Cleveland Browns Mock Draft Roundup: What the Experts Are Saying

The 2016 NFL draft begins Thursday, and there is no longer a consensus as to what the Cleveland Browns will do in Round 1.

When Cleveland held the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, quarterback was widely viewed as the position it would address with said selection. That, however, was before the Browns pulled off a massive trade with the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Eagles sent five draft picks to the Browns, including the No. 8 selection in this year's draft, in exchange for the No. 2 pick. Though Cleveland is now picking six spots later, it did land Philadelphia's third- and fourth-round picks this year, a first-round pick in 2017 and a second-round selection in 2018.

Now, Cleveland doesn't have to risk so much of its future in one draft selection but instead can build a team through all of the extra assets acquired in this deal. The only downside is the Browns probably can't draft a franchise quarterback now, something they badly need after nearly two decades of sending QBs to their NFL demise.

Still, this is a great spot to be in that allows Cleveland to build its roster however it wants. Now it's time for a look at what various mock drafts have the Browns doing with the No. 8 pick. 

Rob Rang, CBSSports.com: OT Jack Conklin, Michigan State

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Offensive tackle is quietly one of Cleveland's biggest needs in this draft.

While it looks fine for 2016, the future of it is up in the air with no clear-cut guy at right tackle, not to mention the uncertainty at the left side. Joe Thomas is still one of the game's best lineman, but he'll turn 32 in December as Father Time is catching up to him.

That's why taking a tackle with the No. 8 pick is a viable option. CBSSports.com's Rob Rang thinks the Browns will go with Michigan State tackle Jack Conklin:

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With the Browns apparently planning to build around Robert Griffin III at quarterback, the need for help along the offensive line is now even more of a priority. Conklin, a former walk-on turned All-American left tackle, plays with physicality and tenacity and could provide competition on an offensive line needing reinforcements inside and out after losing Mitchell Schwartz and Alex Mack in free agency.

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While many view Notre Dame's Ronnie Stanley as the first- or second-best tackle behind Ole Miss' Laremy Tunsil (including B/R's Matt Miller), Rang has Conklin as the pick here, despite Stanley's still being on the board.   

There's no question Conklin is one of the best offensive linemen in this draft, but No. 8 might be a reach. Then again, this isn't a deep class for tackles, so taking one here may be Cleveland's best shot at landing one.

Conklin did finish as Pro Football Focus' third-best offensive tackle in 2015, which shows just how great he was while playing in a Power Five conference. His NFL future is bright—maybe bright enough that Cleveland makes him its first selection.  

Todd McShay, ESPN: DE DeForest Buckner, Oregon

Leading up to the NFL draft, there's been a lot of debate regarding who's the best defensive lineman in this class. 

Ohio State's Joey Bosa has gotten most of the hype, but don't count out Oregon's DeForest Buckner. Not only is Buckner the top guy in Pro Football Focus' interior defensive lineman rankings, but his 73.0 grade is higher than Bosa at 69.0.

ESPN draft gurus Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay did their head-to-head mock projection leading up to the draft. The two analysts took turns projecting the first three rounds, and McShay is the one who made Cleveland's pick at No. 8.

McShay wanted to pick Michigan State's Jack Conklin, but with him off the board to the San Francisco 49ers at No. 7, he went with Buckner: "Conklin would've been a great fit to play opposite of LT Joe Thomas on the right side. But with the Michigan State product off the board, Buckner fills a need, providing an impact guy up front who fits as a 3-4 DE. He plays with a great motor on tape."

For much of his college career, Buckner was a force in the middle who made it hard to run against the Oregon defense. But this past season, Buckner's game expanded to the point he became an elite pass-rusher.

2015 saw Buckner rack up 10.5 sacks, 17 tackles for loss and 83 total tackles. He finished his career with 18 sacks, 232 tackles and 36 tackles for loss, per Sports-Reference.com. 

NFL.com's Lance Zierlein pegs Buckner as a 3-4 defensive end in the NFL who compares to Arizona Cardinals Pro Bowl defender Calais Campbell. If the Browns are able to land that caliber of player at No. 8, it will be a huge win for them. 

Cris Collinsworth, Pro Football Focus: CB Vernon Hargreaves III, Florida

John Raoux/Associated Press

Cornerback isn't a big need heading into the draft, but it is a position that deserves consideration with the No. 8 pick.

The health of Joe Haden is a major concern after the Pro Bowl corner missed most of last season with concussions, a broken finger and a rib injury. Justin Gilbert has yet to show he can play, and Tramon Williams is 33 years old.

That's why Pro Football Focus' Cris Collinsworth has the Browns grabbing Florida shutdown corner Vernon Hargreaves III with their first pick:

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Even given the presence of Joe Haden, whose recovery from ankle surgery could potentially cause him to miss Cleveland’s season opener, the Browns have some concerns at the cornerback position, and Hargreaves is one of the best in this year’s class. I worry a little bit about his deep recovery speed, but he is explosive (as demonstrated by his excellent 39-inch vertical and 130-inch broad jumps at the combine) and loves being physical with opposing wide receivers. He had 10 interceptions during his time at Florida, evidence of his ball skills, and while he slipped in PFF coverage grades as a junior to No. 71 in the nation, he ranked No. 2 as a true sophomore in 2014.

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Ever since his true freshman season in 2014, Hargreaves has been one of the best corners in college football. He finished his first two seasons with 23 pass deflections and six interceptions in 24 games. 

The deflections dropped to just four this past season as teams began throwing at him far less, but he still grabbed four interceptions, making offenses pay when they did test him. 

Hargreaves finished his career with 121 tackles, 10 interceptions and 27 pass deflections, per Sports-Reference.com. He can play in a variety of defensive systems, as he thrived in press coverage, off coverage and zone coverage across his three years at Florida.

For the Browns, Hargreaves is someone who could come in and immediately upgrade their secondary and become a franchise corner they can build the defense around. Paired with Haden, the Browns pass defense suddenly becomes a unit that can handle any receiving corps in football. 

Chad Reuter, NFL.com: DE Shaq Lawson, Clemson

You could make a good case for pass-rusher being the biggest need for Cleveland heading into the draft. 

Pretty much every other position has some form of decent starter or promising youngster the Browns may get by with, but that's not the case when it comes to having a reliable threat off the edge.

They cannot afford to come out of this draft without adding a defensive end and/or outside linebacker who can put fear into the eyes of opposing quarterbacks. Clemson's Shaq Lawson is easily one of the best pass-rushers in this draft, if not the best.

That's who NFL.com's Chad Reuter has the Browns landing with their first pick: "The Browns need pass-rushers, and Lawson has the ability to play as a stand-up edge player. I wouldn't be surprised if the Browns trade again from this spot to accumulate more selections in this deep draft. But if they stay here, I think Lawson's the pick."

Lawson has been a stud every year he's been in college, and his 2015 campaign was one of the best by any defensive player. His 25.5 tackles for loss last season led the nation to go with 12.5 sacks and 86 tackles. 

For his career, Lawson racked up 20 sacks, 45.5 tackles for loss and 123 total tackles in 40 games, per Sports-Reference.com. He finished 2015 ranked as Pro Football Focus' No. 7 edge defender.

There's no question Lawson would upgrade a Browns defense that finished with the fifth-fewest sacks in 2015, per ESPN.com. Don't be surprised if he is the pick at No. 8. 

Chris Burke, Sports Illustrated: OT Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

As mentioned earlier, offensive tackle is an area Cleveland could address with its first-round pick.

While it's not necessarily a need for this year, you could make a good case that it's a massive need in terms of the future of either tackle spot. That's why Chris Burke of Sports Illustrated has Notre Dame tackle Ronnie Stanley going No. 8 to Cleveland: 

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If the Browns’ new front office really is committed to tearing this thing down and building it back up, it has to start in the trenches. With Mitchell Schwartz in Kansas City and Joe Thomas planted on the trade block (with a contract that includes no more guaranteed money), the Browns land their 2016 right tackle and ’17 left tackle.​

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Stanley is athletic, strong (6'6", 312 lbs) and versatile enough that he could begin his career at right tackle, where Cleveland is looking for a new starter after Mitchell Schwartz left this offseason. Then once Joe Thomas retires or is let go in the next one to three years, Stanley can move over and become the kind of franchise tackle Thomas was for so many years. 

To this point, most have projected Stanley to be drafted not long after Ole Miss' Laremy Tunsil, who most regard as the top offensive lineman prospect in this draft. However, Shutdown Corner's Eric Edholm reported at least one team has told him it has Stanley ranked ahead of Tunsil, and multiple teams may share that sentiment.

That's the kind of elite talent Stanley is and why he'd be a solid pick at No. 8.