A Dual Becomes a 3 Way Battle: CBS Sports 2014 NFL Mock Draft
Jan 29, 2013, New Orleans, LA, USA; CBS Sports broadcast team poses at Super Bowl XLVII press conference at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Front row: Dan Marino (left), Sean McManus (center) and Phil Simms. Back row (from left) Shannon Sharpe and Bill Cowher and James Brown and Boomer Esiason and Jim Nantz. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
We have covered the 2 CBS Sports 2014 NFL Mock Drafts in the past. They have now added a third. So the Dual Duel is now a Three Way Dance. Now Dane Brugler and Rob Rang are joined by Pete Prisco. So lets take a look at each of their Mock Drafts for the Cleveland Browns’ 2 first round picks. The first mock drafts that take into account the new GM and power structure of the team.
Dane Brugler
"4. CLEVELAND BROWNS(4-12)Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M: The Cleveland front office situation took a sharp turn with CEO Joe Banner and GM Mike Lombardi out and Ray Farmer named the new general manager and head decision-maker. What does that mean for the draft? Time will tell, but the quarterback need is still there and Manziel remains an intriguing option.26. CLEVELAND BROWNS (FROM INDIANAPOLIS)(4-12)C.J. Mosley, ILB, Alabama: If the Browns go quarterback at No. 4 overall, their second first round pick is a wildcard with several need areas on the Cleveland roster. And while linebacker isn’t tops on that list, if a player like Mosley is still available, he makes sense inside next to D’Qwell Jackson."
Brugler still has the Browns drafting Manziel even with Farmer now in charge. Much of this has to do with the team’s need for a QB and the other 2 options, Blake Bortles and Teddy Bridgewater off the board before pick #4. Even if Manziel isn’t as highly regarded by Farmer if he is the only one of the 3 left expect the Browns to select him. Brugler has Clowney off the board at 2 which means teams would have very little interest in trading up with the Browns. Mosley could be a solid cog in the Browns defense in a position of need. Jackson may be cut before the draft so this could be a bigger need come that time.
Rob Rang
"4. CLEVELAND BROWNS(4-12)Blake Bortles, QB, UCF: The Browns are reportedly enamored with Manziel, who appears to be the favorite at No. 4 overall. Given the gusts and grass of FirstEnergy Field, a more logical pick might be Bortles, whose prototypical size and instincts would seem like the perfect fit. The former UCF star may currently lack Teddy Bridgewater’s polish or Manziel’s improvisational skill, but possesses a higher upside than either. For a franchise under new direction with general manager Ray Farmer, upside at quarterback seems the right move.26. CLEVELAND BROWNS (FROM INDIANAPOLIS)(4-12)Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama: Finding their head coach and quarterback remain the obvious priorities in Cleveland but help along the offensive line may also be needed given the disappointing second season from right tackle Mitchell Schwartz, the club’s second round pick in 2012. Moving the athletically-limited Schwartz inside to right guard and pairing him with the highly physical and aggressive Kouandjio could solve two problems."
Rang’s mock has Manziel gone but both Borltes and Bridgewater on the board. Rang uses Farmer’s presence to give the Browns Bortles instead of Bridgewater based on his upside. Bridgewater would be a safe pick with Bortles being more likely to boom or bust. With Brian Hoyer expected to start next year Bortles could sit and learn instead of being forced onto the field quickly. Kouandjio is a favorite of this writer in the #26 position. He would give the Browns a huge athletic tackle and give Schwartz a chance to succeed inside. That only leaves either the Center or Guard position to be shored up, depending on what happens with Alex Mack.
Pete Prisco
"4. CLEVELAND BROWNS(4-12)Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M: This would seem to be a natural fit. They need a quarterback in the worst way.26. CLEVELAND BROWNS (FROM INDIANAPOLIS)(4-12)Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State: Cleveland needs a weapon outside to go with Josh Gordon. Benjamin would give them a huge complementary target."
Similar to Rang’s draft Prisco’s first installment has 2 QBs available when the Browns select. He has the Browns also selecting the higher ceiling one with Manziel instead of the steady Bridgewater. Similar possible reasons just a different QB. Benjmain is a big weapon on the outside who has struggled with his route running but could provide a big physical target on the other side of the athletic Josh Gordon. This would be a young version of the Bears 2 big wide receivers. Receiver takes time to develop so its likely if the Browns draft one here they would also pick up a veteran in free agency prior.
Whose draft do you like the best? If you only had to judge based on the #26 pick whose do you think is the best fit? How do you rank the 3 QBs?