Cleveland Browns: 7-Round 2018 mock draft, Vol. 6
By Peter Smith
Round 4 (via GB): Will Richardson, OT, N.C. State –- 6-5.625, 306 lbs.
Age: Unavailable
40 Yard Dash: 5.26s
Broad Jump: 9’
Vertical: 31.5″
3-Cone: 7.8s
Shuttle: 4.83s
Bench: DNP at Combine (If done at Pro Day, data presently unavailable)
Will Richardson is deceptively enormous. He’s got a perfect build for the offensive tackle position in that he’s tall, wide and carries his weight well. Beyond that, his flexibility often makes him look like he’s shorter than he is.
Richardson is N.C. State’s right tackle, but there’s nothing to suggest he can’t play left tackle. He’s quick, powerful and he does quite a bit right in terms of technique. Richardson is just such an easy mover for someone his size.
Once he locks onto an opponent in the run game, it’s generally over with. He’s really good at being able find ways to reach block, even through traffic going to the left. That flexibility comes in handy and makes him longer, so he can cut off opponents pretty well. Richardson is extremely powerful at the point of attack because he has little issue with getting low and getting the most of his leg drive. It’d be nice if he developed a meaner streak in terms of finishing opponents, but otherwise, he just shows a tremendous amount of ability.
His pass protection is even better. Short choppy steps and light on his feet, Richardson is able to mirror well, anchors without much trouble and gives up little ground to his opponents. His feet and his ballast make it so he’s difficult to get around and gives him some room for error.
Richardson isn’t perfect, but there’s just so much to work with in terms of tools and physical ability. He could be groomed to be a left tackle while he is depth as a swing tackle. There’s no reason he couldn’t also be a guard if needed.
Richardson is not without baggage. He was arrested for a DWI as a redshirt freshman and admitted his two-game suspension to start the 2017 season was for marijuana. Richardson is promising NFL teams that was the wake up call he needed, but that’s something that needs to be vetted. Hopefully he didn’t fail the idiot test at the combine. If he can keep himself on the field, the upside is difficult to ignore and he could fall into the laps of the Browns.