In the sixth round of the 2017 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns selected Caleb Brantley. During his time with the Florida Gators, Brantley was a star. However, his stock dropped heavily after domestic abuse allegations. Now, it has become increasingly clear that this Browns regime puts a lot of stock in character. Over the past two years, the Browns have selected high-character talents almost exclusively. So to put it bluntly, what gives? Why would such a character-heavy group take a player like Brantley in the draft? Well, it’s not as black and white a situation as one might think. Let’s take a look at the risks and rewards that drafting Brantley presents.
The Curious Case of Caleb Brantley
The Risk
If the allegations are true, this situation should be over quickly in Cleveland. As mentioned before, this current Browns regime puts a lot of emphasis on the character of their players. In their eyes, domestic abuse is (most likely) completely unacceptable. Brantley might have all the talent in the world. However, if he can’t get out of his own way, the Browns should avoid him completely. Truthfully, they’ll probably kick him to the curb almost immediately.
Additionally, Caleb Brantley was a sixth-round pick. While not the highest on the draft boards, he still cost Cleveland a draft pick. This wasn’t an undrafted free agent that just happened to fall into Hue Jackson‘s lap. So although he was a late-round pick, the Brantley pick still could’ve been someone else. Truthfully, he might have slipped all the way through the draft, had the Browns been patient. But yet, the Browns took a flyer on Brantley in the late rounds? Why, you ask?
The (Possible) Reward
As crazy as it sounds, there are some possible rewards to selecting Caleb Brantley. Let’s say for a second that his domestic abuse allegations are just that: allegations. And let’s say for a second that Brantley is acquitted and the Browns taking a flyer on him pays off. Caleb Brantley, although a late-round pick, plays like the first-round talent that he can be. Crazy, right? Well, maybe not.
Recently, some reports have come up saying that Brantley is not guilty. If that’s the case, the Browns might have selected an absolute steal. In addition to character, this regime prides itself on value. If a talent like Brantley comes in the form of a sixth-round pick, the value there is through the roof. Maybe Sashi Brown knows something we don’t. With Brown being a lawyer, that’s actually quite likely in this case. Really though, Brown got a ton of value and talent out of the rest of this draft. While the jury is still out on some picks, what’s to say that Brantley isn’t NFL Draft highway robbery? If Brantley works, this makes Sashi Brown and Cleveland’s front office look like geniuses.
Conclusion
There’s no secret here; Caleb Brantley is a great talent. However, it seems that he may have lost his way on his road to the NFL. Although a superstar with the Gators, Brantley made some questionable off-field decisions. Sadly enough, this happens with way too many young players. The Browns have selected some in the past, actually. (Josh Gordon and Johnny Manziel being the most obvious examples). For his own sake, Browns fans must hope that Brantley doesn’t suffer the same fate as those two. With a team so devoid of talent, Brantley would be a great help. And if he can stay clean of other allegations, the Dawg Pound may see him on the field sooner rather than later.
