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Cleveland Browns: First-guessing 5 2018 NFL Draft choices

By Peter Smith

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)
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) /
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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)
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) /

5. The Cleveland Browns selected Simeon Thomas, CB from Louisiana-Lafayeete 188th overall.

Alternative: They could have selected Richie James, Wide Receiver from Middle Tennessee State, who went 240th overall to the San Francisco 49ers.

Simeon Thomas is a 24 year old corner that spent a significant amount of his career at Louisiana-Lafayette suspended, largely for academics. He has an interesting skill set with his unique size and speed, but it’s really difficult to see how he’s going to make the roster with the abundance of corners they have.

Meanwhile, Richie James was arguably the most talented slot receiver in the draft class. His athletic traits and production put him on a Pro Bowl projection for his NFL career. James also would’ve been a really nice fit with quarterback Baker Mayfield as a run after the catch threat.

James is a twitchy, dynamic playmaker catching the football and with the ball in his hands. He can make tacklers miss and create yardage on his own. The Browns have a lot of players that potentially can create space underneath for James and allow him to create with the ball in his hands as he’s a threat to break the big one.

Next: 2019 NFL Mock Draft: Way too early projection for next year

James has the type of talent that could take over for Jarvis Landry in a couple years and he’ll have his opportunity to showcase that in Kyle Shanahan’s offense catching passes from Jimmy Garoppolo.

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