Since the draft is the Browns version of the Super Bowl this year, I thought I would get my opinion on record prior to the big event. My goal is to provide suggestions to improve the Browns' team by considering the needs and the values of the picks at each selection.
Self-Imposed Rules for these Mocks:
1.) Use every pick assigned to the Browns.
2.) Complete three different mocks.
3.) Don't use a player twice in all mocks.
4.) Use a guide to value the player close to the draft pick slot.
5.) No trades in this version.
*As a guide, I am using a combination of CBS Sports, National Football Post, and Walter Football values on each draft pick.
Prioritizing the Cleveland Browns Biggest Needs
Let's start by putting a priority on what the Browns needs are, in my opinion. I am categorizing Cleveland's needs into three categories:
A Starter is desperately needed:
1.) Right Tackle
2.) Wide Receiver
3.) Running Back
A Starter is probably needed:
4.) Weakside Outside Linebacker
5.) Free Safety
6.) Defensive End
Open to Replacing the Starter, but Depth is needed:
7.) Quarterback
8.) Cornerback
9.) Either Guard Position
10.) Defensive Tackle
Two notes on the priorities above:
- After failing to move up in the Robert Griffin III Sweepstakes, the Browns should commit to Colt McCoy for the entire year next year, and should definitely draft someone to replace Seneca Wallace. Cleveland should look to draft a QB prospect that has upside to challenge Colt for the starting position in training camp next year.
- I have guard so low on my priorities because I think Pinkston and Lauvao have potential and am willing to go into the season with those two as starters. If Steinbach came back, I would be more excited about the position, but I would settle on Pinkston and Lauvao as a worst case scenario.
The Trent Richardson Mock
#4: Trent Richardson (RB) Alabama - The most complete back in the draft that could give the offense another dimension with how well he catches the ball out of the backfield.
#22: Stephen Hill (WR) Georgia Tech - raw prospect, but the threat of connecting deep could make him a huge piece of this improving offense... even if his catches and receiving yards stats are not impressive.
#37: Bobby Massie (OT) Ole Miss - Raw but extremely stong with potential to start at RT. Nice run blocking.
#67: Cam Johnson (DE) Virginia - a solid DE prospect to compete with Frostee.
#100: Marvin Jones (WR) California - Great size, speed, hands - caught virtually everything at the Senior Bowl and Combine workouts.
#118: Demario Davis (LB) Arkansas State - explosive, could play inside or outside, and I would even consider him earlier than this.
#139: Marcus Forston (DT) Miami - has the talent to contribute to the DT rotation if developed.
#160: BJ Coleman (QB) Tennessee-Chatanooga - as long as he passed his interview about why he left Tennessee, he has ideal physical tools and looked great during the Shrine Game.
#204: Micah Pellerin (CB) Hampton - a potential gem in one-on-one coverage.
#205: Danny Trevathan (LB) Kentucky - at worst, a special teams contributor and depth at LB.
#211: James Carmon (OT) Mississippi State - raw but could be really formidable future player - would even consider him earlier than this.
#245: Daryl Richardson (RB) Abilene Christian - depth at running back plus could potentially return kicks.
#247: Phillip Thomas (FS) Syracuse - at this pick, Thomas would be a good risk despite some disciplinary issues.
The Justin Blackmon Mock
#4: Justin Blackmon (WR) Oklahoma State - Fantastic 2 year production, even when defenses double-teamed him, on the way to back-to-back Biletnikoff awards.
#22: Johnathon Martin (OT) Stanford - Could start game 1 at right tackle and could be a big factor in the running game.
#37: Doug Martin (RB) Boise State - Aside from Richardson, the most complete back in the draft.
#67: Brock Osweiler (QB) Arizona State - If he is available at the beginning of the 3rd round, he is an excellent development prospect.
#100: Nigel Bradham (LB) Florida State - Fast and physical upgrade as a weakside linebacker.
#118: Coryell Judie (CB) Texas A&M - "a naturally gifted athlete with good range and great ball skills"
#139: Jaye Howard (DT) Florida - has great upside but underperformed last year - depth for Taylor and Rubin.
#160: Jack Crawford (DE) Penn State - depth at defensive end - is a developmental project but has great size and strength.
#204: Michael Smith (RB) Utah State - averaged seven yards a carry as a backup at Utah State.
#205: Dale Moss (WR) South Dakota State - converted basketball player who played one year of WR in college - great size, speed, and coordination but is a major project.
#211: Donnie Fletcher (CB) Boston College - can never have too many defensive backs
#245: Will Blackwell (OG) LSU - depth at guard
#247: Miles Burris (LB) San Diego State - Hard working, good instincts, and great production - at worst, will contribute to special teams and provide LB depth.
The "gulp" Ryan Tannehill Mock
#4: Ryan Tannehill (QB) Texas A&M - not excited about this idea - just wanted to see how it looked if this was indeed the pick.
#22: Kendall Wright (WR) Baylor - The Browns need to be introduced to a vertical passing game.
#37: Lavonte David (LB) Nebraska - Plays bigger than his size and might be the best 4-3 OLB prospect in the draft.
#67: Mitchell Scwartz (OT) California - solid lineman that could potentially start at RT.
#100: Robert Turbin (RB) Utah State - a great pickup for the fourth round - can catch the football out of the backfield.
#118: Trenton Robinson (FS) Michigan State - depth at FS.
#139: Malik Jackson (DE) Tennessee - 6'5" and 270 lbs prospect with long-term upside.
#160: DaJohn Harris (DT) USC - depth at tackle.
#204: Justin Bethel (FS) Presbyterian - played safety and CB.
#205: Joe Looney (OG) Wake Forest - depth at guard
#211: Matt Austin (WR) Utah State - consistently beats coverage, catches the ball, and is a good blocker.
#245: Nicolas Jean-Baptiste (DT) Baylor - great power and size but needs refinement - good rotational guy.
#247: Bryce Brown (RB) Kansas State - the shortest leash possible would be given to Brown considering his past decisions, but he is a consideration based on his one-time status as a RB with a higher rating than Richardson coming out of high school.
** If this was my draft, I would probably go out and sign Cedric Benson to bolster the running backs.
Conclusions:
A quick table summary of all three drafts for comparison and where they would fit if all picks made the 53 man roster:
If I had to pick one mock draft out of those three, the Richardson one was my preference because I would rather use the #4 pick on Richardson than Blackmon or Tannehill. The difference between Richardson and the field is much larger than the gap at WR and I am not crazy about Tannehill in the first round.
I think this draft will be "won" by not missing on the first three picks, finding solid depth and potential starters throughout the middle, and occasionally winning the lottery with picks in the later rounds that overachieve their draft slot. My favorites in all of those categories:
Most Likely Can't Miss Picks (rounds 1-2):
Trent Richardson (RB)
Jonathan Martin (OT)
Lavonte David (LB)
Solid Depth & Potential Starters (rounds 3-4):
Marvin Jones (WR)
Demario Davis (LB)
Malik Jackson (DE)
Potentially Winning the Lottery (rounds 5-7):
James Carmon (OT)
Dale Moss (WR)
Micah Pellerin (CB)
Go Browns!
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