Ifo Ekpre-Olomu to Browns: Full Draft-Pick Breakdown

Another pick in the 2015 NFL draft for the Cleveland Browns (their 12th overall), and another prospect with nothing but praise heaped upon him for his off-field character.

Here's what ESPN's Scouts Inc. had to say about Ifo Ekpre-Olomu: 

"

High-character individual. Polite and respectful. Mature and accountable. Excellent football character. Tireless work ethic. Puts in the extra work to be successful. Strong leadership skills and well respected by teammates.

"

Ekpre-Olomu may be the most well-known of all the seventh-round selections in this year's draft class due to his distinguished career at Oregon. 

At this time a year ago, the standout cornerback was viewed as a potential first-round selection. In fact, in his initial mock draft last May, ESPN's Todd McShay mocked Ekpre-Olomu to the Vikings with the sixth selection. 

So how did the Browns end up with him in the seventh round?

Ekpre-Olumu had been extremely durable throughout his career, making 39 consecutive starts, before suffering a torn ACL in a practice leading up to the 2015 Rose Bowl. He underwent surgery in December and continues to rehab the knee, preventing him from participating in any pre-draft workouts this spring. 

It's impossible to know where Ekpre-Olomu would have gone without the injury, but it's safe to assume he was an early Day 3 selection at worst. During ESPN's telecast of the draft, Mel Kiper Jr. referred to Ekpre-Olomu as a Day 2 selection if not for his injury. 

"

Kiper says Ifo Ekpre-Olomu was destined for the second or third round before the ACL. Surprised Browns had chance to get in 7th #CLEpick

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) May 2, 2015"

If that's the case, then it's not difficult to read between the lines and guess just how severe the injury must be for teams to pass over Ekpre-Olumu all the way until the seventh round. After all, even the Browns passed on him 11 times. 

Todd Gurley, who plays a far more injury-prone position, is also recovering from a season-ending ACL injury and had a long history of injuries even before the 2014 season. Yet Gurley was the 10th overall selection to the Rams. 

So for Ekpre-Olomu to fall as far as he did, it's not a leap to assume that teams were concerned about his availability for the 2015 season and/or worried that it would have lasting effects on his ability to play at a high level. 

Speaking after the draft, Browns general manager Ray Farmer would not venture a guess as to when Ekpre-Olomu would be healthy, indirectly indicating that they're not expecting him to be ready for the start of the season, per The Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot. 

"

#Browns GM Ray Farmer on Oregon CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu: "Not sure when he'll be healthy (knee) but believe he's a starter when 100% healthy.''

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) May 2, 2015"

If Ekpre-Olomu returns to full health, this selection could prove to be the steal of the draft. Even in a crowded secondary, the Browns certainly have room for a corner of his talent, and it would help to make up for the first-round selection of Justin Gilbert a season ago, who is quickly headed toward bust status. 

The Browns will likely feature Joe Haden and Tramon Williams as their starters in 2015, with K'Waun Williams as the nickelback. Gilbert and Pierre Desir will battle for playing time, but both could quickly be jumped by a healthy Ekpre-Olomu. 

Given the depth at the position, Ekpre-Olomu's health and the fact that the Browns are not expected to compete for anything in 2015, it should not come as a shock if the Browns simply stash him on the IR, essentially giving him a redshirt season. 

Even if Ekpre-Olumu never plays a down for the Browns, the potential upside of the selection makes this pick a home run.

Grade: A+

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

Follow @Ryan_McCrystal