Xavier Cooper to the Browns: Full Draft-Pick Breakdown

The Cleveland Browns ranked dead last in rushing yards allowed a season ago, so changes to their front seven were certain to come in the 2015 NFL draft. 

And through the first three rounds, the Browns have addressed that issue with three additions to their front seven, including two along the defensive line. 

Xavier Cooper played defensive tackle at Washington State, primarily lining up in the 3-technique spot as an interior pass-rusher, but the Browns will shift him outside to defensive end in their 3-4 scheme where he'll primarily be lining up in the 5-technique position. 

In order to acquire Cooper, the Browns used one of their three fourth-round picks to trade up, sending it in a package to the Patriots for the 96th selection.

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Trade details: Browns Receive: #96 (3rd rd - Xavier Cooper) #219 (7th rd) Patriots Receive: #111 (4th rd) #147 (5th rd) #202 (6th rd)

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) May 2, 2015"

NFL Network's Mike Mayock praised the selection, saying Cooper "will fit in exactly with what Mike Pettine is doing defensively. The Browns are building inside out." 

Billy Winn and Desmond Bryant took the majority of the snaps at defensive end a season ago, but the Browns rotated in a total of nine players at the position throughout the year, according to Pro Football Focus. 

By using traditional 3-4 ends like Bryant and Winn, along with guys like Phil Taylor and Sione Fua, head coach Mike Pettine and defensive coordinator Jim O'Neil showed an interest in getting creative with their defensive fronts. Unfortunately, the personnel simply didn't allow for it to succeed. 

The additions of Cooper and first-round pick Danny Shelton, however, have change the complexion of the roster. 

The Browns now have Taylor to the play the role of space-eater, Shelton as the more athletic and versatile nose tackle and Cooper becomes the disruptive force who can shoot gaps and penetrate the backfield.

With so many options in the front seven, it should not come as a surprise if the Browns use more of a hybrid scheme in 2015, electing to line up in a 4-3 set more frequently. In such situations, Cooper likely becomes their most disruptive interior pass-rusher and should line up from the 3-technique position in an effort to create pressure up the middle. 

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New Browns DT Xavier Cooper's 9.0 Pass Rushing Productivity Rating against Power 5 opponents was the fourth-best mark in this DT class

— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) May 2, 2015"

One of the concerns with Cooper—and this is why the pick is somewhat confusing—is that Cooper was not particularly strong against the run at Washington State. While he posted reasonable numbers across the board at the combine, he doesn't appear to have great functional strength on the field and is often blown off his spot at the point of attack against the run. 

One NFL scout told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel's Bob McGinn: "The whole thing will be, does he have enough arm length to separate himself from the bigger blockers?"

In terms of Cooper's off-field report, once again Ray Farmer landed someone who should be a model citizen. According to Rob Rang's scouting report, Cooper initially struggled with academics (he was diagnosed with a learning disability in high school and attended community college for a year) but ended up graduating early from Washington State with a degree in criminal justice. 

This is another selection that won't necessarily excite the fanbase, but he's a safe selection who addresses an area of concern—and after so many swings and misses with other approaches, maybe this is exactly how the Browns need to handle the draft. 

Grade: B+

Ryan McCrystal is an NFL draft Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.

Follow @Ryan_McCrystal