Dawg Pound Daily 2017 NFL Mock Draft: Final edition
The Cleveland Browns passed on Trubisky, Watson and Mahomes in the first round, but settle for Notre Dame’s DeShone Kizer in the second. Kizer fits the mold of an AFC North quarterback, standing 6-foot-4, 233 pounds.
A strong arm and good awareness allows for him to make plays in Cleveland’s brutal weather and gives Hue Jackson a legitimate project at quarterback. Kizer has the highest potential out of the quarterbacks in this draft class but his accuracy is definitely a problem that must improve.
Drafting offensive players with two of the first three picks seems odd for the Browns. Although, it gives them players that can be developed into cornerstone players. Defensive back is an area of desperate need and is in play realistically at any time after the first pick.
Kizer would compete with Brock Osweiler and Cody Kessler for the starting position in training camp and would have a shot at winning it. Despite Kessler being drafted in the third round last year, he doesn’t scream franchise quarterback by any means. And, well, as for Osweiler, giving him a chance to compete doesn’t hurt given his contract. However, 2016 was enough for me to cringe seeing him in a Browns uniform.
That being said, Kizer could potentially be the starter and is one of few quarterbacks in this draft that has the ability to do so. The Browns nab their quarterback and still manage to draft Garrett and Howard with a plentiful supply of defensive backs left in the draft.
Marcus Williams is a playmaking safety, something the Browns heavily covet entering the draft. The team selected Derrick Kindred last season and liked what he displayed in 2016 when healthy. The Browns need depth all over the map at defensive back and Williams can offer instant help.
He posted ten interceptions on 44 targets the last two seasons at Utah and Gregg Williams will love the highly regarded safety. The Utah prospect has a high football IQ and is a natural ball-hawk. Browns fans love Malik Hooker for his turnover ability, but will learn to live with Marcus Williams. He can fly around the field going from sideline-to-sideline and create plays as well.
He does have his weaknesses, though. Williams isn’t a powerful tackler and can struggle to tackle upon contact. Furthermore, he isn’t the strongest one-on-one defender and clearly plays the ball better from up top at the safety position. Room for improvement is certainly there but there is no reason to doubt Williams can’t make the required strides to convert to a long-term safety.
Williams earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors as well as a first-team Pac-12 All-Academic selection. In 2016, Cleveland drafted high-character players that not only were awarded for their on-field performance. They considered those with impressive resumes off the field, whether it’s in the classroom or in the community, and Williams checks the boxes.