Cleveland Browns: Reaction to Mel Kiper’s 2-round 2019 NFL mock draft

ESPN’s Mel Kiper and Todd McShay posted a dueling two-round mock draft, and made picks for the Cleveland Browns at No. 49. Here’s how it went.

Here’s how big of a deal mock drafts are: Mel Kiper and Todd McShay, two NFL Draft gurus, are doing two-round mocks (subscription required) a month out from the actual draft.

There’s just no such thing as too much draft, even if your team doesn’t have a second-round pick. Many Browns fans were happy to give up the team’s first rounder for Odell Beckham Jr., but after the deal, many immediately turned their attention to the Browns’ 49th overall selection.

It’s a long way to No. 49, but Kiper and McShay gave it as hot.

McShay: Dalton Risner, T/G: Risner is a nice prospect, but this is an awful pick. Building up the offensive line and keeping the depth chart strong should always be a priority, but the Browns spent a second-rounder on Austin Corbett last season, and he basically redshirted the 2019 campaign.

Dalton Risner started mostly at right tackle during his college years while also playing some center. He still has to prove he can handle the speed of NFL edge rushers. If he can’t, then he can move inside. If he has to play guard, then this selection would go down as a bust. The Browns don’t need a guard with Bitonio and Corbett in the fold as long-term guards.

Really, this pick is going to come down to whom Dorsey has a higher grade on. If it’s offensive line, so be it, but it can’t be a guard. The Brown might be better off seeking some help at corner, safety or even linebacker with their first pick in the draft.

Kiper had Risner off the board by the time the Browns’ pick, with the Broncos selecting him 41st to plug the hole on the right side of their line vacated by guard Billy Turner.

Kiper: Nasir Adderley, S: Kiper talks about the Browns need to replace Jabrill Peppers, which means he doesn’t buy the Browns recent trade for Chiefs safety Eric Murray as the answer to the Browns’ current secondary questions.

Interestingly, Kiper praises Nasir Adderley for being able to go “deep,” which Peppers wasn’t known for. Peppers was supposed to be a bruising type strong safety, and while he made some plays, I’d argue he didn’t do enough.

McShay projected Adderley to be picked by the Bucs 39th overall.

With that said, there’s nothing wrong with having another safety who can play well in coverage, as long as he can help out against the run, as well.

• And for what it’s worth, mirroring our own’s Mike Graham’s recent mock draft, Kiper had the Giants taking Clemson defensive end Clelin Ferrell with the 17th overall pick. Many thought Ferrell could be the Browns’ pick had they stayed in the first round. The Browns acquired EDGE rusher Olivier Vernon in the blockbuster that also included Odell Beckham Jr.

McShay had another player also tied to the Browns going to New York in Clemson defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. That need was eliminated with the free-agent signing of Sheldon Richardson.