Dawg Pound Daily
FanSided

Cleveland Browns: 3 players worth trading up for in the 2019 NFL Draft

By Randy Gurzi

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 07: Clelin Ferrell #99 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates a defensive play against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the College Football Playoff National Championship at Levi's Stadium on January 07, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 07: Clelin Ferrell #99 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates a defensive play against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the College Football Playoff National Championship at Levi's Stadium on January 07, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 03: Defensive lineman Clelin Ferrell of Clemson works out during day four of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 3, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 03: Defensive lineman Clelin Ferrell of Clemson works out during day four of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 3, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Last, but surely not least, we have defensive end Clelin Ferrell out of Clemson. Ferrell easily could have been a first-round pick in 2018 but he decided to return for his senior campaign with the belief that he and his team could do something special. That’s exactly what they did as the Tigers won the NCAA title on the strength of their powerful defensive line.

Ferrell had his best season as a collegiate athlete as well during their title run. He finished with 20 tackles for a loss and 11.5 sacks while also forcing three fumbles. Even with his knack for big plays, Ferrell isn’t getting the love he once did as a prospect. This has nothing to do with him though, but instead is a result of other pass rushers turning heads.

Big Combine performances from Brian Burns and Montez Sweat increased their stock. There’s also Nick Bosa and Josh Allen who have been the top pass rushers in most mock drafts all along. Because of this, Ferrell could end up sliding later than he should and the Browns would be wise to consider a move up for a player who has prototypical size and strength and is also as complete a defensive end as there is.

Currently, Cleveland does have a great duo at defensive end with Myles Garrett and Olivier Vernon set to start in 2019. However, Vernon has a pretty massive contract and that could lead to him not lasting for his entire deal. Vernon has also had issues with playing all 16 games in recent seasons.

Next. 2019 7-Round mock draft, two weeks out. dark

Ferrell helps on both fronts as he could step in for Vernon should he miss any time and also becomes the starter should Dorsey decide to move on from him in the near future. Plus, if Ferrell slides into the later-teens to 20s and becomes attainable, how good would it be to pair him and Garrett for the next eight years or so?

Home/Browns Draft