NFL Mock Draft: Bucky Brooks’ Perfect Browns Mock
The Cleveland Browns are at the intersection of “Wanting to Build Via the Draft” and “Some Veteran Free Agents Could Really Help Us Win Now” modes. Thankfully they have the resources to address both of those needs. They have around $50 million in cap space and 10 draft picks in the upcoming draft, including two in the 1st, 4th and 6th rounds.
Free agency will come first then the Browns will finalize their draft plans. From now until then we will continue to cover many of the national, as well as interesting, NFL Mock Drafts that we see and what they say for the Browns. The national perspective on the team is very interesting to us.
Here is Bucky Brooks’ NFL.com NFL Mock Draft:
"PICK NO.12 DANNY SHELTON NT WASHINGTONMike Pettine’s affinity for defensive players makes the addition of a rock-solid defensive tackle a sensible pick for the Browns."
Our fantasy Mock Drafts have all included the big nose tackle from Washington, Danny Shelton. Yet after a great week at the Senior Bowl, and what we assume could be dominate game, Shelton is likely to rocket up teams’ boards. He is getting similar reaction to what Aaron Donald did last year, leading to him being drafted #13. With his dominance last year as a rookie, Donald could set the tone for Shelton to be drafted much higher.
While we love Shelton, we have a small issue with this pick. Marcus Mariota is still available and he was not selected by the Browns. While many have soured on him since the Heisman Trophy win, he still is a favorite of GM Ray Farmer. If he slips to #12 expect the Browns to take him, even if it is to trade him to the Philadelphia Eagles at #20 and adding a second round pick or more.
"PICK NO. 19 JAELEN STRONG WR ARIZONA STATEThe Browns need to upgrade the receiving corps to give Johnny Manziel any chance of succeeding as the franchise quarterback."
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This pick will make some, but not all, Browns fans happy. Jaelen Strong would be the 4th receiver taken in Brooks’ draft. The 6’3″ receiver had an interesting career at Arizona State. He had over one thousand yards in each of his seasons there including 17 total TDs. With Amari Cooper, Kevin White and DeVante Parker off the board Strong is likely the next best receiver to help upgrade the Browns outside. His production in college was high and should foretell a good pro career.
Offensive tackle Andrus Peat, nose tackle Malcom Brown and inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney all were still available when Brooks had the Browns picking. All 3 of those players would likely draw interest from the Browns. Selecting Mariota at 12 and Brown at 19 might be the best case scenario to answering the Browns two biggest questions. Peat and Shelton would fit Farmer’s inside out team building concept while McKinney would give the Browns a pair of inside backers for years to come, along with ’14 draftee Christian Kirksey.
So what do you think of Brooks’ NFL Mock Draft. He fills a big, pun intended, need in the middle of the defense and gives fans an offensive playmaker in Strong.
What grade would you give this NFL Mock Draft?