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Dawg Pound Daily 2017 NFL Mock Draft: Final edition

By Matt Stevenson

Nov 26, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer (14) throws a pass against the Southern California Trojans during a NCAA football game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer (14) throws a pass against the Southern California Trojans during a NCAA football game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 30, 2016; El Paso, TX, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels Ryan Switzer (3) celebrates by holding up his hands after catching a touchdown against the Stanford Cardinal defense at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; El Paso, TX, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels Ryan Switzer (3) celebrates by holding up his hands after catching a touchdown against the Stanford Cardinal defense at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports /

The Browns need a slot receiver and North Carolina’s Ryan Switzer is their guy. Some believe he will go much higher than the fifth round and others believe he may fall further. Nonetheless, if Switzer is available for Cleveland to take in the fifth round they should snag him. He is a receiver that could get snaps from the jump and play on the inside of the other receivers.

Imagine a receiving corps of Coleman, Britt, Howard, Barnidge and Switzer… not too shabby. The Browns displayed a successful running game under Hue in 2016 and it should only improve in his second season as head coach. Therefore, the focus on building a sturdy receiving corps is imminent and Switzer is a great target for any quarterback in the league.

Obviously, playing with Mitch Trubisky only increases the drama if the Browns indeed decide to take him, but for this mock that is not the case. Regardless, the Browns need to get a dependent slot receiver and there is none better than Switzer in this class.

Nov 19, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers running back James Conner (24) rushes the ball against the Duke Blue Devils during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh won 56-14. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers running back James Conner (24) rushes the ball against the Duke Blue Devils during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh won 56-14. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

James Conner is a player that the Browns have been interested in for a while and for good reason. The Pittsburgh star overcame Hodgkin’s lymphoma and was able to resume his dreams of playing in the NFL. The fact Conner was able to have a successful collegiate career and enter the NFL Draft is rather remarkable. Although, this kid has plenty to offer NFL teams.

Aside from his ability to sustain focus when going through a traumatic times, Conner’s play only helps his case. He was first-team All-Conference in 2016 running for over 1,000 yards and scoring 16 touchdowns. A natural leader on and off the field, Conner can fit right into the Browns rushing attack.

With Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson already in the backfield, Conner would likely ride the bench to start the season. However, the Browns and Crowell have yet to agree on a long-term deal so getting a replacement now would be a progressive move for the team.

Conner runs with authority and delivers brutal hits upon making contact with defenders, often times winning the battle. He isn’t the fastest or most agile runner but his focus and work ethic make for a great locker room guy and a potential gamer in a shared role.

Oct 8, 2016; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons linebacker Marquel Lee (8) stands on the field during a timeout in the first quarter against the Syracuse Orange at BB&T Field. Wake defeated Syracuse 28-9. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons linebacker Marquel Lee (8) stands on the field during a timeout in the first quarter against the Syracuse Orange at BB&T Field. Wake defeated Syracuse 28-9. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

The Browns have a functional group at the linebacker position currently and Lee would be a quietly nice addition to it. Totaling 7.5 sacks and 20 tackles for loss in 2016, Lee could end up being a steal for any team. He has the size and typical build to play at a high level in the NFL but doesn’t always make the right play. At 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds, he makes his bread and butter stuffing the run or attacking the quarterback.

He is not the most athletic player and there are questions regarding his permanent position in the NFL. However, his size alone makes for an intriguing prospect and one the Browns can slowly develop under Christian Kirksey and Jamie Collins.

At this point in the draft, you go for players that have high potential and can bring versatility. Lee figures to be a special teams guy to begin his career and hopefully he can expand as he gains more experience behind Cleveland’s linebackers.

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