We can read all of the draft magazines and in-depth breakdowns we want, and while some are truly fantastic (looking at yours, Dane Brugler), we still won't know a whole lot about the Browns' newest draft class until they take the field in Berea.
In order to pass the time, why not read another breakdown?
I had a chance to watch some cut-ups of Cleveland's draft class this week and took some brief notes. We'll roll these out with one or two per day this week. Next up, Southeast Missouri State tackle Drew Forbes.
THE BIO:
Name: Drew Forbes
Position: Tackle
Age: 22
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 305 lbs
Hometown: Bonne Terre, Missouri
College: Southeast Missouri State
Round selected: Sixth (189th overall)
THE TAPE: This one is my favorite. Forbes is nasty, relentless and a finisher of a blocker. He engages guys with ferocity, arriving with a wake-up punch and then driving his man across and eventually into the turf. Sometimes that carries a smidge beyond the whistle, something he attributes to how he was coached at Southeast Missouri State.
"I do (like being called nasty). My wife doesn't," Forbes said with a chuckle Friday before the start of rookie minicamp in Berea. "She's like 'that's not a compliment.' But yeah, absolutely in football. I really like that, I like that that's kind of seen. That clicked my sophomore year of college, like that's how you're going to be successful is being as physical as you can to the whistle."
He needs to clean up his hand placement, as they can sometimes be wild when he arrives with such force. He's not out to shield a defender, but to bludgeon. He has the aggression and inner desire to own his matchup that should help him succeed in the NFL.
THE FIELD: Forbes didn't get to do what he does best -- crush defenders -- during rookie minicamp, because it was a pads-free weekend. Even in one-on-ones, he was stout. He won't fall victim to a bull rush, though he does need to work on his quickness against edge rushers. Those rushing against him during rookie minicamp found their easiest path to success was around the outside, which is the first sign Forbes might eventually become a guard. He's firm in his blocks though, again unrelenting and very open to coaching. He's what you want out of a developmental lineman who might end up with a really high ceiling, even if it requires a slight position change.
THE FIT: Forbes doesn't have to play right away, so Browns general manager John Dorsey won't be quick to shuffle him from tackle to guard, instead allowing Forbes to first prove which position he should play. He joins a team with a solid starting five and a handful of reliable veteran backups, meaning he'll have plenty of linemen to learn from. He'll have to first endure some playful teasing related to him being Sports Illustrated's "Prospect X," but with his demeanor, that should endear him to his teammates. Plus, once they see how he hits, they'll have no choice but to like him.
