2019 Mock Drafts

[The Human Q-Tip]

I don't have a definitive statement about valuing defensive line over other positions in the first round, but I think it's worth noting the draft value pyramid again after it was helpful in last year's draft:

I see three technique defensive linemen in the bottom along with guards and nickelbacks. I think there are some great three techs available, and the depth for interior defensive line in this draft is underrated. I'd be happy if the Browns take a three tech in the first round, but is the value available later?

Aaron Donald is a three technique. And are there any truly impactful nose tackles in the entire NFL?

Interior penetration is actually preferable to edge rushing, but interior players tend to be devalued because it is so rare for one of them to provide consistent pressure. But if you can grab a 3 tech in the first round who can give you that penetration (and none of those guys will last until our second pick), they're incredibly valuable.

We're very fortunate that this is an interior DL heavy draft at the top, because it makes it much more likely one of the impact guys may make it to us. If we were drafting in the top 5...then sure, you might play the depth game, take a "more valuable" position with our first pick, and then hope to get one of the impact DL's at the top of the second. But given that we're drafting 17, if there is an impact 3 tech guy, you'd have to strongly consider taking him.

 

[Randolphkeys]

I see @The Human Q-Tip and @Soda are a little aligned on the need for interior linemen to be able to create interior pressure on the quarterback. I'm absolutely in agreement. Nose tackles are too high on this pyramid, granted it may be more useful for 3-4 teams to have one impactful nose tackle than a 4-3 team.

The Niners are reportedly going to let Arik Armstead go specifically because he doesn't create heat on a quarterback despite grading out high (74.8) in the run game for the price he is asking. Run specialists are being phased out even if they are talented stopping the run.

That said, the Browns cannot ignore run defense entirely. One reason Aaron Donald is flourishing is because he has Suh next to him. When the Rams feel like shutting down the run as a priority, they can. Greg Roman is taking over the Ravens playcalling. In the AFC North, teams are going to run the ball. A lot of this depends on Wilks' scheme.

 

[Lee]

I see @The Human Q-Tip and @Soda are a little aligned on the need for interior linemen to be able to create interior pressure on the quarterback. I'm absolutely in agreement. Nose tackles are too high on this pyramid, granted it may be more useful for 3-4 teams to have one impactful nose tackle than a 4-3 team.

The Niners are reportedly going to let Arik Armstead go specifically because he doesn't create heat on a quarterback despite grading out high (74.8) in the run game for the price he is asking. Run specialists are being phased out even if they are talented stopping the run.

That said, the Browns cannot ignore run defense entirely. One reason Aaron Donald is flourishing is because he has Suh next to him. When the Rams feel like shutting down the run as a priority, they can. Greg Roman is taking over the Ravens playcalling. In the AFC North, teams are going to run the ball. A lot of this depends on Wilks' scheme.

Hey, I have been saying that literally all year. I know there is only one Aaron Danold.

Now one thing we can do is take Ogbah and even Chad Thomas and move them inside and see if that helps with pressure and draft another stud DE in the first, which I am almost inclined to do. Or we can just see what falls to us and how free agency goes.

 

[AZ_]

I don’t think Ogbah or Thomas belongs inside. Maybe sporadically on passing downs.

I don’t necessarily think either of them should be in the rotation at all if they can’t get after the QB from the outside.

 

[Lee]

I don’t think Ogbah or Thomas belongs inside. Maybe sporadically on passing downs.

I don’t necessarily think either of them should be in the rotation at all if they can’t get after the QB from the outside.

I am wouldn't mind, there is a trend in the 4-3 for smaller DT's, especially Chad Thomas who cant find the field at DE, hate to cut him so soon without trying him at 285lbs and 6'1

 

[AZ_]

I am wouldn't mind, there is a trend in the 4-3 for smaller DT's, especially Chad Thomas who cant find the field at DE, hate to cut him so soon without trying him at 285lbs and 6'1

Thomas is 6’5

He really doesn’t have the body for that under tackle.

 

[Randolphkeys]

Last season Emmanuel Ogbah was very strong against the run, but showed limitations as a pass rusher. Theres definitely room on a roster for a player like that. The key is salary. Armstead for example is looking at a nine million cap hit for being a good 2nd DE. No way the 49ers will pay that. Ogbah will make 2.1 million in 2019. You can rotate a young guy in especially in likely running situations at that price.

 

[SixPACK]

NFL.com - Zierlein

PICK 17


Devin White - LB

School: LSU | Year: Junior
Speed, speed, speed. White plays with good physicality and can really run. The Browns are looking for a linebacker with a nose for the football and that's White.


CBS:

17. Cleveland Browns

Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma.

As strange as it sounds, the Browns might the team with the fewest roster holes picking in the first round. If they bring back Greg Robinson after a solid second half or otherwise address the left tackle spot, they don't need much else. One possibility is a deep threat at receiver after pulling the plug on Josh Gordon, and who better for the role than Baker Mayfield's old running mate at Oklahoma? He's a playmaker who has everything you want except plus size.


DRAFTWIRE 7 ROUNDER - EASTERLING:


17. Cleveland Browns | D.K. Metcalf | WR | Ole Miss

There are bigger needs on both sides of the ball, but the Browns shouldn’t pass on the chance to give Baker Mayfield the best pass-catching weapon in this class. Recently cleared for football activities following neck surgery, Metcalf checks every box for a true No. 1 target.

49. Cleveland Browns | Dre’Mont Jones | DL | Ohio State

80. Cleveland Browns | Vosean Joseph | LB | Florida

94. Cleveland Browns (from NE) | Rock Ya-Sin| CB | Temple

112. Cleveland Browns | Marquise Blair | S | Utah

133. Cleveland Browns (from JAX) | Chuma Edoga | OT | USC

144. Cleveland Browns | Penny Hart | WR | Georgia State

158. Cleveland Browns (from NE) | Trayveon Williams | RB | Texas A&M

175. Cleveland Browns | Damian Prince | G | Maryland

207. Cleveland Browns | Nick Harris | OL | Washington

212. Cleveland Browns (from BAL) | Sutton Smith | EDGE | Northern Illinois

 

[Randolphkeys]

I don't like the value of a receiver picked at #17, but then Easterling awards the Browns a triumverate of beasts in Dre'mont, Vosean and Rock. Each could go 25-30 spots higher than where the Browns are drafting. All three are great athletes, all three can make a big tackle at positions the Browns need competition. I'd happily take that draft.

 

[AZ_]

I don't like the value of a receiver picked at #17, but then Easterlong awards the Browns a triumverate of beasts in Dre'mont, Vosean and Rock. Each could go 25-30 spots higher than where the Browns are drafting. All three are great athletes, all three can make a big tackle at positions the Browns need competition. I'd happily take that draft.

2-3-4 was on point for me as well.

 

[Lee]

NFL.com - Zierlein

PICK 17


Devin White - LB

School: LSU | Year: Junior
Speed, speed, speed. White plays with good physicality and can really run. The Browns are looking for a linebacker with a nose for the football and that's White.


CBS:

17. Cleveland Browns

Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma.

As strange as it sounds, the Browns might the team with the fewest roster holes picking in the first round. If they bring back Greg Robinson after a solid second half or otherwise address the left tackle spot, they don't need much else. One possibility is a deep threat at receiver after pulling the plug on Josh Gordon, and who better for the role than Baker Mayfield's old running mate at Oklahoma? He's a playmaker who has everything you want except plus size.


DRAFTWIRE 7 ROUNDER - EASTERLING:


17. Cleveland Browns | D.K. Metcalf | WR | Ole Miss

There are bigger needs on both sides of the ball, but the Browns shouldn’t pass on the chance to give Baker Mayfield the best pass-catching weapon in this class. Recently cleared for football activities following neck surgery, Metcalf checks every box for a true No. 1 target.

49. Cleveland Browns | Dre’Mont Jones | DL | Ohio State

80. Cleveland Browns | Vosean Joseph | LB | Florida

94. Cleveland Browns (from NE) | Rock Ya-Sin| CB | Temple

112. Cleveland Browns | Marquise Blair | S | Utah

133. Cleveland Browns (from JAX) | Chuma Edoga | OT | USC

144. Cleveland Browns | Penny Hart | WR | Georgia State

158. Cleveland Browns (from NE) | Trayveon Williams | RB | Texas A&M

175. Cleveland Browns | Damian Prince | G | Maryland

207. Cleveland Browns | Nick Harris | OL | Washington

212. Cleveland Browns (from BAL) | Sutton Smith | EDGE | Northern Illinois

Dre'mont in the middle of the 2nd would be insane. He is the exact type of player I want at DT, really see no way he lasts that long. Personally I don't want a receiver in the first, but getting the best WR at 17 is good draft value. Honestly if we take Devin White in the 1st instead of Metcalf, then go best WR available in the 3rd, that is a near perfect draft to me.

 

[Lee]

2-3-4 was on point for me as well.

I know I am talking semantics, but I love Devin White, as above if we take him over Metcalf if available, get Dra',mont who I have no idea how he lasts, then go best WR in the 3rd, then that is a perfect draft.

I have with Metcalf, as he is the most talented wr in the draft.

 

[MGMT]

It isn’t inconceivable that an outstanding talent(s) will drop by virtue of team preference. This is an absolutely loaded draft when it comes to defensive talent and there are only so many first-round slots; it’s just a matter of whom.

If you’re hellbent on adding an offensive weapon in the first I’d rather just take Hockenson tbh. I think he makes the offense immediately more dynamic than a completely uncooked steak in Metcalf.

 

[blommen]

Almost no matter what, I think we'll have an opportunity to adress a position of need with an elite level talent in the first round. With how many teams underneath us are looking to pick up QB's and with how deep the draft is on defensive positions, I just don't see how we're not going to have a shot at either Jeffery Simmons, Byron Murphy, DK Metcalf, Christian Wilkins or perhaps even Devin White, and that's not even getting into guys like Rashan Gary or Ed Oliver if Dorsey looks to move up a bit.

If we pick up either one of that group in the first I'm pretty fucking happy, honestly. Can't go wrong with any of them at 17. I think there's a good chance that we target CB's in the first as it isn't a terrible deep class this year and then look for Dline in the second and WR in the third. Something like Murphy in the first, Charles Omenihu in the second and Hakeem Butler or whoever else is left from the top of the WR class in the third be a pretty good haul.

 

[AZ_]

I’ll take Hockenson 10 times out of 10 over any offensive skill player at 17.

I think he’s an elite elite talent.

A more athletic version of Jason Witten.