2015 NFL Mock Draft: Browns Trade Up in #TDRMock

The Cleveland Browns are having an amazing season. Many Browns fans do not know what to do with themselves after getting to celebrate a win on Sunday and then another on Thursday. If you are an Ohio State Buckeyes fan you also are celebrating last night’s big win.

A favorite of most Browns fans over the years has been the NFL Draft, and the Mock Drafts that go with them. This is natural since the team is doing so poorly, so early, so often. Not so this year. Yet we also have extra picks in the first, fourth and sixth rounds next year to be excited about as well.

As the editor, I was asked to participate in a 2015 NFL Mock Draft via Twitter by a respected Draft Analyst. Of course I volunteered. (Side note: Doing this Mock doesn’t mean I care any less about this season. Quite the opposite. It is very exciting to think about a playoff team having this many draft picks and Alex Mack and Armonty Bryant returning.)

Luke Easterling of The Draft Report is hosting the Mock. You can find all of the GM’s and the on going results of the 2015 NFL Mock Draft here.

The draft order was not set based on current standings, instead was set based on Vegas odds. Because of that the Browns set to draft 15th, while the Bills were set at 14. Based on standings, especially after today’s game, that is right around where the Browns would be selecting at this point. I expect them to now make the playoffs so their pick will drop but for this draft I was making decisions based only on these draft positions.

The first four picks were not overly surprising. Leonard Williams, Randy Gregory, Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota came off the board 1 – 4. The next pick was the Tennessee Titans. Looking at the Titans, who drafted Zach Mettenberger last year but were lacking any type of big playmaking on the outside I expected that they would select Amari Cooper.

I started negotiations that went relatively smoothly. The Titans are in need an overhaul while the Browns roster is proving to have a bunch of solid pieces. Trading up 9 spots will always be a bit costly but having a second 1st round pick made the choice a bit easier.

I traded the Bills 1st round pick, #14, and 4th rounder, #110, along with the Browns 2nd round pick, #47, for the Titans #5 overall selection. With the 5th pick in the draft the Cleveland Browns select Amari Cooper, Wide Receiver, Alabama.

The Trade

Based on the value chart and the position of the Browns draft picks, the Browns won this trade. The value of the 3 picks the Browns gave up was 1604 while the value of the 5th overall pick was 1700. The 96 point difference is the value of the 5th pick in the 4th round, #101 overall. Not just a slight win especially while still holding on to pick #15.

Had this been the actual draft we would have sent over a 2016 3rd rounder instead of the 4th but the Titans GM wanted to work with picks involved in this mock draft when talking about later picks.

Would Ray Farmer?

I don’t believe that Farmer would make this trade up for Cooper. I could be wrong. Nothing in Farmer’s short term as the Browns GM shows that he values the WR position this much. He spent a small amount of money to get Andrew Hawkins, picked Miles Austin off the scrap heap and didn’t draft a single receiver in his first draft.

He may have interest in making this deal if Williams or another lineman was available that he thought was game changing. The price to go up to #1 was too much.

Right Receiver?

The other argument against going up is the presence of two other receivers that many think could be dominate. Kevin White of West Virginia and Devin Funchess of Michigan are both seen as first round picks. Both have their merits. White is a complete receiver while Funchess could be a Alshon Jeffrey type mismatch in the secondary. Either or both could have been available when the Browns picked at #14, without giving up the two other picks.

Why Not Sammy Watkins Then?

Those who have followed my writing for sometime now know that I am/was fully in favor of the Browns trade to let the Bills select Sammy Watkins. Watkins is a fine player so far as a rookie but has a number of issues against him that made the trade a no brainer for me. He is injury prone, possibly out for the Bills today, has a limited route tree, ins’t crisp in his route running and isn’t physical. Don’t get me wrong he is uber talented, I’m just far happier with Justin Gilbert and Amari Cooper in a two for one swap.

Why Amari Cooper?

Cooper is an all around receiver. He isn’t Calvin Johnson but he is a similar size to Dez Bryant. He runs great routes, catches the ball perfectly with his hands, has great football IQ, limited injury history and can run after the catch. Cooper is making plays in a run first offense and is still dominating. Placing him opposite Josh Gordon, with a re-signed Jordan Cameron and Hawkins inside the two of them gives the Browns possibly the best receiving corp in the league. Put that together with the solid offensive line and running game and you have all the makings of a dominant offense.

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Looking Forward

The Browns still have another first and their third and fourth round picks in this on going 2015 NFL Mock Draft. I will likely be willing to move back in the first to help recoup a little. I expect Farmer to do the same. If I can get a next year’s 1st to go along with a 2nd, and maybe a late 4th, I will likely make that deal. Next year I will be dreaming of Joey Bosa playing 3-4 DE for our Cleveland Browns.

A nose tackle will be the highest priority moving forward, but could be had a little later in the draft. Another inside linebacker, offensive lineman and defensive end are also on the list. The Browns have tons of decisions to make with their free agents next year but also should have some money to add through free agency as well. For now we go with what we know..

The Browns are in playoff contention and have an exciting draft to look forward to. What do you think of this move?

Next: Shawn Oakman is Browns Second 1st Round Pick!

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