A look back at all nine prospects that were selected by the Cleveland Browns during the 2018 NFL Draft, including a grade for each pick
The 2018 NFL Draft is in the books. The Cleveland Browns had what seems to have been a successful weekend where they landed several key players — including their quarterback of the future in Baker Mayfield.
They also added a strong option at corner in Denzel Ward and a bruising running back in Nick Chubb. There was also a controversial wide receiver in Florida’s Antonio Callaway that turned a lot of heads.
Still, it was the pick that started the draft off that had people talking. Mayfield’s selection may have divided some, but how does that pick grade out?
Related Story: Reaction to Browns picking Callaway
We answer that and more by looking at how Cleveland did with each of their nine selections in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Round 1, Pick 1: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
So many people wanted Sam Darnold out of USC, but that would have been a terrible move. Darnold is turnover prone and has too much to work on to be a No. 1 pick. He also regressed in his second season as a starter.
Baker Mayfield however just got better and better each year. His selection gives them a guy who had 131 touchdowns and just 30 picks in his collegiate career. He also brings a fire for winning that this team needs. For all those wanting to keep a rookie quiet and on the bench in 2018, good luck. He’s ready now.
Grade: A+
Round 1, Pick 4: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
Next up for the Browns was cornerback Denzel Ward. The Ohio State cornerback was the fourth pick in the draft and, like Mayfield, was met with some skepticism.
Many wanted the team to go for Bradley Chubb. While the big defensive end out of North Carolina State would have been a great choice, Ward actually fills a bigger need.
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He’s an incredibly fast corner that can keep up with any receivers in the league. He also has a high ceiling as his time as a starter was limited.
Grade: A
Round 2, Pick 33: Austin Corbett, OL, Nevada
At No. 33 the Browns went for Austin Corbett, a tackle who may move inside at the next level. The better choice may have been to go with Boston College’s Harold Landry, since they went for edge help shortly after.
Originally I had this graded as a C-, but some have changed my mind a little as people who know football are high on him. Still, the grade didn’t change much, because of the other options available.
Grade: C+
Round 2, Pick 35: Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia
This was the pick that it seemed everyone agreed on. Georgia running back Nick Chubb is a powerful back and routinely went over 1,000-yards. The only time he didn’t do so was in 2015, when he suffered a horrendous knee injury.
He proved the past two seasons he could be healthy though and gives them one of the best running back corps in the league.
Grade: A
Round 3, Pick 67: Chad Thomas, DE, Miami
The Browns dropped down in the second and ended up at No. 67. They received the 178th pick in the draft to move down from 64 and they wound up taking Miami defensive end Chad Thomas.
While Thomas is an impressive specimen at 6-foot-5 and 281-pounds, he’s not as talented as someone like Harold Landry who they could have taken at 33, but still found a decent offensive lineman here.
Trying not to punish Thomas for that, we can look at him objectively and see a strong end that was the key player on a strong Miami line. He still won’t be more than a rotational guy though.
Grade: C-
Round 4, Pick 105: Antonio Callaway
The earlier acquired pick No. 178 was used as ammunition for Cleveland to move up from No. 114 to 105. The pick there ended up being Antonio Callaway, the troubled wide out from Florida.
This pick was met with a lot of people claiming Callaway could be a steal, but how do we know. He was suspended for all of 2017 and then with a multi-million dollar job on the line he failed a drug test at the NFL Scouting Combine.
It’s a risky pick, and one that goes against the culture the Browns want to build in their locker room. Just a head scratcher as they will really have to keep an eye on this kid. Would have rather taken a flier here on someone like defensive tackle Maurice Hurst.
Grade: D
Round 5, Pick 150: Genard Avery, ILB, Memphis
In the fifth-round, Cleveland added an inside linebacker with some strength behind him. Genard Avery is a powerful player and offers up some help in the pass rushing department. He had 8.5 sacks as a senior and should play the mike position for the Browns.
Grade: A-
Round 6, Pick 175: Damion Ratley, WR, Texas A&M
Cleveland kicked off the sixth-round with the selection of Texas A&M’s Damion Ratley had limited production before his senior season when he had 30 receptions for 694 yards and six touchdowns. His claim to fame is speed, evidenced by his 23.1 yard per reception average.
Not bad at this point, but the lack of production makes it seem less exciting than most picks. He does at least provide insurance for Corey Coleman, another burner who can’t stay healthy.
Grade: C+
Round 6, Pick 14: Simeon Thomas, CB, Louisiana-Lafayette
The Browns had brought Simeon Thomas in for a pre-draft visit and they used their final pick in the 2018 NFL Draft to bring him in. Cleveland doubles up on corners here and the first thing that stands out is his size.
Thomas is listed at 6-foot-2 and 197-pounds, and is considered a physical back. Where he needs work is his ability to turn the ball over as he had just two picks in his career. He did at least defense 12 passes in 2017.
Next: Top 15 Browns first round picks
At this point you’re looking for traits to work with and he has that.
Grade: B-