Nov 2, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns head coach Mike Pettine, owner Jimmy Haslam and general manager Ray Farmer before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports
NFL Mock Drafts are often both fun and frustrating for fans and writers alike. Many fans don’t understand how long it takes to think through and write-up a full 1st Round NFL Mock Draft or a full 7 Round NFL Mock Draft for a specific team. I can say that because I had no clue. Starting with a blank canvas can be very tough. It is much easier just to start with what someone else has done and critique.
On the other hand Mock Drafts are a lot of fun and excitement, especially for Cleveland Browns fans as they look forward to how their team might develop. The Browns actually have a decent roster but have been snake bit by constant change over and lack of a Franchise quarterback to build around. Those two often are connected problems. So as we go into the upcoming NFL Draft, the Browns don’t have as many holes as many people think.
The Browns defense is good but needs to get more stout upfront at stopping the run. Getting John Hughes back from injury and signing Randy Starks will help that but getting a big nose tackle would be optimal. Another pass rusher also seems to be on the Browns mind for the defensive side of the ball, striking out on Trent Cole really hurt. Depth in the secondary and long term replacements for Karlos Dansby and Donte Whitner are also on the menu. So four defensive players drafted, out of the 10 picks the Browns have, would make sense.
The offense is also not in terrible shape. No one knows what Johnny Manziel might become and the Browns are likely not letting their fortunes ride on the guy in rehab. The offensive line is good to great but Alex Mack and Mitchell Schwartz can be free agents after the season so getting a player this year would be helpful. The Browns lack a tight end of note and need to find a #1 type receiver that can have an impact this year while still developing over time. So at least 4 picks used on the offensive side of the ball would be good.
We often use FanSpeak’s Mock Draft Simulator to help us with Browns only NFL Mock Drafts. It has gotten even better as our good friend Matt “Mr. NFL Draft Scout” Miller now has his Big Board up to be used. Miller puts a ton of work into his board and, while not the same as others, is reasonable.
So today we give you our 4 Round Cleveland Browns NFL Mock Draft using Miller’s board:
Next: 1st Round
Jan 10, 2015; Euless, TX, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) during practice at the Euless Trinity High School football field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Marcus Mariota can sit for a year behind Josh McCown to work on all of the concerns people have. Yes he is not Andrew Luck but how many are. Besides Luck and the Manning brothers there a few QBs in the last 10 to 15 years who were can’t miss. Even Philip Rivers, Drew Brees, Big Ben and other “Franchise” guys were not sure fire bets.
Mariota has the size (though his frame needs a bit of strength), arm (not a cannon but can make every throw) and work ethic to be THE guy for the Browns. A year of developing and learning will help him work in the pocket and learn when a player is “NFL open” compared to the wide open windows he faced in Oregon.
Long time DPD readers know that Mariota and Danny Shelton have long been this writer’s favorite players for the Browns. After QB, the Browns biggest need is stopping the run. While Shelton would only be a 2 down player he would instantly upgrade the Browns run defense in a division that loves to run the ball. Shelton, Starks and Desmond Bryant would be a stout front three with Hughes, Billy Winn, Phil Taylor and Armonty Bryant providing the type of depth that Mike Pettine loves to keep players fresh.
Because Shelton is a two down player, and is more valuable to 3-4 scheme teams, he will likely fall farther down the board than we expected. While he can play in even fronts, he isn’t a penetrator that most want from their DTs. For the Browns he would help immediatley upgrade the worst run defense in the league and could catapult the team’s defense into the Top 5 overall. The Browns are that talented at the rest of the positions.
Next: 2nd & 3rd Round
Nov 22, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; UCF Knights wide receiver Breshad Perriman (11) catches an 18-yard touchdown pass against the Southern Methodist Mustangs in the first half at Bright House Networks Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports
While the Browns have brought in Brian Hartline and Dwayne Bowe to help improve the receiving group, they still need a guy who can be the #1 for years to come. Breshad Perriman could be that guy. He is a player that the Browns could show interest in at #19 as well. Perriman is 6’2″ and 212 pounds and has great speed. Some NFL Mock Drafts have him going in the middle of the 1st Round but with the depth at receiver in the draft he could fall.
He will need some time to adjust to the NFL but his athletic skills and not being forced into the #1 role right away will help. He needs to develop his hands and route running, Ray Farmer and Mike Pettine’s most important qualities, but with a year under his belt he could take off. Perriman would see limited time early in the season but as he shows in practice, his reps will increase in games. Exactly how rookies should be treated at skill positions.
As we noted, the Cleveland Browns do not have a tight end of note that will scare teams. Walford has the upside to be that guy. At 6’4″ and 250 pounds he has the size to be a good blocker right away. His long arms and big hands give him a catch radius that will make whoever the Browns QB is happy. He has had some focus issues on the field but poor QB play at The U could be part of the issue.
He ran a 4.79 40 yard dash, for his size that is pretty good. He will never be a speed demon but he can play both the in-line and move tight end roles for the Browns. With Bowe, Hartline, and Andrew Hawkins, Perriman and Walford will not be pressed to be huge contributors early and will be given time to develop in season. Walford would be a huge redzone threat with his big body and long arms.
Next: 4th Round and Wrap Up
Nov 1, 2014; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (14) before the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
With Pettine as the coach, the Browns are likely to draft secondary help every year. This year Ifo Ekpre-Olomu is that. Ifo was expected to be a late 1st, early 2nd round pick before he tore his ACL. Much like Pierre Desir last year, the Browns get a corner that they may have to redshirt for a season in the 4th round. Ifo isn’t the overall physical guy that the Browns have used but has the body type to add strength and the work ethic to make an impact.
Here the Browns get another pass rusher for Pettine’s defense. Hau’oli Kikaha joins his college teammate Shelton with the Browns. He is a pass rush specialist that needs to learn how to play the run. As a standup, substitute OLB for the Browns that is exactly what he would do in his rookie season. Again the Browns take a bit of a injury risk here as he has already had 2 ACL issues. Without those we are likely talking about a 2nd round pick. The Browns, with 10 picks, take a chance here on a guy who can really speed up the Browns pass rush quickly.
So there you have our 4 Round NFL Mock Draft for the Cleveland Browns. We drafted 3 offensive and 3 defensive players, not on purpose, and addressed many of the Browns needs. Mariota will be the QB of the Future after sitting a season. Perhaps the Browns build Manziel’s trade value on the bench and get something in return for him. Shelton should help stop the run right away while Ifo and Kikaha both could have long term impacts on the team’s defense if they stay healthy. Perriman and Walford add physical specimens that are currently lacking on the team. Walford will be needed earlier but Perriman could be the big steal of the draft.
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With a solid foundation and these 6 players, the Browns future would look very bright. They still would have 4 more picks to add at least one offensive lineman, a free safety and an inside linebacker. None of those positions are of immediate need so drafting a developmental player late in the draft makes a ton of sense. With this draft I’d predict the Browns to make the playoffs in 2016 while still being very competitive next year. With the Bengals relying on Andy Dalton and age/turnover happening at a rapid rate in both Baltimore and Pittsburgh, the Browns could quickly ascend to the top of the AFC North mountain.
What do you think of our 4 Round NFL Mock Draft?
Next: Media: Mariota Falling, Browns Trading Up
Proof of the Mock: Click this link and here is the photo.
