Best available players going into Day 2 of the 2018 NFL Draft: While We’re Waiting

What a start to the 2018 NFL Draft. The Cleveland Browns pulled two surprising picks, selecting quarterback Baker Mayfield at No. 1 and cornerback Denzel Ward at No. 4. The picks were surprising, but the talent is there for both of them to be great NFL players. The two also fill huge holes on the team.

But that was just Day 1. The Browns have three picks in the second round on Day 2 and a load of talent is still left on the board. With the selection of Mayfield and Ward, the Browns helped shore up two needy areas on the roster, quarterback and cornerback. But, what else do the Browns need to address? Going back to my piece earlier in the month, the interior defensive line, offensive tackle, wide receiver and edge rusher are the remaining positions that still need to be addressed. But, I would add running back to that mix, too. I would rank the needs in importance by that order I listed them, but they are all still a high priority need.

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Who are the top remaining players to help fill these Browns needs? Well, lets take a look at the 21 players who were not taken from my final top 50 big board.

11. IDL Maurice Hurst, Michigan

Hurst is the best player available on my board. He is my second rated interior defensive lineman and a player who can really be a big value on Day 2. He is likely still left on the board because of some medical questions that sprouted up at the NFL Combine. But if healthy, the Browns could get a penetrating defensive lineman with some of best first step quickness in the entire class. Cleveland is looking for penetrators on their defensive line, so he would be a fit.

Browns Need: High (No. 1 biggest need)

14. Edge Harold Landry, Boston College

Landry is my top edge rusher still available on my board. The Browns need more depth at the edge rusher position and Landry is the second best one in the draft. He has an explosive first step and good bend on the edge that makes him a really talented pass rusher. His medical history may be the reason he is still on the board, so the Browns need to make sure he is OK. If he is cleared, Landry would be an absolute steal for Cleveland and make the Browns defensive line that much more dangerous and versatile.

Browns need: High (No. 4 biggest need)

17. WR Anthony Miller, Memphis

Miller is my top rated receiver and one of “my guys.” The Browns need playmakers on offense and Miller is the best playmaker in the receiver class. He has the speed, route running, ball skills and playmaking skills to be a really talented receiver in the NFL. I sort of knew he would not go in the first round, so this is not a huge shock to me. If I were picking for a receiver needy team, he would be the top of my board and be gone already. Miller should definitely be on the Browns radar.

Browns Need: High (No. 3 biggest need) 

18. RB Ronald Jones II, USC

Jones is my No. 2 rated running back in the class. He is the most explosive running back in the draft with the ability to win angles with his speed. His speed is aided by good agility to make defenders miss. The Browns are in need of a future running back to go along with Duke Johnson. Jones is the best back on the board, so the Browns should be looking at this USC star. Imagine Duke Johnson and Jones in the same backfield. Talk about a great duo.

Browns Need: High (No. 5 biggest need) 

21. WR Christian Kirk, Texas A&M

Kirk is my No. 2 rated receiver in the class. Like Miller, Kirk would give the Browns much needed playmaking ability. He can make defenders miss with quickness and turn a catch into a big play. He is also a player who adds value as a returner on special teams. The Browns are in need of a receiver and offensive firepower. Kirk would fit those needs.

Browns Need: High (No. 3 biggest need)

22. RB Derrius Guice, LSU 

Guice is my No. 3 rated running back in the draft. He is a player with good vision. He runs with power and balance, but also has the breakaway speed to turn a handoff into a touchdown. His injury history may have caused him to slip here, but if healthy, he is a first round-type talent. The Browns may be smart to pair Duke Johnson with Guice, giving the backfield a nice variety of skill sets.

Browns Need: High (No. 5 biggest need)

23. CB Isaiah Oliver, Colorado

I had Oliver as my No. 3 ranked cornerback in the class. He is a long corner with the movement skills to mirror players in press man coverage. His potential and ceiling is up there with almost any corner in the class with the potential to be a No. 1 shutdown corner. But with the selection of Denzel Ward at No. 4, the Browns have lowered this need quite a bit. It was probably the No. 6 biggest need coming into the draft.

Browns Need: Low

24. TE Dallas Goedert, South Dakota State

Goedert is my No. 1 tight end. He has the athleticism and ball skills to be a receiving threat. He can be a true mismatch with his combination of size and athleticism. The tight end class is not overly impressive, but he was the top of the board at that position. The Browns do not have a high need for a tight end, especially a pass catching one. They already have David Njoku and Seth DeValve.

Browns Need: Low

26. OT Connor Williams, Texas 

Williams was my No. 1 rated offensive tackle in the class. The offensive tackle class was not great as shown by my board having Williams, the top tackle, at No. 26. Williams is a clean technician with fluid athleticism to be a tackle in the NFL. I have stated that I would not take an offensive tackle high in this draft and that remains true. Williams would only be in consideration at No. 64, even with the big need the Browns have.

Browns Need: High (No. 2 biggest need) 

27. S Jessie Bates, Wake Forest

Bates is one of “my guys” in this draft, coming in as my third rated safety. Bates is probably the best centerfielder in the draft. He has the athleticism and instincts to cover the entire field. If you need a cover safety, Bates can be your guy. The Browns do not have a need for a centerfield-type safety after the acquisition of Damarious Randall this offseason.

Browns Need: Low

32. WR Courtland Sutton, SMU 

Sutton is my fourth ranked receiver. He has the size and ball skills to immediately be a redzone target. But, he also adds unique athleticism for a man his size, allowing him to gain separation from the coverage and to create things after the catch. The Browns need receivers, so Sutton will definitely be a consideration. I just am not sure of the fit in the receiver room because I think the Browns need more playmaking, after-the-catch receivers than the big possession receivers.

Browns Need: High (No. 3 biggest need) 

38. CB Carlton Davis, Auburn

Davis, my fifth ranked corner, is another big cornerback with the athleticism to be productive in press man coverage. He is also a good run supporter. But like Oliver, the Browns are not in grave need of a cornerback anymore. Ward filled that need.

Browns Need: Low

39. IOL Will Hernandez, UTEP

Hernandez is a bowling ball. He is the No. 4 ranked interior offensive lineman on my board. He possesses a good combination of strength and movement skills that make him an enticing guard prospect. The Browns, though, have no need for him as they have the dynamic duo of Kevin Zeitler and Joel Bitonio.

Browns Need: Low

40. TE Dalton Schultz, Stanford

Schultz is another one of “my guys.” He is my No. 3 ranked tight end in the class. Schultz is the best blocking tight end in the draft, but he pairs it with some untapped athleticism that could make him a receiving threat. The Browns do not have a big need for a tight end, but they could use a guy like Schultz, a blocking tight end.

Browns Need: Medium

42. Edge Duke Ejiofor, Wake Forest 

Ejiofor is also on my list of “my guys.” He is the fourth rated edge rusher on my board. He pairs good arm length with great hand usage to be a rusher who is tough to keep blocked. He is always working hard to get to the backfield. The Browns need depth on the edge and Ejiofor would be a nice pick to add to that area.

Browns Need: High (No. 4 biggest need)

43. CB Joshua Jackson, Iowa

Jackson was right outside my top five cornerbacks rankings. He has the best ball skills of any corner with the ability to change games creating turnovers. He is not a press corner, but is one of the best zone coverage corners. The Browns do not need a corner anymore and Jackson would not have been my top choice for them anyway.

Browns Need: Low

44. Edge Sam Hubbard, Ohio State

Hubbard is a really talented athlete, coming in as my fifth rated edge rusher in the class. In high school, he played safety, so you can see how good of athlete he truly is. He uses his hands well to disengage from blocks and penetrate into the backfield. The Browns lack depth on the edge and so Hubbard will definitely be on the radar for Cleveland.

Browns Need: High (No. 4 biggest need) 

45. TE Mike Gesicki, Penn State 

Gesicki is a freak athlete. Coming in at No. 4 on my tight end list, the Penn State star is a receiving mismatch. He adds nothing in terms of blocking, but he can be a true game changer as a receiving target. Teams can really be creative using him. Though, the Browns already have tight ends who are mismatches in the receiving game, so I do not see the need for him.

Browns Need: Low

46. WR Auden Tate, Florida State

Tate is another receiver who has a high ceiling because of his size and athleticism. He is a tall receiver with the athleticism to get separation in coverage. He has great hands and ball skills to be a redzone target right away. In terms of the Browns, he falls into the mold of Sutton. I do not think the Browns need a big possession receiver.

Browns Need: High (No. 3 biggest need)

48. RB John Kelly, Tennessee

Add another player to “my guy” list. Kelly is my fifth ranked running back. He is such an interesting running back. He shows the athleticism to make defenders miss, but also the power to break tackles and end runs with a few more yards. He also adds versatility as a receiver. The Browns sort of have a player in this mold in Duke Johnson, so I am not sure the fit for him on the Browns.

Browns Need: High (No. 5 biggest need)

49. S Armani Watts, Texas A&M

The last ranked player on “my guy” list. Watts is No. 4 on my safety position rankings. He is a highly athletic player with the downhill playing style to set the tone for the defense. He is a safety who affects both the pass and run game. The Browns are not a fit for him, though.

Browns Need: Low