Cleveland Browns Mock Draft: Final 7 Round Predictions
The Cleveland Browns appear to be headed toward another eventful weekend in the 2015 NFL draft.
GM Ray Farmer pulled off three trades in the first round a season ago while maneuvering around to acquire Johnny Manziel and Justin Gilbert—both of whom flopped in their rookie years in Cleveland.
Armed with two first-round selections and 10 picks overall, Farmer has the ammunition to be active once again.
The Marcus Mariota trade rumors are the talk of the draft for now, but expect an eventful few days for the Browns even after their supposed target comes off the board.
Round 1
1 of 7Will the Browns trade up for Marcus Mariota?
That's the hot rumor around the NFL leading up to the draft. ESPN's Pat McManamon reported that Cleveland offered its two first-round picks (Nos. 12 and 19) to the Titans in exchange for their No. 2 overall pick. But it continues to sound like an unlikely scenario based on what the Browns have to offer.
Getting the 12th and 19th picks in a weak first-round class doesn't seem like a fair deal for the No. 2 overall selection and a potential franchise quarterback.
If the Browns were to offer their 2016 first-round selection, then things could get interesting.
But with no Mariota on the board, the Browns turn their attention to address other positions in the first round.
No. 12: Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
The Browns have made no attempt to hide their interest in Shelton this spring—ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported he has visited with the team—and he has to be considered the favorite at No. 12. Obviously the Browns have other players they would like to see fall, but Shelton is the most likely among their targets to be left standing.
While the Browns could probably get by for another season with Phil Taylor and Ishmaa'ily Kitchen, Shelton fills a long-term need, as Taylor is set to become a free agent after the 2015 season.
When the Browns look around the league at the best 3-4 defenses, they see players like Dontari Poe anchoring in the middle, and their hope is that Shelton becomes that guy in Cleveland.
Louisville wide receiver DeVante Parker is worth mentioning as an option here, but the Browns may be swayed by the depth at receiver to wait to address the position.
No. 19: Breshad Perriman, WR, Central Florida
Typically late meetings with prospects indicate genuine interest, so it's safe to assume the Browns are considering Perriman at this spot depending on how the No. 12 selection plays out.
"WR Breshad Perriman dined with Ray Farmer and other Browns officials Sunday in Orlando http://t.co/htd9hNLV1L
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) April 27, 2015"
Perriman is a project and should definitely not be considered a quick fix at the position.
However, the Browns are comfortable with Dwayne Bowe, Brian Hartline and Andrew Hawkins for the short term, giving them the ability to bring in a player who may have a minimal immediate impact.
Perriman has all the tools necessary to develop into the type of receiver Josh Gordon had been for the Browns when eligible to be on the field.
Round 2
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No. 43: Donovan Smith, OT, Penn State
It's difficult to pinpoint the exact prospect the Browns will take here because there are a range of scenarios in which various players could be on the board. However, offensive line appears to be the likely target.
The reasoning for the selection is this: The front office has been unhappy with Mitchell Schwartz's performance and is willing to let him walk as a free agent next offseason. As a result, the team would like to bring in a prospect to compete for the job in 2015 and be ready to take over in 2016 at the latest.
Smith is likely to be on the board and seems to fit the mold of the powerful run-blocking lineman the team would be interested in acquiring.
While Smith played left tackle at Penn State, he is viewed as a right tackle or guard in the pro game.
Round 3
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No. 77: Henry Anderson, DE, Stanford
Opinions of Henry Anderson are all over the place, but it appears as though he is more highly thought of in the analytics community than the NFL.
Pro Football Focus recently listed Anderson among their top 10 overall prospects (h/t MMBQ's Peter King), but he is widely expected to be a mid-to-late Day 2 selection in the draft.
Even if the Browns add a nose tackle in the first round, their struggling run defense could use a another boost later in the draft.
Anderson projects as an end in the Browns 3-4 defense and could push Billy Winn and the recently acquired Randy Starks for playing time early in his career.
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Round 4
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No. 111: Tyler Kroft, TE, Rutgers
This is a weak class for the tight end position, so the Browns will have limited opportunities to find Jordan Cameron's replacement, who signed with the Miami Dolphins during free agency.
Kroft doesn't compare to Cameron in terms of athleticism and won't be the dynamic weapon Cameron was when healthy. But Kroft's style of play compares favorably to Rob Gronkowski, and he could emerge as a similar big, physical, possession receiver lining up primarily from the slot.
Kroft played primarily as an in-line tight end this past season at Rutgers, which likely contributed to the lack of hype he has received during the draft process. The previous year under a different coaching regime, he was used from the slot and looked like an emerging weapon.
No. 115: Garrett Grayson, QB, Colorado State
Grayson has received a lot of praise for the fact that he comes from an NFL-style system—the same system that produced NFL greats Greg McElroy and A.J. McCarron.
While his experience with former Rams head coach Jim McElwain may give his stock a slight boost, set your expectations relatively low. After all, in this scenario he's still a fourth-round pick.
There's no reason to believe Grayson is the quarterback of the future in Cleveland, but given the number of picks the team owns, it's worth taking a shot at a quarterback at some point.
Grayson's experience in the pro-style offense helps his case for a team viewing him as a potential long-term backup, which would be the case if he were selected in the fourth round.
Round 5
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No. 147: Shaq Mason, G/C, Georgia Tech
Alex Mack has the ability to opt out of his contract after this season. And as long as he stays healthy and the Browns remain dysfunctional, there's no reason to expect him to stick around.
Don't expect the Browns to address the need too early in the draft—after all, a quick turnaround could convince Mack to stay—but it has to be a position they consider targeting on Day 3.
Shaquille Olajuwon Mason (think his parents like basketball?) was a three-year starter at guard for Georgia Tech, but he is viewed as a strong candidate to shift to center in the NFL. He's among the most talented players not invited to the combine and could prove to be a late-round steal.
Round 6
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No. 189: Shaq Riddick, LB, West Virginia
There's no doubt the Browns are comfortable with Barkevious Mingo and Paul Kruger taking the majority of the snaps at outside linebacker in 2015, so this isn't a hole they're desperate to fill.
Losing Jabaal Sheard hurts, but the team has high hopes for 2013 seventh-round selection Armonty Bryant stepping into a larger role.
But you can never have too many pass-rushers in the NFL, and the depth outside that group of three is limited.
Riddick is a transfer from Gardner-Webb who spent just one year at West Virginia, primarily lining up as a 5-technique end. However, his explosive athleticism makes him a far better fit as a pass-rush specialist at linebacker in a 3-4 scheme in the NFL.
No. 202: J.J. Nelson, WR/RS, UAB
If the Browns actually use all 10 picks, expect them to get creative with a few late in the draft and target a specialist or two.
Travis Benjamin and Marlon Moore handled the kickoff duties last year, but both will be battling for roster spots this summer.
Nelson is vastly undersized (5'10", 156 lbs), but he is among the most explosive return specialists in this class. If the Browns can justify spending a roster spot on a player who rarely sees the field on offense or defense, Nelson could become a dynamic weapon in the return game.
Round 7
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No. 229: John Crockett, RB, North Dakota State
Aside from Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell, the Browns don't have a single running back on the roster who took a carry in 2014.
The Browns are clearly willing to enter the year with West and Crowell as their workhorse running backs, but you can't assume both will remain healthy throughout the year.
Shaun Draughn closed out the year as the third-string running back, and he returns, as does Glenn Winston who played exclusively on special teams a season ago.
Crockett's running style compares favorably to Crowell, and he could be an ideal insurance policy for the Browns.
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