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Garrett, Howard to Browns in latest NFL.com mock draft

By Steven Kubitza

Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tight end O.J. Howard (88) is brought down by Clemson Tigers safety Jadar Johnson (18) during the fourth quarter in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tight end O.J. Howard (88) is brought down by Clemson Tigers safety Jadar Johnson (18) during the fourth quarter in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Cleveland Browns may surprise some fans if the team goes with the selections made in Bucky Brooks’ latest mock draft on NFL.com.

As the offseason has progressed and the NFL Draft continues to get closer with each passing day, there is little discussion about who the Cleveland Browns will take with the No. 1 overall pick.

Myles Garrett has cemented himself as the clear favorite to go No. 1 overall, given the Browns don’t give fans a heart attack and trade out of the pick.

And as with most mock drafts, Garrett found himself at the top of Bucky Brooks’ most recent mock draft on NFL.com.

But the surprise for Browns fans came at the No. 12 overall pick, where Brooks has the Browns taking Alabama tight end O.J. Howard. This pick happens even though all the top quarterback prospects are still on Brooks’ board.

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Howard is indeed a top talent, but it may be hard to see the Browns going with a tight end when the top quarterback prospects are still available. While mock drafts often go in order of most talented players regardless of position, the Browns seem more likely to invest in a quarterback, or even a defensive player, over a tight end with the No. 12 pick.

With Gary Barnidge already on the roster, and a pick spent on Seth DeValve in 2016, tight end is not a need for the Browns that is worthy of a first-round pick. So while Howard may be the 12th best player in the NFL Draft, the Browns have much bigger needs before upgrading at the tight end position.

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The process of waiting until next year needs to stop if the Browns have a chance to draft a quarterback they like at No. 12. It would help the team much more than drafting a tight end. That is not to say Howard won’t have a successful NFL career, but he is going to need someone to throw him the ball for him to succeed. And the Browns are still looking for an individual capable of leading the offense.

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