I did this Browns mock on another board:
Going off of the updated cbs rankings, here's my latest Browns mock:
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/prospectrankings
6) OLB Mingo or OLB J.Jones (tough spot, would prefer a tradedown)
68) FS Amerson or OLB B.Jenkins or OLB C.Thomas or OLB Carradine
101) CB Wreh-Wilson or FS Cyprien or DT/DE Logan or QB EJ Manuel
132) OT Armstead or CB Robey or FS Motta
~170) ILB Mauti or DB Mathieu or OT Mills or CB Adams or G Uzzi
~204) and ~206) 2 of WR Boyce, P Allen, OLB E.Martin, DE J.Kruger, DE Lewis-Moore, DE S.Vallone, OT Wetzel, OLB Q.Smith, CB J.Johnson, CB Malone, TE Rivera, WR Moe, RB Winn, FS Boyett, CB M.White, RB Johnson, OT O.Johnson
I'd want more 3rd day picks
As always 2nd to 4th is where the value's at. The question for the Browns will be what's better? Rolling the dice on "high end" boom/(injury) busts like Mingo/J:Jones + Amerson
OR
punt our 1st rounder and get 2 more 2nd to 4th rounders in return
Is Mingo/Jones better than, say: Ansah/D.Jordan + Patton/Poyer + Logan/S.Bailey (or flyer on a falling QB like EJ Manuel) ??
I somewhat prefer the 2nd scenario...our 1st pick would still be a "risky" pass rushing prospect, but we'd get a "safe" 2nd round guy like Patton or Poyer and either another flyer (QB or injury player...Carradine? Jenkins?) or solid pick like Logan or S.Bailey in the 3rd/4th round range to "risk control" the draft class
Opinions?
I'd prefer Tony Jefferson over Amerson. Kid is an absolute playmaker. Amerson struggled a little bit this year and I think has much higher bust potential. Jefferson, and Baccari Rambo for that matter, are much safer picks, IMO in the third round. I agree safety has to be the pick assuming they go OLB in round 1. I personally think Matt Elam is one of the best players in the draft and would love for him to be a Cleveland Brown, but I don't see it happening unless they can trade down or pick up a second rounder. The best thing possible would be moving down in the first round, taking an OLB like Alex Okafor or Alec Ogletree (who is an absolute stud and could probably play OLB in a 3-4) and then having a 2nd round pick to take Elam.
I'm all about value picks, so in round 4 I'd probably take Xavier Nixon for a RT, or even consider a guy like William Gholston who could make a pretty good 3-4 OLB. It depends on what they do in round 1 of course. Gerald Hodges (way underrated on this list) would also be a great value selection. One guy who might be a reach in the 4th, but will have a long career at RT in the league is Reid Fragel. He played one year at RT after converting from TE, played at a solid 310 lbs, looked physically amazing, and performed at an All Big 10 level. Kid will be a steal for someone in the middle rounds....he'd probably be viewed as one of the best tackles in the draft had he started there under Tressel.
I wish I liked some of the CB's more in the middle rounds, but I think it is an amazingly weak CB class. Desmond Trufant had a nice year, but even be considered a first round pick is pretty shocking to me. I've fallen off the Xavier Rhodes bandwagon after watching him blow coverage after coverage in his last 3 games. I don't even think he can play corner in the NFL anymore, probably a Free Safety. He doesn't hit or play as aggressive as a guy like Malcolm Jenkins (converted CB) though so he'd make me nervous. I went to FSU, am a big fan of the Noles, and I was drooling over his size but he looked terrible to close out the year. Dee Milliner and Jonathon Banks were far and away the best corners this year so it's disappointing Banks tore his knee up in the Bowl game. I really like Milliner and wouldn't be disappointed in taking him early in round 1. His ball skills are pretty special. There is nothing more refreshing than watching a CB turn his head to locate the football on nearly every throw at him, especially college kids. Maybe its just from watching so much Ohio State and having corners who only break on the football in zone, but can never get their heads around on single coverage down the sideline. I love watching Milliner defend the deep ball. And he struggled pretty badly against Michigan, but he bounced back strong to close the year out.
There some really solid players that have been graded as undrafted FA's that surprise me as well.
Craig Roh - DE/OLB - Michigan- is a good football player and would fit 3-4 defense pretty well.
Zac Stacy - RB - Vanderbilt - was probably the best player on Vanderbilt and has that fantastic RB body where he is low to the ground at 5'7 and 215 lbs. He's a steal in the later rounds if not FA.
Nathan Williams - OLB - OSU - played well enough to have a future in the NFL after microfracture surgery. The OSU defense looked lost without him. Got decent pressure and has experience dropping into coverage on zone blitzes. Won't be a star in the NFL, but could provide solid depth and a smaller learning curve.
Mike Edwards - CB - Hawaii - kid certainly doesn't lack the talent. Was a 4* recruit to Tennessee before being kicked off the team for robbery. Was all conference this year and was the only kid who looked like he belonged against USC this year. The talent is there, so I;'m assuming his low grade is directly the result of character. He might be worth it in the late rounds or as a free agent.
Kenny Tate - OLB - Maryland - I have no idea what happened to this kids draft prospects, but every time FSU played Maryland, he was one of the best players on the field. He came in as a safety but was moved to OLB early in his career. Kid is 6'4 and 220 lbs so not suited for a 3-4 LB, but he definately an NFL player. His biggest mistake was probably staying home and playing for an awful local school. EJ Manual has nightmares of this kid though....
Greg Reid - CB - FSU/Valdosta St - Kid was a return animal for FSU before being kicked off for multiple arrests, the last straw being marijuana and a gun in his car. He's a bit undersized at 5'8 but could be a good nickel CB. He'll be a good return man wherever he winds up. Probably needs a tail on him at all times though.
And just to show how ridiculous some of these lists can be...Jordan Kovacs (slow walk-on safety at Michigan) is rated higher than the following players:
Dominique Battle - CB - Cincinnati
Omar Hunter - DT - Florida
Prentiss Waggner - CB - Tennessee (no idea how he is rated close to #700)
Orhian Johnson - FS - certainly not a fantastic player, but ask a Michigan fan who they'd rather have had starting in the secondary
Anyways, like all drafts, I think there is a ton of value to be had. It's all about filling needs and finding the right fits. I'll be insanely disappointed if they go QB in any early round. It'd be amazing to see them grab 2 instant starters for their defense in rounds 1 & 3 IMO.
