Browns Select DE Barkevious Mingo in First Round of 2013 NFL Draft

The Cleveland Browns didn’t do anything exciting in the first round of the 2013 NFL draft, and that’s exactly what they hoped for.

With the selection of LSU defensive end Barkevious Mingo with the sixth overall pick, the Browns got the guy they were targeting all along. In the Browns’ new base 3-4 defense, Mingo will mostly play linebacker, joining what looks to now be a crowded rotation.

In 2012, Mingo had 38 total tackles (8.5 for a loss) to go along with 4.5 sacks. These numbers were down from his junior season, where he had 46 tackles (15 for a loss) and eight sacks.

It’s hard to dispute a pick like this, though. No one has argued that the Browns don’t need help with the front seven, so Mingo is a no-brainer selection.

Besides quarterback Geno Smith (who probably wasn’t much of an option to begin with), the Browns could have easily selected cornerback Dee Milliner as well and pleased just about everybody. Opposite Joe Haden, there isn’t much to choose from in the secondary, but there is plenty of time for the Browns to target help in that area.