Cleveland Browns: Three rounds of a 2018 NFL Mock Draft
Wide Receiver. Texas A&M Aggies. Christian Kirk. 33. player. 53.
Christian Kirk is the perfect complement to the current Cleveland Browns receiving corps. He has good body size (thick) and good feet. Kirk is a true vertical threat who could potentially help Corey Coleman, a player who has so far been a bit of a disappointment.
Kirk showed great top-end speed last season. He was able to many times take the top off of SEC defenses, which can be one of the more challenging things to do in college football. He also plays with a really large catch radius.
That’s one of the things that Cleveland’s receivers and tight ends not named Josh Gordon has struggled with.
Kirk excelled in the return game at Texas A&M, with over 20 yards per return and a touchdown. that’s also a position that the Browns could use an upgrade in.
Kirk doesn’t have great size, but he’s big enough. He would give general manager John Dorsey the kind of player who can open up an offense and help his quarterback get to the next level.
. Cornerback. Central Florida Knights. Mike Hughes. 35. player. 53
Mike Hughes is a player that may rise through this process. He’s an athletic outside corner who can also move inside if needed. He’s just tall enough to play press, but still fluid enough to play zone.
Hughes does have character issues that might hinder him in breaking into the first round, but if history serves us right, Dorsey won’t be afraid to take him here. If the off the field issues weren’t there Hughes would probably be at the least a top 20 pick.
Hughes will have to get used to playing against high-end talent at the next level. However, long-term, he could be the Browns’ solution to their glaring need in the secondary.
. Running Back. USC Trojans. Ronald Jones II. 35. player. 53
There is a reasonable chance Ronald Jones might not be here at this pick, but this is where I think Cleveland will get their running back of the future. Jones has been projected anywhere from early second round to the late third. It’s safe to say he could very well land here.
Jones gives Cleveland a Bell Cow Back. He’s a strong back with the ability to push lines, despite his size. Jones has great vision, a quality that Browns backs have lacked over the last few seasons.
Jones will have to develop as a pass-catcher if he wants to become a three-down back in the NFL. However, since the Browns already have Duke Johnson for third down situations, Jones won’t be asked to do much more than run north and south.