Todd McShay’s NFL Mock Draft 2.0: Browns All Offense
Todd McShay, along with Mel Kiper, provide the NFL Draft coverage on the biggest platform, ESPN. Therefore when they give us their NFL Mock Draft posts we will cover them and expect they will get a big response as fans are very interested in what they have to say.
Todd McShay’s NFL Mock Draft 1.0 (Our Write-Up) gave the Browns Danny Shelton and Jaelen Strong.
Today McShay came out with his NFL Mock Draft 2.0 (ESPN Insider) and there are some big changes on his board. Shelton is already off the board, so are the top 3 receivers and top 2 quarterbacks in the draft before the Browns select at #12. One interesting statement from McShay is in his write-up for Marcus Mariota, drafted 6th to the Jets:
"Analysis: Mariota could slide even further than this on draft day, but I think this pick makes sense for the Jets given their need at QB and the presence of Chan Gailey at offensive coordinator."
Mariota could fall on Draft Day and the Browns could be the one to catch him. That would be a very polarizing pick among Browns fans. Some see Mariota as the hope for the franchise, others see him as another systems quarterback who won’t succeed and is falling for a reason.
So with both QBs, 3 WRs and Shelton off the board who is left for the Cleveland Browns in Todd McShay’s NFL Mock Draft 2.0?
"12 T.J. Clemmings Cleveland Browns (7-9) COLLEGE: Pittsburgh Class: Sr HT: 6-4 WT: 313 POS: OTAnalysis: This would be a tough scenario for the Browns. Their biggest needs are probably right tackle, wide receiver and nose tackle, but the top prospects at each of those positions are already off the board. Johnny Manziel’s future with the team is uncertain, but there aren’t any QBs worth drafting here, either, and Cleveland will instead likely need to add a veteran in free agency (Mike Glennon, perhaps?) if Brian Hoyer goes to another team. Clemmings is a reach here, but he makes sense because of the importance of the position and his high potential. He’s a work in progress, having played only two years of offensive tackle at Pitt, but he has impressive physical tools and is getting better. He excels as a run blocker and would bring strength and toughness to a unit that badly needs it. He’d struggle early in pass protection, but has the potential to improve."
Well the Browns might have a need at right tackle but Clemmings might be a bit of an overdraft here, Clemmings is a good prospect but not a 12th pick. Here is our Draft Profile on Clemmings. Andrus Peat was still on the board and makes more sense at #12. Devin Smith, Dorial Green-Beckham, Eddie Goldman and Dante Fowler Jr. all go off the board before the Browns pick at 19.
"19 Devin Funchess Cleveland Browns (7-9) COLLEGE: Michigan Class: Jr HT: 6-4 WT: 235 POS: WRAnalysis: I gave the Browns an offensive tackle with the No. 12 pick in T.J. Clemmings, and there still isn’t a QB worth drafting here at No. 19 (the pick they acquired from the Bills last May in Buffalo’s trade up to draft Sammy Watkins), so I’m going with a potential difference-maker at WR in Funchess. I liked his passion for the game at times, but questioned it at other times. He was dealing with a miserable QB situation at Michigan, but teams will need to dig deeper into his football character. If there are no concerns there, he’s a top-25 football player in this class. He’s a hybrid TE/WR who fits best as an X wide receiver in the NFL, in my opinion. His frame and body control make him tough to cover even when defenders are in position."
Funchess is such an interesting prospect. He is huge with enough speed to be compared to Alshon Jeffery. For the Browns he would be providing the Browns some size either on the outside or replace Jordan Cameron at tight end. Funchess had some terrible quarterback play at Michigan and has development to do.
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With Tod McShay’s NFL Mock Draft the Cleveland Browns have upgraded two big positions on their offense. Right tackle is secured creating competition with Mitchell Schwartz, John Greco and Michael Bowie for the right guard position. Funchess addresses a big need in the receiving game, and would likely be joined by a free agent acquisition as well.
At this point McShay’s Mock might be the worst case scenario for the Browns up top. With three WRs, two QBs and the top nose tackle off the board the Browns could be staring at over-drafting a need position, as Clemmings seems to be in this Mock, or drafting the best player available where the team has less need. McShay has them addressing a need, while GM Ray Farmer seems to believe in the best player available concept.
What do you think of Todd McShay’s NFL Mock Draft 2.0 for the Browns?