Round 3, Pick 1: Alton Robinson, EDGE, Syracuse
Cleveland has two picks in the third round, starting with their own. With that selection, there are still several ways to go. One area that may not seem like a dire need is along the edge, but that’s not really true.
When Myles Garrett and Olivier Vernon both played, the defensive ends for the Browns were really good. The problem is, they didn’t get to play 16 games together. For Garrett, it was his suspension for cracking Mason Rudolph upside the head with his own helmet.
As for Vernon, his health proved to be an issue as he was unable to suit up for much of the second half of the year. And when he was on the field, he was clearly hobbled.
With Dorsey trading away all their depth at the position, the Browns were down to Bryan Cox, Jr. and Gustin Porter working alongside Chad Thomas. They all stepped up and played well, but they’re not the answer behind their two starters.
In order to create more depth, the new general manager adds Alton Robinson with this pick. The Syracuse defensive end was built to play on the edge in the NFL at 6-foot-4 and 260-pounds. He doesn’t get the attention he deserves playing up in Western New York but Robinson is a stud with the potential to develop into a starter in the NFL.
Cleveland would be set up nicely having him come off the bench in rotation and then fighting with Chad Thomas for a starting role when it’s time to move on from Vernon.