Cleveland Browns: 7-Round Mock Draft following Week 17
By Randy Gurzi
Round 1: Devin White, LB, LSU
One thing that was painfully obvious during the 2018 season was the lack of speed and playmaking in the middle of the field. The Browns have good linebackers in Joe Schobert, Christian Kirksey, and Jamie Collins. But none of those three are game changers — and Collins is paid like one, which could lead to his ouster in the offseason.
More from Dawg Pound Daily
- How the Browns could maximize Nick Chubb in 2023
- Can Deshaun Watson get to Patrick Mahomes level for Cleveland Browns?
- 3 Cleveland Browns who should see an expanded role in 2023 and 1 who should not
- Is Marcus Davenport on the Browns radar in 2023?
- 5 Free agents from Super Bowl LVII Cleveland Browns should target
Where the shortcomings were felt most was in the passing game against opposing tight ends. Week in and week out, the Cleveland defense had a hard time sticking with tight ends over the middle of the field.
Here they try and make a selection that can help in that area by taking LSU linebacker Devin White. He’s a game changer who can cover sideline to sideline and will even help in the run game.
In three seasons with the Tigers, White twice hit more than 100 tackles and finished with 278 in his career. He added 8.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and an interception. He has a knack for being around the ball and can make game-altering plays which is something this defense can use.
Other mocks could have the Browns going wide receiver or defensive tackle, but Baker Mayfield did well enough with the crew he had to allow them to wait on the receiver position. As for D-tackle, there are a couple of big names that could be worth drafting here, but this class is loaded with talent at that position so they can wait and still find a potential starter.