Cleveland Browns Mock Draft: Picking Every Round for Need Only

No team can approach the yearly NFL draft hoping to meet all of their roster needs, nor do they plan out a draft strategy that is solely needs-based.

However, that's what I am going to do here in this full, seven-round Cleveland Browns mock draft. All 13 picks will be for positions of need based on players that should be available to them.

Round 1, Pick 4: RB Trent Richardson, Alabama

Trent Richardson is where need and talent meet for the Cleveland Browns this year. It just so happens that the Browns need a starting running back and that Richardson is the best of the draft class. I am not in the trade-down camp for the Browns (nor in the take-Tannehill-fourth-overall camp), so that means Richardson it is.

Round 1, Pick 22: RT Mike Adams, Ohio State

Remember, we're talking needs here, not best player available. There's likely to be a number of "better" players on the board than Mike Adams with the Browns' No. 22 first-round pick, but they very clearly need a right tackle, and getting one of the best in this year's draft is a smart move here. 

Round 2, Pick 37: WR Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina

With so many high-end receivers in this year's draft and the probability quite low that all or most of them are off the board in the first round, the Browns have some flexibility here.

I have Jeffery falling to them at this pick, but they could also land Rutgers' Mohamed Sanu, Georgia Tech's Stephen Hill or even Baylor's Kendall Wright at this spot. Either way, it's a receiver for the Browns in the second round. 

Round 3, Pick 67: OLB Lavonte David, Nebraska

Though the Browns did add some help on the outside by bringing in free-agent defensive end Frostee Rucker, their defensive line is still far from perfect. They could add a talent like Lavonte David, who may fall this far because he's slightly undersized, to back up and eventually replace Scott Fujita.

Also remember Fujita could be subject to discipline if he was a part of the New Orleans Saints' bounty program, so David could be even more important in the early weeks of the season. 

Round 4, Pick 100: OT Mitchell Schwartz, California

Time for more offensive-line boosting for the Browns. Schwartz may be off the board by this pick, but again, so much of putting together mock drafts is assuming what other teams may do, much as participating in a real-life draft is. Schwartz has played both right and left tackle, making him a versatile addition who could go from depth to starter. 

Round 4, Pick 118: WR Jarius Wright, Arkansas

The Browns need more than one new receiver this year, and they might as well take one who can play well in the slot—hence Jarius Wright. Wright is fast, and an excellent route runner, but his small size makes him best-served in a slot role. He can also return punts, making him a good value at the pick.

Round 5, Pick 139: QB Brock Osweiler, Arizona State

Oh yes, you didn't think I'd forget about the Browns drafting a quarterback, did you? I opted out of the team taking Brandon Weeden in the second (or perhaps third) round to instead grab more needed players, but the Browns needed to get themselves a better backup than Seneca Wallace at some point.

Osweiler has serious size (he's 6'8" and 242 pounds) that clearly helps him see down the field and a strong arm to match. However, that size has produced a slow delivery, and he's still fairly green, staring down his receivers. Time on the bench behind Colt McCoy will give him the time he needs should he ultimately end up the Browns starter in a season or two.

Round 5, Pick 160: LB Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State

Two Arizona State prospects back-to-back for the Browns here, but clearly for different reasons. Linebacker Vontaze Burfict may be considered to some to be undraftable, but with the Browns holding 13 picks this year, they can afford to get a bit creative and a bit risky at points and hope for a big payoff.

Burfict is the definition of that kind of player. We've all seen the violence with which he plays the game and the lethargy he seems to display when asked to run drills or a 40-yard-dash. But the former outweighs the latter, especially in a division rife with crazy linebackers. Might as well bring a little danger to the Browns defense.

Round 6, Pick 204 (Compensatory): RB/WR Chris Rainey, Florida

It's hard to say where jack-of-all-trades Chris Rainey will land in the draft. He's a hybrid running back/wide receiver along the lines of Dexter McCluster and has punt and kick return skills to boot. He'd be a good change-of-pace back for Trent Richardson, would be a small and fast receiving target and could add another spark to the return game. If he's on the board here, the Browns should grab him.

Round 6, Pick 205 (Compensatory): FS Tramaine Thomas, Arkansas

Picking up defensive depth in later rounds is going to be a necessity for the Browns. Arkansas free safety Tramaine Thomas has experience also playing corner and could be useful in filling the nickel role once held by now-starter Dimitri Patterson.

Round 7, Pick 211: OT Landon Walker, Clemson

It's round seven, so it's another opportunity for the Browns to build depth on the offensive line. Landon Walker could become a starter someday, but he also might not—sounds like a seventh-rounder to me. He was a starter all four years at Clemson, which bodes well for his chances as a pro.

Round 7, Pick 245 (Compensatory): CB D'Anton Lynn, Penn State

Not only can D'Anton Lynn compete for a nickel corner role, he could also provide special teams return coverage. That kind of double duty makes him a useful late-round addition.

Round 7, Pick 247 (Compensatory): WR Darius Hanks, Alabama

The Browns close out their needs-only draft by taking a flier on Alabama's Darius Hanks. The Browns need to provide quarterback Colt McCoy with weapons, so bringing on Hanks is extremely low-risk.

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