Cleveland Browns Mock Draft Roundup
By Thomas Moore
Nov 23, 2013; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals wide receiver DeVante Parker (9) stiff arms Memphis Tigers defensive back Andrew Gaines (28) during the second quarter at Papa Johns Cardinal Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
The NFL Draft opens one week from today in Chicago and, as such, mock drafts are all the rage.
The Cleveland Browns hold two picks in the first round — currently No. 12 and No. 19 – which makes the team the subject of rumors, speculation and angst over what general manager Ray Farmer will do once the Browns are on the clock.
The following is a roundup, courtesy of ESPN Cleveland, with the latest first-round mocks from a variety of sources.
No. 12 – Louisville WR DeVante Parker
"“The Browns really need a receiver after not taking one in last year’s draft and with Josh Gordon’s NFL future in doubt. Parker is a good value at this spot; he’s a big target who can threaten defenses vertically with his speed and come down with contested catches. The Browns’ biggest need is at quarterback, but they won’t be able to draft one in the first round in this scenario. They’ve been mentioned as a team that could move up to draft Marcus Mariota, but I don’t think they’re as likely to do so as some of the other teams I’ve mentioned so far.”"
No. 19 – Texas DT Malcom Brown
"“The Browns lost both Jabaal Sheard and Ahtyba Rubin in free agency, and Phil Taylor is recovering from knee surgery and entering the final year of his contract, so adding a versatile player like Brown to their defensive front would be a wise move. He is just average as a pass-rusher but is excellent versus the run, and he showed the ability to play multiple roles in multiple defensive schemes while at Texas. He’ll help shore up the Browns’ run defense, after they landed a big-play wide receiver in DeVante Parker with the No. 12 pick.”"
No. 12 – Louisville WR DeVante Parker
"“So … how’s that quarterback situation going, Cleveland? So well that the franchise signed veteran journeyman Josh McCown to a three-year, $14 million deal in the off-season, and they’re just hoping that Johnny Manziel can someday resemble a functional player at the NFL level. And with Josh Gordon out of the picture in perpetuity (he can’t apply for NFL reinstatement until after the 2015 season) more targets are needed for this particular mess. The 6’3”, 209-pound Parker is ranked by many as the third receiver in this class behind Amari Cooper and Kevin White, based on his prolific production (156 catches for 2,775 yards and 33 touchdowns during his time with the Cardinals, with 43 catches for 855 yards and five touchdowns in just seven games last season) and total skill set, and he projects very well as a No. 1 receiver. He’d have to wait a while for a No. 1 quarterback if the Browns take him, but this passing offense has to start somewhere.”"
No. 19 – Texas DT Malcom Brown
"“The Browns have had two first-round picks in two different drafts since 2012—safe to say, things haven’t gone so well between Brandon Weeden, Trent Richardson, Johnny Manziel and Justin Gilbert. The aforementioned DeVante Parker pick could start to turn that around, and Brown might be a great addition to a defensive line that’s already pretty strong with Phil Taylor and Randy Starks on the inside. But Starks is 31 and Taylor is in the last year of his contract. Brown would fit in Mike Pettine’s defense because he can penetrate and stop the run from one- and two-gap positions, giving the Browns some serious versatility.”"
Aug 30, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive tackle Eddie Goldman (90) on the line of scrimmage against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Florida State beat Oklahoma State 37-31. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
No. 12 – Louisville WR DeVante Parker
"“Cleveland Browns, meet your new top dawg at wide receiver. He makes big plays and you will love the way he competes for the ball.”"
No. 19 – Florida State DT Eddie Goldman
"“This feels too rich for a run-stuffer who is unlikely to play on passing downs, but his physicality against the run cannot be undersold.”"
No. 12 – Louisville WR DeVante Parker
"“Parker would give the Browns a true No. 1 wideout.”"
No. 19 – Florida State DT Eddie Goldman
"“Goldman is a dominant run defender and would be a nice fit in Mike Pettine’s scheme.”"
Jan 2, 2015; Tempe, AZ, USA; Washington Huskies defensive lineman Danny Shelton (55) reacts as he taunts Oklahoma State Cowboys wide receiver David Glidden (13) in the 2015 Cactus Bowl at Sun Devil Stadium. Oklahoma State defeated Washington 30-22. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
No. 12 – Washington NT Danny Shelton
"“Cleveland needs a power player in the middle of the defense. Shelton is that and he might be able to push the pocket.”"
No. 19 – Miami (Fla.) WR Phillip Dorsett
"“Has blazing speed and the Browns have a real need at his position. Dorsett is far more than just a speed guy. He is a polished receiver.”"
No. 12 – Louisville WR DeVante Parker
"“The Browns have obvious needs in the front seven on defense, but with Parker still available in this scenario, will they pass on a player like Danny Shelton for a potential No. 1 receiver? Yes.”"
No. 19 – LSU OT La’el Collins
"“The Browns need to add depth on the offensive line and Collins would give the team a long-term option at right tackle to replace Mitchell Schwartz, who is likely playing his final season in Cleveland this year.”"
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"“The idea persists or persisted for a while anyway that Chip Kelly, if he wants to get Marcus Mariota, has to make one swift, bold, all-in move up the draft board in order to acquire his old quarterback. This makes sense logically because it properly values Mariota as a top-five pick in a quarterback league with potential suitors lurking up and down the draft board.“It ignores, however, the possibility of Kelly making two trades in order to get all the way up to No. 2 overall. He can’t convince the Titans to drop to 20, not without giving up a ridiculous ransom. But he could probably convince them to drop down 10 spots or so in the draft and all he needs is a third team involved who will deal with him.“That third team’s been sitting there for weeks, ever since the Cleveland Browns offered Kelly a first-round pick for his newly acquired quarterback Sam Bradford.“So let’s bring that deal back and have the Browns give the Eagles a first-round pick (No. 12) in exchange for Sam Bradford (Philly can throw in a third-round pick to expedite the deal maybe?). The Browns own No. 19 in this draft and have their new quarterback. The Eagles own No. 12, which Kelly promptly packages with No. 20 overall and sends to the Titans in exchange to the rights for No. 2.”"
No. 19 – LSU OT La’el Collins
"“With Sam Bradford in tow the Browns need to improve on an already decent offensive line. Collins gives them someone who can move Mitchell Schwartz to guard or play inside himself if necessary, but also a physical presence in the run game.”"
What do you think of these mock drafts?