After the Super Bowl, the NFL goes through a bit of a miniature offseason. From the day of the Super Bowl until free agency, everything just stops. Sure, the Super Bowl itself manages to stay in the news until the media milks it dry. However, nothing new comes from the league until free agency starts. That, of course, does not stop fan excitement for the upcoming NFL Draft. In late April, all the top college prospects find an NFL home in a three-day spectacle of television. Seeing as the Cleveland Browns hold the top pick in this year’s draft, this class is crucial for their roster. This is the pre-combine mock draft for the 2017 Cleveland Browns.
Note: This mock draft took place on Fanspeak’s Mock Draft Simulator, and free agency was not considered. Additionally, this is a pre-combine mock draft. Because of this, nothing is set in stone just yet.
Cleveland Browns 2017 Pre-Combine Mock Draft
Round One, Pick One: Defensive End Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
Texas A&M’s defensive star Myles Garrett is the consensus number one pick this year. Although the Browns have not drafted very well since their 1999 return, Garrett is a must-have prospect. Strengthening Cleveland’s front seven is crucial in this off-season. Their defense was deplorable in 2016, and Garrett is a good step to fixing it. Hue Jackson can trust that his defensive star Jamie Collins will be thanking him for this helper.
Round One, Pick 12: Safety Jamal Adams, LSU
If LSU’s Jamal Adams still happens to be on the board with the twelfth pick, the Browns are in serious luck. Adams is a star in the making that can make any defensive play asked of him. He can strengthen a heavily ailing secondary, be a turnover creator, and get some help for Joe Haden. Should the Browns luck out with their second first-rounder, Adams is another must-have.
Round Two, Pick One: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Texas Tech
While the draft stock of Patrick Mahomes continues to rise, he could still be available in the second round. Texas Tech’s prolific signal-caller keeps turning heads, and scouts are noticing him. If the Browns can find Mahomes at the top of the second, Hue Jackson will be one happy head coach. This pick is a steal, and Jackson gets his high-profile quarterback to groom.
Round Two, Pick 20: Running Back D’Onta Foreman, Texas
If the Browns want to go offense-heavy on the second day of this draft, D’Onta Foreman could be their guy. A perfect mix of size and speed, Foreman has the potential to be a force at the pro level. With some development, he could surpass Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson as Cleveland’s main running back. At this late in the mock draft, Foreman was a steal. If the Browns find Foreman with this pick, he should be the obvious selection.
Round Three, Pick One: Center Pat Elflein, Ohio State
Following last season, the Browns knew that they had to fix their offensive line. Aside from Joe Thomas, Cleveland’s blockers were awful in 2016. Ohio State’s Pat Elflein could be a major improvement in this department.
While at Ohio State, Elflein garnered scout attention due to his fantastic blocking ability. Because of his tremendous speed and size, Elflein has the potential to completely bolster this Browns line. Although many fans have chosen LSU’s Ethan Pocic to replace Cameron Erving, Elflein could be just as good, if not better.
Round Four, Pick One: Tight End Jack Butt, Michigan
When it comes to tight ends, Michigan’s Jake Butt is the total package. As both a blocker and a receiver, Butt is an incredibly well-rounded player. Due to Gary Barnidge coming down from his breakout 2015 season, the Browns are in need to a tight end threat. Butt could be their guy, and would be a bargain in the fourth round. Hue Jackson and Sashi Brown would be delighted with this pick’s fit with their “analytics” viewpoint.
Round Four, Pick 36: Cornerback Corn Elder, Miami (FL)
The draft stock of “The U”‘s Corn Elder is incredibly low. Although a bit undersized for his position, Elder is incredibly quick and smart. Elder’s cover skills, especially for a 5’10 player, are exceptional. Additionally, he has all the game knowledge in the world. Elder could improve a struggling secondary with Jamal Adams and Joe Haden could work as a mentor. This defensive draft is phenomenal, and Elder’s ability is no exception.
Round Five, Pick One: Tackle Jon Heck, North Carolina
Coming out of North Carolina, Jon Heck is a solid blocker. For a fifth round talent, Heck has done a great job of protecting Mitch Trubisky. With his tremendous size of 6’7, 310, Heck is more than a prototypical NFL tackle. As another plus, Heck would be learning from Cleveland’s Joe Thomas, who has had an incredible career. The Browns will make out like bandits on this one too, if they can snag Heck here.
Round Five, Pick 31: Linebacker Jayon Brown, UCLA
During his time as a UCLA Bruin, Jayon Brown lived mostly in the shadow of Myles Jack. However, Brown stepped up his game tremendously in 2016. He led the Bruins in tackles, and made a real name for himself coming into the draft. Browns fans may not have heard of Brown, but they might just have to trust Hue Jackson like they did with quarterback Cody Kessler.
Round Five, Pick 35: Defensive Lineman Kenny Bigelow Jr., USC
As far as picks go in this draft, most of the big names will be gone by this point. However, USC’s Kenny Bigelow Jr. just might be a diamond in the rough. Scouts often bill Bigelow as “the best defensive lineman fans have never heard of,” and it shows. Bigelow plays with a chip on his shoulder, and could make a real impact in Cleveland for years to come.
Round Six, Pick One: Guard Zach Banner, USC
Another USC Trojan makes their way to Cleveland with this pick. Like Jon Heck, Zach Banner is just a solid blocker. Though only a sixth-rounder type of talent, Banner could develop into a polished guard. Maybe if John Greco was not alwas injured, the Browns would not need this pick. Alas, however, this is not the case. And that is where Banner comes in.
Draft Overview
This mock draft can be summed up quite simply. If the Browns can get all these guys in one draft, their team will be pretty well on its way to improvement. Hue Jackson gets a serious influx of talent and maybe Jimmy Haslam lets him stay in Cleveland. Perhaps Jackson finds a way to really get his guys to succeed. Perhaps Cleveland fans are looking at a playoff team in the coming years. And maybe the Browns finally return to their glory days. This is only a mock, but fans must be hopeful that the actual 2-17 NFL Draft goes this way for the Browns. If it does, we could be looking at a serious shift in Cleveland.
