NFL Mock Draft 2015: Browns select DeVante Parker, Malcom Brown
By Thomas Moore
Nov 29, 2014; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals wide receiver DeVante Parker (9) runs the ball against the Kentucky Wildcats during the second half at Papa John
Earlier today With the First Pick released a mock draft from the editors of each of the 32 sites that make up the FanSided NFL network.
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Each site in the network made the selection for their team with just one rule: trades were not allowed in this mock draft.
When the NFL Draft kicks off Thursday night at 8, the Cleveland Browns will be holding an NFL-high 10 picks — including two in the first round. This is the second year in a row, and the third in the past four, that the Browns will have two selections in the first round of the draft.
With the No. 12 pick we selected Louisville wide receiver DeVante Parker.
"Even though they are coming off their best season since 2007, the Cleveland Browns still have plenty of holes to fill on their roster. Ideally, the team would have addressed the run defense with the first of their two second-round draft picks, but with Washington nose tackle Danny Shelton off the board, we’re going to fix another roster hole with the selection of Louisville wide receiver DeVante Parker. A year ago general manager Ray Farmer let everyone know he prefers not to take wide receivers this high, but he seems to be thinking differently (and perhaps a bit more clearly?) about the position this year. The Browns signed Dwayne Bowe and Brian Hartline in free agency, and they will pair with the returning Andrew Hawkins to give the Browns a solid veteran group at the wide receiver position. Adding Parker to that group and, suddenly, the Browns may have something.This is a team that will look to run the ball as much as possible on offense and then turn things over to an improving defense, but they still need to throw the ball on occasion and must surround their quarterbacks with as many weapons as possible. Because, let’s face it, even if the Browns were allowed to put Josh McCown, Johnny Manziel, Connor Shaw and Thad Lewis – the quarterbacks currently on the roster — on the field all at the same time, they would still struggle to have adequate production at the quarterback position.One added bonus to this selection: as draftbreakdown.com points out in Parker’s draft profile, Parker’s “per-game production was better than when he had the luxury of Teddy Bridgewater throwing him the ball, which is an indicator that he can succeed regardless of challenging circumstances.”If the Browns and their quarterback situation don’t present “challenging circumstances,” then such a thing does not exist in the NFL."
Sep 27, 2014; Lawrence, KS, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive tackle Malcom Brown (90) warms up before the game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Memorial Stadium. Texas won the game 23-0. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
At No. 19, we selected Texas defensive lineman Malcom Brown.
"At 6’2″ and 320 pounds, Malcom Brown passes all the eye tests, he is a big and strong interior defensive lineman who finished off his junior year with the Longhorns as a consensus All-American and was a finalist for both the Bronko Nagurski Award and Outland Trophy, recording 64 tackles, including 14 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.Brown has great movement skills, range and redirection skills to make plays away from the line of scrimmage. Brown’s 6.5 sacks also shows that he has the strength and intensity to penetrate and make plays behind the line of scrimmage.An added plus is Brown is very mature and fits the mold that the Browns’ organization maybe looking for in their 1st round picks; married with two children and he volunteered his time for the Adam’s Angels Ministry, which is a support organization for families who have children with cancer or have lost children to cancer.The Browns defense has shown some potential, but the defensive interior needs depth and an infusion of talent. The Browns need to be able to stop the run, and Brown would be able to step in and rotate with Phil Taylor in the middle of the Browns defensive interior."
What do you think of the Browns’ picks in this mock draft?