Cleveland Browns Draft: 2017 Mock Draft

Who should be joining the Cleveland Browns Draft and theDawg Pound in 2017?

This is the first in a series of team only mock drafts. Cleveland will be the first team mocked. They appear to be hurdling towards the #1 overall pick much like a moth headed for an open flame.

The Browns have four picks in the first two rounds. And this mock will cover the first four rounds of the draft. As always, this is a mock based on what this author would do, not an attempt at prediction this far out.

The Browns need a lot of things, sheer talent being their #1 goal. This should trump their need for a franchise quarterback. That’s why their #1 overall pick should be the best player available: Myles Garrett(DE, Texas A&M).

While Garrett isn’t a perfect fit for the Browns’ scheme, he helps their entire defense. They are liking the early return on Ogbah from 2015. However, they need someone who can be a franchise player right now for the defense. Garrett has the tools and mental ability to do so.

With their second first round pick(from the Eagles), the Browns take a quarterback that this author has higher rated than most: CJ Beathard(QB, Iowa). His decision making and ball placement are two skills that really stand out and look pro ready.

Add into that a live arm and good mobility working in a far more pro style offense than most college quarterback play in and he looks fairly pro ready relative to this class.

The concern with him is that he’s never been super productive for Iowa but that could be a function of Ferentz’s run based offense. The other strike against him is that he really hasn’t faced top flight competition and did lose to North Dakota State(even though he had 3 TDs in that game).

He’s a good fit for Cleveland because he minimizes his mistakes. And the Browns with Hue Jackson have to be about more running the ball and seeing less mistakes from the quarterback.

Round 2
The Browns have a lot of problems with the team, none so glaring as with their offensive line. Losing Mitchell Schwartz and Alex Mack has been a really devastating blow to their offensive production.

Cam Erving’s bruised lung means that progress will be slow in coming in 2016. Honestly, they need to replace everyone not named Thomas or Erving. In round 2, they should take two offensive linemen. This mock has them taking Pat Elflein(OL, Ohio State) to play right guard for them and Adam Bisnowaty(OL, Pittsburgh) to play either left guard or right tackle depending on Shon Coleman’s development.

Elfein is being projected as a potential 1st round pick, but this author just doesn’t see it with him. He’s a potentially good run blocking guard who won’t embarrass himself as a pass blocker.

He struggles with pulling, but that may be a function of the Urban Meyer offense. Bisnowaty probably would be best at left guard but his power could make him a starter in the NFL.

Round 3

Sadly, the Browns only have one third round pick. And they should use this pick to improve an area of the team which desperately needs talent: cornerback. Chidobe Awuzie(CB, Colorado) would fit the bill nicely here.

He’s a ballhawking physical corner who could be a nice contrast to the great Joe Haden. He also has position versatility, he’s played corner, boundary corner, slot and safety for the Buffalos.

More than anything else, he would bring toughness to a defense that desperately needs it. Considering the NFL level talent that Awuzie will be facing this season, he could rise very quickly.

More from With the First Pick

Round 4
Cleveland needs sheer talent. And while this prospect is a lottery ticket with a lot of risk, he would be one potentially worth the risk: Carlos Watkins(DL, Clemson). The frustrating part with him is that he absolutely can dominate play with the Tigers and then he can be passive and uninterested.

More than anything else, his technique is horrible. He plays too high and doesn’t use his hands well at all. Smart interior lineman seem to have his number. They know to use their hands and use his tendency to play high against him.

The Browns could use him as a 2 in a hybrid set or as a 5 in a 3-4 with some success if they work on his technique.

One big problem that the Browns have had is that they’ve taken perceived “safer” prospects over more risky picks(Manziel not withstanding). Taking Watkins would be a step in the right direction to look for higher reward picks.

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