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Cleveland Browns: 7-round mock draft pre-Combine

By Randy Gurzi

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 08: Jakobi Meyers #11 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack makes a catch against Ja'Sir Taylor #24 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the first half of their game at Carter-Finley Stadium on November 08, 2018 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 08: Jakobi Meyers #11 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack makes a catch against Ja'Sir Taylor #24 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the first half of their game at Carter-Finley Stadium on November 08, 2018 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/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 2, Pick 17: Jeffery Simmons, DT

Through the second week of February, the top pick for the Cleveland Browns in most mock drafts was Mississippi State defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. That changed when the Bulldogs defender tore his ACL during training for the draft. The unfortunate news likely knocks him out of the first round, but it shouldn’t take him off the Browns’ board — especially if they don’t address the position with their top pick.

With that being the case in this mock, the Browns decide to make Simmons their first selection in Day 2 as they call his name here. While this move further improves their defense, there is a chance Simmons could miss all of his rookie season meaning there will be some delayed gratification her.

The good news is, the Browns have enough room in the salary cap to sign a veteran player to a short contract in order to give Simmons time to fully heal. Once he does get back on the field, Cleveland will have themselves a top-15 talent that they obtained for a steal.

During his time at Mississippi State, Simmons proved to be a complete defender. He showed off a relentless motor and was an incredibly powerful tackler. Simmons was great at stuffing the run but also had some skill rushing the passer, evidenced by his five sacks during his sophomore campaign in 2015. They will have to wait for the payoff, but in a couple of years, this move will make John Dorsey look brilliant.

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