Welcome to the padded cell, everybody! This article marks my first of a series of mock drafts for this offseason; and with the Super Bowl finally come and gone, this mock will include the entire fist round plus the remainder of the Browns picks in rounds two through seven. At this time I want to give a shout out to the founder and managing editor of brownsfootballtalk.com – Jason Ice for giving me the opportunity to write for this website. With that said, on with the show . . .
ROUND ONE
Jameis Winston – QB – Florida State
While no quarterback in this year’s crop is truly NFL ready, Winston has the prototypical size and physical tools that NFL teams are looking for in a quarterback. Yes, there will inevitably be questions about his character (or lack thereof) concerning crab legs and a botched police investigation of a sexual assault case, but this kid doesn’t seem to let any of that phase him. If the Bucs don’t take Winston first overall, then someone will blow them away with a package to trade up and take him.
Marcus Mariota – QB – Oregon
In spite of not winning a National Title, Mariota’s ability to change the game with his arm or his feet makes him a desirable commodity. The big rap on Maroita is that scouts don’t think he’s equipped to beat NFL teams from the pocket. Other than that, he’s a legitimate top ten pick. Besides, does anyone in Tennessee honestly think that Jake Locker is the answer at the quarterback position? Child, please.
Leonard Williams – DE – USC
The three most valuable positions on the football field are (1) a franchise quarterback, (2) a franchise LT and (3) a dominating pass rusher. They drafted their franchise quarterback last year in Blake Bortles and their franchise LT in Luke Joeckel two years ago. Now, it’s time to complete the trifecta
Randy Gregory – OLB – Nebraska
Sometimes you just need to take the best player available regardless of position. Gregory will have an immediate impact rushing the passer for whatever team drafts him. At 6’-6” and 245 lbs., Gregory has the size to pose a lot of problems to opposing offenses, and he would be a nice bookend with Khalil Mack. However, if owner Mark Davis is anything like his late father (Al Davis), he’ll take the player with the fastest 40 time at the combine.
Brandon Scherff – OT – Iowa
I wish all picks were this easy. O-line is the Skins top need and Scherff is arguably the best player left on the board. What more needs to be said?
Amari Cooper – WR – Alabama
Yet another BPA selection, this one will immediately help the Jets starting QB – whoever he ends up being. New head coach Todd Bowles will be tempted to take a cornerstone defensive player; but if he’s smart, he’ll address the offensive side of the football early and often.
Shane Ray – OLB – Missouri
Pass rushers are always a valuable commodity and ‘Da-Bears two biggest needs are at linebacker and defensive end. Ray is the BPA still on the board. Sometimes it’s just as simple as that.
Andrus Peat – OT – Stanford
It all begins with controlling the line of scrimmage to strengthen the running game and protect Matty Ice.
Landon Collins – S – Alabama
How much longer can the best defensive back in the entire draft stay on the board? Depending on how things pan out with the picks in front of them, the Falcons could possibly draft a pass rusher. Any way you slice it, Collins is a talent worthy of a top ten selection.
Dante Fowler – OLB – Florida
The Rams actually use their first round pick for a change. If one of the offensive tackles slides to them, it wouldn’t surprise me to see them take one – especially considering Jake Long’s well documented health concerns.
Kevin White – WR – West Virginia
The Vikings are going to give Teddy Bridgewater another weapon somewhere in this draft, so why not here?
Danny Shelton – DT – Washington
Quite frankly, I have zero confidence in Jimmy Haslam – errrrrr Ray Farmer getting either first round selection right. The offense desperately needs a franchise QB, a legitimate number one WR, a starting RT and maybe a starting TE (see Jordan Cameron’s pending free agency). Barring a trade, Cleveland won’t get one of the top two QB’s. So, what will Ray Farmer do? How about getting a defensive tackle for his defensive minded head coach – whose defense was among the league’s worst at stopping the run. Farmer won’t pick a WR this high. Just look at what the Browns did last year with their first round picks and the results they produced and you’ll understand completely.
Vic Beasley – OLB – Clemson
The Saints defense needs help at pretty much every position. When in doubt, take the BPA in a position of need. Other names in the discussion are Michigan State CB Trae Waynes and Kentucky DE Alvin Dupree.
TJ Clemmings – OT – Pittsburgh
The Fins already have the Brinks truck backing up to Mike Wallace’s house, so I don’t think they’ll take a WR in the first. That leaves the defensive front seven or an O-lineman. I think they’ll bolster the O-line.
Trae Waynes – CB – Michigan State
They could go WR here, but I think they’ll address the defensive secondary.
DeVante Parker – WR – Louisville
Andre Johnson is already 33 years old, so why not draft his heir apparent before he’s ready to retire? Injuries limited Parker’s playing time in 2014, but this kid is a game changer.
Eddie Goldman – DT – Florida State
Goldman may be able to play any of the positions along the front of the Chargers 3-4 defensive alignment.
Alvin Dupree – DE – Kentucky
The Chiefs pass rush gets a shot in the arm with this pick.
Dorial Green-Beckham – WR – Missouri/Oklahoma
With Josh Gordon certain to miss at least one full season, the Browns are in serious need of a playmaker at receiver – possibly two. Green-Beckham presents a huge target at 6’-5” and 225 lbs. and would be particularly effective in the red zone.
La’el Collins – OT – Louisiana State
Best player available in a position of need.
Shaq Thompson – OLB – Washington
Outside of a quarterback that can actually win a playoff game, the Bengals top three needs are on defense.
Nate Orchard – OLB – Utah
The Steelers top three needs are on the defensive side of the football.
Ereck Flowers – OT – Miami (FL)
I’d give them a CB here (and they’ve needed at least one for ages), but I can’t do it without reaching.
Malcolm Brown – DT – Texas
Give the D-line a shot in the arm.
Jaelen Strong – WR – Arizona State
Why not give Cam another target?
Melvin Gordon – RB – Wisconsin
BPA selection and it bolsters the running game.
Jordan Phillips – DT – Oklahoma
Their three biggest needs are along the defensive front seven.
Cameron Erving – OT – Florida State
Regardless of whether Peyton Manning returns, the Broncos need to do a better job of protecting their starting quarterback.
Marcus Peters – CB – Washington
The Colts won’t get to the big dance until they solidify their defense.
Maxx Williams – TE – Minnesota
Here’s another pick that’s the BPA in a position of need.
Benardrick McKinney – ILB – Mississippi State
Seahawks take the best defensive player left on the board.
Owamagbe Odighzuwa – DE – UCLA
The three biggest needs for the Pats are along the offensive and defensive lines. However, the Hoodie will probably trade down to get an additional pick next year.
OTHER CLEVELAND BROWNS PROJECTED PICKS
44: Clive Walford– TE – Miami (FL): Insurance for Jordan Cameron bolting during free agency. Discussion about UCLA QB Brent Hundley may be very much alive here as well.
76: Bryce Petty – QB – Baylor: The Browns will take a flyer on a QB somewhere in this draft. If Cameron re-signs with the Browns, it could be as early as the second round. And if that’s the case, then Alabama RB TJ Yeldon could be coming to Cleveland.
112: Daryl Williams – OT – Oklahoma: Mitchell Schwartz needs to be lower on the depth chart.
119: Lorenzo Mauldin – OLB – Louisville : He’ll fit in well with Coach Pettine’s defensive scheme . . . and may play multiple LB positions.
152: Jalston Fowler – FB – Alabama: The Browns haven’t had a legitimate fullback since Lawrence Vickers.
188: Dezmin Lewis – WR – Central Arkansas: Here’s another big target that the coaching staff can develop.
227: Justin Manton – K – Louisiana Monroe: The special teams just haven’t been the same since Phil Dawson left Cleveland for San Francisco.
UNDRAFTED ROOKIE FREE AGENTS TO WATCH
Brandon Bridge – QB – South Alabama: They’ll need some warm bodies to throw the football during mini-camp.
Kyle Loomis – P – Portland State: Special teams players need some competition.
Michael Dyer – RB – Louisville: Former Auburn transfer, this pick would follow a pattern of Browns management behavior.
Ryan Russell – DE – Purdue: Another warm body for rookie mini-camp. Good size for a DE.
Devin Gardner – WR – TSUN: Another receiver with a definite size advantage in the red zone.
Trenton Brown – OT – Florida: At 6′-9″ and 376 lbs., this might be an interesting acquisition for his size alone.
Curtis Riley – CB – Fresno State: I don’t have them drafting a DB, so I’d better see if I can find them one here.