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2015 NFL Mock Draft: Matt Miller’s 2 Rounder Might Anger Browns Fans

By Jared Mueller

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The 2015 NFL Mock Draft season is slowly upon us. Not all of the selection order has been decided, we have a few weeks left of the NFL Playoffs and Super Bowl before that can happen.. The Cleveland Browns have two picks in the upcoming draft and no offensive coordinator and no quarterbacks coach.

Fans want the Browns to invest heavily on the offensive side of the ball but at this point we have no idea who might be coaching that side of the ball and what they might be looking for. We knew with Kyle Shanahan, who I blame for the drama yesterday (New Window), that he liked receivers who could run precise routes and that size was far less important. The new OC? We shall see.

Matt Miller of Bleacher Report, who we think does a great job, came out with a 2015 NFL Mock Draft last night that includes Two Rounds. Unlike most of his other Mocks, this one doesn’t include any descriptions of why he chose each player. Instead it is right in the middle of his very interesting Scouting Notebook.

So we will give you his picks and try to give you an idea of what Miller is thinking before giving you our thoughts on all three of the picks Miller makes for the Browns in his 2015 NFL Mock Draft:

"12. CLVWR Kevin White, West Virginia"

What Matt Might Be Thinking

“The Cleveland Browns are in need of a wide receiver. Josh Gordon could be gone this off-season and the team has little else besides smaller guys Andrew Hawkins and undrafted rookie Taylor Gabriel. While Ray Farmer has shared his belief that the receiver position is not that important, he might change his mind watching tape of Kevin White.

The West Virginia receiver can make all the plays, provides the Browns with requisite height at the position and has a football player’s heart. With Amari Cooper coming off the board one pick earlier, to the Vikings, the Browns could be worried about a run on receivers before they select again at #19. White is very close to Cooper in my grades and will make whoever the Browns hire as their OC very happy.”

What I am Thinking

Everyone has the Browns going with a receiver in the first round. It seems that most have Cooper far out in front of the rest of the pack but some analysts, like Miller, see things differently. While White might be a fine pick, the depth of wide receiver at the top of this draft (Cooper, White, Devin Funchess, DeVante Parker, Devin Smith, Jaelen Strong and others) make it difficult for me to see the Browns going receiver with their top pick, unless it is Cooper.

Obviously who the offensive coordinator is should really impact this pick. The lone first round tight end prospect, Maxx Williams who Miller has going #24, seems to fit the team’s need at the position later. I expect the first pick to be a lineman, if not a quarterback depending on what happens with Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston. Nothing against the wide receiver position but building from the inside out is vital, and the Browns have needs inside.

"19. CLVDT Danny Shelton, Washington"

What Matt Might Be Thinking

“The Cleveland Browns could not stop the run last year and Ahtyba Rubin is going to be a free agent. Shelton is a monster in the middle. He can hold the point of attack, forcing double teams, as well as be disruptive in the backfield. In the rugged AFC North, the Browns must find a plug in the middle of their defense to stop Le’Veon Bell, Jeremy Hill and whoever is toting the ball in Baltimore.

The Browns could also look to add offensive line help, Cedric Ogbuehi is still available, or another thumper at inside linebacker, Benardrick McKinney should interest the team, but a player like Shelton or Malcom Brown should be high on the Browns list.”

What I am Thinking

Yes please! Those who have been reading DPD for a long time know that I believe that Shelton, Brown or another big nose is the key to the Browns off-season. I would love to see Shelton drafted and B.J. Raji type brought over in free agency. Both could play the nose while Raji can bounce outside at defensive end on running downs to give the Browns an actual ability to stop the run.

With players like Ogbuehi, Browns, McKinney, Strong and others on the board I know Shelton isn’t a sexy pick but man he is a monster. (We will have a draft profile on him later in the day.) This draft is talented in a number of areas and I don’t expect Ray Farmer to reach for a need. Thankfully Shelton is both talented and a need.

"DE Hau’oli Kikaha, Washington"

What Matt Might Be Thinking

“The Browns have invested at the outside linebacker/edge rush position for a few years but still don’t have THE guy. Paul Kruger lived up to his big contract this year but only produced 11 sacks. Barkevious Mingo has had trouble adjusting to the NFL and Jabaal Sheard is a free agent and could be gone soon. Spending a 2nd round pick on a player to rush the quarterback is never a bad idea, as long as that player has talent.

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Kikaha has talent. The 6’3″ senior from Washington has a history of knee issues that could push him down the board but his talent is perfect for the Browns. He has great bend on the edge that allows him to turn the corner quickly, something I value a lot in pass rushers. He is a passionate, hard working player that will fit in with what coach Mike Pettine is trying to build in Cleveland.”

What I am Thinking

Two ACL injuries you say? No thank you. He is one bad snap away from having his career finished. While this is true of all NFL players I would rather not risk it on a player we already know has health issues. Similar to not risking a draft pick this year on a player that has character concerns. All NFL players might but I doubt the Browns draft Dorial Green-Beckham, Noah Spence or any of the other high risk players unless they fall hard.

Miller has QB Brett Hundley going a few picks ahead of the Browns but if he falls to them in the 2nd round I would not be surprised to see him selected. OT Jake Fisher, who Miller has going 5 picks later, could be the perfect right tackle solution that could move over to LT if/when Joe Thomas retires. We profile him here (New Window).

What do you think of Matt Miller’s 2015 NFL Mock Draft adding a wide receiver, a nose tackle and an edge rusher?

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