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Cleveland Browns: 5 Thoughts On 2017 NFL Draft

By Peter Smith

Sep 17, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) looks to pass in the first quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) looks to pass in the first quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 10, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Utes defensive back Marcus Williams (20) intercepts a pass intended for California Golden Bears wide receiver Kenny Lawler (4) during the first quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Utes defensive back Marcus Williams (20) intercepts a pass intended for California Golden Bears wide receiver Kenny Lawler (4) during the first quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

Another Obvious Browns Selection

After Myles Garrett, if there is one player that stands out to me as someone that will end up on the Browns, it’s Marcus Williams of Utah. The more this process goes along, the stronger the sense this happens.

From a defensive standpoint with Gregg Williams, the Browns are likely to play a good amount of Cover-1 and Cover-3. In other words, they are going to need a free safety that can play the deep middle. And if they can get someone who can cause turnovers, something both Williams and Hue Jackson want, all the better.

More from Cleveland Browns

The Browns don’t currently have a free safety that should start. They have Ed Reynolds, who was a solid run defender last year, and Tyvis Powell, who didn’t play save some special teams last year for the Seattle Seahawks. They need a playmaker there and it stands to reason it’s a priority.

Enter Marcus Williams, who won’t turn 21 years old until the first week of the 2017 regular season. He played three years at Utah, taking over the starting job partway through his freshman season. As a sophomore and junior, he picked off five passes each season, playing that single high safety position, showing great instincts to read the quarterbacks eyes and take good angles to attack the football.

Utah plays a ton of Cover-3 as they recruit tall corners that can keep plays in front of them and make plays on the ball. Williams roams the middle of the field, able to break on passes underneath or turn and run down passes deep down the middle of the field.

Athletically, he’s fantastic:

  • 40-Yard Dash: 4.56s
  • 3 Cone: 6.85s
  • Short Shuttle: 4.2s
  • Vertical: 43.5″
  • Broad Jump: 10′9″
  • Bench Press: 14 reps

His ankle and hip flexibility tested out very highly and it’s obvious on tape. His broad and vertical jumps show explosion and he’s able to attack the football and go up and get it at times with good timing and ball skills. His raw speed isn’t elite but more than enough.

So not only does Williams fit the Browns in terms of what they appear to want in a free safety, he also grades out really well in terms of analytics. His age and athleticism are excellent. In terms of production, he crushes it on interceptions even if his solo tackles and pass deflections aren’t top of the line.

Basically, Williams should at least be a good starter for the Browns and has the potential to be far more. Along with Garrett, this draft would give them two players that should be fixtures in their defense on top of what they already have in their linebackers and the rest of the defensive line.

Williams could be a target for the Browns in the second round and they may view him as a priority, willing to draft him with the 33rd pick.

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