The Complete Cleveland Browns Draft Primer
The 2015 NFL draft begins Thursday night. It will be a big night for all 32 teams, but an especially important one for the Cleveland Browns, who currently possess two picks in Round 1.
In total, the Browns have 10 picks this year—more than enough to find high-quality players who can contribute as rookies and fill certain positional voids.
Here's everything you need to know about the Browns' situation as they head into the NFL's premier offseason event.
The Picks
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The Browns have 10 picks in the 2015 NFL draft. Here's how they break down:
| Round | Pick No. | Overall |
| 1 | 12 | 12 |
| 1 | 19 (from BUF) | 19 |
| 2 | 11 | 43 |
| 3 | 13 | 77 |
| 4 | 12 | 111 |
| 4 | 16 (from BUF) | 115 |
| 5 | 11 | 147 |
| 6 | 13 | 189 |
| 6 | 26 (from BAL) | 202 |
| 7 | 12 | 229 |
Predraft Visits and Workouts
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According to a list compiled by the Akron Beacon Journal's Nate Ulrich, the Browns have conducted predraft workouts with and/or hosted the following players:
Visit and Workout
- NT Danny Shelton, Washington
- DT D.J. Humphries, Florida
- QB Trevor Siemian, Northwestern
Visit
- C Cameron Erving, Florida State
- WR Amari Cooper, Alabama
- RB Todd Gurley, Georgia
- RB Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin
- WR DeVante Parker, Louisville
- OT Ereck Flowers, Miami
- DT Eddie Goldman, Florida State
- S Damarious Randall, Arizona State
- WR Jaelen Strong, Arizona State
- EDGE, Danielle Hunter, LSU
- ILB Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi State
- CB Quinten Rollins, Miami (OH)
- OT Donovan Smith, Penn State
- OL Ali Marpet, Hobart
- RB Mike Davis, South Carolina
- OLB Deiontrez Mount, Louisville
- CB Quandre Diggs, Texas
- CB Bryce Callahan, Rice
- WR Ricky Collins, Texas A&M Commerce
- FB Mike Burton, Rutgers
- EDGE Andrew Hudson, Washington
- WR Shane Wynn, Indiana
Workout
- CB Eric Rowe, Utah
- OLB Shaq Thompson, Washington
- DT Grady Jarrett, Clemson
- DT Xavier Cooper, Washington State
- QB Garrett Grayson, Colorado State
- S Ibraheim Campbell, Northwestern
- S Brian Blechen, Utah
- WR Zach D'Orazio, Akron
- K Marvin Kloss, South Florida
- DT DeShawn Williams, Clemson
Given that the Browns have been linked to Washington nose tackle Danny Shelton for the duration of the predraft period, according to ESPN.com's Jeremy Fowler, it comes as no surprise that he was one of just three players the Browns both hosted for a visit and worked out. Shelton should be in play for the Browns in Round 1, at either pick No. 12 or No. 19.
A number of top wide receiver prospects have also come to Cleveland for visits, including Louisville's DeVante Parker, Alabama's Amari Cooper and Arizona State's Jaelen Strong. Cooper may be well off the board by the time the Browns pick at No. 12, but Parker could be available with one of their two Round 1 picks. If the Browns opt for a receiver in Round 2, Strong could be one of their options.
It should be noted that the Browns also met with the draft's top two running back prospects, Georgia's Todd Gurley and Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon. Though the Browns appear set at running back, having drafted Terrance West last year and picked up Isaiah Crowell as an undrafted free agent, if the Browns truly view Gurley or Gordon as one of the best players on their board, they may feel compelled to take one of the two at No. 19.
The Browns have also met with or worked out a number of offensive linemen. From Miami offensive tackle Ereck Flowers, to fast-rising guard Ali Marpet, from Florida State center Cameron Erving to Florida offensive tackle D.J. Humphries, the Browns are taking a closer look at a number of offensive linemen. This seems to indicate that guard, tackle and even center are on the team's radar.
Most notable, though, is that the Browns have only hosted two quarterbacks—Colorado State's Garrett Grayson and Northwestern's Trevor Siemian. Whether this is a smoke screen or a sign that the Browns aren't in the quarterback market as much as many believe, it is interesting that Marcus Mariota, Jameis Winston and even Bryce Petty did not come to town as part of the predraft process.
Biggest Draft Needs
3 of 5The Browns' biggest draft needs have been well-documented over the past few months. They start at defensive line, the Browns' first line of defense against the run. They are certainly in the market for an upgrade at defensive tackle.
Though Phil Taylor will be moved back to nose tackle this year, a rookie like Washington's Danny Shelton, Florida State's Eddie Goldman or Texas' Malcom Brown would give the team a big-bodied presence up front to help turn around their decade-old problem of stopping opposing running backs.
Wide receiver is another major need. Though the Browns brought on a pair of free agents in Dwayne Bowe and Brian Hartline this offseason, they must snag one of the draft's better receivers in order to infuse the receiving corps with youth and have a talented player to develop in the long term.
This year's draft class rivals 2014's when it comes to receiver depth. But that shouldn't lull the Browns into waiting until Rounds 3 or 4 to snag one. They must address this priority in Round 1 or 2, with Louisville's DeVante Parker, West Virginia's Kevin White, Arizona State's Jaelen Strong and Ohio State's Devin Smith among the players who would fit in Cleveland.
Additional pass-rushing help would also be welcomed, given that the Browns totaled only 31 sacks last year and the possibility that, based on contract value, outside linebacker Paul Kruger could be released next year. Edge-rusher is deep this year, which could allow the Browns to snag a talent like Utah's Nate Orchard, Arkansas' Trey Flowers or Missouri's Markus Golden as late as Round 4.
Cleveland's signing of free-agent tight end Rob Housler fills the void left by the departure of Jordan Cameron. But the tight end position is still thin, with Housler joining Jim Dray and Gary Barnidge on the depth chart. While not as high a priority as it was before the Housler signing, the Browns may opt to round out their tight ends group with someone like Penn State's Jesse James.
Quarterback is also a position that cannot be ruled out for the Browns, even though they currently possess four—Josh McCown, Johnny Manziel, Connor Shaw and Thaddeus Lewis. While the Browns hosted only two quarterbacks for predraft visits or workouts, it's still possible the Browns try to package picks to move up for Oregon's Marcus Mariota in Round 1. Later on, Baylor's Bryce Petty or Colorado State's Garrett Grayson could prove to be an attractive developmental-style quarterback.
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Daily Game Plan
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Day 1: Round 1
In Round 1, the Browns need to focus on getting players who can contribute and play at a high level in their first year with the team. The Browns struggled to make that happen with their two 2014 first-rounders, cornerback Justin Gilbert and quarterback Johnny Manziel. For the team to improve on the field, it must get the young players more involved.
Though the Browns have been linked to all manner of trade-up and trade-down scenarios, they would be smart to stand pat at their two picks in the round, at Nos. 12 and 19. Both spots should yield the Browns a pair of players they have had their eyes on. Nose tackle Danny Shelton, wide receiver DeVante Parker and pass-rusher Randy Gregory are just three players who could make the Browns better as rookies.
If they do explore a trade, it should be to move around in Round 1 and not as a means to package multiple picks to move up. Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota is an intriguing option, to be sure, but going quarterback in Round 1 in back-to-back years is too risky a proposition for the Browns. Unless they truly believe Mariota can last under center for five or 10 years, he's not worth it.
Day 2: Rounds 2 and 3
In Round 2, the Browns should go after the position they ignored in Round 1. If the Browns took a defensive tackle and a receiver in Round 1, then edge-rusher should be their main focus in Round 2. If pass-rusher and receiver were their Round 1 selections, then defensive tackle—or at least defensive line—should be the priority in Round 2, and so on.
If receiver was ignored in Round 1, then Round 2 is where the Browns could take Arizona State's Jaelen Strong or even Central Florida's Breshad Perriman. Round 2 or 3 could also yield an offensive lineman, given how many the Browns took a close look at during the predraft process. Guard, tackle and center are all in play here, with potential targets including tackle Ereck Flowers, guard Ali Marpet and center Cameron Erving.
Should the Browns really be in the rookie quarterback market, Round 3 may also present the best opportunity to get a player such as Colorado State's Garrett Grayson, Baylor's Bryce Petty or UCLA's Brett Hundley. Tight end is also a potential position the Browns could seek out in Round 3.
Day 3: Rounds 4, 5, 6, and 7
The Browns enter the 2015 draft with 10 picks. But it's possible that they don't come away from the draft with 10 new players. They have six picks in the final four rounds and could move some of these, whether to trade up, down or to get additional picks for 2016.
When they do pick, though, expect the Browns to continue to address their defensive front seven. A second defensive lineman and linebacker could both go to Cleveland on Day 3. An additional offensive lineman, such as South Carolina right tackle Corey Robinson or Florida's Trent Brown, could prove to be a steal after a year of development.
If the Browns are in the market for a running back and don't decide to take the leap for Melvin Gordon or Todd Gurley in Round 1, they could add one in Day 3. Again, this is a deep position in this year's draft, and teams are far more interested in getting value out of the position. It's not out of the question that the Browns go for a running back on Day 2, but if they don't, they could use their second Round 4 selection on one.
Tight end is a tricky position in this year's draft. Few are considered top-tier talents, but a number of receiving-blocking old-school hybrid tight ends could draw attention earlier than anticipated, like Florida State's Nick O'Leary or Ohio State's Jeff Heuerman. These players could also fall to Round 4 or 5. So the Browns will have to choose wisely and time it well if they have a tight end they'd like to bring aboard.
Later rounds are also when teams can take fliers on high-risk, high-reward players, developmental prospects, small-school talents and special teamers. The Browns will likely pad the bottom of their draft with wide receivers who can return punts or kicks, safeties and cornerbacks who can also perform special teams coverage duties, undersized hybrid offensive guard/tackles and potentially even a kicker.
5-Year Round 1 Draft History
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Though it may not provide all the clues as to what the Browns may do in Round 1 of the 2015 draft, looking back at the team's recent first-round draft history does provide insight as to where the team stands in regard to the talent level of its younger players. It can also show where the Browns do and do not need help, based on which of these players have already panned out and which have not.
| Year | Pick | Position | Player |
| 2014 | 8 | CB | Justin Gilbert |
| 2014 | 22 | QB | Johnny Manziel |
| 2013 | 6 | LB | Barkevious Mingo |
| 2012 | 3 | RB | Trent Richardson |
| 2012 | 22 | QB | Brandon Weeden |
| 2011 | 21 | DL | Phil Taylor |
| 2010 | 7 | CB | Joe Haden |
The Browns' last five first-round draft classes have produced a mixed bag. Last year's two Round 1 picks, cornerback Justin Gilbert and quarterback Johnny Manziel, are works-in-progress; it's hard to say where their careers will go.
Cleveland's Round 1 pick in 2013, linebacker Barkevious Mingo, is also a work-in-progress. Drafted to be a speedy edge-rusher, he has totaled only seven sacks in his first two seasons and has been a rotational player. Perhaps with additional playing time this year, thanks to the departure of Jabaal Sheard in free agency, he'll finally fulfill his potential.
Neither of the Browns' two Round 1 selections from 2012 is presently on the roster. Running back Trent Richardson was traded to the Indianapolis Colts just two weeks into his second season, while quarterback Brandon Weeden was released in 2014; he currently serves as a backup for the Dallas Cowboys.
These weren't complete losses, though, with the Browns picking up a 2014 Round 1 selection from the Colts in the Richardson trade. That pick was spent on Manziel, who, as noted above, is mostly an unknown.
In 2011 and 2010, the Browns selected two defensive players, Phil Taylor and Joe Haden. Taylor has been positioned to be a stalwart of Cleveland's defense, but two season-ending injuries and a number of defensive scheme changes have held him back. He'll be a nose tackle again for the Browns this year, but he could lose snaps—or his position on the depth chart entirely—depending on what the team does in the draft.
Haden is clearly the Browns' best Round 1 draft pick of their last five classes. The cornerback has been voted to the Pro Bowl twice and was named Second-Team All-Pro for his 2013 season. A team leader both on and off the field, Haden has been just as valuable as a mentor to the team's younger players as he has been to the defense.
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