Cleveland Browns: Who is the pick at No. 8?
By Thomas Moore
Who will the Cleveland Browns select in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft? The Dawg Pound Daily staff is here with their predictions.
The Cleveland Browns enter the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft in possession of a league-high 12 selections.
As it currently stands, the Browns have the following draft picks: first round (No. 8 overall), second (No. 32), third (Nos. 65 and 77), fourth (Nos. 99, 100 and 138), fifth (Nos. 141, 172 and 173), sixth (No. 176) and seventh (No. 233).
Of course that could all change as the Browns have already traded down once – moving from No. 2 to No. 8 in a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles – and are widely reported to be eager to move down once again before tonight’s first round comes to a close.
While no one knows for sure what the Browns will do in the first draft under executive vice president of football operations Sashi Brown and head coach Hue Jackson, we’re fairly comfortable in saying that at some point before the evening comes to a close they will have selected somebody.
Knowing that, and working under the less-likely assumption that the Browns will remain at No. 8, the Dawg Pound Daily staff got together to offer up their choice for Cleveland’s first-round selection. This isn’t necessarily what we believe the Browns will do, but rather what we hope they do when they are on the clock tonight.
Staff writer Giovanni Castelli: Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott
So now that the Browns traded out of the No. 2 pick, they sit at No. 8 and hope one of the top playmakers in this year’s draft falls into their lap. With the signing of Robert Griffin III and the trading of the No. 2 pick, the Browns should find a way to surround Griffin with weapons that this team so severely lacks.
So why take a running back so high?
With a team that lacks any offensive punch Elliot fills the void as a playmaker. He can play both running and passing plays as he has no problem picking up the block when the quarterback is looking down field. He also scores touchdowns and is a threat each time he touches the ball. He’s a talent that strikes fear into opposing defenses as he possesses the power and breakaway speed you desire from the running back position.
If the Browns could land Elliot and a wide receiver at No. 32, they would help Griffin by surrounding him with the weapons he needs to succeed as the quarterback of the Browns now and moving forward.
Staff writer Eric Szczepinski: Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliot
The Browns find themselves in a unique situation after trading out of the second overall pick last week. Many teams are interested in the trading up with the Browns for the No. 8 pick to possibility select Ezekiel Elliot, but the Browns should stay put and draft the most explosive offensive playmaker in this year’s draft.
Elliot is the complete package at running back and has an elite combination of speed, vision and natural running ability. He is a workhorse three-down back that will add instant offense to any team. Elliot is extremely advanced for his years, as he won’t turn 21 years old until this summer.
Although running back is not the biggest pressing need for the Browns, Elliot is the most NFL ready playmaker in this year’s draft class, and will be the backbone of any team who lacks elite playmakers.
Head coach Hue Jackson is know for featuring a strong run game and having Elliot will fit his game plan. Pencil Elliot in for 1,000 yards and 10 plus touchdowns every year and let “Zeke” be the centerpiece of the offense for the next 10 years.
Staff writer Murray Alexander: Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa
If the Browns choose to stay at No. 8, they should take someone who can be a difference maker for the defense. Hopefully NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah is right and the Browns grab Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa.
I’ve wanted Bosa on the Browns since his freshman year at Ohio State. Originally a contender for No.1 overall selection, his stock seems to have slipped a little recently for some reason. Bosa is, however, a very skilled football player who would undoubtedly improve the Browns.
Related: Joey Bosa Draft Profile
The Browns desperately need some help defensively, and especially on the defensive line. A defense is only as strong as its front seven and the Browns are sorely lacking talent there. They have struggled to rush the passer and to defend the run pretty much every year since 1999.
Bosa is a capable pass rusher and also a very good run defender. He would finally give Desmond Bryant some help on the line, and he is versatile enough that he can play at end and on the inside of the defensive line. Defensive coordinator Ray Horton would be very pleased to get a player as skilled as Bosa.
Staff writer Roger Cohen: Trade back
If there’s one guiding approach our analytics firm of Jackson, Berry, Brown and DePodesta should know it’s risk mitigation – and with the No. 8 pick in the draft the Browns should select the player who, at worst, will be an eight- to 10-year starter. Someone like the person they traded down to pick in 2009 – Alex Mack.
Position is less important than risk reduction – which means no quarterback, running back or any of the wide receivers in this year’s crop. I would also shy away from a “high upside” risk player, which usually means most outside pass rushers. The fans might gripe that the “Browns traded the second pick for this?” but in order here’s what would make me happy tonight:
Trade back – but no lower than No. 15 and only if the Browns can pick up another second-round pick.
- Myles Jack – but only if the Browns are 1,000 percent certain he’s healthy. The guy can be a game changer.
- Best offensive tackle – Laremy Tunsil if available, or Jeremy Stanley.
- Joey Bosa – I’m not an OSU guy, but I’m also not scared off that Bosa can’t play in a 3-4. Players can play.
Staff writer David Vorhees: Mississippi wide receiver Laquon Treadwell
The Browns have run away from the wide receiver position like it was the plague in years past, and that attitude has left a gapping hole in that position. The Browns currently have one of the smallest receiving groups in the NFL, they could get Josh Gordon back from suspension, and Terrelle Pryor could transform into a great wide out, but there are no certainties and neither Gordon or Pryor can be counted on.
The position is so lacking in talent the Browns may need to draft a wide receiver with both of their first two picks.
The Browns have decided to resurrect Robert Griffin III’s career and to be successful they will need to give him some weapons to work with. Some believe that there is no receiver in this class worthy of that high of a pick, but the greatness of the need could demand the pick, and at 6-foot-2 and 221 pounds, Treadwell’s size and production is to good to pass up.
Co-editor Steven Kubitza: Mississippi wide receiver Laquon Treadwell
The Browns are in desperate need of someone to build around. They do not need to draft a high profile player with associated risk, such as the extreme example of Johnny Manziel, but rather someone who will keep their head down and work harder than anyone else.
Laquon Treadwell can be that player for the Browns. He would come in as the number one receiver on a team looking to a former college quarterback for help. Treadwell stands 6-feet-2 inches tall, adding height to a receiver corps in need of bodies north of six feet tall.
Related: Laquon Treadwell draft profile
He may be seen as a reach with the eighth overall pick, but the Browns need some offensive help now. The pieces must be built all around the offense before a quarterback can be even considered as an early round draft pick, and getting a top receiver would be a great first step.
The Browns have passed on talents such as Julio Jones and Odell Beckham Jr. in the past and it is time to make a smart pick and take a top receiving talent.
Staff writer Jack Kopanski: Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch
While there is currently much talk about the Browns trading down again from the No. 8 spot, there are plenty of options they can target should they remain where they are. Reports have come out saying stud players such as Mississippi offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil and Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa could fall to Cleveland at No. 8. Those would fill positions of need on this team, but they are not the needs they should address.
Related: Paxton Lynch draft profile
For me, the way the Browns should go at No. 8 is Paxton Lynch out of Memphis. He has very raw talent and arguably the highest ceiling of this whole class. I know getting Robert Griffin III is a step in the right direction at the quarterback position, but barring any major surprises, he is not this franchise’s future. With some fine-tuning, Lynch could be that guy.
Lynch has great arm strength paired with deceptive mobility that is almost Derek Carr-esque. Combining Lynch with some weapons drafted in the later rounds would make for a killer combo. His main flaw is a rather big one, but not one that is unfixable. The deeper he pushes the ball down the field, his accuracy takes a noticeable hit. Sitting a year or so behind Griffin while working on his accuracy issues would put him in position to be the future signal caller of this franchise.
Co-editor Thomas Moore: Oregon defensive end DeForest Buckner
Defensive coordinator Ray Horton is back in town for another go around and if there is one thing he enjoys more than anything else is to talk about how good his defenses are. (He could be an honorary Ryan in that regard.) Unfortunately, the last three seasons have painted a different picture as Horton-led defenses have consistently failed at the most-important part of the game: keeping opposing offenses out of the end zone.
Related: DeForest Buckner draft profile
Many fans have rationalized that shortcoming by saying that Horton’s defenses have lacked talent, so it would be in the Browns best interest to give Horton some more players to work with.
The top choice would be Oregon defensive lineman DeForest Buckner, a player who has been described as having “violent hands” and the ability “to hurt offensive lineman.” Both of those traits, especially the latter one, are things that are in short supply among the current players on the roster. Buckner is also an ideal fit for Horton’s 3-4 defense (and is more than capable when the Browns switch to a 4-3 on passing downs) and, along with nose tackle Danny Shelton, would give the Browns two potentially dynamic players on the line for the next 10 years.
Staff writer Matt Stevenson: Oregon defensive end DeForest Buckner
The Cleveland Browns enter rebuild mode (did they ever get passed it?) once again heading into the 2016 NFL season and it all starts with the draft. DeForest Buckner is an intriguing player in this draft and has slowly seen his stock rise while Joey Bosa’s has dropped off because of “fit” concerns. Both are defensive ends although Bosa’s speed and size is a concern in a 3-4 defensive scheme (which the Browns utilize) while Buckner has that size and speed, plus experience playing in a 3-4 system.
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At the end of the day, the Cleveland Browns are a team with a depleted roster that can use upgrades at every position essentially. They’re looking to add young, talented players with high upside, so expect them to move around with 12 draft picks.
Knowing that they should select Buckner as pairing him with nose tackle Danny Shelton would be a scary sight for the likes of Ben Roethlisberger, Joe Flacco and Andy Dalton.
Buckner is one of the highest-rated players on Pro Football Focus’ draft board and led FBS defensive linemen in snaps in 2015. It’s no question the Browns could use the help as they ranked No. 30 against the run in 2015, and snagging Buckner at No. 8 is the best case scenario for Cleveland as they look to improve in 2016.