2018 NFL Draft: Cleveland Browns day two instant reactions

On the second day of the 2018 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns made one trade and three selections. As we are so wont to do during the spectacle of the NFL Draft, let’s speculate and give our opinions way, way too early.

Much like yesterday, the Cleveland Browns decided that the second day of their draft would be about athleticism and team impact. At picks No. 33, 35, and 67, they took freak athletes who will have some kind of impact on the team in 2018. Let’s go through some quick hits.

First up, Cleveland went with Austin Corbett, a tackle/guard/whatever, really, out of Nevada. Corbett’s claim to fame, as this writer noted, is his versatility. But, unlike Cameron Erving who had the same claim to fame, Corbett’s body can actually support this.

Corbett has the size and athleticism to get it done as a center or guard at the next level. Most likely, Joel Bitonio will be kicking out to left tackle and Corbett will take over. Either that, or it may be time to say goodbye to one J.C. Tretter as Corbett moves to center.

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At No. 35 overall, the Browns took perhaps their most exciting player of the night, Nick Chubb. Chubb, second cousin of No. 5 overall pick Bradley Chubb, is a power runner unlike any other in this class.

Chubb’s power game is a force to be reckoned with, of course, but he has swiftness to his game as well. While Sony Michel did overshadow him during his final year at Georgia, make no mistake: Nick Chubb will be a great runner for this Browns team.

A final note about Chubb: he is a bit injury prone. However, and this is a huge however, the Browns could have gotten a massive steal here. If Chubb can get back to his pre-surgery form, he is just as good as Saquon Barkley in this class. Yes, seriously.

Finally, the Browns decided to take a bit of a gamble at No. 67 overall. Coming out of Miami, Chad Thomas is so long that it’s actually a bit ridiculous. At a lanky 6-foot-5 and 285-pounds, this musical prodigy had to convince teams that he loved football more than all ten instruments he knows.

Thomas is a project that the Browns can afford to build up for a year. He may get some playing time in certain situations this year as a defensive tackle, but naturally he comes off as a defensive end. With his unique build and power/burst combo, Thomas could be solid in 2019 and beyond.

Next: Top 15 Browns first round picks

All in all, it’s hard not to like what the Browns are doing here. John Dorsey seems to know exactly what he is doing, and Cleveland look very cold and calculated in this draft approach. It will be interesting to see what Saturday’s picks bring to the Dawg Pound.

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