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Cleveland Browns land cornerback and EDGE in 7-round mock

By Randy Gurzi

Nov 30, 2019; Syracuse, NY, USA; Syracuse Orange defensive back Ifeatu Melifonwu (23) intercepts a pass in the end zone in front of Wake Forest Demon Deacons wide receiver Waydale Jones (80) during the second quarter at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2019; Syracuse, NY, USA; Syracuse Orange defensive back Ifeatu Melifonwu (23) intercepts a pass in the end zone in front of Wake Forest Demon Deacons wide receiver Waydale Jones (80) during the second quarter at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cleveland Browns
LUBBOCK, TEXAS – OCTOBER 31: Defensive end Ronnie Perkins #7 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs into the offensive backfield during the second half of the college football game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Jones AT&T Stadium on October 31, 2020 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

Pick Analysis. EDGE. player. 815. Scouting Report. Oklahoma. RonniePerkins. 2

As much as it will help the Browns to add another starting defensive tackle in the upcoming draft, they’re going to need even more help on that side of the ball if they want to take the next step in 2021. While there will be needs at several spots, the second most pressing is going to be at defensive end.

Just like at cornerback, Cleveland has one premier starter but like Denzel Ward, Myles Garrett won’t be able to get it done by himself. Sure, he can be a wreaking ball and has the potential to win the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award, but if there are no other threats to get after the quarterback, there are ways to slow him down — and teams could do that by running away from him, as well as with double and even triple teams.

Of course, doing this frees up the starter on the other side and we saw Olivier Vernon begin to dominate this season with the attention Garrett was getting. Unfortunately, Vernon ended the season with a ruptured Achilles in Week 17, and with him set for free agency, he could be on the way out.

That leaves them with Adrian Clayborn and Curtis Weaver as the primary defensive ends — with Porter Gustin likely to return as well since he’s a restricted free agent. Long story short, they need another starter.

Thankfully in this mock, Ronnie Perkins from Oklahoma is still on the board in Round 2. Listed at 6-foot-3 and 251-pounds, he’s similar in stature to Olivier Vernon. He also has the ability to play with his hand in the dirt and from a two-point stance as Vernon did. Last season, Joe Woods used Vernon in this stand-up role often and had great success.

Perkins has room to grow as a player but has powerful hands and an assortment of moves to work with. As a rookie, Cleveland won’t need him to be elite but as long as he makes teams pay for forgetting about him and focusing too much on No. 95, then this move will pay off.

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