Mel Kiper’s NFL Mock Draft 2.0: Hits Right Spots for Browns
Mel Kiper, like his counterpart Todd McShay, has come out with his NFL Mock Draft 2.0. His Mock seems to hit the right spots for the Cleveland Browns. Kiper is the face of the NFL Draft. He may not analyze tape the same way many new analysts do but he knows his stuff, is keyed in to the right people and has information about 250 or so prospect ready to go at a moments notice.
His NFL Mock Draft 2.0 does not stand out and innovative in many ways, there are a few players a little higher or lower than others have them, but his position makes his Mocks always interesting. Since Marcus Mariota has been a big talk this week for the Browns, here is Kiper’s note on Mariota, who he has going 6th to the Jets:
"Analysis: It’s not a given that Mariota couldn’t fall further than this."
So Mel, like us, believes in the distinct possibility that Mariota’s fall could be farther than others expect, meaning the Browns could be in play through a small trade up or even having him fall to #12.
Now on to Mel Kiper’s 2014 NFL Mock Draft 2.0 for the Cleveland Browns:
"12 Devante Parker Cleveland Browns (7-9) COLLEGE: Louisville Class: Sr HT: 6-2 WT: 207 POS: WRAnalysis: I’ve said before the Browns had one of the strangest, yet really good drafts in recent memory with their 2014 class. They have a total question mark when it comes to their first two picks (Justin Gilbert and Johnny Manziel), but not only did they add an extra first-round pick for 2015, they nailed pretty much every pick beyond that first round. What they didn’t do was get a high-upside talent at wide receiver, and Parker has as high a ceiling as you can find in this class. He can beat defenders to the ball with his size, leaping ability and catch radius, and he’s underrated as a threat to add yards after the catch on short throws. With Josh Gordon potentially done in Cleveland — at a minimum he’s gone for 2015 — Parker looks like a no-brainer here."
Kiper starts off with the big, big play receiver out of Louisville. In Kiper’s Mock, Kevin White is going one pick ahead to the Minnesota Vikings. That would be an interesting decision as Parker, not White, was Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater‘s WR in college.
In Parker, Kiper sees what most see. A big receiver who can catch the ball well, runs good routes and has a big upside. Parker would make whoever the Browns quarterback is next year look better as he comes out of a pro style system and has already developed route running skills. The Browns have other needs but, based purely on drafting talent, Parker is a great pick. Ray Farmer is not likely to reach for need, he has shown the willingness to trade around to get what he wants.
Kiper has the Browns passing on EDGE Dante Fowler Jr., OT Ereck Flowers, RB Melvin Gordon and WR Devin Smith who are all drafted between picks 12 and 19.
"19 Eddie Goldman Cleveland Browns (7-9) COLLEGE: Florida State Class: Jr HT: 6-3 WT: 315 POS: DTAnalysis: When Phil Taylor got hurt last year, the Browns really suffered, particularly when it came to stopping the run. It’s a pretty good example of why you can be only as good as your depth on the defensive line over a long NFL season. The Browns have an extra pick, and given they already added a weapon in the passing game with their earlier pick, this is a good time to add one help on the defensive line. I can see a guy like Malcolm Brown or Jordan Phillips entering the conversation here, but Goldman is a player who already was pretty good in 2014, even when you feel like he’s just scratching the surface of his potential. A healthy Browns defense with some added help up front and a healthy Taylor has the potential to be pretty darn good in 2015."
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Goldman is an interesting player that could shoot up draft boards as the NFL Draft approaches. Kiper makes a great point about how important depth on the defensive line is. Taylor is an interesting player in that fans like him as the Browns nose tackle far more than analysts. The primary goal of a nose tackle is to hold his position and not get moved. Taylor, who wants to make impact plays and crosses the face of the blocker leading him to be easily moved out of the way for the running game. Taylor is a great DT in a 4 man front and does well on the outside as a defensive end in the 3-4, he is not a nose.
Goldman on the other hand could provide that role as well as the other two players that Mel notes in Brown and Phillips. Goldman is just about the height limit most teams want for a big nose tackle. Shorter players tend to do well in that position because they can hold the point of attack better. It is one reason Phillips is a concern, at 6’6″, as a pure nose in a 3-4. The taller the player, the higher the center of gravity. Adding Goldman to Taylor, Armonty Bryant, Desmond Bryant and the rest of the Browns front 3 could have a big impact on a run defense that was last in the league last year.
Kiper has the Browns passing on EDGE Vic Beasley, S Landon Collins, DTs Brown, Phillips and Carl Davis, TE Maxx Williams and a few offensive tackles.
What do you think of Mel Kiper’s NFL Mock Draft for the Browns where he adds a WR and a DT to the young roster?