2017 NFL Draft: 5 Late Round Sleepers Cleveland Browns Should Target

Derek Rivers, Youngstown State, OLB Projected Round: 6th-7th

At 6-foot-4, 248 pounds, Derek Rivers became a pre-combine star when he insanely bench pressed 225 pounds 34 times in a mock combine last month.

Rivers had 19.5 tackles-for-loss and 14 sacks during his senior campaign and earned his third All Missouri Valley Conference.

But lifting weights and huge stats in the FCS don’t make a draft choice. Everything needs to be accounted for, including what’s done at the Senior Bowl.

Here’s what Senior Bowl Director Phil Savage had to say about the prospect.

"This three-time All-Missouri Valley Football Conference selection helped lead the Penguins to an appearance in the FCS national championship game in 2016. He has an ideal build for an outside linebacker projection and gave glimpses of being an effective pass rusher off the edge."

After drafting a quarterback, the Browns must pressing need is a pass rusher. Everyone on the planet expects them to address that problem by selecting Myles Garrett No. 1 overall.

Again, you’re talking depth when trying to pick later-round selections, but there’s certainly a job available. Right now, the Browns linebacker corps would consist of Christian Kirksey in the middle, and Jamie Collins on the weak side. Emmanuel Ogbah and Carl Nassib figure to put their hand down a whole lot more now that the Browns are likely to employ a 4-3 base.

There could be opportunities for playing time, and if the Browns had a late-round pick to burn on Rivers, his measurable suggest he’s worth the gamble.