Charles Gaines to Browns: Full Draft-Pick Breakdown

By the time the sixth round of the NFL draft rolls around, teams no longer are drafting based on need, but it's still somewhat surprising to see the Cleveland Browns land a cornerback. 

Charles Gaines was the 10th-ranked cornerback by Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, so the value in landing him in the sixth round is obvious. But how does he fit on the roster?

Joe Haden, Justin Gilbert and free-agent acquisition Tramon Williams are locks to make the roster, as is K'Waun Williams, who was the Browns' top-rated cornerback, according to Pro Football Focus, a season ago. 

The Browns also have high hopes for 6'2" cornerback Pierre Desir, whom general manager Ray Farmer selected in the fourth round of the 2014 draft. 

In total, that's five cornerbacks on the roster who have a leg up on Gaines. 

In 2014, the Browns only had four cornerbacks take more than 100 snaps, according to PFF, so it's difficult to envision any playing time for Gaines as a rookie. However, the team did keep six cornerbacks on the initial 53-man roster a season ago, and for the majority of the season, so Gaines will have an opportunity to earn that final spot if he excels on special teams in camp. 

Last year, rookie free agent Robert Nelson, whom the Browns signed out of Arizona State, was the sixth cornerback on the depth chart for the majority of the season and will likely be Gaines' closest competition in training camp for the same role in 2015. 

Nelson took just nine snaps at cornerback a season ago, all in Week 16, but did appear in seven games on the special teams coverage units. 

The real challenge that Gaines faces is overcoming his lack of size—he measured just 5'10" and 180 pounds at the combine.

An an undersized corner with exceptional quickness, Gaines projects best as a nickel cornerback in the NFL. However, Williams locked down that position for the Browns a season ago, playing at such a high level the team was comfortable letting Buster Skrine sign elsewhere as a free agent. 

Further limiting Gaines' value—both as a cornerback and on special teams—is his limited ability (and effort) against the run. 

In his scouting report on Gaines, Zierlein wrote, "Run support? No thanks. Stays blocked after engagement and isn't physical when he gets his chance."

So while the initial reaction may have been that the Browns landed an excellent value pick, it's possible Browns fans will never get to appreciate Gaines' production on the field. Since the team entered the draft with 10 selections but likely fewer than 10 available roster spots, Farmer knew head coach Mike Pettine would be forced to cut some rookies in August. 

As a result, Gaines should be viewed as a fringe candidate to make the final roster, and hopefully he ends up landing on the practice squad for the 2015 season.

Grade: B

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

Follow @Ryan_McCrystal