Weekly FoS 7 Round Cleveland Browns Mock Draft (Playmaker Edition)

Jan 3, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Carlos Hyde (34) reacts against the Clemson Tigers in the second half of the 2014 Orange Bowl college football game at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

#106 – Carlos Hyde

Another playmaker pick for the Browns as the board falls the way it may in May. Defensive and offensive linemen are often drafted over skilled players, except QBs. The Browns are well stocked on the defensive side, and seem to believe in their group of offensive linemen. That allows them to make this pick here. Hyde could easily go off the board earlier, and maybe should. The value of running backs has hit an all time low though enough that they all drop into the late 3rd early 4th where there is a run on them. Knowshon Moreno, Chris Johnson, Ben Tate and others would of garnered huge contracts in the past, this off-season they got, or will get, very little.

For the Browns Hyde is a versatile back that can learn in the ZBS one cut and go system but also excel in a power running down hill game. He has shown the hands to be a excellent pass catcher out of the backfield and has the size and work ethic to pass protect. In Cleveland he will backup Tate, who hasn’t been healthy much of his career, for the first year then share carries in his second year before taking over in his third when Tate’s contract could expire. An excellent pick in the early 4th round.