2015 NFL Mock Draft: Dual CBS Sports Mocks Upgrade Browns
Nov 15, 2014; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive lineman Dante Fowler Jr. (6) rushes past South Carolina Gamecocks tight end Cody Gibson (90) during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. South Carolina Gamecocks defeated the Florida Gators 23-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The 2015 NFL Draft first 20 picks are now set. That means it is time to start looking at 2015 NFL Mock Draft posts more closely. We start this morning with an old favorite of ours: Rob Rang and Dane Brugler’s Dual Mock Drafts.
Rang and Brugler has been covering the draft for a long time and their consistency in the process, as well as posting consistently, is commendable.
So let us get started taking a look at their 2015 NFL Mock Drafts:
"12. Cleveland Browns – DE/OLB Dante Fowler, Florida The Browns have invested early round picks in pass rushers in recent years, but haven’t been able to consistently put pressure on the opposing backfield. With Jabaal Sheard set to hit free agency and Barkevious Mingo struggling to establish himself as a reliable rush threat, the need is there for Cleveland to address the position again and Fowler is a great fit with his relentless energy off the edge."
Dane has been pretty steady lately of having the Browns upgrade their outside pass rush. He, like many, have concerns about Mingo’s ability to get to and sack the quarterback. Injuries have hurt the slim Mingo but he seemed very close on many plays this season. Instead of sticking with Mingo and Paul Kruger, as well as Jabaal Sheard should they re-sign him, Brugler has the Browns going with the big motor, constant pursuit guy in Fowler.
That pick won’t likely get many fans excited, nor will they believe that is a good use of such a high pick. By the time the draft rolls around a few things almost always are true: defensive linemen, offensive linemen and pass rushers are often drafted higher than we expect. In Brugler’s draft, Fowler is the 3rd pure pass rusher off the board. His selection still leaves the Browns needing at nose tackle, right tackle and wide receiver, not to mention quarterback depending on what you believe.
"19. Cleveland Browns (from BUF) – DL Malcom Brown, Texas The Cleveland run defense has been a glaring weakness all season and a big reason for that is the lack of depth in the trenches. Brown is a versatile player who wins with quickness and power and can line up anywhere on Cleveland’s three-man front."
While nose tackle is a huge, pun intended, need for the Cleveland Browns, fans would likely be up in arms over a first round with no addition to the offensive side of the ball. First we will look at Brown and what he brings. The 6’2″ 320 pound junior was a finalist for both the Nagurski Award and Outland Trophy, two of the most prestigious defensive awards in football. As Dane talked about, Brown is quick and powerful giving the Browns a player they can move all over their line depending on what they do with Phil Taylor and who they add in free agency.
However with the selections of Fowler and Brown Brugler has passed on a number of players that Browns fans would expect to see picked before either of those players. First he has Brown over Danny Shelton, which goes against what most analysts think. Besides that he has 3 offensive linemen and 1 wide receiver selected between the Browns 12th and 19th picks. At WR, in Brugler’s draft, the Browns could have draft the following: Kevin White, Jaelen Strong, Dorial Green-Beckham (No chance do I think the Browns touch him if he comes out, unless he falls) and Devin Funchess. Not a way to make fans in Cleveland Dane but his thinking seems to match Ray Farmer‘s.
Maybe Rob Rang hooked the Browns up. Check the next slide for his picks and our analysis.
Next: Rob Rang's Mock Help the Offense?