Cleveland Browns 7-round mock draft after bye week

With the ninth pick in the draft, the Browns take Isaiah Simmons in order to shore up the back part of their defense. A couple of elements led to this selection of Clemson defensive hybrid Simmons with the ninth pick in the draft.

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First and foremost, both Andrew Thomas and Tristan Wirfs were off the board, and the drop off at the tackle position is a bit too steep to reach for with the ninth overall pick. Yes, the Browns need a tackle to protect Baker Mayfield for the future. No they do not need to reach in the first round to do so; take a deep breath and let the board come to you.

Secondly, the Browns have a bleeding issue due to far too many missed tackles in the second level. Adding the physical 6-foot-4 and 225 pound Simmons as the Jabrill Peppers replacement the Browns have been looking for will help with this issue.

Christian Kirksey is gone after this year, Joe Schobert and Damarious Randall do not have new contracts past this season, and last year’s third-round pick Sione Takitaki is not ready to take the field (seeing playing time as just a special teamer at this point). Mack Wilson, while he was a preseason sensation, has been abysmal so far this season, grading out at a terrible 43, according to Pro Football Focus.

Adding a defensive superstar like Simmons who can play in the box, in the deep third, or as a linebacker will be an asset to the Browns. While linebackers and safeties are often times luxury picks early in the draft, the Browns find themselves with few holes to fill on their roster.