With The First Pick
Fansided

Cleveland Browns: Two-round 2018 NFL Mock Draft after blockbuster trades

By Maxwell Ogden

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 02: Penn State running back Saquon Barkley looks on during the 2018 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 02: Penn State running back Saquon Barkley looks on during the 2018 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 05: Stanford defensive back Justin Reid (DB62) looks to catch the ball during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 5, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 05: Stanford defensive back Justin Reid (DB62) looks to catch the ball during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 5, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Derrick Kindred is an starting-caliber strong safety, but that isn’t necessarily a good thing for the Cleveland Browns. Jabril Peppers played out of position at free safety in 2017 and would benefit greatly from a change of position that would enable him to be closer to the line of scrimmage.

Minkah Fitzpatrick was an option at No. 4 overall, but with Cleveland instead selecting a franchise quarterback, Justin Reid becomes the perfect player to help Peppers move to strong safety.

Reid doesn’t necessarily have an elite skill, but he’s one of the most well-rounded prospects in this draft class. He lined up at virtually every safety spot imaginable for Stanford, and should provide that same versatility to a Cleveland team that needs to help Peppers thrive.

With tremendous athleticism and the versatility to play the run, line up in coverage, and make plays on the ball, Reid is as close as they come to the prototype.

With Reid and Peppers at the safety spots, the Browns would have two versatile talents who could enable each other to play to their strengths. Reid has the ball-hawking skills to make plays at free safety, as well as the ability to bring help against the run.

If you’re looking for statistics to support Reid’s appeal, try 6.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, five interceptions, and six passes defended in 2017. He can do it all.

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