Cleveland Browns: 10 players to watch in Rounds 2 and 3
By Thomas Moore
The Cleveland Browns have four picks tonight in the 2016 NFL Draft. Here are 10 players to keep an eye on.
The Cleveland Browns will enter the second and third rounds of the 2016 NFL Draft with plenty of draft capital to spend.
The Browns are currently in possession of the first pick in the second round, No. 32, as well as three selections in the third round, No. 65, No. 76 and No. 77.
Cleveland filled one roster hole in the first round with the selection of Baylor wide receiver Corey Coleman, but there is still much work to be done as the team undergoes its latest rebuilding efforts.
Here are 10 players to watch tonight when the Browns are on the clock.
UCLA linebacker Myles Jack: There is little doubt that, if healthy, Jack would have been selected early in the first round. But with the prospect of microfracture surgery looming over Jack, and concern that he may be healthy enough to make it through his rookie contract, selecting Jack may be too much of a risk for a team that is looking to be as risk-free as possible. If he continues to fall, however, the Browns may be tempted.
Alabama linebacker Reggie Ragland: The SEC’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2015 and a consensus All-American, Reggie Ragland was the heart of the Crimson Tide’s defense as Alabama claimed another national title. Ragland moved into the starting lineup in 2014 and quickly turned into not only a top run-stopper, but also a player whose instincts and athleticism could lead to being a three-down linebacker at the NFL level. Reports that Ragland has an enlarged aorta may scare off some teams, but if the Browns are comfortable with his medial report he could be in play.
Boise State defensive end Kamalei Correa: A second team All-Mountain West selection in 2015 after leading the Broncos with 11 tackles for loss and seven sacks, Correa is projected to move to outside linebacker in the NFL. With Paul Kruger approaching the wrong side of 30 and Barkevious Mingo still a mystery, the Browns may be intrigued by Correa’s potential as a pass rusher.
Arkansas tight end Hunter Henry: The consensus No. 1 tight end in the 2016 NFL Draft, Hunter would give the offense another option in the passing game to go along with Coleman and tight end Gary Barnidge. Henry is the 2015 John Mackey Award winner as college football’s most outstanding tight end and a consensus All-American after leading all tight ends in receiving yards in his final year in college.
Stanford tight end Austin Hooper: Hooper only played two seasons at Stanford, but he earned Freshman All-American and second-team All-Pac-12 honors as a redshirt freshman and followed that up in 2015 by being selected as a Mackey Award finalist, third-team AP All-American and first-team All-Pac-12. He also has the versatility to be a “move” tight end or play inline and help in the run game.
Clemson defensive end Kevin Dodd: Dodd grabbed a starting position in 2015 and finished the year with 23.5 tackles for loss and 12 sacks. An honorable mention All-ACC selection, he saved his best game for last as he had five tackles for loss, including three sacks, in the Tigers national championship loss to Alabama.
Mississippi State defensive tackle Chris Jones: After earning honorable mention All-SEC honors as a freshman, Jones slumped as a sophomore only to bounce back last season, starting every game for the Bulldogs and finishing with 44 tackles, including 7.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks.
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Alabama cornerback Cyrus Jones: Cyrus Jones started playing cornerback as a sophomore in 2013 and one year later was a second team All-SEC selection after posting three interceptions and 13 pass deflections while playing in the nation’s toughest conference. He started all 15 games for the Crimson Tide during its championship season in 2015, where in addition to defense he showcased his talents as a punt returner, scoring four touchdowns on punt returns, one short of the FBS single-season record.
Alabama running back Derrick Henry: Henry’s sophomore season may have been enough to catch the attention of NFL teams, but what he did while winning the Heisman Trophy in 2015 made them sit up and take notice. He capped off his Alabama career by rushing 36 times for 167 yards and three scores and helping the Crimson Tide pound their way to yet another national title. He finished his collegiate career averaging six yards per carry, which is pretty good if you are keeping score at home. His high number of carries at Alabama may be a concern, but his body is built for the AFC North.
Ohio State wide receiver Michael Thomas: After another successful season at Ohio State, Thomas was awarded with third-team All Big-Ten honors and established himself as a top-five receiver in the 2016 NFL Draft. Thomas is known for his precise route-running and excellent footwork, which enables him to make an immediate impact in the NFL. His physical style of play and natural hands, along with his ability to catch balls of a difficult degree, offers NFL teams a player who can go up and get the ball in difficult situations. Selecting wide receivers with their first two selections may be a bit out of the norm, but the new Browns regime is showing they are not ones to stand for conventional thinking.