Cleveland Browns: On the Clock at No. 4

So many of us are concerned with what the Cleveland Browns will do with the No. 1 pick, but let’s look more at what they might do at No. 4 overall

Since the 2017 season ended, the Cleveland Browns have been on the clock. Once again, having the honor of picking No. 1 overall for the second year in a row.

If you believe reports and mock drafts from analysts and writers all around the country, you’ve see the same names appear at the first overall pick: Sam Darnold, Josh Allen and Saquon Barkley. The real question is what to do at No. 4 overall

Last season, the team took defensive end Myles Garrett at one and turned their second first-round pick into two later first-round picks, taking safety Jabrill Peppers and tight end David Njoku, respectfully.

Ironically, by trading out of their original extra pick, they gave Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson to Houston. So once again, the team needs a quarterback.

This year, while there are more options at number one overall, the 2nd first round selection at number four overall is the bigger question mark.

The team has made many moves this off-season, and some may have potentially affected which players are called, but this doesn’t mean imaginations aren’t running wild and the options haven’t been discussed.

The team still has some holes to fill and they’ve got the picks to do it. So let’s see what they can do and how it would look.

Running Back, Saquon Barkley

True. Barkley is not only in-play as the potential first overall pick, but a serious contender too.

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Many have Barkley as the best overall prospect in the draft, and unless you’ve been living under a rock all year, you see why: he’s big, fast, strong, can catch, all the above.

Luckily enough for Browns fans, the New York Jets traded up to No. 3 overall and the Giants are rumored to be shopping the No. 2 overall pick. With the probability and possibility of three quarterbacks selected with the first three picks leaves Barkley there for the taking in Cleveland.

Just imagine a backfield with Barkley, Carlos Hyde and Duke Johnson. It would be the football equivalent of Earth Wind and Fire and Browns fans everywhere want some of it.

Defensive End, Bradley Chubb

Another popular pick is North Carolina State defensive end, Bradley Chubb. Writers and analysts love the idea of pairing him with last seasons first overall pick, Myles Garrett, and forming the next great edge rushing duo in the league.

Defensive end may not be a huge need with Garrett, Emmanuel Ogbah and others to form an already solid depth of edge rushers, but you can never have too many good ones. I think the rule is true about potentially great ones.

I wonder how Browns fans, and NFL fans everywhere would feel if Chubb was taken fourth overall, after Saquon Barkley was taken number one overall? Imagination is a wonderful thing to have.

Cornerback, Denzel Ward

If you read the staff article about who we all at Dawg Pound Daily thinks Cleveland will take at fourth overall, I had the Browns taking Sam Darnold and then Ward at four.

To be fair, this was before the signing of E.J. Gaines but I still haven’t wavered on him being the potential pick. With Damarious Randall coming in and switching to free safety, a proper compliment to Gaines on the opposite side is still a need.

Bonus: many Browns fans are Buckeyes fans as well and this would also make many people in the state of Ohio very happy.

Defensive Back, Minkah Fitzpatrick

As I said previously, Damarious Randall is here and is playing free safety. Minkah Fitzpatrick is projected to be the first free safety taken in the draft. It’s not a fit.

Right?

The potential of brining in Fitzpatrick and trying both him and Randall at corner and safety would be a great safety net. It’s a win-win: Both can play either position and both could succeed at either position. He’s one to consider.

Quarterback, Baker Mayfield

This move could happen with the potential pick of Saquon Barkley at No. 1 overall. With Mayfield’s swagger, willingness (almost desire) to play in Cleveland, athleticism and completion percentage (71%), he’s a common favorite among some.

Truthfully, Baker is the quarterback the team selects IF* they don’t select one at one overall. Josh Rosen has rubbed some people the wrong way and subtly made it known he doesn’t want to be a Brown. Josh Allen is likely gone somewhere in the top three, deserved or not. Sam Darnold is going to be a top three pick, hands down. That just leaves Baker.

If the draft for the Browns features Barkley and then Baker, I wonder how fans, writers and analysts would react? If your DDP writer, Randy Gurzi, you love it. If not, you would have to warm up to the idea.

Offensive Tackle, Mike McGlinchey

I seriously doubt McGlinchey is the pick at four. Truth be told, while he’s the top left tackle prospect in the draft, this is not a great year at the position. I doubt there would be one in the top 10. This would all come down Shon Coleman.

Shon Coleman is switching from right tackle, back to the position he played at Auburn. With future Hall of Famer, Joe Thomas retiring, Coleman is getting first crack at his first position.

Coming into the draft, many considered him a possible late first, likely second round pick. Lucky for the Browns, he made it to the third.

Next: What if Browns didn’t go QB in Round 1?

While McGlinchey probably isn’t deserving of a top five pick, however the team feels about Coleman at left tackle could force the teams hand and make them pick a position high that they didn’t want to.

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