Very Early 2015 NFL Mock Draft: Dane Brugler
The NFL season is 1 week in and yet 2015 NFL Mock Draft season is upon us. Actually the first Mock Drafts came out shortly, hours, after the end of the 2014 NFL Draft. We will cover a few in depth later in the season and more as the off-season gets rolling. Throughout the early parts of the season we will pick up one here and there that catch our eye and we think you would be interested in as well.
Today we take a look at Dane Brugler’s 2015 NFL Mock Draft to see how he has the Browns using their 2 first round picks:
"3. Cleveland Browns — Texas A&M OT Cedric Ogbuehi: The Browns strongly considered an offensive tackle with their top-10 pick in the 2014 NFL Draft and will probably again in 2015 if Mitchell Schwartz doesn’t secure his grasp on the starting right tackle spot. Ogbuehi will play left tackle as a senior in 2014, but spent most of his career in College Station at right tackle and could potentially start there in Cleveland while also being the long-term successor to Joe Thomas at left tackle."
Brugler’s order is set by someone else’s projections so don’t get made at him for having the Browns drafting #3. Adding a big time right tackle to an offense that plans to live with the run game makes a ton of sense. While fans will call for a receiver here, the Browns front office has shown what areas of the field they prioritize. I’ll mention here for now that I believe if Marcus Mariota is on the board for the Browns he will be the pick and they will figure out the Johnny Manziel stuff later. Brett Hundley and Jameis Winston would also be of interest. Brugler has Mariota going #1 with Hundley and Winston going 4 and 5.
Ogbuehi is next in the long line of A&M tackles that are expected to be drafted high in the first round. His transition to the left side will be interesting to watch from an NFL perspective. For the Browns replacing Schwartz, by moving him inside, could be a game changer from a protection, pass game perspective. Sadly looking for Joe Thomas’ replacement is starting to become a reality.
"10. Cleveland Browns (from BUF) — Alabama WR Amari Cooper: Regardless of who is at quarterback, the Browns have to get stronger at the wide receiver position, especially on the outside where Josh Gordon‘s absence has left a glaring hole. Cooper isn’t an elite size/speed prospect, but he plays fast with the natural receiving characteristics needed to be a dangerous threat in the NFL. Cooper at the X, Andrew Hawkins at the Y and Gordon at the Z would give Cleveland an impressive trio next season."
With their surprising opening Week 1 win the Bills put the Browns’ fans excitement about their pick on hold a bit. Still projected with the 10th pick and Brugler has the Browns answering the fans’ cries for a receiver. Cooper is considered the best receiver in a weak draft class. Cooper isn’t overly great at anything but could provide a strong #2 in the Browns offense. As Brugler states the trio of Josh Gordon, Cooper and Andrew Hawkins, with Jordan Cameron at tight end would actually scare teams.
Whether the Browns brass would actually select a receiver this high is another question. After the draft it was reported that Sammy Watkins would have been their pick had they not made the Bills trade. While this might be true they showed little emphasis on the position by selecting none throughout the entire draft. Cooper, who projects similar to Marqise Lee and others from the previous draft, would be taken with a much higher pick. Adding Cooper, with Gordon returning, would make for an interesting offense. Yet will Ray Farmer and Mike Pettine be able to pass over a defensive player in favor of a #2 receiver?
Nice Draft
While early, and possibly unrealistic for a ton of reasons, Brugler’s draft for the Browns is exciting. Adding a stud right tackle to an already good offensive line, which gets better with Schwartz moving inside, and a great #2 level receiver while getting Gordon back quickly upgrades the biggest issues on the team. The question mark still lies at the QB position. Will Manziel develop? Will the Browns Franchise Tag Brian Hoyer and bring him back for another year, ala Drew Brees in San Diego? If the Browns draft a QB would they trade Manziel (Dallas) or put him in competition once again?
Nothing serious with only Week 1 in the books, but what do you think of Brugler’s 2015 NFL Mock Draft?