Cleveland Browns: Final 7-Round 2018 mock draft (Vol. 7)
By Peter Smith
Round 6 (via NE): Zach Sieler, DL, Ferris State – 6-5.75, 288 lbs
- 69 solo tackles (5.7 percent), 50.5 tackles for loss (25.2 percent), and 26.5 sacks (41.4 percent) last two seasons.
40 Yard Dash: 4.83s (Pro Day)
Broad Jump: 9’10”
Vertical: 29″
3-Cone: 7.14s
Shuttle: 4.63s
Bench: 31 reps
Zach Sieler is an athletic defensive lineman with size that dominated his level of competition. He played in the same conference, the GLIAC, that Adam Shaheen played in last year. The same conference that produced Jamie Meder and Jeff Janis, both members of the Browns.
Sieler is unique because despite dominating his level of competition, he wasn’t invited to the scouting combine and he declared as a junior, so he wasn’t at any of the All-Star games. This has caused him to be relatively anonymous among fans because he wasn’t really on their radar to begin with and the typical trappings to see this type of player, he wasn’t able to participate.
Sieler’s shuttle time isn’t great, but everything else is impressive and Dorsey hasn’t been afraid to grab small school players. Last year, he drafted Tanoh Kpassagnon out of Villanova for example. Sieler has that same type of size, strength and athleticism. He overwhelmed opponents at the line of scrimmage. He can play outside, but he might be best suited to be a power rusher at defensive tackle.
It will probably take Sieler time to adjust to the level of competition and speed of the game in addition to being a rookie. It’s possible that he might be a candidate they would attempt to stash on the practice squad if he is unable to secure a place on the final 53, but he’s a low risk, high reward type prospect that could be a nice find late in the draft.