Mel Kiper came out with his NFL Mock Draft 4.0 this morning and he made interesting choices for the Cleveland Browns. His post is only view-able via ESPN Insider but provides us some interesting information on what Mel is thinking.
Lets take a look at Mel Kiper Mock 4.0:
"12 DeVante Parker | Cleveland Browns (7-9) | College: Louisville | Class: Sr. | Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 209 | Pos: WRAnalysis: The Browns have added Dwayne Bowe, but he’ll be 31 in September and is more name value than anything close to a No. 1 receiver at this point in his career. I expect the Browns to pick more than one pass-catcher, and getting Parker here is a good place to start. I do think he has a chance to be as good as any of the three guys already off the board if he can stay healthy. Parker will beat defenders to the ball on high-point catches with his size, leaping ability and catch radius, and he’s underrated as a threat to add yards after the catch on short throws. He’ll help a QB look better. The Browns could also look at a pass-rusher here, or Waynes if he’s still on the board, but Parker makes sense."
DeVante Parker is a good receiver in a deep receiver class. Most have him squarely as the 3rd best WR, a group of 3 that most have separated from the rest of the WR group. There is a lot to love about Parker. The bigger concern is the depth at other positions. Pass rushers are somewhat limited, and likely to be off the board early, and there are only 2 or 3 1st round quality nose tackles.
Kiper notes Trae Waynes, the corner he has off the board earlier, as a possibility. We can’t see the Browns drafting another corner that high. They still have high hopes for Justin Gilbert and just spent money on Tramon Williams. Parker to the Browns seems reasonable and many fans would be happy. His second pick… Different story:
"19 Todd Gurley | Cleveland Browns (7-9) | College: Georgia | Class: Jr | HT: 6-0 | WT: 222 | POS: RBAnalysis: It’s not the pick I’m making as GM of the Browns, but this is a projection, not “Mel’s picks.” The Browns already have added talent at wide receiver, and if healthy the offensive line could be one of the NFL’s best. While they got pretty good production out of the rookie tandem at running back in 2014, Gurley certainly could qualify as the “best player available” at this spot on the board. The Browns can take him knowing he doesn’t have to be an impact player in Week 1, and create an opportunity for him to be a stud for them as he reaches his full potential when at 100 percent."
His wording is interesting. He is saying that he is projecting that the Browns would make this pick. After investing in Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell, using a first round pick on a running back is a strong investment. Based on how GM Ray Farmer values the offensive line and defensive front 7s, drafting a WR and RB in the 1st round would be shocking.
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With the amount of talent in this draft, and the amount of youth at the running back position on the team, this pick would be the most shocking. The earliest it seems like the Browns would draft a RB is the 4th round.
This is where Best Grade Available is far more valuable than Best Player Available. BGA looks at the teams depth chart, value of the position in the NFL Draft and how a team uses a position. Gurley will not fill BGA even if he is BPA.
So what do you think about Mel Kiper’s Mock 4.0 with Parker and Gurley?