Sep 27, 2014; Clemson, SC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Marquise Williams (12) is brought down by Clemson Tigers defensive end Vic Beasley (3) during the second quarter at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Browns season is over. We will spend a good amount of time reviewing the season but we will spend even more time preparing for the off-season. Browns 2015 NFL Draft seems ready to be a very interesting one for the team. With 10 picks, including two in the first round, the Browns are ready to make noise again for the second year in a row.
Instead the 2014 started off strong and ended with a thud. Last year the Browns draft included a big trade down and the drafting of Johnny Manziel. While the first round hasn’t panned out yet, the rest of the draft seems to be great. It is likely that GM Ray Farmer and Head Coach Mike Pettine see a greater need for more veteran talent on a very young roster and we expect them to be aggressive in seeking to bring in that talent during Browns free agency.
After free agency we wouldn’t be surprised if the Browns tried to trade their picks to move up, to get another veteran or went with best player available instead of drafting for need. Farmer did this last year when he drafted Joel Bitonio, Terrance West, Christian Kirksey and others instead of drafting a wide receiver. We could see that again.
In preparation for such we will be taking a look at certain players that we think the Browns could target. Keep in mind we are not saying that these are players they are targeting, although some rumors may start to leak of the Browns having interest in them, instead these are players that we think the Browns could or should have interest in. Our profile will try to include as much information as possible to prepare you for the NFL Draft.
Name
Position
Outside linebacker
Height/Weight (Combine)
6’3”, 246 pounds
School
Clemson University
Stats (Link)
2014 – 13 games; 34 tackles; 21.5 tackles for loss; 12 sacks; 2 forced fumbles
2015 NFL Draft Range
High 1st Round – Beasley is projected as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme and is considered by some draft experts as one of the best pure edge rushers in the draft. He played 48 games over four years with the Tigers, making 25 starts, finishing his career ranked first in school history in sacks, fourth in tackles for loss and tied for seventh in forced fumbles. The ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 2014, Beasley’s 33 career sacks were more than notable Clemson alumni Michael Dean Perry, Gaines Adams and William Perry on the school’s all-time list.
Beasley is considered my many draft experts as one of the best pure edge rushers in the draft, with Bucky Brooks at NFL.com writing that: “With creative defensive coordinators intrigued by the possibility of utilizing Beasley as a hybrid defender in a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme, it’s conceivable that he could a make a DeMarcus Ware-like impact in the right situation.”
“With creative defensive coordinators intrigued by the possibility of utilizing Beasley as a hybrid defender in a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme, it’s conceivable that he could a make a DeMarcus Ware-like impact in the right situation.” – Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
According to his draft profile at NFL.com, however, Beasley has a “high cut with narrow waist and thin legs (and) needs to add more bulk. Wins with athleticism on majority of his sacks. Good football character, but scouts are concerned about a lack of alpha-dog tenacity.”
Does that remind you of another outside linebacker currently on the roster, Browns fans?
Fit with the Browns
The Browns are currently thin at the outside linebacker position, with Paul Kruger and Barkevious Mingo the starters, and Keith Pough, a second-year player out of Harvard, the only other outside linebacker on the roster.
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Beasley would be a great addition for the Browns, with Pettine and defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil falling into the category of “creative defensive coordinators.”
The downside, other than the fact that if the experts are right about Beasley he will not be available when the Browns pick at No. 12, is that his frame is similar to Mingo, who is listed at 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds. We have to wonder if Beasley will be able to take the pounding of 16 weeks of NFL football.
Browns Player Selection Could Impact
N/A – The Browns have an obvious lack of depth at the outside linebacker position after the loss of Jabaal Sheard in free agency. While Beasley may not be there for the club at No. 12, if he were to fall into the 8-10 range, Farmer could be tempted to move up to select Beasley.
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How the Selection Could Be Impacted by Free Agency
N/A – The Browns look like they have identified the need for solid veteran leadership across the board and they went out and got a veteran in Randy Starks to help in the middle against the run. The Browns’ have addressed key needs along the defensive line and wide receiver thus far in free agency, but now they need depth at the outside linebacker position.
Priority
High – The Browns defense has shown potential, but the front seven needs depth and an infusion of talent is needed. The Browns only addressed these needs thus far by signing Hughes to an extension and veteran Starks in free agency; they will need to add depth via the draft. Beasley would be a great fit for the Browns as they need someone to help rush the passer along with Mingo and Kruger. The only question is if he will available when the Browns go on the clock.
What do you think about targeting Vic Beasley in the 2015 NFL Draft?