Sport’s Illustrated’s Monday Morning Quarterback has a new mock draft out, and we’re going to look at who they have the Cleveland Browns taking.
The Monday Morning Quarterback released their post-free agent mock draft for the first three rounds of the NFL Draft. Without getting too heavy into this review right now, most of author Kevin Hansen’s picks are exactly what this team needs, though there’s one I hugely disagree with. This mock takes into consideration major acquisitions the Cleveland Browns made this offseason, including offensive tackle Jack Conklin and tight end Austin Hooper, the two very best at their positions who were available.
With these moves, among others, the team checked off some boxes. That’s not to say the Browns are comfortable going into the NFL draft with Karl Joseph and Andrew Sendejo at safety necessarily.
Some moves were made for depth, and some were made for impact. Until the end of, say week two, of the pre-season will we really know where some of these free agents are expected to land in the depth chart. Obviously some aren’t expected to be backups, like Conklin and Hooper and it’s entirely possible that most of these defensive free agents are meant to be starters. It’s also possible they’re just being given an opportunity, an opportunity they can lose out on during training camp and pre-season.
So it’s entirely possible the team goes rogue from our expectations and takes a safety in the second round, or maybe the team might trade down and take a linebacker in the first round. So keep that in mind as we look through Hansen’s mock-picks for the Cleveland Browns. With that said, let’s get into it.
"10. Cleveland Browns: Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville Even though the Browns have agreed to a three-year deal with free-agent right tackle Jack Conklin, the team could be in the market to upgrade both tackle spots. Not only is left tackle Greg Robinson a free agent, but right tackle Chris Hubbard graded out as PFF’s 76th-best offensive tackle (among 81 qualifiers) last season. A mountain of a man at 6′ 7″ and 364 pounds with vines for arms (35 5/8″), the 20-year-old Becton has work to do on technique, but he has unique movement skills for a man his size."
I don’t pretend that I know everything. I’m not Mel Kiper or Todd McShay or any other pundit with fingers. Draft prospects are impossible to predict, there is no such thing as a ‘sure thing’ and most of these draft evaluators who are at the top of their industry are wrong so often that they’d make a baseball player hitting below the Mendoza Line look consistent.
I say all that to say this; Mekhi Becton is someone I’m not very high on and someone I don’t think will transition well to the NFL. He’s big, sure. He’s also not quick. He’s also not as strong as others in this Draft. He’s also not the best blocker either. So why is he this high in the draft?
Cus he’s big.
Hansen though seems to like what Becton could be but, “Unique movement skills”?
He can run a 40-yard dash in 5.1 seconds. That’s not really unique. It’s a skill he’ll never need. That’s like saying Joe Borrow is really good at quarterback and man, he can sure punt the ball. Why would you need your quarterback to punt? Why would you need your offensive left tackle to sprint 40-yards downfield? Lateral quickness and strength are the most important things here.
The best player in my opinion at the tackle position is Ezra Cleveland from Boise State, with Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs. Cleveland is the type of player who can get around on a defensive end during passing attempts and have the strength to open up holes in the running game. Wirfs is an equally good run blocker but isn’t as mobile as Cleveland. though just barely.
Grade: C
– There are better options on the board.
"41. Zack Baun, LB, Wisconsin"
It almost seems logical, doesn’t it? To replace Joe Schobert a Wisconsin Badger, the Browns would take themselves another Wisconsin Badger. Zack Baun is a heck of a linebacker. Maybe on paper, not the perfect replacement for Schobert’s versatility but surely someone with the possibility to grow into such a position. Too often fans get caught up on incidentals like which side of the field a player lines upon. Whether it’s inside, outside or slightly off the ball in some Greg Williams-esque defensive scheme, Baun could be a viable starter from the jump at any of the three positions.
Buan has comparable stats to Schobert. Not as fast but just fast and just as nimble left to right. His quickness will be needed and could push for starting time as an outsider player, almost resembling how Schobert developed in the Browns system
Baun isn’t the highest-rated linebacker, nor is he the sexiest pick, but he’s the kind of pick that AFC North titles are won on. He’s accustomed to playing in the snow, against a lot of running games and knows what a stellar quarterback can do against a defense. The Big 10 is lousy with really good players at the position and Baun had to face JT Barrett and Justin Fields just from OSU alone.
Wisconsin was always one of the better defenses and Baun was the key player in many of those units. His leadership, and environmental experience, added on top of his skills, make him the perfect fit for the Browns.
Grade: B+
Not a perfect replacement for a Pro Bowler, but the best you’ll find.
"74. Cleveland Browns: Malik Harrison, LB, Ohio State"
On paper, Malik Harrison reads just like Baun does. A biggish linebacker, with good lateral speed and a decent enough 40-time to not get blasted by tight ends or slot receivers. At this point in the third round, however, I think the Browns should go for a receiver, not two straight linebackers. The team signed one already, in BJ Goodson and they could still make a move. With Mack Wilson and Sione Takitaki also on the roster, the decision to go get a second young linebacker is perplexing.
We’re already not sure what Wilson or Takitaki will be, and in turn, we’re not sure what Baun could be either. So there’s no point in getting a fourth unproven commodity this high in the draft. A better pick would be Penn State’s, K.J. Hamler. This is of course if the Browns don’t get a receiver in the first two rounds.
Whether the Browns keep or trade Beckham is irrelevant to drafting Hamler. He’d be used as a third receiver at best his rookie year and could prove to be a dynamic difference-maker on the offensive side of the ball down the line. He would also shore up one of the last holes the team has on that side of the ball, outside of the guard position.
The Browns should choose between Harrison and Baun. They’re similar players, though I feel Baun has a better nose for the ball but getting both seems redundant. That’s no slight on the Columbus native-Harrison. It’s simply a matter of using this draft to fill as many needs as possible.
Grade: C-
The Browns don’t need two of the same type of players.
"97. Cleveland Browns (via HOU): Tyler Biadasz, IOL, Wisconsin"
Yes.
I’m a big fan of Tyler Biadasz and I’m more than happy with getting more Badgers on this Browns team. The only concern I have is that Biadasz might not be here in the third round. Biadasz might be the best run-blocking interior linemen in the draft, and more than that, he’s versatile. I love me some versatility. All that screams first-second round pick.
Biadasz is actually a center, but if drafted by the Browns would move to guard. That wouldn’t be a problem, as it’s the same set of skills needed, just without the need to worry about the snap. Biadasz also presents a long term solution for one of two positions. Should J.C. Tretter move on after his contract expires or retires young, Biadasz could move back to his natural position and not miss a beat.
Biadasz and the aforementioned Ezra Cleveland are the two players I desperately want the Browns to leave the 2020 NFL Draft with. It would fortify this line like it hasn’t been in years, giving the Browns five potential Pro Bowl-caliber players across the line. If they can’t keep Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield standing, then not even an offensive line made up entirely of five Incredible Hulks could.
Grade: A-
Arguably the best interior linemen in the draft and a great run blocker.