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Cleveland Browns: 2019 7-Round mock draft, Vol. 1

By Peter Smith

OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Darren Fells #88 and David Njoku #85 and Orson Charles #82 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after Fells scored on a 49 yard pass play against the Oakland Raiders during the second quarter of their NFL football game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 30, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Darren Fells #88 and David Njoku #85 and Orson Charles #82 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after Fells scored on a 49 yard pass play against the Oakland Raiders during the second quarter of their NFL football game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 30, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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PISCATAWAY, NJ – SEPTEMBER 22: Giovanni Rescigno #17 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights is tackled by Khalil Hodge #4 of the Buffalo Bulls as teammate Devon Russell #12 looks on during the second quarter at HighPoint.com Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ – SEPTEMBER 22: Giovanni Rescigno #17 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights is tackled by Khalil Hodge #4 of the Buffalo Bulls as teammate Devon Russell #12 looks on during the second quarter at HighPoint.com Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images) /

Round 5 (Via JAC): Khalil Hodge, LB, Buffalo – 6-1, 235 lbs. (Listed)

  • 127 solo tackles (11.8 percent), 13.5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions and 3 pass deflections in past two seasons.

Khalil Hodge is a prototype linebacker in terms of where the NFL has evolved save size. He’s smart, he’s got range, can cover and blitz. Buffalo asks him to do a little bit of everything and he’s been nothing short of a stud in his now third year in the middle of their defense.

Hodge doesn’t have the ideal length or weight for a linebacker, but in every other way, he looks the part. Sideline to sideline range, tackles well, and gets to his drops quickly with the ability to make plays on the ball. He diagnoses quickly and plays faster than his timed speed will likely suggest, though he gets good head of steam when he flies around. Hodge is also agile, light on his feet with pretty good hips.

He isn’t great when it comes to taking on and shedding blocks, but he’s certainly not afraid and plays as hard as he can to try to do his job. Teams aren’t going to want him taking on guards at the next level, which is increasingly true of every linebacker. If he can swim past and slip the block, he will and try to hold up as much as possible when he’s blocked.

Hodge has experience blitzing in every gap. Most is in the A gap, but whether he’s lined up wide or is looping outside, he can get there in a hurry. The bottom line is when anyone is trying to find Hodge, find the ball because he’s going to be there. He has the production to be a very good NFL linebacker and has for three seasons.

He looks like he can play middle or weak side linebacker in the NFL. His lack of length doesn’t make him ideal for the strong side. It remains to be seen just how fast he times, but he should be able to help on special teams as well. The Browns don’t currently need a ton of linebacker help, but Hodge is the type of player that looks like he can a starter in the NFL and would be outstanding depth until he is.

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