Shutdown Corner’s 2 Round NFL Mock Draft
Sep 21, 2013; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) and offensive lineman Jake Matthews against the SMU Mustangs at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Earlier this morning we covered Luke Easterling’s 4 Round Mock that shutdown servers, well worth the look. Now we cover a 2 Round NFL Mock Draft from Shutdown Corner. With the report today on the Cleveland Browns Draft Priorities it will be interesting to see how Mock Draft’s change. As is lets take a look at what Shutdown thinks the Browns will do:
"4. Cleveland Browns — Texas A&M OT Jake MatthewsGeneral manager Ray Farmer has been on the job a little over two months now, and he’s weighed his options at No. 4. Knowing he has two more picks coming in the subsequent 30 slots, Farmer likely will want to make as safe a selection as possible here and maybe not tie himself to a quarterback in this spot. If they need to — foreshadowing alert — the Browns can trade up for a QB later. Here, they take their starting right tackle for a decade."
Not fitting with the Browns reported priorities but Matthews is a high quality player who could start inside at guard or outside at tackle. They have the normal 3 off the board ahead of the Browns pick: Jadeveon Clowney, Greg Robinson and Khalil Mack. Having the Browns take Matthews over Sammy Watkins and any of the top QBs that are all available seems unlikely. As is the Browns would have one of, if not the, best lines in the game with the addition of Matthews. Ben Tate will have room to run and Brian Hoyer will have time to throw.
"19. Cleveland Browns (projected trade with Miami Dolphins) — Texas A&M QB Johnny ManzielTwo years ago, the Cowboys traded the 18th pick to the 49ers for the 31st and 74th overall selections. In this scenario, we think the Browns could deal the 26th and 83rd overall picks (ones they acquired in separate trades from the Colts and Steelers) to move up for Manziel, in what would be among the more talked-about moves in the draft. The Browns go safe at the No. 4 pick, and then they move all their chips to the middle with Johnny. It’s a great way to hedge with the Matthews pick — his college teammate, no less. The Browns have done their homework on Manziel, and then some. On the flip side, it would make sense for new Dolphins GM Dennis Hickey to trade down here because there is no player in this scenario he has to have, and it allows him to add a valuable pick later in the draft."
Similar to Easterling’s trade, his for Teddy Bridgewater, the Browns move up to 19, giving up the latter 3rd rounder, to get their QB of the future. Manziel will have his teammate Matthews protecting for him and most likely a year to develop. A 3rd round pick isn’t much if the Browns believe in Manziel. This draft still has Bridgewater and Derek Carr on the board at this point, as well as Manziel. The Browns, if sold on Manziel or another QB, should be willing to sell the farm to get their guy. If they are not sold they should sit and wait and see if one falls to them. No one outside of Berea knows how the Browns really feel about the top guys.
"35. Cleveland Browns — Indiana WR Cody LatimerPhysical wideout looked good in college despite subpar QB play. Imagine what he’ll do in Cleveland! (wink)"
The overhaul of the offense is complete at this point. With this draft and free agent additions of Ben Tate and Andrew Hawkins the Browns will have added a #2 receiver in the fast rising Latimer, their slot guy in Hawkins, their starting RB in Tate, their QB of the future in Manziel and a line fixture for the next 10 years in Matthews. Latimer is rising quickly and could not be available at this point when the draft arrives, finally, but a quality receiver should be. A perfect scenario for the Browns would be a small trade down in the 1st, picking up a 2nd rounder, and having the chance to add 3 offensive players and either a corner or inside linebacker. It seems their preference is a corner.
How would you feel with this offensive oriented draft?