Cleveland Browns Mock Draft: Best and Worst Case for Every Round, Part 1

The Boy Scouts of America's motto is "Be prepared." It's also a good piece of advice for teams and fans alike to take come NFL draft day.

One pick that doesn't go "as planned" (which could mean about six different things this time of year) could throw off the agendas of every team that picks afterwards, meaning a lot happens on the fly in war rooms once the action kicks off.

If a team doesn't respond to those changes well, it could prove disastrous for their draft class. That's why it's smart to be ready for everything from the ideal to the not-so-ideal.

With that in mind, here's part one (the first six picks) of my full, seven-round best-case/worst-case mock draft for the Cleveland Browns.

Round 1, Pick 4

Best Case: Trent Richardson, RB

Worst Case: Trading Down, Drafting Morris Claiborne, CB or Ryan Tannehill, QB

I've said it once (I may have said it a half-dozen times already), and I will say it again—the Browns simply must draft Trent Richardson with their No. 4 overall draft pick. He's the perfect package, with elite running skills, the ability to be his own blocker if the Browns offensive line doesn't get better, pass-catching abilities and of course, pass protection talent.

The worst thing the Browns could do here is trade down to No. 6 or No. 8 overall. The time to trade out of the top 10 is over for Cleveland—especially in a year like this, when they already have 13 picks and don't need more.

If they trade down (or if they take another approach at No. 4), the worst choices they could make are to pick up cornerback Morris Claiborne or quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Claiborne is an elite athlete to be sure, but the Browns just don't need a corner.

Tannehill is not worth any Browns pick in the top 10; while I fully expect they pick up a quarterback this year, there's no need for it to be in the first round considering the team appears to back Colt McCoy as their starter this season.

Round 1, Pick 22

Best Case: Cordy Glenn, OG

Worst Case: Kendall Wright, WR

There are other players the Browns could target to fill their hole at right tackle, but guard/tackle hybrid Cordy Glenn is a great fit simply because his versatility on their line. Either way, the position is of the utmost importance, and they must fill it in either picks No. 22 or 37. Stanford's Jonathan Martin could work at this pick as well.

If they wait until 37 to go offensive line, then wide receiver would be the next-best option. Kendall Wright out of Baylor should still be on their board at this pick and would be likely the best available receiver remaining in a strong draft class.

I could also see the Browns selecting Alshon Jeffery instead. Though it may seem like a reach, Jeffery has one of the highest ceilings of this year's receivers and could make a very significant, positive difference for Cleveland from day one.

Round 2, Pick 37

Best Case: Alshon Jeffery, WR

Worst Case: Doug Martin or David Wilson, RB

Following the path of the best-case scenario draft, the second-round pick would thus be the one the Browns use on a wide receiver. Other players should be available to them here, but I like Alshon Jeffery over all of them.

In the worst-case scenario, the Browns have yet to pick up a running back, which means they have to go with one of the two players who cam make the greatest all-around impact in year one, though neither of them will have the success that Richardson would in Cleveland.

Both Doug Martin and David Wilson are tough runners with good receiving skills, but Wilson struggles in pass protection and Martin doesn't have elite speed. They're talented, certainly, and should be successful, but again, they're no Richardson.

Round 3, Pick 67

Best Case: Lavonte David, LB

Worst Case: Zebrie Sanders, OT

Considering the high number of defensive ends the Browns had visited before the draft, I am not entirely convinced they truly intend on starting Frostee Rucker unless they have to. Lavonte David, who is listed as a linebacker but would be well-suited to a 4-3 defensive end job, could be a diamond in the rough.

Further, Scott Fujita may miss time as part of the New Orleans Saints bounty scandal punishment; David could certainly start in his stead should that be the case. 

Otherwise, in a worst-case scenario, the Browns have yet to address that pesky right tackle position. Though Zebrie Sanders is better on the left, he's still highly rated as a right tackle in this year's draft and may be the best available tackle still on the board in Round 3.

Round 4, Pick 100

Best Case: Mitchell Schwartz, OT

Worst Case: Kirk Cousins, QB

I think the fourth round is too early for the Browns to look for their back-up quarterback. I therefore have their worst-case scenario pick here being Michigan State's Kirk Cousins. He may be worth developing into a starter at some point down the line, but I just don't see the Browns being the team that does so.

Instead, I'd prefer Cleveland to further boost their offensive line with this pick. Schwartz has played right and left tackle, and he could compete for that vacant starting right tackle spot. Better to have a guy like Schwartz on tap even if they do go with Cordy Glenn in Round 1.

Round 4, Pick 118

Best Case: Joe Adams, WR

Worst Case: Jarius Wright, WR

Regardless of what happens in previous rounds, I think the Browns should spend their first of two fifth-round picks on a slot receiver to boost the number of weapons available to Colt McCoy. Both Joe Adams and Jarius Write are speedy, slightly undersized Arkansas products with good hands—the very definition of a perfect slot guy—who can contribute on special teams. Cleveland can't go wrong with either.

Stay tuned; part two of the Cleveland Browns' best- and worst-case mock drafts continues tomorrow with projections for their final seven picks.

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