Cleveland Browns: Grading Tony Grossi’s 2020 NFL mock draft 2.0

TheLandonDemand’s Tony Grossi has the Cleveland Browns sticking with an OT in his latest mock draft. Here’s how his picks grade out.

TheLandonDemand’s Tony Grossi gives us a mock draft to contemplate as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to shut down the world.

Grossi’s mock (subscription)  goes 10 picks deep, ending with the Cleveland Browns final selection.

1. Joe Burrow, Bengals: The reigning Heisman Trophy winner is going to be a Bengal. First, there were questions about whether Burrow would want to play in the Queen City, but he put those to rest at the combine. Now, there’s rumors the Bengals will trade down. Doubtful. Cincinnati has to take the Athens, Ohio native.

Grade: A. Wish he was was coming to Cleveland.

2. Chase Young, Panthers: The best player available lands in Ron Rivera‘s lap.

Grade: A. Edge rusher might be the second most important position on a team.

3. Tua Tagovailoa, Lions: I just don’t see it. Grossi admitted the Lions are feeling the pressure to win. That mentality doesn’t lend itself to drafting a quarterback and sticking him on the bench. He admitted as much, suggesting a trade down is likely, however, his mock drafts do not account for trades.

Grade: D. I wasn’t sold on Tagovailoa NFL prospects before he got hurt.

4. Mekhi Becton, Giants: I’d like to think there’s a happy medium between analytics and old football scouting, but that said, it was alarming Becton wasn’t even mocked in the first round in PFF’s analytics draft.

Giants’ GM Dave Gettleman is one of the few GM’s who’s still considered “Old School,” so if there were an executive who was going make the 6-foot-7 giant the first tackle off the board, it’s Gettleman.

Grade: D. Becton oozes potential, but can you afford to take a project with the fourth overall pick?

5. Justin Herbert, Dolphins: Again Grossi admittedly contradicts himself again by writing he doesn’t really see Miami taking the third best quarterback option, yet mocked him to South Beach, anyway.

Grade: D He originally had the Dolphins going with stud Ohio State corner Jeffrey Okudah, but because Miami gave gobs and gobs of money to Byron Jones, they’re no longer in the market for a corner.

6. Tristan Wirfs, Chargers: LA needs a left tackle, but they also need a quarterback after Phillip Rivers moved to Indy.

Grade C: Remember, the grade reflects the pick, not the player. To let Rivers walk and not come away with a quarterback of the future would be a failure. Again, Grossi doesn’t do trades.

7. Jeffrey Okudah, Ohio State: Grossi previously mocked Isaiah Simmons to Carolina, but with Okudah available, he jumped at the chance to send the corner to first-year NFL head coach Matt Rhule.

Grade: A. You know what you’re getting in Okudah. While Simmons is an athletic marvel, there are still questions as to where he’ll play.

8. CeeDee Lamb, OKlahoma: It’s hard to see the Cardinals taking a receiver after acquiring DeAndre Hopkins. Talk about a team that needs help on the offensive line!

Grade: B. He doesn’t fill a need, but Hopkins, Lamb and last year’s draft pick, Hakeem Butler, make for one heck of a receiving corps in Kliff Kingsbury‘s air raid offense.

9. Isaiah Simmons, Jaguars: The best player available, although I heard a a conversation comparing Simmons to Jabrill Peppers.

Grade: B. Peppers was supposed to be a hybrid linebacker/safety offensive coaches would fear. He’s a fine player, but a strong safety. Simmons is more gifted athletically, but he follows the same trajectory, it would be a huge disappointment.

10. Andrew Thomas, Browns: Of all the tackles being talked about, Thomas is probably the one best suited to come in on Day 1 and be the starting left tackle.

Grade: A. Left tackle remains the most glaring need for the Browns, but selecting Thomas here transforms the line from a huge weakness, to a team strength.