Cleveland Browns: Final 7-Round 2018 mock draft (Vol. 7)

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 11: A Cleveland Browns helmet rests on the field prior to the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on September 11, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Browns 29-10. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Overview

1. Sam Darnold, QB, USC
4. Bradley Chubb, DE, N.C. State
33. Connor Williams, OT, Texas
35. Courtland Sutton, WR, Southern Methodist
64. Royce Freeman, RB, Oregon
114. James Looney, DL, Cal
150. Christian Sam, LB, Arizona State
175. Richie James, WR, Middle Tennessee State
188. Zach Sieler, DL, Ferris State

As much as the Cleveland Browns want to win this year, they are largely going to be relying on the trades and free agents they acquired to do it. Sam Darnold, Connor Williams and Courtland Sutton may all have far bigger roles in year two than they will in year one. Bradley Chubb and Royce Freeman stand out as the biggest immediate contributors from this class with a chance for one of the day three picks to be an early surprise.

One of the storylines that is coming out from this draft process is the lack of trust between the newly installed front office and everyone else, but particularly the coaching staff. In so many ways, Tyrod Taylor, Jarvis Landry, Carlos Hyde and those players seem to be Hue Jackson’s chance to prove he can coach while the draft is reserved for the coaching staff in 2019, which might include Jackson — but likely won’t.

Chubb and Freeman could make a real impact as rookies for this team, giving the Browns an even more threatening defensive line while Freeman adds to a running game that needs to be the focal point of the offense. But by Jackson’s own account, he wants to be a more veteran team anyway, so it actually works out for everyone involved.

Next: NFL Schedule 2018: Best game from each week

Dorsey’s draft class is really for Dorsey’s coach, which has yet to be chosen. This draft could well be what catapults the Browns towards contending if Darnold is the right quarterback for them, but fans are likely going to have to be patient in 2018 and hope that bigger contributions from the previous two draft classes will be worthwhile enough to get them through the last year of Jackson and add to the excitement of what this class could bring in the future.

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