Cleveland Browns: 7-Round Dawg Pound Daily collaborative mock draft — Vol. 1
By Randy Gurzi
Writer: Martin McConnell
Round 1: Sam Darnold, QB, USC
Sam Darnold is the safest, most obvious choice at #1, in terms of quarterbacks. The draft community has been talking about him for a year and a half now, it’s time for the Browns to pull the trigger and take their guy.
Round 1: Minkah Fitzpatrick, FS, Alabama
The best defender in the class, and maybe the best overall prospect in the class, Minkah Fitzpatrick is both a great defender and culture changer for the Browns locker room with the number four pick.
Round 2: Sony Michel, RB, Georgia
With current running back Isaiah Crowell likely on the way out, the Browns need someone to replace him in the backfield. Georgia’s Sony Michel is an electric talent with blazing speed. The Browns backfield completes their new look with Darnold and now Michel beside him.
Round 2: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
Although he comes in a bit limited in size, Denzel Ward has incredible speed, instincts, and ball skills to make up for it. He will likely light up the Scouting Combine, and getting him in the second round is a steal for Cleveland.
Related Story: Top 5 CB targets for Browns in the 2018 NFL Draft
Round 2: D.J. Moore, WR, Maryland
Coming out of Maryland, D.J. Moore has been compared to former Terrapin and now Minnesota Vikings hero, Stefon Diggs. Moore is a much more refine prospect than Diggs, and will almost certainly go higher than him. The Browns get a solid receiving weapon for Darnold here.
Round 3: Frank Ragnow, C, Arkansas
Ragnow, despite injuries, has emerged as one of if not the best center in this class. Once he makes a full recovery by 2018, he could be ready to go in for current center J.C. Tretter at any time.
Round 4: Darius Leonard, LB, South Carolina State
Darius Leonard is a lot like Jamie Collins. With Collins out on injury to end 2017, it can’t hurt to have some depth in the linebacking corps.
Round 4: D.J. Chark, WR, LSU
Adding another D.J. to the wide receiver room here, LSU’s D.J. Chark comes in at a monstrous 6-foot-3. Although he could stand to put a lot more weight on his frame, Chark’s quickness is freakish for his size.
Round 5: Troy Fumagalli, TE, Wisconsin
Fumagalli has been mocked as an early day two, or even a possible day one pick if a team is desperate. Getting him in the fifth round would be a robbery for Cleveland.
Round 5: Alex Cappa, OL, Humboldt State
Alex Cappa is an incredibly underrated tackle who had a great week at the Senior Bowl. He has ideal size and power for the position, and could be the heir to Joe Thomas for the Browns.
Round 6: Godwin Igwebuike, SS, Northwestern
Igwebuie is a solid talent, and an Ohio native. If the Browns can pick him up to add safety depth, he may turn into a nice piece in the defensive secondary down the road.
Round 7: Equanimeous St. Brown, WR, Notre Dame
The steal of the draft, St. Brown dropping to the seventh-round becomes a no-brainer pick for Cleveland. The 6-foot-4 monster could be a great help for any young quarterback looking for a huge, reliable receiving target.