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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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Feb 25, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Cleveland Browns executive vice president of football operations Sashi Brown speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Cleveland Browns executive vice president of football operations Sashi Brown speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Their Harvard Man

It shouldn’t be a surprise if either in the draft or shortly after the Browns end up with offensive tackle Max Rich from Harvard. While the Browns are sometimes called the Harvard brain trust with executive vice president Sashi Brown and vice president of player personnel Andrew Berry both Harvard alums, the Crimson are also producing some talented football players.

Last year the Browns added Anthony Fabiano to their offensive line group on a waiver claim. Fabiano was a guard at Harvard and is currently working as a center for the Browns. Fabiano’s teammate and fellow lineman Cole Toner was a fifth round pick by the Arizona Cardinals. Both are very athletic prospects that come from a well coached program along the offensive line.

This year, Max Rich, the team’s left tackle for the past two seasons, is one of the more promising tackles in the NFL Draft class if going by the metrics. His athletic profile is fantastic:

  • Height: 6-7.25
  • Weight: 311 pounds
  • 40 Yard Dash: 5.12s
  • Broad Jump: 8’9″
  • Vertical: 30″
  • 3-Cone: 7.18s
  • Shuttle: 4.51s
  • Bench: 25 reps

Tremendous length for the position and power for the position, good explosion to get off the ball and plenty of agility in his hips and ankles to bend and mirror. And he’s the type of player the Browns are looking for to be a swing tackle.

Currently, the Browns are slated to roll with Joe Thomas at left tackle and Shon Coleman at right tackle. If Thomas were to go down, it’s either Coleman with Cam Erving going to right tackle or Joel Bitonio kicking out to the left tackle spot. As much as I like both Coleman and Erving, I’m not looking forward to that situation.

The only offensive tackle projected to go to camp right now that might figure in as a true swing tackle currently is Zach Sterup. Sterup has an outstanding athletic profile in his own right and the team may very high on how far he can go. He’s 6-9 and has good movement skills.

It’s not clear at all what Rich’s stock is in the NFL Draft, so the Browns may draft him or see if he can become an undrafted free agency and get him that way. In either scenario, he’s a fantastic project tackle that has experience in a good program and Bob Wylie may relish the opportunity to get him.

In training camp and practice, Joe Thomas affords the Browns a tremendous opportunity to develop an offensive tackle. Because the Browns have been smart about resting him, there are a good amount of left tackle reps to be had, usually about one day per week. Someone, be it Sterup, or a player like Rich could be the guy that takes those reps and develops more quickly, especially if that player has to learn by trying to block Myles Garrett, Emmanuel Ogbah and company.

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