Peter King Mock Draft: Browns take Shelton, Perriman
By Thomas Moore
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
Peter King has posted his final mock draft at Monday Morning Quarterback and he has the Browns addressing what could be the two biggest holes on the roster – defensive line and wide receiver.
The Browns currently hold two selections in the first round of the draft, which kicks off Thursday at 8 p.m. in Chicago. With their first pick in the draft, King has the Browns selection Washington nose tackle Danny Shelton:
"The Browns love Shelton, and coach Mike Pettine desperately needs the athletic heft he’d bring to the interior line. I’ve thought during the draft process that Shelton would be strictly a two-down player, but the more I’ve talked to teams in the last week, the more I see him having some role (if not a consistent one) in the pass game; he had nine sacks for the Huskies last year and broke through offensive lines for 16.5 tackles for loss. Browns really hoping he’s there at 12."
If the Browns make this pick there are few who will argue. As our own Paul Noel wrote in his draft profile of Shelton:
“Danny Shelton is a college senior who passes all the eye tests heading toward the draft. He is a big and strong interior defensive lineman who finished off his senior year with AP All-American honors, recording 93 tackles, including 16.5 tackles for loss and 9 sacks. Danny has a wide frame that allows him to anchor and hold, even against double teams that were thrown his way often. Shelton would fit the need the Browns are looking for in a high motor player who has the ability to hold the line and take on double teams while allowing edge defenders to go free toward the quarterback. But his skills as a two-gap run stopper are what should really draw the Browns’ attention. His quick burst and ability to shed lineman and tackle the ball carrier nearby is exactly what the Browns defense needs.”
King comes back at No. 19 to select Central Florida wide receiver Breshad Perriman:
"Had this pick here before news broke of GM Ray Farmer having dinner with Perriman in Orlando Sunday night. Makes too much sense, unless Farmer goes with the more physical Jaelen Strong, which would be a good choice also. (Or unless Farmer goes for long-term offensive-line depth.) Perriman’s more explosive than Jaelen Strong, though his hands aren’t quite as good. What it came down to for me is the explosiveness. Yards per catch in 2014: Perriman 20.9, Strong 14.2."
Perriman would be a good addition to a receiving group that was strengthen in free agency with the addition of Dwayne Bowe and Brian Hartline. As Noel points out in his draft profile on Perriman:
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“At 6’2″, Perriman is another wide receiver prospect that could step-in and stretch the field for the Browns’ offense. The Browns’ offense desperately missed the deep ball last season and had to rely heavily on the slot receivers to stretch the defense. Perriman has the size, strength, and great quickness to get separation and make contested catches, the big question mark is if he can do it consistently.”
The NFL Draft moves from New York to Chicago for 2015, with Thursday’s first round scheduled for an 8 p.m. ET start. The draft will resume for rounds two and three on Friday beginning at 7 p.m., and the draft will conclude on Saturday with rounds four through seven beginning at noon ET.
What do you think of King’s mock draft?