Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the podium on stage before the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Browns had a productive weekend at the 2015 NFL Draft, selecting 12 players across the three day and seven round event. The event was meet with much optimism and excitement, especially with the Browns grabbing some key additions and depth. Those dozen players were the most of any team in the draft and the highest total for the Browns since 2000. The picks brought quantity to the Browns organization, but more importantly they brought quality players as general manager Ray Farmer and Head Coach Mike Pettine continue to reshape the roster and give the Browns the type of identity they have been lacking since returning to the NFL as an expansion team in 1999.
Lets take a look back at each of the Browns 12 selection:
Next: 1st Round
1st Rd – 12th Overall
Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Danny Shelton (Washington) poses for a photo after being selected as the number 12th overall pick to the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Danny Shelton
The 6-foot-2, 339-pound Shelton is a player born to play in the AFC North Division.
According to his draft profile at NFL.com, “(Shelton’s) thick frame and powerful upper body (means he) has moments where he can dominate at the point of attack. He was forced to chase sideline to sideline due to the nature of Pac-12 offenses, but when he faced downhill competition like Stanford, he stepped up. Shelton is an above-average interior pass rusher for a man his size, thanks to his surprising athleticism. He is a fit in a two-gap scheme and could benefit from playing fewer snaps than he was forced to play at Washington. He has an All-Pro ceiling.”
But it gets even better Browns fans.
According to CBSSports.com, Shelton is “built like a Coke machine and he’s just as tough to move. Natural wide-body with thick thighs that help him anchor, even against double-teams. Surprisingly coordinated and flexible despite his square-ish frame, frequently splitting double-teams to wreak havoc at the line of scrimmage, including blocking three kicks. “Possesses a powerful bull-rush to walk centers deep into the pocket and slides off blocks easily to grab hold of ball carriers nearby. Shelton is surprisingly light on his feet and plays with terrific effort in pursuit, rushing to the sidelines and downfield against the run and pass. He locates the football quickly and has a legitimate short-area burst to close.” Shelton should make an immediate impact on a Browns defense that in 2014 ranked 27th in the NFL in yards per carry (4.5), 28th in runs of 20-plus yards (16) and 32nd in rushing yards per game (141.6). He joins a defensive line rotation with Phil Taylor, John Hughes, Randy Starks, Billy Wynn and Desmond Bryant that has the potential to start making opposing running backs work for their yards.
After months of speculation that the Browns would move up to select Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, general manager Ray Farmer either couldn’t pull off a deal that wasn’t one-sided against the Browns, or simply chose to stay put and draft a player that will fill one of the teams biggest holes.
Next: 1st Rd - 19th Overall
1st Rd – 19th Overall
Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Cameron Erving (Florida State) poses for a photo after being selected as the number 19th overall pick to the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Cameron Erving
The 6-foot-5, 313-pound Erving is a player born to play in the hard running AFC North Division.
According to his draft profile at NFL.com, “(Erving) keeps busy and works to secure blocks in run game. Good foot quickness into pass set. Consistently in ready position with good hand readiness in pass sets. Uses good hand placement and has natural timing with hands. Converted defensive tackle who will continue to improve in the NFL with more experience at center. Displays good snap-to-step quickness. Uses quickness to attack defender and begin his grind much earlier than when he played tackle.”
Erving should make a significant impact on a Browns offensive line by competing with Mitchell Schwartz and John Greco for a starting position on the right side of the line. Schwartz did a lackluster job in 2014 giving up 7 sacks, 3 QB hits, and 12 QB hurries on the right side of the offensive line. The real value of Erving is his versatility, Erving can play multiple positions and a key one is center. The Browns are heading into a showdown with pro-bowl center Alex Mack after the season, and Erving could step right in and fill the gap should Mack opt out after the 2015 Season.
Next: 2nd Round
2nd Rd – 51st Overall
Jan 21, 2015; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad tight end Nick Boyle of Delaware (86) battles defensive end Nate Orchard of Utah (99) during Senior Bowl North squad practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports
Nate Orchard
The Cleveland Browns selected Utah defensive end Nate Orchard with their second round pick of the 2015 NFL Draft, the 51st overall selection.
The Browns selected Orchard after making a trade with the Houston Texans to acquire additional draft picks. The Browns sent picks No. 43 and and No. 229 to Houston in exchange for picks No. 51, No. 116 and No. 195.
The 6-foot-3, 250-pound Orchard set a school record in 2014 with 18.5 sacks, while also leading the nation in quarterback knockdowns with 28. Orchard was second-team All-American and first-team All-Pac-12 in 2014, and won the Ted Hendricks Award as the nation’s top defensive end. He finished second on the team with 84 tackles.
According to his draft profile at NFL.com, Orchard has:
"“Good foot quickness. Tackles struggle to handle his inside move. Explodes out of a track stance on passing downs. At his best as a squared-up rusher with a two-way go. Utilizes unique stutter step combined with burst to beat tackles inside. Seamless coordination of hands and feet as a rusher. Smooth hips to backpedal into space or turn and run laterally. Stronger at the point of attack than given credit for and offers scheme versatility. Shows juice upfield out of stand-up position. Still improving and learning his craft. Has ability to discard and make plays against the run. Has upper-body flexibility to beat blocker with shoulder turn. Still improving, but shows ability to use hands to help him win quickly. Played well against Stanford LT Andrus Peat.”"
“I’ve got a great work ethic and I think that’s just hard to find,” Orchard told KSL.com in a story this week. “I’m just really passionate about the game, and I can’t wait for it to be a full-time job instead of being a student athlete. Football is going to be my life, and wherever I end up I’m going to be excited to be there.”
Orchard is married and the father of a young daughter, who he refers to as his “little princess,” and the fact that he has a support system in place at home could have been another selling point to the Browns and general manager Ray Farmer. After dealing with the suspension of
Josh Gordon
and the off-the-field problems of
Johnny Manziel
last season, the selection of Orchard and first-round draft picks
and
signal a shift in the team’s philosophy of looking for good players who are also good off the field.
Next: 3rd Round
3rd Rd – 77th Overall
Nov 15, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes running back Duke Johnson (8) stiff-arms Florida State Seminoles linebacker Reggie Northrup (5) as the Seminoles beat the Hurricanes 30-26 at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports
Duke Johnson
The Cleveland Browns have selected Miami running back Duke Johnson with the No. 77 overall pick in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
The 5-foot-9, 207-pound Johnson is an explosive play-maker that will add some depth and change of pace to the one-two punch of both West and Crowell.
According to his draft profile at NFL.com, “(Johnson’s) Explosive burst and plays with suddenness. Elusive in tight quarters. Has lightning in his feet. Has hips and feet to stop and start without stalling. Rare ability on stretch plays to hit cutback lanes that other backs can’t get to. Runs with patience and a well-timed burst. Has great feel as zone-scheme, one-cut runner. Changes direction without breaking stride. Courageous runner. Shows no fear when getting downhill. Strong-willed competitor with toughness. Has second gear around the corner and can erase the angles. Gets small(er) through the hole and runs behind pads. Fights through arm tackles. Regroups and balances himself after initial contact. Reads and sets up routes and adjusts to poorly thrown balls..”.
According to CBSSports.com, Johnson “Alternately displays burst, agility and light feet to high-step through tackles and an effective stiff-arm. Patient runner willing to stretch plays and then hit the hole hard. Shows the “greasy knees” to cut and accelerate in one fluid motion, eluding would-be tacklers. Despite small stature, fights hard for every yard and shows a highly competitive nature.”
Johnson finished his four-year career with the Hurricanes as the school’s all-time leading rusher. He earned first-team All-ACC honors in that campaign. Johnson has good burst and is an agile runner who is elusive in tight space. He makes himself small when surrounded, which helps enhance his durability. In addition, he runs patiently and waits for plays to develop. That makes him a prime candidate to excel in zone blocking schemes at the next level, which the Browns are likely to continue to run in the 2015 NFL season. Johnson ran a 4.54 40-yard dash at the Combine and had a 33.5-inch vertical. At Miami’s pro day, he improved his 40 time and posted a 4.47.
Next: 3rd Rd - 96th Overall
3rd Rd – 96th Overall
Nov 29, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Keith Price (17) is tackled by Washington State Cougars defensive end Xavier Cooper (96) during the second half at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Xavier Cooper
The Cleveland Browns have completed a trade with the New England Patriots, to move back into the third round of the draft and they selected defensive tackle Xavier Cooper with the No. 96 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.
The 6-foot-3, 293-pound Cooper is a player born to play in the AFC North Division.
According to his draft profile at NFL.com, “(Cooper’s) Quick, lateral footwork for plus penetration. Active hands create separation from blockers against the run and help him gain advantage as pass rusher. Rarely gives offensive linemen a static target to strike and it’s hard to land a solid, sustained punch on him. Times snap well and fires off the ball. Has ability to sync quickness of hands and feet for early wins along the line of scrimmage. Can transition fluidly from playing the run to rushing passer against play-action. Played defensive tackle and defensive end.”
Cooper was a bit of a square peg in a round hole in the 3-4 scheme that Washington State employed in 2014. He possesses impressive overall athleticism for a man of his size, which could make him especially valued by traditional 4-3 clubs looking for an interior rusher. While scouts might have preferred that he return for his final season to get stronger, Cooper’s blend of length and athleticism is intriguing enough to warrant top 75 consideration. Cooper shows good initial quickness off the snap to penetrate. He possess surprising acceleration and balance for a man of his size. Passionate player who frequently pursues laterally and down-field – attributes which will intrigue teams looking for a five-tech defensive end or as a penetrating defensive tackle. Cooper fits the mold of a player that played both inside and outside in college and could be converted to a 3-4 defensive end/ outside linebacker. He has the size and speed, as well as the wheel to get to the quarterback, running an impressive 4.37 20 yard shuttle. The 20-yard shuttle gives you a great idea of how they accelerate in a short distance, which on the line and coming around the edge is relatively short yardage. Cooper also showed off his strength at the NFL scouting combine while putting up an impressive 29 reps on the bench press of 225 pounds. Cooper is an ideal player to pair with Danny Shelton and Phil Taylor in the middle of the Browns defensive interior. Also I would like to point out I predicted this trade (Only Bold prediction I got right), but regardless I am thrilled the Browns landed him.
Next: 4th Round
4th Rd – 116th Overall
Nov 30, 2013; Champaign, IL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats safety Ibraheim Campbell (24) stops Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Miles Osei (12) just short of the goal line during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bradley Leeb-USA TODAY Sports
Ibraheim Campbell
The Cleveland Browns selected Northwestern safety Ibraheim Campbell with their first pick in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft, the 116th overall selection.
According to his draft profile at NFL.com, Campbell is a:
"“Trusted and respected four-year starter. Aggressive tendencies near the football. Springs into his tackles with authority, and looks to rip the ball out of ball carrier’s arms with his unusually large hands. Created four forced fumbles and had three interceptions in just 56 percent of the team’s defensive snaps. Does his job in run support, playing with leverage against perimeter runs and containment on back side. Coming from high to low, can mirror running back movement to shadow and hit. Adequate range and man coverage skills underneath. Praised by NFL scouts for his leadership and personal character. Plays on kick coverage and hands team against onside kicks.”"
At Northwestern, Campbell was a four-year starter and a team co-captain as a senior. He earned second-team All-Big Ten honor from the coaches his senior year, and finished his college career tied for third in Northwestern history with 11 career interceptions. The 5-foot-11, 208-pound Campbell comes from a football family, as his three older brothers all played college football: Aquil at Georgetown, Malik at Bloomsburg and Rashad at Cornell. Campbell is the fourth defensive player selected so far by general manager Ray Farmer. He joins Danny Shelton, Nate Orchard and Xavier Cooper as the Browns look to give head coach Mike Pettine and defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil more assets to work with. While
CBSSports.com says that Campbell
“isn’t the biggest or fastest player on the field … he’s one of the smartest and prides himself on playing assignment sound football with as few mistakes as possible. He is very well liked in the locker room and is a four-time All-Academic Big Ten player while majoring in economics.” The one negative with the pick is that on some draft boards Campbell was listed as a seventh-round pick or a candidate to be an undrafted free agent signing, meaning this could be the first reach by Farmer in the draft.
Next: 4th Rd - 123rd Overall
4th Rd – 123rd Overall
Nov 22, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; Washington State Cougars wide receiver Vince Mayle (1) misses a pass as Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Lloyd Carrington (8) defends during the first half at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian -USA TODAY Sports
Vince Mayle
The Cleveland Browns have completed a trade with the Arizona Cardinals, to move back a few spots in the fourth round of the draft and they selected wide receiver Vince Mayle with the No. 123 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.
The 6-foot-2, 224-pound Mayle is a big player that is raw but has great upside.
According to his draft profile at NFL.com, “(Mayle) Former basketball player. Has good speed and twitch for a big receiver. Can win in space and has tremendous ability to track the ball over his shoulder on deep throws. Has learned to vary route speed to help with separation on slants. Outstanding physical traits for the position. Sinks hips and sits down on route quickly for a receiver his size. Better acceleration than cornerbacks expect on free release. Can get to top speed quickly and has touchdown catches of 72, 81 and 90 yards over last two seasons. Has the body type to overwhelm small cornerbacks. Fights through initial contact after the catch and will grind out tough yards. Slimmed down entering 2014 and put up big numbers in pass-happy offense.”
Dwayne BoweBrian Hartline.Next: 6th Round
6th Rd – 189th Overall
Nov 8, 2013; East Hartford, CT, USA; Louisville Cardinals cornerback Charles Gaines (3) intercepts a pass intended for Connecticut Huskies wide receiver Shakim Phillips (8) in the second quarter at Rentschler Field. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Charles Gaines
The Cleveland Browns have used the 189th pick in the 2015 NFL Draft to select defensive back Charles Gaines from Louisville.
The 5-foot-10, 180-pound Gaines had 7 interceptions over the past two seasons.
According to his draft profile at NFL.com, Gaines:
"“Came to Louisville as wide receiver and has unique feel for what’s coming from routes. Outstanding mirror/match work in man coverage. Extremely patient and confident in coverage. Maintains balance and body control in routes. Refuses to overreact or be tilted by head fakes and jab steps within the route. Allows receiver to declare his release before opening from press. Plays on bouncy feet with above-average twitch. Can break off backpedal suddenly and accelerate forward to challenge a throw. Not overly grabby downfield. Reads quarterback, looking for clues to jump throws. Flashes necessary recovery speed. Not fooled by playaction. Instincts above desired mark for cover cornerback.”"
The Browns once again decided to go defense with their first of three sixth-round picks. Gaines joins prior selections nose tackle Danny Shelton (first round), defensive end Nate Orchard (second round) and defensive lineman Xavier Cooper (third round) and Ibraheim Campbell (fourth round) as new defenders for the Browns.
The selection of Gaines is a little surprising, as the Browns are still in need of another tight end, and the Browns already have of the best secondaries in football. However, Cleveland has yet to resign restricted free agent
Tashaun Gipson
, and 2014 first-round pick
Justin Gilbert
disappointed last season. The selection of Gaines could be seen as a depth move, but the Browns already have developing cornerback
Pierre Desir
on the roster. Either way, Gaines brings solid athleticism and ballhawking ability to an already impressive secondary.
Next: 6th Rd - 195th Overall
6th Rd – 195th Overall
Oct 11, 2014; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs tight end Malcolm Johnson (6) hangs onto the ball Auburn Tigers defensive back Joshua Holsey (15) during the first quarter at Davis Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Malcolm Johnson
The Cleveland Browns selected tight end Malcolm Johnson of Mississippi State with the 195 pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Johnson will join a tight end core that includes recently signed free agent Rob Houlser, Gary Barnidge and Jim Dray.
According to CBSSports.com, Johnson:
"“earned Second Team All-SEC honors a year ago by the league coaches but doesn’t play the traditional tight end role, seeing most of his action on the wing or in the slot. He possesses a strong, well-built frame and sticky hands to make tough grabs.”"
Johnson split time at receiver and tight end in college, but will more than likely spend most of his time at tight end with the Browns, although the team reportedly likes his versatility.
After losing tight end Jordan Cameron to the Miami Dolphins in free agency this past offseason, the Browns needed to add more tight ends to the roster. Cleveland signed Housler, but the need for another pass-catching tight end still existed. Last season, Johnson caught 39 passes for 391 yards and a pair of touchdowns. At 6-foot-1, 231-pounds he possesses above-average size and a compact frame. Like his draft profile says, Johnson can line up in the wing or the slot position, giving either
Johnny Manziel
or
Josh McCown
another tight end to throw to in the middle of the field Johnson displayed “sticky hands” last season, showing that he can make tough plays and consistently reel in passes. If needed, Johnson also has the ability to play fullback in a West Coast offense. General manager
Ray Farmer
has drafted three other offensive players through the draft thus far: Florida State offensive lineman Cameron Erving (first round), Miami running back Duke Johnson (third round), and Washington State wide receiver Vince Mayle (fourth round).
Next: 6th Rd - 198th Overall
6th Rd – 198th Overall
Nov 29, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans tight end Randall Telfer (82) runs past Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Jaylon Smith (9) during the first half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Randall Telfer
The Cleveland Browns selected USC tight end Randall Telfer in the sixth round of the 2015 NFL Draft, the 198th overall selection.
Telfer completed his college career with 65 catches and 12 touchdowns after catching 12 passes and two touchdowns in 2014. Telfer battled leg injuries during his time at USC, receiving the Chris Carlisle Courage Award after working his way back onto the field after his injury.
According to his NFL.com profile, Telfer is:
"“Aggressive and determined run blocker who says he learned his aggressiveness from former Trojan tight end Rhett Ellison. Uses outstanding hand placement to strike and sustain in run game. Able to base block or work in zone scheme. Plays with football intelligence. Shows willingness to do whatever it takes to get his guy blocked. Willing to play and practice through pain. Gets all the meat off the bone in catch-and-run situations, looking to put his shoulder down and finish rather than juke."
The run thing that Telfer has going for him is that he is a willing and effective run blocker, which means he will fit right in with the Browns offensive philosophy of running the ball. We just have to wonder how many blocking tight ends the Browns can have on the roster, as Telfer joins Gary Barnidge and Jim Dray as block-first tight ends, with Rob Housler and draft pick Malcom Johnson filling out the pass-catching portion of the position. Telfer was selected with a pick acquired in a trade the Browns made earlier in the day with the Arizona Cardinals. He was projected for either the seventh round or as an undrafted free agent, so this is probably the correct spot to select him.
Next: 7th Round
7th Rd – 219th Overall
Nov 1, 2014; Pullman, WA, USA; Washington State Cougars running back Theron West (24) is tackled by Southern California Trojans linebacker Hayes Pullard (10) during the first half at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Hayes Pullard
The Cleveland Browns selected USC linebacker Hayes Pullard with the first of their two seventh-round draft picks, the 219th overall selection of the 2015 NFL Draft.
The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Pullard was an Honorable Mention All-Pac-12 selection in 2014 after leading the Trojans in tackles with 95.
According to his NFL.com profile, Pullard:
"Won’t hit the gas unless it’s necessary. Leverages outside runs and doesn’t give away cutback lanes very often. Athletic mover in space and has functional closing speed. Functional change-of-direction player. Transitions with smooth hips and acceleration to chase perimeter passes. Can mirror in man coverage and has solid ball skills. He’s willing to throw his body into a tackle. Scouts like his leadership."
The negative part of Pullard’s game is that he reportedly lets plays come to him and needs to play in a defense that can keep him clean to be productive. Pullard is the second player the Browns drafted today from USC, joining tight end Randall Telfer, who the Browns selected at No. 198.
Next: 7th Rd - 241st Overall
7th Rd – 241st Overall
Sep 6, 2014; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (14) catches the ball before the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
Ifo Ekpre-Olomu
The Cleveland Browns selected Oregon cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu in the seventh round of the 2015 NFL Draft with the 241st selection.
The 5-foot-9, 192-pound Ekpre-Olomu was a consensus All-American and first-team All-Pac-12 selection in 2014, as well as a Jim Thorpe Award finalist as one of the nation’s top defensive backs. But he suffered a season-ending knee injury in December during practice for Rose Bowl and was unable to work out for teams prior to the draft.
According to his NFL.com draft profile, Ekpre-Olomu is a:
"“Very fluid mover. He can transition like his hips are on a swivel and he has the foot quickness in tight spaces to match. Instinctive and alert. Will transition from man or zone coverage and become a willing tackler against crossing routes that enter his side of the field. Not a robotic defender — adjusts on the fly as plays unfold. Uses the boundary effectively. Doesn’t shy away from tackling. Competitive and won’t prematurely open up out of fear. Tracks the ball effectively and has plus ball skills. Mentally tough and twitchy. Playmaking tendencies. Aggressive for size in press coverage. Has experience outside and in the slot. Projected as an NFL gunner on special teams."
Ekpre-Olomu wa considered a first-round talent by some before his injury, and for now he is most notable for
collecting on a $3 million insurance policy
after not being selected in the first two rounds of the draft. Prior to his injury Ekpre-Olomu was an athletic defender who had a nose for the ball, as he had nine interceptions, forced eight fumbles and recovered one fumble during his time at Oregon. You never know how a player will respond to an injury, but if Ekpre-Olomu can return to his previous level, this could be one of the steals of the draft. The selection of Ekpre-Olomu means the general manager Ray Farmer selected seven players from the Pac-12 – Danny Shelton, Nate Orchard, Xavier Cooper, Vince Mayle, Randall Telfer and Hayes Pullard. Ekpre-Olomu also joins Louisville’s Charles Gaines as cornerbacks selected by the Browns, which makes us wonder how confident the team really is in 2014 first-round selection Justin Gilbert.
What do you think of this draft class? Do you think the Browns made the right picks?
Next: Browns Putting Foundation in Place
The video clips were provided courtesy of DraftBreakdown.com