NFL mock draft, needs: Browns
Evan Silva (@EvanSilva) is the Senior Football Editor for Rotoworld's NFL Page, and Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) leads Rotoworld's college football and NFL draft coverage. Together, they're breaking down every team's biggest needs and offering potential draft-day solutions.
For a breakdown on every team, check out the team-by-team draft preview schedule.
No. 1 Team Need: Quarterback
Silva's Analysis
Josh McCown was so bad last year that the quarterback-needy Buccaneers cut him after the season. That tells you pretty much all you need to know. The Browns are proceeding as if 2014 first-round flop Johnny Manziel isn't part of their 2015 plans.
No. 2 Team Need: Outside linebacker
Silva's Analysis
Paul Kruger is best suited as a role-playing OLB, while 2013 first-round pick Barkevious Mingo hasn't developed into an impact pass rusher. Behind them, people named Scott Solomon and Darius Eubanks are Cleveland's "depth." The Browns need edge disruptors to be able to play Mike Pettine's press-oriented style in the back end. Currently, Cleveland doesn't have a single defender on the roster capable of posing a consistent pass-rushing threat.
No. 3 Team Need: Tight end
Silva's Analysis
The Browns have one of the worst rosters in the league, and therefore a laundry list of needs. We're only naming three per team in these pre-draft pieces. Wide receiver and defensive line easily could've made it onto this list. Tight end stands out as a glaring weakness with Jim Dray and Gary Barnidge resting atop the depth chart. The Browns need a tight end who can stretch the field, block in the running game, and make plays in the red zone. (Warning: There aren't many of those in this draft.)
Norris’ Mock Draft:
Round 1 (12): WR Breshad Perriman, UCF - A large receiver with speed would be a nice addition to the Browns' receiver group. Perriman does have a high drop rate (14 percent), but some teams could talk themselves into thinking it is coachable or just a concentration issue. If the quarterback position cannot be upgraded, the staff might think adding talented weapons is a way to circumvent who is actually throwing the passes.
Round 1 (19): EDGE Owamagbe Odighizuwa, UCLA - Some might see this as a “reach.” I would not. Owa is one of the best in this class at converting speed to power. As an edge rusher, he will be asked to disrupt and get after the quarterback. Don’t overthink dropping into coverage in terms of it factoring into fit. Owa can even move down the line in sub-package sets.
Round 2 (43): DT Eddie Goldman, FSU - Danny Shelton is commonly mocked to the Browns. Goldman has a lot of talent but did not show it at all times. That can be said about a number of defensive linemen due to the lack of rotation in college, but needed to be written again. Goldman could theoretically play nose or one of the end spots on running downs, but is better the closer he is to the center.
Round 3 (77): TE Clive Walford, Miami - The team should move up for Maxx Williams, but in this format it does not work. I spoke with former Giants OC Kevin Gilbride and he had very positive things to say about Walford as both an inline and receiving option.
Round 4 (111): T Ty Sambrailo, Colorado State - Teams are evaluating Sambrailo as a guard and right tackle. He could push to start at the latter in time and would offer quality depth as a utility OL early on. The third or fourth round sounds right.
Round 4 (115): OLB Lorenzo Mauldin, Louisville - With the designated rusher selected earlier, Mauldin could be used in more of a drop linebacker role. Louisville needed him to rush the passer, but I thought Mauldin looked adequate out in space. He is an effort pass rusher.
Round 5 (147): DL Derrick Lott, UTC - An upfield, disrupting-type defensive linemen who could impact most in sub-package situations. Lott reminds me of Jay Bromley. He attacks shoulders with a nice first step for an interior lineman, sheds, and tries to work around his opponent.
Round 6 (189): QB Sean Mannion, Oregon State - Who knows when the Browns will try to add to their quarterback group. Mannion is getting some attention from big draft evaluators, but I think it is undeserved. He really struggles when dealing with pressure and makes horrendous decisions in confined space or when hit. And he has limited mobility to create space to throw.
Round 6 (202): S Brian Blechen, Utah - A large, hard-hitting safety the Browns could use with their lack of depth behind Donte Whitner and Tashaun Gipson.
Round 7 (229): RB Terrence Magee, LSU - If anything, Magee will help on true passing downs. His frame might be compact, but Magee has a nice foundation in pass protection and flashes comfort as a receiver.
Browns Current Offensive Depth Chart
QB: Josh McCown
RB: Terrance West
WR: Dwayne Bowe
WR: Brian Hartline
WR: Andrew Hawkins
TE: Jim Dray
LT: Joe Thomas
LG: Joel Bitonio
C: Alex Mack
RG: John Greco
RT: Mitchell Schwartz
Browns Current Defensive Depth Chart
LE: John Hughes
RE: Desmond Bryant
NT: Phil Taylor
OLB: Paul Kruger
OLB: Barkevious Mingo
ILB: Karlos Dansby
ILB: Christian Kirksey
CB: Joe Haden
CB: Tramon Williams
FS: Tashaun Gipson
SS: Donte Whitner
