2015 NFL Mock Draft: Dueling CBS Sports Mocks

The Cleveland Browns are still in the hunt for a AFC Playoff spot at 7 – 5. Yet they returned to Brian Hoyer as their starting quarterback, which many fans are against based on his last four games, and are the 11th ranked team in the AFC. That is how strong the conference is this season. The Browns hopes for the playoffs are dwindling. Likely they need at least 10 wins to give themselves a chance.

While that is going on we get a chance to look forward to the NFL Draft, where the Browns have 10 picks in total, including 6 in the first 4 rounds. To do so we will take a gander at dueling 2015 NFL Mock Draft posts by CBS Sports writers. How do they see the Cleveland Browns using their two 1st round picks?

Dane Brugler

"14. CLEVELAND BROWNS(7-5)Dante Fowler Jr., DE, 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."

• Many fans would not be happy with the Browns spending a first round pick on another defender, especially an outside linebacker. Casual fans want all offense while the Twitter world believes if the Browns go defense they must add at least one defensive lineman high, more would be better, as well as another inside linebacker. Instead Dane, who is a great follow on Twitter and does a good job of interacting, has the Browns trying to replace what they hoped Mingo would give them.

"16. CLEVELAND BROWNS (FROM BUFFALO)(7-5)Kevin White, WR, West Virginia: Josh Gordon is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, but he also needs another pass catching threat opposite him so defenses don’t focus on his side of the field. White has sticky hands and tremendous tracking ability to attack the ball at every level – he would also give Cleveland insurance if Gordon gets in trouble again or doesn’t re-sign with the Browns after next season."

• Adding a wide receiver makes sense for the Browns as Josh Gordon is not for sure to stay out of trouble, Miles Austin is out for the year and could move on after the season and Jordan Cameron‘s future, both contract and health, is very unknown. White has had a great season with over 100 catches for West Virginia. White is already 22 so he may not have a ton of development left but he would be a great #2 receiver for the Browns. Whether GM Ray Farmer and HC Mike Pettine would spend a first rounder on a WR is another question all together.

Rob Rang

"14. CLEVELAND BROWNS(7-5)DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville: The Browns’ defense and running game have been good enough to make them competitive but the lack of a top-flight receiver limits the team’s upside. The club is hopeful, of course, that Josh Gordon will re-emerge as a superstar but cannot rely on him. Parker missed the first seven games of the year with a broken fifth toe in his left foot, but the 6-3, 209 pounder has starred since, demonstrating the fluidity and ballskills to project as a No. 1 target."

• Rang also has the Browns going with a wide receiver but this time it is Parker. Parker is seen to have a higher ceiling than White although the measure about the same. Parker is a little bit younger than White and has more time needed for him to develop. Last year, with Teddy Bridgewater as his QB, Parker had 55 catches and 12 TDs. Both of those numbers dropped this year, 35 receptions and 5 TDs, but Parker’s ability has shown through.

"16. CLEVELAND BROWNS (FROM BUFFALO)(7-5)Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford: As the only team with two first round picks, the Browns have a lot of flexibility, including potentially making a good offensive line one of the league’s elite. A star left tackle for the Cardinal, Peat is blessed with remarkable balance and agility for a man of his 6-7, 315-pound dimensions. He would provide an upgrade over Mitchell Schwartz at right tackle and could be groomed to eventually take over for All-Pro Joe Thomas."

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• A draft that would make most casual fans very, very happy. Peat could be an elite tackle in the NFL. He has struggled a bit this year, dropping his stock from Top 5 to somewhere in the Top 20. After the Combine it would not be shocking if Peat shot back up the boards. Moving Schwartz inside, and having a possible replacement for Thomas down the road, would set the Browns up nicely for now and into the future. Expect Farmer and Pettine to continue to try to build the Browns from the inside out. Peat makes a ton of sense here.

Which draft do you like better?

Do you think the Browns should go for more offense or defense in the first round?

Who would your first two picks be at this moment?