Browns Draft: DraftTek has near perfect 2021 mock draft for Cleveland
By Chad Porto
DraftTek’s 2021 NFL mock draft was a homerun for the Browns.
Next up on our march to the NFL Draft is a review of DraftTek’s 2021 NFL mock draft. Unlike the first one we’ve done, this mock draft was pretty close to perfect for the Browns. We have a few more to review before Thursday.
As a reminder, each pick is being judged on four criteria.
- Positional need (does the Browns need that position.
- Positional fit (does the player have the attributes to play in the Browns’ scheme)
- Was the player taken too high or too low?
- Does the player possess something that helps him stand out?
The criteria is what it is to avoid talking about game-tape or expectations, as it’s almost impossible to determine who’s going to be a success for the team. It will factor a bit in one category but mostly it’s about filling the need the best the team can.
With that, pick number 26 is up first.
DE. 26. player. 53. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Miami (FL). Gregory Rousseau
I like this pick more than the one from Sporting News, who went with Azeez Ojulari here. Gregory Rousseau is a solid pick, especially with Jaelan Phillips off the board. Which in this mock he is (No. 19 to KC). The other names that could work here are the next picks that went after Rousseau; Richie Grant and Asante Samuel Jr. Both fit just as well.
Now as we talked about before, this is a four-step process. Does Rousseau fit a need? No, the Browns are set at defensive end unless someone gets hurt. Does he fit the scheme? Yes, he strikes me more of a Kevin Carter type on the end, but yes, on paper, he fits. Was he taken too high or low? No, this is a good spot to take him if the Browns stick with taking a defensive end. Does he have anything about that stands out? Yes, he’s a bonafide pass rusher, with tremendous size (6’7)
If he can learn to get his hands up more often, he could be swatting passes away like J.J. Watt and Dikembe Mutombo.