NFL Mock Draft: Mariota Falls in CBS Dual of Mocks
Where Marcus Mariota goes and what the Cleveland Browns do with their two 1st Round Picks will make many NFL Mock Drafts very interesting. Jameis Winston is likely to go 1st overall but Mariota could go between 2nd and likely 12th to the Browns. It would be unexpected if the Browns pass on Mariota if he was at 12, even with spending a 1st Round Pick on Johnny Manziel this year.
We have seen scenarios where Mariota falls a bit and today we take a look at CBS Sports and their dual of NFL Mock Drafts. We enjoy looking at Rob Rang and Dane Brugler as these national draft guys look forward to the NFL Draft. So let us take a look at how these two do facing off with each other for both of the Browns pick:
#12
Rang
"12. CLEVELAND BROWNS(7-9)Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon: With four quarterbacks already on the roster (Josh McCown, Johnny Manziel, Connor Shaw and Thaddeus Lewis), the Browns appear likely to be focusing elsewhere for the draft. The problem is that none of those quarterbacks exactly inspires confidence. New quarterback coach Kevin O’Connell has worked with Mariota throughout the offseason and orchestrated the reigning Heisman Trophy winner’s Pro Day. Cleveland might not aggressively move up to get a quarterback but if Mariota fell into its lap, it might be easier to gamble on yet another passer in the first round (it would be the third time in four years) than to let him fall further and potentially become a star elsewhere."
Brugler
"12. CLEVELAND BROWNS(7-9)Danny Shelton, DT, Washington: Cleveland needs to revamp the front-seven in order to stop the run and a good place to start is at nose tackle. Shelton won’t have the same type of production in the NFL like he did at Washington, but he should be a long-term anchor for a three-man front."
Wow! In both of their NFL Mock Drafts both Rang and Brugler have the Browns getting two of their biggest needs met. Mariota and Shelton could be the two best players to fill two of the Browns biggest needs. Besides receiver, getting either Mariota or Shelton would make this writer very happy.
Brugler has Mariota gone to the New York Jets at #6 but Rang has the Jets getting a a pass rusher in Vic Beasley instead. Rang has Shelton off the board at 7 to the Chicago Bears. Rang passes on DeVante Parker, one of the top 3 wide receivers in the draft, while Brugler passes on Malcom Brown and some offensive linemen.
Now let’s see how these two upgrade the Browns with pick 19:
Rang
"19. CLEVELAND BROWNS (FROM BUFFALO)(7-9)Malcom Brown, DT, Texas: The Browns finished dead last in the NFL in run defense a year ago and have allowed more than 2,000 rushing yards in 14 of the past 16 seasons – a recipe for disaster in the black and blue AFC North. The 6-4, 320-pound Brown is a stout run defender who add bulk and strength to an otherwise undersized front."
Brugler
"19. CLEVELAND BROWNS (FROM BUFFALO)(7-9)Alvin Dupree, DE, Kentucky: The Browns addressed the front-seven at pick No. 12 (Danny Shelton) and could do so again with a pass rusher at No. 19. Dupree is a tremendous athlete for his size and adds a dynamic element to Mike Pettine’s defense."
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Two divergent ways of thinking about how the Browns should build their team. Rang upgrades both the offense and defense, filling QB and defensive line needs, while Brugler follows what many assume the team will be prioritizing, the defense. Brown is not a template nose tackle but can do a great job in either the 3 or 5 technique with Randy Starks or Billy Winn at the nose. Arik Armstead, Andrus Peat, Jaelen Strong or Maxx Williams could be good picks at 19 as well.
With Brugler’s Mock the Browns get a nose tackle in Shelton and can rush the passer with Dupree. Dupree is universally seen as a 1st round talent but has a lot of work to do. Much like Barkevious Mingo, Dupree needs to develop multiple moves. Peat, Breshad Perriman, Eli Harold, Eddie Goldman or even Landon Collins could fill the Browns need at 19 in Brugler’s NFL Mock Draft.
So which pick do you like better at each spot? Mariota or Shelton at 12 and Brown or Dupree at 19?