Cleveland Browns: 3 potential surprise 1st-round picks to watch
3. Cleveland Browns surprise pick: Eric Stokes, CB
Why it’s a surprise: Georgia’s Eric Stokes has spent mock season not picked in the first round. Only recently has buzz surrounding his name as a first-rounder started popping up.
Interestingly enough, the speculations started on Pro Football Focus, the analytically oriented analytics website.Stokes currently sits 72nd on their big board, the they made the case for his ascension in the draft.
Why it could work: Talk of the Browns trading up to get their corner is en vogue with all the mocks, as it should be. There’s four really good corners and trading up to get the last, Greg Newsome, makes sense.
But if the Browns believe they’d be unearthing a hidden talent in Stokes, well, look no further than the prospect’s pro day as the reason he got picked in the first round.
The NFL world certainly took note when Stokes turned in a 4.34 40 time combined with a 1.5-second flat 10-yard split at the showcase.
Next. Latest 7-round Browns mock. dark
Factor in Stokes’ played in the country’s premier football conference, and he should be a candidate, especially if a run on corners commences in the 20s.