Mel Kiper’s 2015 NFL Mock Draft 3.0
THE NFL Mock Draft guy, Mel Kiper, is back with his 2015 NFL Mock Draft 3.0. As a quick review this is who Kiper has had the Cleveland Browns drafting in his first two:
1.0 – #12 – Danny Shelton, #19 – Ereck Flowers
2.0 – #12 – DeVante Parker, #19 – Eddie Goldman
So after getting a defensive/nose tackle in each of his first two NFL Mock Drafts to go along with an offensive players, one receiver and one offensive lineman, in what direction does Kiper go in his third version as teams start their pre-draft visit process:
"12 Danny Shelton Cleveland Browns (7-9) COLLEGE: Washington Class: Sr HT: 6-2 WT: 339 POS: DTAnalysis: Teams ran consistently and effectively on the Browns last season, and it started in the middle of the line, where they just didn’t have the block-eaters after Phil Taylor was lost with an injury. And while we know the Browns need to add at least one pass-catcher who can come in and help early, Shelton landing here would be a gift. He’s not as disruptive as sack and TFL totals indicate, but he can eat up double-teams at the point of attack and make others around him better. He has great awareness and will occasionally simply discard blocks and make the tackle himself. He can also eat up snaps. At 340 pounds, he’s exactly what the Browns need in the middle."
Shelton has been a player that we have been beating the drum for since the end of the college season. He played the most snaps of any defensive tackle in college last year, which accounts for some of the issues of effort seen on film. The Browns, as Kiper notes, are in desperate need of someone to leverage the middle of the defense. Someone who can anchor down and not move even when double teamed. Shelton has that but can also penetrate when he turns anchor to rush on passing plays. For the Browns he will be an important 1st and 2nd down player but with his size will get needed rest on third downs.
Kiper does have the Browns skipping on Parker this time, who is then taken by the Miami Dolphins with the 14th pick. The Browns also pass on Malcom Brown, 17th to the San Diego Chargers, who some believe is better than Shelton, with more versatility. At 18 another receiver, Jaelen Strong, is off the board as well. Who does that leave for the Browns at 19?
"19 Ereck Flowers Cleveland Browns (7-9) COLLEGE: Miami (FL) Class: Jr HT: 6-6 WT: 329 POS: OTAnalysis: I can see Browns fans cringing at the thought of a first round with two picks that doesn’t deliver a wide receiver. But let’s remember this draft is packed with pass-catching talent, and if the board breaks this way I think the Browns could target a potential high-impact offensive lineman rather than taking the fifth receiver available at No. 19 overall. The Browns were really set back on offense last year when they lost Alex Mack, and while Flowers isn’t a center, a player like him would have helped offset the brutal ripple effect we saw last year. For a team that has to run the ball to be successful on offense, making sure things are in a good place up front is crucial. The Browns can still get a couple of good pass-catchers from this draft."
Kiper is right about a couple things: 1) Browns fans will likely be unhappy without a receiver in the 1st round and 2) This draft is very deep at receiver. The interesting thing is the perceived drop off from the top 3 WR (Amari Cooper, Kevin White and Parker) and the next very, very deep group. Browns fans rightfully believe they need a #1 type receiver but, when looking at Devin Smith, Breshad Perriman, Devin Funchess and the rest, they are unsure that player exists after those top 3. They could be right, they could also be disappointed.
Kiper’s pick of an offensive lineman is interesting. The Browns line is good, with Michael Bowie coming back from injury and expecting to compete and Alex Mack returning to start at center. Drafting an offensive lineman makes sense for the Browns with RT Mitchell Schwartz and Mack possibly becoming free agents after the season. Cameron Erving, who played both left tackle and center in college, would make a bit more sense. A pass rusher like Eli Harold, picked 21 in Kiper’s NFL Mock Draft, could also make sense here.
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So Mel Kiper goes back to his 2015 NFL Mock Draft 1.0 for the Cleveland Browns. Many think Shelton could be off the board before the Browns pick at 12 but his limited scheme versatility could have him dropping even further. Flowers is a good offensive line prospect but doesn’t fill anything close to an immediate need for a Browns team that has a lot to prove.
The good news is that even with these two picks the Browns have 8 more to try to accumulate the kind of talent they want on their roster. A second round receiver should be in the cards if things fall the way Kiper expects with another inside linebacker, strong safety, defensive end and tight end on the wish list as well.
What do you think of Mel Kiper’s 2015 NFL Mock Draft 3.0 for the Browns?