Where Do They Fit?

ReggieCamp · Joined: 06 Dec 2006 Posts: 8660 Location: Canonsburg, PA

A handful of our new draftees are intriguing because they don't have a defined role. They were versatile in college, and the Browns need to figure out how to use them most effectively. Here are the the ones I'm seeing.

Travis Benjamin. How soon will he play at WR? Will they use him as a returner? Speedy slot guy? Split him outside?

James-Michael Johnson. Mostly a MLB, but he has the speed and athleticism to play outside. Will he be D'Qwell's main backup (we really don't have one)? Compete with Maiava/Fujita at WLB? Special teams also.

Ryan Miller. OT? OG? Both (super-sub)? Pretty damn tall for a guard.

Billy Winn. DT? DE? Floater?

Brad Smelley. TE? FB? H-back? Strictly special teamer?

Let's discuss.
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kelbot · Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Posts: 2121 Location: Dayton, OH

NPBrowns · Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 9:35 am Post subject:

Travis Benjamin - I see him having a fairly decent role in the offense. You have to respect his speed. He will stretch the defense. With TRich being in the backfield teams will have to bring safeties towards the box more which should mean less over the top coverage on Benjamin. Could have a chance at some long passes this year. Could be used as KR/PR if Cribbs hurt or if Shurmur wants Cribbs to concentrate solely on WR.

James-Michael Johnson - His 40 time suggests he has speed for OLB which is where I see him starting over Maiava. Will be interesting to see him in space and covering TE's. Great insurance if D'Qwell becomes injured as well. I thought this was one of the better selections Heckert made in the draft.

Ryan Miller - I don't know much about Miller but the fact that he played OT & OG in college can only help him. Super sub developing into a starter 2-3 years down the line is what I'm thinking. Might even push Lauvao if he performs better than expected.

Billy Winn - Nice penetrating DT. See him more as a pass rusher at DT on third down situations. Gives Rubin & Taylor some spells during passing downs which will be needed. I believe Rubin & Taylor played the most snaps in the NFL for DT combo last year. Getting them fresher can only help our run D.

Brad Smelley - Not sure if he will make the roster but I see practice squad if cut. Gives some competition to Marecic who looked lost at points during last season. Can catch well out of the backfield which is a must for WCO back. H-Back option ideally. If he does make the roster I think he would replace Alex Smith rather than Marecic.
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H2ThaIzzo · Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 3506 Location: Ohio

pmk · Joined: 21 Jun 2007 Posts: 11648 Location: NYC

^^ Love the moore-benjamin comparison, very similar skill sets. I don't think he's going to get many looks in the slot, Little played that role almost exclusively the last few weeks of the season last year. He'll play split end in 3 wr packages to protect him from jams would be my guess, running lots of 9s, deep crossers and comebacks/deep outs once teams start respecting his speed. I really think all the browns need at wr is a speedy split end and benjamin fits the bill. Little is your classic flanker, momass/cribbs can battle for the second starting spot and benjamin/Norwood can split time in 3 wr packages based on down and distance.

fatpig · Joined: 15 Apr 2008 Posts: 1803 Location: cleveland

Travis Benjamin. imo the WR corps is the unit most up in the air. TC will ultimately determine who starts and who is at the bottom of the depth chart. i foresee MoMass getting less playing time which will open up more opportunities for Benjamin.

James-Michael Johnson. backup to D'qwell in the middle. 3rd and long passing situation OLB to cover up the TE with his speed.

Ryan Miller. OL depth/spot starter. so happy we have players on the OL now not named Pashos, Oneill, or Hicks.

Billy Winn. pass rushing rotational DE. i predict he actually gets more playing time than the 3rd round pick Hughes.

Brad Smelley. beats out Marecic in TC/preseason to become the starting FB.
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DawgX · Joined: 08 Aug 2006 Posts: 9901

Travis Benjamin: While I'm not completely sure, I think he could play both in the slot and on the outside. I could see him seeing playing time right away since the receiving core is weak, but I'm not sure how big of an impact he'll have to start off.

James-Michael Johnson: I think and hope he can start at WLB. He was mostly a MLB at Nevada, but I don't think Heckert would have spent a fourth-round pick on a player who's strictly a backup MLB, especially when the Browns need a WLB. He seems like a well-rounded LB with the speed and athleticism necessary to start at WLB. Hopefully he can not only start at WLB, but be a good starter. He is one of the most intriguing prospects the Browns drafted.

Ryan Miller: I hope he can start, but I think he'll be a backup at both guard and tackle. Hopefully either he or Lauvao emerge and become a solid starting right guard.

Billy Winn: I think he'll primarily be a DT. He could play DE in some situations, but he seems like a much better fit at DT.

Brad Smelley: I'm not sure how he'll be utilized. If he makes the team, I could see the coaching staff using him in different ways just so they can somehow get him on the field.
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mistakebytehlak · Joined: 20 Nov 2005 Posts: 38635 Location: Brooklyn, NY

KamTrus20 · Joined: 17 Nov 2009 Posts: 4768

schuttje · Joined: 24 Jan 2008 Posts: 2199

Where is Acho? I like him more than JMJ and think he could start right away if he beats Maivia.

Benjamin will battle Mitchell to be the #4 WR and our PR. Cribbs will still be our #3 WR and play outside on 3 and 4 wide sets with Little and Norwood in the slot. MoMass will get his last chance to be our #2 WR.

JMJ will be DJax's backup and huge contributor on special teams, he takes Titus Browns spot.

Ryan Miller is going to cause both young guards nightmares because he can start as a rookie.

Winn will be in the rotation for both the DT and DE. Another Frostee Rucker.

Brad Smelley will be another special teamer and hopefully takes Alex Smith role as our goal line back.

ReggieCamp · Joined: 06 Dec 2006 Posts: 8660 Location: Canonsburg, PA

buno67 · Joined: 15 Mar 2007 Posts: 23934 Location: Chubs for Chud

Travis Benjamin. i can see him prolly being the started 4th WR. I can see a lot of swing passes and quick slants to get him the ball quick and let him do work in the open field

James-Michael Johnson. back MLB IMO, i could see him playing in a lot of passing downs cause of his speed

Ryan Miller. i can see him competing for the starting RG spot. i dont know if he will win the spot of not before the season or during the season

Billy Winn. He will be a pass rushing DT for us. Will see him on 3rd and longs

Brad Smelley. I can see him competing for the 3rd TE spot and being a great special teamer. Will push Owen for the FB position but Owen will beat him out
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bigdogsandiego · Joined: 09 Mar 2010 Posts: 560 Location: San Diego

It is what it is and all are reserves who should be fighting for playing time. I think all will make team and all will play special teams with a new toughness. Benjamin will get some rep's and first shot at starter. Smelley might sneak in some rep's as FB, TE, or wildcat.

roger murdock · Joined: 13 Dec 2010 Posts: 5207

Benjamin: 4th or 5th receiver and backup at returns. I don't see him having much impact. Maybe one or two big plays this season in spot duty.

JM: I think he will start a good amount of games and make a positive impact on special teams and at olb.

Miller: super sub, only plays if there are injuries.

Winn: pass rushing dt and run stuffing end. Makes a nice impact as a backup.

Smelley: practice squad, no regular season action.
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DawgX · Joined: 08 Aug 2006 Posts: 9901

I'm surprised so few of you think James-Michael Johnson can start at WLB. Why do some of you think he's not capable of starting? Obviously I don't know for sure as to if he can start, but I think it's very possible that he not only starts, but becomes a good starter. He played OLB his first two years at Nevada and according to scouting reports and what little I saw of him, he seems to have the skills needed to play WLB. Statistically, the Browns were horrible vs. the run but that was mainly because they got killed on runs to the outside thanks to the DEs and OLBs being too slow. A big reason why Rucker was signed is because he's one of the best defensive ends in the league at containing the run. JMG is fast and athletic which helps him vs. both the run and the pass. He's a good tackler and takes good angles. It just seems to me that he has the skills needed to potentially start at WLB.

I don't think Ryan Miller starts. I think he was drafted to hopefully be a good backup who's capable of starting when needed. If he becomes a good starter, then that's just a huge bonus. I kept saying before the draft that I didn't think the Browns would draft a guard early but I could see them drafting one towards the end of the draft. Lauvao's play has been underwhelming but I didn't think the front office would give up on him already since he was a third-round pick in 2010 but he rarely saw playing time his rookie year. He had the playing experience of a rookie last year, so it's possible he improves and becomes a solid starter. Will that actually happen? I'm not sure. I'm confident he will improve from last year but I'm not sure if he'll improve enough to be considered a solid starter. Pinkston, on the other hand, progressed nicely throughout his rookie year, especially considering he was a fifth-round pick. I think he's going to be a solid starter.
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