With The First Pick
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2017 NFL Mock Draft: Cleveland Browns Get Their Men

By Carl Cockerham

Sep 24, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Myles Garrett (15) in game action against the Arkansas Razorbacks at AT&T Stadium. Texas A&M won 45-24. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Myles Garrett (15) in game action against the Arkansas Razorbacks at AT&T Stadium. Texas A&M won 45-24. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 24, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jake Coker (14) under pressure from Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) during the second quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jake Coker (14) under pressure from Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) during the second quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /

The Cincinnati Bengals have enough to go as far as they want to go on the offense. It’s the defensive side of the ball that’s holding the team back at this time. They have a solid MLB in Vontaze Burfict leading the way for them on that side of the ball. <p>I wouldn’t say the Bengals’ secondary is exactly the liability of the team either. The team simply doesn’t defend the run or get after the quarterback these days. And that is a direct reflection of the play on the defensive line, particularly on one side.</p><div class=. DE. Tennessee. Derek Barnett. 9. player. 56

Defensive end Carlos Dunlap and defensive tackle Geno Atkins are doing what they do. So the Bengals can use an end or a tackle in their 4-3 defensive scheme. The best player on the board when they pick is Derek Barnett, a DE, so they take him at No. 9 overall.

He’s a little shorter and thicker that they look for in an edge-rusher but he gets after the quarterback. He’s also strong against the run so the Bengals kill two birds with one stone here. The Bengals, with what they already have, would then be on the way up in the AFC North.

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9

Derek Barnett

DE, Tennessee

Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals /

The Cincinnati Bengals have enough to go as far as they want to go on the offense. It’s the defensive side of the ball that’s holding the team back at this time. They have a solid MLB in Vontaze Burfict leading the way for them on that side of the ball.

I wouldn’t say the Bengals’ secondary is exactly the liability of the team either. The team simply doesn’t defend the run or get after the quarterback these days. And that is a direct reflection of the play on the defensive line, particularly on one side.

Defensive end Carlos Dunlap and defensive tackle Geno Atkins are doing what they do. So the Bengals can use an end or a tackle in their 4-3 defensive scheme. The best player on the board when they pick is Derek Barnett, a DE, so they take him at No. 9 overall.

He’s a little shorter and thicker that they look for in an edge-rusher but he gets after the quarterback. He’s also strong against the run so the Bengals kill two birds with one stone here. The Bengals, with what they already have, would then be on the way up in the AFC North.

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