Cleveland Browns: 3-round February mock draft

Round 1, Pick 1 (#1 Overall): DL Myles Garrett, Texas A&M

There is no other choice here and I am not sure what else to say about the guy, Myles Garrett can do it all. The hype around Garrett is too rich to ignore and it shows on and off the field. It exceeds that around former number one pick by the Houston Texans, Jadeveon Clowney.

Pro Football Focus also has him going No. 1 overall to the Browns:

"No change at the top as Garrett holds down the No. 1 ranking still. He’s an excellent pass-rusher, capable of winning with speed, power and counters, all adding up to incredible three-year production that includes 31 sacks, 35 QB hits and 99 hurries. He’s ranked among the top pass-rushers in the nation in each of those three seasons, but it’s his work against the run that we wanted to see him improve coming into 2016. He did just that, taking on blocks better than ever while continuing to disrupt with his quickness off the ball, all adding up to a much-improved 87.8 grade against the run that ranked third among the nation’s edge defenders."

Garrett is the consensus number one prospect on every NFL Draft analyst’s board and someone who can walk in the building and make an impact on day one, which the Browns desperately need on defense. The Browns new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams would have a field day scheming defensive plans with Garrett as one of the centerpieces.

Round 1, Pick 12 (#12 Overall): RB Leonard Fournette, LSU

There are a few different options I could pick here at No. 12. With likely both of my favorite safeties in the draft gone in the top ten, Malik Hooker (Ohio State) and Jamal Adams (LSU), I am taking another instant playmaker who can come in and make a huge impact on day one with running back, Leonard Fournette.

Fournette was the front-runner for the Heisman a majority of the 2015 college football season until some late-season struggles and the emergence of Derrick Henry. Regardless, Fournette finished the season with less than 1,953 rushing yards, averaging 6.7 yards per carry and scoring 22 touchdowns. Fournette was only slightly available for the 2016 season, but did end up with over 1,000 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns in only 7 games.

Now you’re probably wondering why I have the Browns taking Fournette here instead of a value defender. The Browns current go-to running back Isaiah Crowell is set to be a restricted free agent this offseason and the Browns have a decision to make. The Browns could pay him, or they could let him walk to see what his market is to match whatever kind of deal some else offers him. The real question is, do the Browns want to bring Isaiah Crowell to come back?

In my opinion, if there is a “once in a generational” player on the horizon, you go after him. Leonard Fournette is that “once in a generational” player.