Cleveland Browns 2015 Draft: Aggregating Report Card Grades from Around the Web

The Cleveland Browns used 12 selections in the 2015 NFL draft, making them the busiest team of draft weekend. 

With so many selections, including two in the first round, it would have been tough for GM Ray Farmer to screw it up—and many of the draft analysts acknowledged this point. 

Still, draft grades for the Browns were all over the place, with the most disagreement occurring over how many prospects will have an immediate impact. 

Despite landing 12 prospects, the Browns did ignore a few key positions of need early in the draft—mainly wide receiver and tight end—which raised some questions for a number of analysts. 

The following slideshow highlights the evaluations of a few respected draft analysts with a brief summary of how they arrived at their grade. 

Bleacher Report

Ty Schalter: A

Schalter acknowledges that it's difficult to fail when you start out with two first-round selections, but he believes that Farmer put together a solid class from top to bottom. 

He praised the Browns for landing two immediate-impact players in the first round in Danny Shelton and Cameron Erving and following it up with a luxury pick in Duke Johnson. 

From the Day 3 selections, Schalter specifically highlights Ifo Ekpre-Olomu as one of the best values; he envisions Ekpre-Olomu playing the nickel corner role once he is healthy. 

CBS Sports

Phil Long/Associated Press

Rob Rang: B+

The Browns didn't swing for the fences in this draft, which is exactly what Rang loved about it: "Given all of the talk about a colossal trade up for Marcus Mariota," he said, "the Browns standing pat and building along the line of scrimmage might be the kind of ripple rather than splash the franchise needed."

Rang specifically praised the addition of Shelton for the impact he'll have on the team's run defense, calling him "the best run-stuffer in this draft."

Mocking the Draft

Stacy Revere/Getty Images

Dan Kadar: B

Kadar praised the Browns' focus on the defensive line, their most glaring weakness. But he also calls Johnson the best pick of their draft. 

While he expresses frustration in their unwillingness to add an impact receiver, he believes Johnson's skills as a pass catcher out of the backfield will give the passing game a boost. 

Kadar knocks the grade down a bit due to the selection of Erving, questioning if he'll start as a rookie. While he looks like a good bet to be Alex Mack's eventual replacement, Kadar is unsure if he's the team's best option at any of the five offensive line positions this season.

And like everyone else following the draft, Kadar loved the selection of Ekpre-Olomu.

ESPN

Phil Long/Associated Press

Mel Kiper: B

For the most part, Kiper praised each of the Browns' selections. But he sees one glaring hole in this draft: 

"

If there's a big question for me, it's whether they added enough help in the passing game. The QB situation is obviously a mystery -- I liked the idea of adding Bryce Petty in Round 3 here -- and based on what I can see, the Browns think the best use of the QBs they have right now is to keep them handing off. 

"

Kiper was one of the few analysts to specifically speak highly of Nate Orchard. 

He notes that Orchard should be a nice replacement for Jabaal Sheard, who signed with the Patriots this offseason. 

Kiper was also surprised by the selection of Erving, but acknowledges that he was "easily the best center" in this draft class. 

And, of course, he loved the selection of Ekpre-Olomu.

Sports Illustrated

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Chris Burke: B-

Burke is critical of the Browns' draft primarily due to the selections of Erving and Johnson as well as Cleveland's failure to land an impact receiver. 

His criticism of Johnson is fair, questioning the logic in making a luxury pick when Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell are already in the fold. 

However, Burke's argument loses steam when he discusses Erving. He brings up a fair point that there may be no immediate room for him on the offensive line but fails to mention the obvious long-term option for Erving, which is replacing Mack at center.

Burke also praises the selection of Ekpre-Olomu, calling him an "obvious sleeper."

Rotoworld

Tony Dejak/Associated Press

Evan Silva: C+

Silva acknowledges that Farmer clearly improved the roster with this class (as he should with 12 new players coming aboard), but believes the team ignored glaring holes at wide receiver, tight end and quarterback.

Silva specifically states that his low grade stems from "a lack of faith in Mayle, Gaines, Johnson, Telfer, and Pullard developing into useful players."

He mentions Shelton and Erving as the only obvious impact players as rookies, but mentions that Johnson and Orchard could potentially contribute as well. 

Final Grades

Jeff Haynes/Associated Press

Bleacher Report: A

CBS Sports: B+

Mocking the Draft: B

ESPN: B

SI: B-

Rotoworld: C+

It's difficult to get people to agree on the draft, so it should come as no surprise that the Browns' grades range from A to C+.

Regardless of the grade, most of the analysts bring up fair points both for and against the Browns' selections. 

Clearly the team landed some prospects, especially on defense, who will alter the look of the team in 2015. But those who questioned the immediate impact of this draft class have fair criticism. 

While the team will undoubtedly find some impact players from this group of 12, it does appear to be a draft class filled primarily with role players, which led me to agree with Kadar and Kiper and give this draft a B.