Cleveland Browns: Post Odell Beckham 7-round mock draft

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EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 10: Justin Layne #2 of the Michigan State Spartans breaks up a pass next to Terry McLaurin #83 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the first half at Spartan Stadium on November 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Round 2, Pick 49: Justin Layne, CB, Michigan State

With the additions of Olivier Vernon and Sheldon Richardson, Cleveland addresses two of their biggest holes on defense. With those being solidified, they can look for the best player at this spot to try and build a contending team in the AFC North.

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At No. 49, they end up taking cornerback Justin Layne out of Michigan State. Layne makes a lot of sense here as the Browns need another starting cornerback opposite Denzel Ward. Listed at 6-foot-2 and 192-pounds, Layne has incredible size for the position, and he’s a former wideout which means he will have better ball skills than most corners entering the draft.

While that may be true, Layne doesn’t generate a lot of turnovers. In three seasons with the Spartans, he had just three interceptions total. He does at least get his hands on the ball to break passes up as he was credited with 24 pass defenses in his career.

The area of concern with Layne is his ability to help in run support, but that’s not enough to skip on him here. He’s a future NFL starter and improves the Cleveland secondary, which is something they need heading into 2019.

Layne, a Cleveland native, has stated he wants to play for the Browns. That’s suddenly becoming a common theme but in this instance, it would behoove Cleveland to bring the young man home.

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