C | Jay Leeuwenburg | OLB | Bryan Cox (3) |
| G | Will Shields (12) | CB | Aeneas Williams (8) |
| G | Ron Stone (3) | CB | Dale Carter (4) |
| T | Erik Williams (4) | SS | Blaine Bishop (4) |
| T | none taken | FS | Merton Hanks (4) |
That would give us 38 Pro Bowl appearances on offense, and another four if you count Frank Wycheck and Troy Brown. We would also have 41 on defense, and another 14 with Lynch and Armstead. At this point, the new 1990s Browns should be developing into one of the best teams in the league, with only right tackle and running back as weak areas. We’ll see if I can do anything about that in 1994.