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

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SYRACUSE, NY – SEPTEMBER 09: Richie James #3 of the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders outruns Evan Foster #14 of the Syracuse Orange during a third quarter touchdown reception that tied the game at 16-16 on September 9, 2017 at The Carrier Dome in Syracuse, New York. Middle Tennessee defeats Syracuse 30-23. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

Round 6: Richie James, WR, MTSU – 5-10.125, 178 lbs.

Production: 213 receptions for 2,971 receiving yards (35.8 percent) and 20 touchdowns (28.5 percent) in 2015 and 2016.

Age: 22 years old (Born Sept. 5, 1995)

40 Yard Dash: 4.48s
Broad Jump: 10’2″
Vertical: 35.5″
3-Cone: 6.87s
Shuttle: 4.16s
Bench: 6 reps

The Browns traded for Jarvis Landry and he projects to be the team’s slot receiver, but at the same time, with Darnold in the fold, getting players that excel in the quick passing game would be prudent. Richie James is fantastic at catching short passes and making the adjustment to run after catch smoothly. The combination of Darnold and James could be pretty potent.

Swings, smoke screens, quick slants or just finding a hole and sitting down for a hitch, James has demonstrated a lot of effectiveness in the areas where Darnold was at his absolute best in college. He maximized his weapons at USC with excellent ball placement and so much of what James does well is after the catch.

James has a ton of talent that could potentially contribute right away but ostensibly Landry will be here for two years, at which time James could take over and potentially be an upgrade. He’s extremely agile and has tremendous balance for the position.

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