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Cleveland Browns: A full first-round mock draft

By Steven Kubitza

Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) celebrates after a touchdown by running back Wayne Gallman (not pictured) in the 207 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bart Boatwright/The Greenville News via USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) celebrates after a touchdown by running back Wayne Gallman (not pictured) in the 207 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bart Boatwright/The Greenville News via USA TODAY Sports /
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Dawg Pound Daily joined a recent mock draft to give our take on who the Cleveland Browns will select in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

In case you weren’t aware, the Cleveland Browns own the No. 1 and No. 12 overall picks in the 2017 NFL Draft.

This has led to fans and analysts alike offering up their opinions on what the team should do with those two picks.

We here at Dawg Pound Daily are no different, as we have also been offering up our takes on what the team should do. That continued Thursday night when I joined Chat Sports’ live first-round mock draft.

This particular mock draft saw bloggers and journalists from all over the country come together to pick a complete first round. While some mock drafts are only done by one person, thus leading to ideal results for a specific team, this draft allowed everyone to base the picks on who was still left on the board.

This didn’t affect the first overall pick, which was used on Myles Garrett. At this point, the Browns need to take the most talented player available at No. 1 overall, and that player is Garrett. The team has often overthought these seemingly simple decisions, and for once talent must be taken, regardless of position.

As for the No. 12 overall pick, I went with Deshaun Watson. Malik Hooker was the ideal choice at that spot, but with him already off the board, Watson was a steal at No. 12.

This draft did not allow for trades, so it is very possible the Browns trade this pick for a player like Jimmy Garoppolo. But for mock drafting purposes, Watson at No. 12 overall gives the Browns a franchise quarterback, allowing the front office to focus on all the other positions in need of improvement.

And if Watson doesn’t end up being a great player in a few years, the team should already be built up enough to where another quarterback can be selected. Having the infrastructure in place makes it much easier for a young quarterback to step in and succeed, as opposed to the usual Browns strategy of taking a quarterback without giving him any help.

Next: The baseball-style rebuild begins

This mock draft turned out well for the Browns, so it will be interesting to see if these results hold up as accurate in April. But knowing the Browns, there will be some surprises along the way.

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