Cleveland Browns: Complete 2015 NFL Draft Wrap-Up and Analysis

General manager Ray Farmer and the Cleveland Browns may have just made the quietest 12 selections in the history of the NFL—and that's probably the best news the Browns have had on draft day in a long time.

Since returning to the league in 1999, the Browns have made more than their fair share of draft-day splashes: Tim Couch, Braylon Edwards, Brady Quinn, Johnny Manziel, just to name a few. 

But this year Farmer came up with a new approach.

While he didn't announce it publicly, the trend quickly became apparently. Farmer was only going to draft the players with the absolute highest character grades he could find. 

This draft was about more than just eliminating the risks on unreliable players such as Manziel and Justin Gilbert. It was about finding team captains and vocal locker room leaders. 

Five of the Browns' 12 selections—Nate Orchard, Ibraheim Campbell, Charles Gaines, Malcolm Johnson and Hayes Pullard—were selected as permanent team captains. And almost every other pick received rave reviews about their off-field character.

It's an interesting strategy, and a complete 180-degree turn from Farmer's indifference to character a season ago. But it's a promising strategy that can give Browns fans hope.

The Selections

With 12 picks, the Browns were able to address just about everything, and then some. Here's a quick look at the expectations of each prospect for the 2015 season.

Immediate Starters: None

This is, without question, the most disappointing aspect of the Browns' draft.

While Danny Shelton and Nate Orchard are certain to get significant playing time and Cameron Erving will have a chance to compete for a job, no one is guaranteed a starting spot in 2015. 

Rotation Players: Shelton, Orchard, Erving and Xavier Cooper

Any of these four prospects could conceivably step up to the next level and lock down a starting job and odds are at least one of them will before the 2015 season is complete. 

But it would be unrealistic to guarantee a Week 1 starting spot for any of them, based on the fact the Browns have reasonable veteran competition at each of their positions. 

Role Players: Duke Johnson, Malcolm Johnson, Randall Telfer

Duke Johnson will be the Browns' third-down back and could potentially play some wide receiver in the slot. He's the only running back on the roster who is a threat coming out of the backfield as a receiver, so there's definitely a role for him even if his carries will be limited. 

Malcolm Johnson will likely be their H-back, coming onto the field to block in running situations or as a possession receiver in the passing game.

Telfer is an in-line blocking tight end who will likely compete with Jim Dray for that role in the offense. He is probably the biggest long shot to make the final roster cut from this draft class.

Special Teams: Ibraheim Campbell, Vince Mayle, Charles Gaines, Hayes Pullard

At least someone from this group is likely to get cut because the Browns' roster simply doesn't have space for all 12 draft picks. Based on their depth at cornerback and receiver, Mayle and Gaines probably have the biggest uphill battle to securing a spot on the 53-man roster. 

Injured Reserve: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu

Since he's still recovering from a torn ACL in December, the Browns aren't counting on Ekpre-Olumu for anything in 2015. 

If his rehab speeds up and he's ready go, they'll find room for him. But the team would likely be content to let him redshirt the 2015 season.

Best Pick: Danny Shelton

There isn't anyone who really stands out as the slam-dunk answer to this question, and fans will probably have a variety of answers to this question, based on the needs filled and the perceived value of each pick. 

So I'll simply default to Shelton, who obviously had the highest consensus grade of all the Browns' selections. 

Farmer and Mike Pettine both have experience with organizations that built a defense around a massive nose tackle with surprising athleticism for his size. Pettine coached in Baltimore with Haloti Ngata, while Farmer was in Kansas City when the Chiefs drafted Dontari Poe. 

It's likely the two decision-makers saw what the Ravens and Chiefs were able to build and wanted to follow a similar path for themselves. 

One downside to this selection is the Browns are already uncertain about Shelton's ability to be a three-down lineman. Speaking after the draft, Farmer had this to say about Shelton: 

"

I see him as a guy that can potentially play three downs. I know he is going to help us to get to third and long. The question is do we have better rushers than him? Potentially. I think that we probably do have some guys that are better rushers.

"

That's a somewhat concerning sentiment to share about the No. 12 overall selection, but Shelton was brought in to help solidify the Browns' porous run defense, and Farmer clearly has faith in his ability to accomplish that task.

Worst Pick: Randall Telfer

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

Randall Telfer may prove to be a fine pro, but it's difficult to find a spot for him on the roster in Cleveland. 

Rob Housler and Gary Barnidge will be the Browns' primary receivers at the tight end position, while Telfer will compete with Jim Dray to be the in-line blocker. 

If not for Dray, Telfer would probably be a lock to make the roster and may do a fine job. But Dray is here and under contract for two more years. 

It's a safe bet to assume the team will be more comfortable with the veteran than Telfer, who is also coming off of foot surgery this offseason. 

"

#Browns GM Ray Farmer said remains to be seen when tight end Randall Telfer (foot surgery) will be healthy, like talent.

— Nate Ulrich (@NateUlrichABJ) May 2, 2015"

The Browns' plan may be to stash him on IR if he isn't recovered by training camp, buying them a year to decide how much longer Dray can play that role for the team. 

What the Experts Are Saying

Phil Long/Associated Press

Mike Mayock praised the Browns for their selection of Shelton in the first round: 

"

Cleveland was No. 32 against the run last season. That stops now. The Browns are better right now... He plays with leverage. I'm amazed a guy that big has vision and instincts like that.

"

CBS Sports' Dane Brugler is a fan of Hayes Pullard as a late-round prospect for the Browns:

"

Hayes Pullard will be one heckuva special teamer for the #Browns

— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) May 2, 2015"

Brugler also praised Malcolm Johnson as good fit as an H-back in Cleveland: 

"

I'm a Malcolm Johnson fan. Versatile H-back - slot, backfield. Always looking for someone to block. Natural hands. Senior Captain #Browns

— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) May 2, 2015"

NFL.com's Bryan Fischer gave the Browns draft a B+ overall and praised the selection of Shelton:

"

Is there a player better suited to this division than Danny Shelton? He'll give the Browns a great boost in the middle of the defense.

"

NFL.com's Bucky Brooks spoke highly of the Browns' entire class, citing them as one of the teams doing a nice job drafting specifically for their scheme: 

"

I really like the draft work done by the @nyjets @AtlantaFalcons @Jaguars & @Browns . Not only the players, but how well they fit the scheme

— Bucky Brooks (@BuckyBrooks) May 2, 2015"

Brooks was particularly fond of the Browns' selection of Duke Johnson in the third round: 

"

The @Browns got a steal in Duke Johnson. The most natural runner in the draft. Exceptional combo of vision & pitter-pat. Great hands, too.

— Bucky Brooks (@BuckyBrooks) May 2, 2015"

What's Left to Address?

Bob Leverone/Associated Press

If you don't have a quarterback in this league, you better have some pretty darn good receivers. 

Josh McCown looked like a competent quarterback in Chicago when he had Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall. The same can be said of Johhny Manziel with Mike Evans at Texas A&M. 

But pair either of those quarterbacks with Dwayne Bowe and Brian Hartline, and the results aren't likely to be pretty. 

The Browns passed over DeVante Parker with the 12th selection, Breshad Perriman with the 19th selection and many others in the second and third rounds. 

Farmer also failed to address the tight end situation, electing to stick with Barnidge and Housler as the team's primary weapons. A prospect such as Maxx Williams in the second round, or Tyler Kroft in the third round could have dramatically change the look of the Browns' passing attack in 2015 and beyond.

Aside from adding another offensive weapon, the only area that wasn't addressed was kicker. But it's possible, and reasonable, Farmer may simply not view the kicker as a position worth drafting. The team will likely find an undrafted free agent to come in to provide competition for Garrett Hartley.

Final Grade

Jeff Haynes/Associated Press

Each individual pick the Browns made looked reasonable and justifiable. But when looking at the big picture, it's hard to get too excited.

Where are the immediate impact players?

The Browns entered the draft with six of the first 115 selections in the draft, and yet they managed to come away without a single player who is guaranteed to be in the starting lineup in Week 1.

Obviously Shelton will have a role, and others such as a Erving and Orchard might win a starting job, but it's entirely possible the Week 1 starting lineup doesn't feature a single player from this 12-man draft class. 

Farmer's mission to avoid the character risks was certainly understandable, but it feels as though it led him towards a draft that was about finding role players rather than prospects who can turn the franchise around. 

In five years, will we look back at this class as a turning point for the franchise? Probably not. 

But will we look back on it as a complete disaster like so many draft classes before it? Almost definitely no.

Grade: B