Cleveland Browns mock draft: All defense edition
By Thomas Moore
6th Round (No. 176 overall) – D.J. Reader, DT, Clemson
D.J. Reader only played nine games for Clemson in 2015 as the Tigers made it to the national championship game, posting 13 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss. Following a promising junior year (27 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks), Reader struggled following the death of his father, leading him to take time away from the game.
While he is not starter material, Reader could be a decent backup in the middle of the defensive line. According to his draft profile at NFL.com:
"Carries his 340 pounds fairly well on his stout frame. Almost always the low man at the point of attack. Able to leverage blockers and displace them. Plays with enough motor to chase the play down the field. If single blocked, will absolutely push the pocket as a rusher."
"Squatty, strong nose tackle who is able to push smaller centers around in phone booth battles, but unable to consistently be a disruptive force up front. Reader has the strength and potential to believe that his Senior Bowl flashes could turn into something more in the NFL, even though that might just be as a career backup."
7th Round (No. 223 overall) – Yannick Ngakoue, OLB, Maryland
Yannick Ngakoue has a nose for the quarterback as he set a Maryland record (and was tied for second in the nation) with 13.5 sacks in 2015, more than double his sack total from the previous season.
He has been weak against the run, but Ngakoue possesses one part of his game that can’t be taught – speed.
“Speed kills,” Ngakoue told The Sporting News. “You don’t have to be big to be a pass-rusher. It’s all about being in the right fit and knowing how to get around that tackle to get to the quarterback. I definitely think that is one of my biggest strengths. I want to prove to everybody that I can be one of the best people who can get to the quarterback as fast as possible.”
While he does not lack for confidence, Ngakoue’s game still needs the type of refining often found in players selected this late in the draft, as his draft profile at NFL.com points out:
"Lacks the desired height and length from an edge player, but does have the athleticism and production teams like. A deep dive into the tape reveals very few “instant wins sacks” and his short strides prevent him from threatening the edge as often as you might expect. While Ngakoue appears to have the traits of an upfield player, he was asked to set edges at Maryland. His production from 2015 will intrigue teams, but he is a work in progress who needs a more developed skill set as a pass rusher if he wants to become a factor in the NFL as a starter."
However, with the Browns needing all the help they can get when it comes to harassing opposing quarterbacks, Ngakoue could be a player worth taking a shot on.
