Cleveland Browns mock draft: Re-tooling the defense

Cleveland Browns Sixth-Round Pick No. 185: Tommy Eichenberg, LB, Ohio State

The Browns’ linebacker room was decimated with injuries this season and with several contributors also in the final year of their deal. This season for Ohio State Tommy Eichenberg has been everywhere on the field for the Buckeyes as a tackling machine. The Browns could use a young linebacker that is a sure tackler in the middle of the defense. This season Eichenberg has 112 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and one interception.

The Browns will likely bring in a veteran to start at the middle linebacker spot that Eichenberg could learn from. He has an above-average football IQ that he uses to diagnose the play in front of him and the athleticism to react well to what he sees.

Cleveland Browns Seventh-Round Pick No. 226- T.J. Bass, IOL, Oregon

Another position that has seen a lot of injuries is the interior offensive line which has seen multiple players play at right guard and center. The team will get back last year’s seventh-round pick Dawson Deaton from injury but adding another interior player like T.J. Bass makes a lot of sense for the Browns. Bass is another player that has experience in the type of scheme the Browns have and is a good candidate to be developed by offensive line coach Bill Callahan.