CBS Sports Straggler Comes in with NFL Mock Draft

Jan 1, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Central Florida Knights quarterback Blake Bortles runs into the end zone for a fourth quarter touchdown against the Baylor Bears during the Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Central Florida defeated Baylor 52-42. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

With the Cleveland Cavaliers most likely out of the playoff hunt, they need a miracle, and the Cleveland Indians only at the start of their very long season, they can take back to back series with a win today, the Cleveland Browns have the most pressing issue coming up, the NFL Draft. We gave you our 7 Round Cleveland Browns Mock Draft yesterday. We will give you our FoS Weekly NFL Mock Draft: 1st Round tomorrow. Earlier today we covered Joe Haden being ranked 10th last year in cornerback ratings.

Today we cover the last of the 5 CBS Sports guys NFL Mock Draft. We covered the 4 of them here last week but Pat Kirwan walks to the beat of his own drummer. Slowly but surely many Mocks are starting to give a different picture of what the Browns draft is going to look like. Early on all Mock Drafts had the Browns selecting Johnny Manziel, then shortly after that they all had the Browns getting a QB at #4. Now, whether it is due to QB evaluation, their Pro Days or Ray Farmer‘s smoke screens, Mockers have the Browns going in multiple directions. Lets see the direction of the Kirwan draft:

"2. CLEVELAND BROWNS (MOCK TRADE FROM ST. LOUIS VIA WASHINGTON)(4-12)Blake Bortles, QB, UCF: The Browns are working out all of the top quarterbacks and even though some are down on Bortles he’s a big strong kid who will remind some of Ben Roethlisberger."

• As we said people have the Browns all over the place. Here Kirwan sees the Browns moving ahead of the Jacksonville Jaguars to select Bortles. Kirwan doesn’t note what the Browns give up to get Bortles but it is not the 26th pick, which could relieve many. If the Browns brass believes Bortles is “The Guy” of this draft then moving their second round pick to make sure they get him is worth it. Especially if they have much lower grades on Teddy Bridgewater and Johnny Manziel then they need to make that move. Few believe in any of the QBs to move up in a deep draft. If any teams move up it seems that Jadeveon Clowney, Greg Robinson, Sammy Watkins or Mike Evans would more likely be the targets. If Bortles is Big Ben everyone will be happy no matter what the cost. Adding a young Big Ben to Josh Gordon, Jordan Cameron, Andrew Hawkins and Ben Tate is a dynamic offense. Is Bortles anything close to that though?

"26. CLEVELAND BROWNS (FROM INDIANAPOLIS)(4-12)Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU: Beckham is an impressive young man and a perfect complement to Josh Gordon on the other side. Now the Browns offense should be able to score points."

• A pick that this writer will approve with 2 thumbs up is Beckham. While other receivers are bigger or faster Beckham has the chance to be the best receiver in this draft. He plays the game the right way, has solid hands and a good body to work in the slot or outside. The Browns could be sadden if Kirwan’s draft plays out as Bridgewater fell past them at 26. They also could look at a number of other boom/bust type prospects at receiver, corner help (after all Haden is only 10th best) or help on the offensive line. Adding Bortles and Beckham, and later a offensive linemen and a 2nd tight end, would finalize the Browns offense, a potent one to say the least.

Compared to his counterparts at CBS what do you think of Kirwan’s draft? Do you trust Farmer and Mike Pettine that if they move up it would be a good, researched move? Would you rather have drafted Sammy Watkins and picked the falling Bridgewater?