Cleveland Browns Mock Draft: Final 7-Round Predictions

With 10 selections on the whole and two first-round picks in the 2014 NFL draft, the Cleveland Browns are sure to be one of the weekend’s most interesting teams to watch.

There is also the fact that no one seems to have any idea what Cleveland is going to do.

Via Adam Schefter, Chris Mortenson expects the Browns to “snap up” Johnny Manziel if he’s available. Meanwhile, former general manager Charley Casserly and Browns beat writer Tony Grossi don’t consider Manziel an option.

To summarize: No one has any idea what is going to happen.

One thing is certain, though. Cleveland will be aggressive, whether it is trading up for a specific target or it means taking someone that the rest of the NFL considers a reach. Because this is the time for the Browns to make their move.

In 2013, the Browns showed the NFL that they do have talent but that there were a few holes that needed filling. With this draft, Cleveland has a chance to fill those holes and compete right away.

Round 1

4. Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M

This is the prediction here, not because of any media reports one way or the other, but because it makes sense.

Cleveland’s offense is ready to take a massive step forward with the addition of one player, and that player must be a quarterback. For the Browns, that quarterback could be Manziel, Teddy Bridgewater, Blake Bortles, Derek Carr or any of several other names.

But Manziel seems like the best fit.

Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan had a terrific first year with Robert Griffin III in Washington, and Shanahan loves being creative with mobile quarterbacks.

It’s unfair to label Manziel as purely a running quarterback, however. He isn’t big, but he can throw from the pocket and on the move. His mobility and improvisation need no explanation. Anyone watching ESPN the past two years has seen that.

Manziel isn’t falling to No. 26, and unless the Browns want to trade up pretty far, they have to take him here. More importantly, if they think Manziel is a franchise quarterback, taking a chance on missing out would be foolish.

26. Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio State

Despite signing Karlos Dansby, inside linebacker remains a top need for the Browns. Craig Robertson struggled immensely in 2013, and he would be better suited as a backup.

Some have pegged Ryan Shazier as a pure 4-3 player due to his size, but he is talented enough to excel in a 3-4 scheme. The 6’1”, 237-pounder is explosive, fast and surprisingly physical.

Head coach Mike Pettine loves versatility at inside linebacker, and Shazier offers it. He can defend the run, drop in coverage or rush the passer. Shazier is actually a talented enough pass-rusher to play outside in a 3-4 scheme, though, he is better suited inside.

This is the type of player Pettine can have some fun with, and given the need, it is a perfect fit.

However, the Browns could go a number of directions here. The offensive line remains a concern, and Cleveland desperately needs a wide receiver to play opposite Josh Gordon.

Round 2

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35. Cody Latimer, WR, Indiana

Fortunately for Cleveland, this is an exceptionally deep wide receiver class. The Browns can afford to address other needs with their first two picks and still add an immediate impact wideout in the second round.

Cody Latimer has been a hot name as of late, and for good reason. The 6’3”, 215-pounder is a great athlete with big potential. Latimer’s hype isn’t just smoke—he’s good.

After Josh Gordon, Cleveland doesn’t have much size or talent at wide receiver. Andrew Hawkins is a potentially dangerous slot option, but he isn’t a game-changer, and he is one of the smallest receivers in the game. Latimer can be a legitimate threat on the outside, though, he isn’t a sure thing. His concentration is an issue at times, and his route running needs some work.

At this point, the Browns still haven’t addressed the offensive line, and they could go with either a tackle or a guard. Additionally, a cornerback could make sense, as the Browns don’t have much beyond Buster Skrine.

Round 3

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71. Trai Turner, OG, LSU

Cleveland would be wise to add either a tackle or a guard early in the draft, and Trai Turner represents a tremendous value. Though he isn’t the prototype zone-blocking guard, Turner can work in the scheme.

The 6’3”, 310-pounder is exceptionally powerful with surprising burst and quickness. The LSU product’s athleticism is crucial. In order to work in Kyle Shanahan’s offense, a guard has to be able to pull, and Turner can.

Turner isn’t a finished product yet—his technique needs some work—but he is naturally talented enough to provide the Browns with an immediate upgrade along the interior offensive line.

83. Pierre Desir, CB, Lindenwood

After a breakout season, Buster Skrine is entrenched as the Browns’ No. 2 cornerback, for now at least. Beyond Skrine, though, there is legitimate reason for concern, as Leon McFadden, who barely played as a rookie in 2013, is the team’s most likely nickelback.

Pierre Desir is a big, athletic cornerback with significant upside in the third round. The 6’1”, 195-pounder is a tremendous athlete but, coming from a small school, is far from a sure thing.

Desir’s technique needs work, and at this point, he’s mostly just an athlete, so he may not help out Cleveland’s cornerback problem right away, but in the third round, that is sort of expected.

At this point, the Browns have addressed their main needs, but they could use depth just about everywhere. Cleveland will be looking more at its rankings and less at its own depth chart by now.

Round 4

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106. Carl Bradford, LB, Arizona State

With Barkevious Mingo, Paul Kruger, Jabaal Sheard and Quentin Groves, outside linebacker isn’t an immediate need. However, Sheard is a free agent next year, and Groves is purely a backup.

Additionally, Carl Bardford is capable of playing both linebacker spots at the next level, and at this point, he’s a strong value.

At 6’1”, 250 pounds, Bradford doesn’t have the length many look for in a pass-rusher, but his athleticism and ability to convert speed into power are both valuable assets. He isn’t ready to play every down, but as a rookie, he could excel as a situational pass-rusher as he works on the other aspects of the game.

127. Shaquelle Evans, WR, UCLA

Even after drafting one wide receiver, the Browns could use more. It’s no longer a desperate need, but really, nothing is by now. If by the fourth round, a team has any desperate needs, it is probably entering the season with them.

At 6’1”, 213 pounds, Shaq Evans is a physical wide receiver with enough athleticism to play in the NFL. Evans has the ability to develop into a solid possession receiver, and he could see the field as a rookie.

Evans will never be a deep threat or an explosive playmaker, but he can be a contributing player. In the fourth round, that is a deal.

Round 5

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145. Brock Vereen, S, Minnesota

Tashaun Gipson had a good year in 2013, but it’s tough to say if he will continue to be a strong contributor away from Ray Horton. Additionally, Cleveland doesn’t have much in the way of depth at safety.

At 6’0”, 199 pounds, Vereen is small for a safety, but he’s intelligent and athletic. Vereen is a leader in the secondary who excels at recognizing what the offense is doing.

Despite his size, Vereen is capable of playing either safety position, so he offers solid depth across the board. Vereen has also played cornerback at times, and he could work as a backup there.

Round 6

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180. Lache Seastrunk, RB, Baylor

After signing Ben Tate, the Browns are no longer in desperate need of a running back. The position is now more of a depth concern, and even that isn’t a huge issue.

Lache Seastrunk is one of the most explosive players in the draft, and he has the potential to develop into an electrifying player. Seastrunk can start and stop in an instant, and he gets up to full speed startlingly quickly.

On the downside, Seastrunk isn’t a great runner at this point. His vision is suspect, and he almost never runs inside, instead preferring to bounce everything outside. This will take time to fix, but at this point, the upside is worth the downside.

Round 7

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218. Jake Murphy, TE, Utah

Jordan Cameron has proven to be a starting-quality tight end, and the Browns did sign Jim Dray to back him up. However, Dray isn’t much of a receiver, and Gary Barnidge has proven that he isn’t anything special, even as a backup.

Already 24 years old, Jake Murphy may not have a ton of potential. He isn’t a great athlete, but he has good size and great hands. He has the potential to be a valuable player as an H-Back, catching passes out of the backfield and split out.

The Browns don’t have many other positions they need to address here, and Murphy is about as talented as any player still on the board, save for any major character concerns.