The Francisco Mejia Experiment
March 28, 2018Indians/MLB preview with Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com – The Nail in the Coffin, Episode 114
March 28, 2018We are under one month from the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. The Cleveland Browns currently own nine draft picks in the upcoming draft, including five picks in the course of the first two rounds. The team holds the first and fourth pick in the first round of the draft. The 2018 NFL Draft is a huge factor in the direction of the Browns future going forward.
But, right now everything is up in the air in terms of what the Browns may do with their picks in the upcoming draft. Even the No. 1 overall pick is still a mystery for Cleveland. Who will the Browns select with the top pick in the draft? Who will they take with the rest of their treasure trove of picks?
Well, WFNY’s Joe Gilbert and Jake Burns will take their first shot at predicting this. So, without further ado, here are the first Browns mock drafts from Gilbert and Burns, where the duo predicts all nine selections for the Cleveland Browns 2018 NFL Draft.
Round 1
No. 1
Joe: QB Sam Darnold, USC
The Browns get their franchise quarterback of the future. The smoke seems to be heading in the direction of Darnold to be the choice for the Browns. He would not be my top pick, but I would not be upset because I can see the potential the quarterback has. He has shown some elite production but just has not developed the consistency yet. Time will be important for him.
Jake: QB Sam Darnold, USC
The Browns plan is clearly built around taking this draft’s best quarterback. Darnold isn’t the name I would prefer either, but it seems headed in this direction. Even with concerns, Darnold is a high ceiling prospect who has the arm, mobility, and awareness to develop nicely in the NFL.
No. 4 (From Texans)
Joe: EDGE Bradley Chubb, NC State
The Browns get lucky and get the best player in the draft at No. 4. I think the first three picks will be quarterbacks, giving Cleveland a great opportunity. The Browns can either move down and pick up more assets from a team looking to nab a quarterback before all the top quarterbacks come off the board or pick the best non-quarterback in the draft. In this scenario, the Browns will pick Chubb and create a terror pass rushing threat with Emmanuel Ogbah and Myles Garrett.
Jake: EDGE Bradley Chubb, NC State
Three names will be considered here: Chubb, Saquon Barkley, and Denzel Ward. Chubb is the most likely name here as both the Giants and the Jets both seemed destined for quarterbacks. Pairing Chubb with Emmanuel Ogbah and Myles Garrett gives the Browns a formidable front, and the flexibility to get after opposing quarterbacks from all angles.
Round 2
No. 33
Joe: WR Christian Kirk, Texas A&M
After picking their future franchise quarterback at No. 1, the Browns get a weapon for Darnold, selecting the playmaking receiver, Christian Kirk. Kirk has the ability to be a huge game changer at the receiver and returner spots for the Browns, which is a big need for the Browns. Cleveland needs to help their quarterbacks and improve their receiver corps, so selecting Kirk here would be a great pick.
Jake: WR DJ Moore, Maryland
I find Moore to be this class’s best overall wide receiver. I think he slides a bit as teams fall in love with the size of Courtland Sutton and the Calvin Riley name. Moore is quick, agile, stacks as well as any in this group, and his routes are consistently precise. He can play inside and out, return punts, and provide stability to the position with short-term contracts in Jarvis Landry and Josh Gordon.
No. 35 (From Texans)
Joe: RB Sony Michel, Georgia
The Browns continue to upgrade their offense, this time with the selection of running back Sony Michel. Michel is one of the most underrated running backs in the class. He has the ability to run with speed, agility, power, and balance that few can put together as well as him. Michel would make the Browns running back unit of Duke Johnson and Carlos Hyde that much better.
Jake: DT Taven Bryan, Florida
One of the quickest interior linemen off the football, Taven Bryan makes plenty of sense here. With the recent trade of Danny Shelton the Browns are thin inside and need a pairing next to Larry Ogunjobi. Bryan can rotate with Trevon Coley and Caleb Brantley as well to form a solid inside grouping. Bryan’s college production wasn’t stellar, but you’re betting on the size/speed/power combo here as he gets coaching.
No. 64 (From Eagles)
Joe: OT Brian O’Neill, Pittsburgh
The Browns move to the trenches on offense, selecting Brian O’Neill to improve the offensive tackle spot. The Browns are now in the position where left tackle is a question mark after Joe Thomas retired this offseason. So, O’Neill would be a good selection at this time of the draft. O’Neill is a player with the size and athleticism to be a left tackle, but he probably needs some time and refinement to get to a level of being a starter in the NFL.
Jake: RB Nick Chubb, Georgia
Nick Chubb isn’t flashy, but he’s a very sound running back in all phases. Many of the bigger names will already be gone, including his Georgia teammate Sony Michel, but Chubb will give the Browns something they will covet: between the tackles power. Chubb is built like a tree, and can still run away from defenders and his explosiveness is impressive.
Round 4
No. 114 (From Packers)
Joe: DL Trenton Thompson, Georgia
After going heavy on the offense early, the Browns return to the defense to continue their upgrade to the defensive line. Trenton Thompson is one of the guys who has been overshadowed by the stacked top tier of the interior defensive line class. But, Thompson has a lot of talent. With the trade of Danny Shelton, the Browns need to add depth to the interior defensive line.
Jake: CB Quenton Meeks, Stanford
Meeks is a solid mid round project at the postion. The Browns filled many corner needs in free agency, but many of the contratcs were built to have opt-outs should the team want to move on. A player of Meeks skill set can pan out long-term. He has good size, long arms and uses his size well in run support. He can get better playing the ball in the air, but that will come with reps as he excels in zone coverage breaks.
Round 5
No. 150 (From Packers)
Joe: LB Shaquem Griffin, UCF
The Browns stay on the defense to nab one of the great stories in the draft, linebacker Shaquem Griffin. Griffin gives the Browns a backup linebacker, but also a player who can be a big-time special teams player. He is also versatile enough to be moved all over the defense to fill many different roles for Gregg Williams.
Jake: OT Brett Toth, Army
Toth is a nice tackle project for the Browns who could pan out quicker than many think. Toth played well in this year’s Shrine Game and built on that with a solid combine. He can use that athleticism to play either side as a swing tackle or he has a chance to progress into a starter on one side or the other.
Round 6
No. 175
Joe: DL Poona Ford, Texas
The Browns once again look to add to the defensive line, selecting defensive lineman Poona Ford. Ford is another interior defensive lineman who can possibly earn some time in the rotation on the defensive line. It is always good to continue to add depth in the trenches, so the team can have many healthy bodies to rotate into the game.
Jake: DL James Looney, Cal
Looney has great size, he has good speed, and was a productive interior defensive lineman at the college level. He gets a good push, and he uses his speed and power to get through the offensive line in pursuit of the ball carrier. He gets good pressure on the quarterback and is athletic enough to work gap to gap for pressure. He is a 3-down defensive lineman who tested really well and is a good fit in Cleveland as a late-round sleeper.
No. 205 (From Patriots)
Joe: CB Jordan Thomas, Oklahoma
With the Browns last pick, the Browns decide to add depth to the secondary, picking corner Jordan Thomas. Thomas opened teams eyes at the combine, breaking the 3-cone drill record with a blistering 6.28-second run. He is a player who can immediately come in and contribute on special teams.
Jake: S Damon Webb, Ohio State
The Browns seem to have answered the safety question with Demarious Randall, but it doesn’t hurt to have more depth in case a move back to corner is needed for Randall. Webb progressed each season at Ohio State and ended his career playing his best football and earning the Cotton Bowl Defensive MVP. Webb had five interceptions this past year and showed great instincts on the back end of the Buckeye defense. Built like a corner, Webb will have trouble keeping up with burners in the NFL but he has progressed every year at the position so he is worth the risk late.