NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

Cleveland Browns: Best option with the 12th pick?

By Dan Salem

facebooktwitterreddit

The Cleveland Browns looked good in stretches last season, but could NOT stop the run. With the 12th pick in the NFL Draft, is an offensive weapon or defense their best option? Dan Salem and Todd Salem debate in today’s NFL TD Sports Debate. Two brothers from New York yell, scream and debate the NFL and sports.

DAN:

With the 12th pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns select…?

All of the major mock drafts seem to agree on who the Browns will be selecting this coming Thursday. Cleveland has a veteran quarterback and a young gun who’s still learning. The mocks say they desperately need a wide receiver, and will pick accordingly.

Josh McCown and Johnny Manziel could certainly use help in the form of offensive weapons, but that was the least of Cleveland’s issues last season. They were in the bottom half of the league in all facets of offense and total defense. Sure, the Browns did pretty well stopping the pass, but they were dead last in stopping the run. Dead last.

I watched Cleveland several weeks last year and their offense was competent. They can win against Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and Cincinnati with that offense. But they have no prayer of reaching the playoffs if they don’t improve on defense.

Of the following three players, who should Cleveland take at twelve?

A) DeVante Parker, WR
B) Danny Shelton, DT
C) Arik Armstead, DE

Picking Parker means the Browns think they can solidify their defense in the later rounds, but is Parker really too good to pass up? Adding a dynamic wide receiving threat is tempting, yet a bit risky in my opinion.

Going defense would fill an immediate need on a team in a division full of dynamic offenses. Both Shelton and Armstead bring unique power and abilities to the Browns, and should make an immediate impact on the field. But is the edge rusher more critical, or the big man stopping the run?

Cleveland has a tough decision at twelve. It’s a great spot to be in this year, with lots of talent and teams looking to trade. What is the Brown’s best move?

Dec 14, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) and tight end

Jim Dray

(81) and running back

Terrance West

(28) at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

TODD:

You seem to be setting me up for a decision rather than inquiring about the Browns’ top preference at the 12th pick. In my mind, wide receiver is the team’s biggest need. However, two factors play into them NOT taking DeVante Parker here. First, receiver is a deep position this draft, and a suitable prospect is bound to be available to Cleveland either with their later first-round pick or on day two.

More from Cleveland Browns

This level of defensive line prospect will not be on the board when Cleveland picks again at 19, which leads to the second reason the Browns pass on Parker. If Danny Shelton is an option at 12, they should take him, no questions asked.

Shelton is the best run defender and defensive tackle prospect in this draft. He could be selected as high as seventh to the Bears. With the Browns’ run defense as you outlined, they would be lucky to fill a hole with a player of this caliber. Nose tackle Phil Taylor only played five games last season. The team needs another suitable and usable piece along the interior of its defensive line.

Armstead has potential to be that, but he strikes me as more of an end who doesn’t rush the passer like the elite prospects at his position. Shelton is the beast with the peerless strength here between the two.

In a vacuum, Parker at 12 may be the smartest pick. Cleveland will not partake in a draft inside a vacuum though. The other circumstances must be considered. If it comes away with Shelton at 12 and a starting receiver at 19, Cleveland will have done very well for itself. The reverse order is more unlikely to garner two worthy players.

Next: Cleveland's 5 Best offseason moves

More from NFL Spin Zone

Home/Cleveland Browns