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Cleveland Browns: 7-Round mock draft pre-combine

By Randy Gurzi

AMES, IA - NOVEMBER 24: Wide receiver Hakeem Butler #18 of the Iowa State Cyclones is tackled by defensive back Johnathan Durham #6 of the Kansas State Wildcats while linebacker Justin Hughes #32 of the Kansas State Wildcats defends in the first half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on November 24, 2018 in Ames, Iowa. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA - NOVEMBER 24: Wide receiver Hakeem Butler #18 of the Iowa State Cyclones is tackled by defensive back Johnathan Durham #6 of the Kansas State Wildcats while linebacker Justin Hughes #32 of the Kansas State Wildcats defends in the first half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on November 24, 2018 in Ames, Iowa. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Browns
STARKVILLE, MS – OCTOBER 21: Stephen Johnson #15 of the Kentucky Wildcats throws a pass as Jeffery Simmons #94 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs tries to defend during the first half of an NCAA football game at Davis Wade Stadium on October 21, 2017 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images) /

Round 1: Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State

Last season, the Cleveland Browns hit on both first-round picks as Baker Mayfield and Denzel Ward — selected at No. 1 and No. 4 respectively — both proved to be well worth the investment. This season, they could do well again if things shake out to where Jeffery Simmons is still on the board when they make their selection at No. 17.

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The Mississippi State defensive tackle is the exact kind of player Cleveland needs on their defensive line. Listed at 6-foot-4 and 300-pounds and was a disruptive force for the Bulldogs. He’s a three-down player who can generate a pass rush but is even better at stopping the run.

For the Browns, that’s something they need desperately. Their final game this season illustrated this as they allowed the Baltimore Ravens to rush for 296 yards and two touchdowns. This wasn’t a one-time problem either as the Cleveland defense surrendered 135.2 yards per rushing attempt, which landed them at No. 28 in the league according to NFL.com.

Placing him on the same line as Myles Garrett, Emmanuel Ogbah, and Larry Ogunjobi would give the Browns one of the most dreaded defensive lines in the AFC. On top of that, they also have a new defensive coordinator in Steve Wilks, who is a well-respected defensive mind capable of getting the best out of this unit.

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