Sports Illustrated’s first mock draft for the Cleveland Browns hits all the notes

The Cleveland Browns need so much and Sports Illustrated may have filled all the holes.

The Cleveland Browns have not had a great offseason so far. It’s been fine, nothing to thumb your nose at but more and more outlets outside of Cleveland are ranking the Browns lower and lower on preseason lists. Most preseason lists are based on the returning roster and what moves they’ve made in free agency so far. So seeing so many lists put the Browns in the bottom half of the league, despite their Super Bowl or bust mentality is pretty eye-opening.

That’s why the NFL Draft is so important for the team. They have to find some starters late in the draft process, and while third-rounders can turn into starters, it isn’t that likely. It gets harder to find starters as the draft goes on. Not impossible, Donovan Peoples-Jones was a sixth-rounder, so it’s possible.

It’s just not likely. Yet, the folks at Sports Illustrated’s Browns Digest may have put together one of the better mock drafts so far for the Browns. Here’s who they have the team taking;

• 74. Keeanu Benton, DT Wisconsin
• 98. Cartavius Bigsby, RB Auburn
• 111. Colby Wooden, DL Auburn
• 126. Jakorian Bennett, CB Maryland
• 140. Braeden Daniels, OL Utah
• 142. Brenton Strange, TE Penn State
• 190. Keaton Mitchell, RB East Carolina
• 229. Gervarrius Owens, S Houston

The Cleveland Browns don’t need that many running backs

As I do more reading and watching of prospects, I have a greater appreciation for Keannu Benton out of Wisconsin. He may not be ready to start day one, but he’s got upside as a starter. Most of the remaining picks are fantastic, simply out of a position of need more than anything.

Yet, the big issue to take away here is not just the drafting of running back Cartavius Bigsby in the third round but taking two running backs in the draft. The Browns aren’t going to run the ball as much this season, instead opting to throw it from more spread formations.

This means that the team carrying four running backs makes no sense. Nick Chubb and Jerome Ford on their own should be able to carry the load and if you wanted to draft another late back in the sixth or seventh-round, ala Demetric Felton, then go for it.

Otherwise, focus on getting a safety or linebacker with the second third-round pick. Or another defensive tackle.