Cleveland Browns select Caleb Brantley at No. 185 overall

The Cleveland Browns made a controversial pick to open the sixth round, selecting talented but troubled Florida defensive tackle Caleb Brantley.

Another defender is off the board and coming to the Cleveland Browns, this time in the form of a Florida defensive lineman. Though inconsistent and questionable due to off-the-field issues, Caleb Brantley could provide a major spark to Cleveland’s defensive line.

Brantley has a great deal of muscle mass and brute strength which makes him a natural defensive tackle. Scouts say, however, that he might need to put on some weight before making the jump to the NFL.

Another liability for Brantley is his inability to rush the passer effectively and move laterally. Much like Danny Shelton, the former Florida Gator is often stationary, and has yet to develop any ability to elude linemen without using brute strength.

Schematically, the pick is logical, as the team is seeking players up front to join their defensive line who can stop the run. Brantley’s biggest strength is stopping the run, and while he may not be the most talented pass rusher, he can help collapse the pocket and make the pass rushers’ lives easier.

The pick is the second of this year’s draft by an AFC North team that raises eyebrows. The Bengals picked Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon in the second round, another player with severe off-the-field issues.

The difference is, Brantley’s incident punching and injuring a woman occurred just days ago. The case is still under investigation and the most recent Cleveland selection could be facing charges as he begins his NFL career.

From a football standpoint, the talent is there for Brantley. Brantley was even though of by some as a potential first-round pick before his off the field incident surfaced. Therefore, Cleveland is taking a major risk with this pick that could pay off for them, or could completely blow up in their face as past picks have.

The bottom line is, Brantley is a talented and strong defender who could help the Browns turn around their miserable run defense. He comes with a lot of baggage though, and is far from a finished product.

Next: Browns select Roderick Johnson at No. 160

The question, at the end of the day, is whether or not Cleveland’s coaching staff can shape Brantley’s character and whether or not Brantley will buy in to becoming a valuable contributor in the NFL.