Cleveland Browns: 7-Round 2019 mock draft, Vol. 2
By Peter Smith
Round 5: Khalil Hodge, LB, Buffalo – 6-1, 235 lbs. (Listed)
- 182 solo tackles (11.7 percent), 21 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 3 interceptions and 6 pass deflections in the past three seasons.
Khalil Hodge has been a stud for three years and seems like an ideal player for where the NFL has evolved. He will get knocked for level of competition, but what he has done on the field certainly looks like it should translate to the next level.
Hodge wouldn’t need to come in and start, but he looks like a player who could be a high level starter at the next level. He’s a MIKE backer, but short of an injury, he would need to make the move to WILL to become a starter.
Hodge shows tremendous range and the ability to find the football. He can help in coverage and as a blitzer. Hodge needs to develop as a player when it comes to taking on and shedding blocks, often getting stuck on them if he can’t slip them. His length and weight aren’t ideal, but they don’t hold him back from being effective.
Chris Kirksey finished the year on injured reserve, unfortunately, and should be back in the starting lineup next year, but after that it’s more of a question mark. The hope for Hodge would be to come in as depth initially and play special teams while he gets comfortable and eventually takes Kirksey’s place at WILL.
As Jamie Collins and Kirksey age out or their contracts become too much to bear combined with the fact they’re gonna need to extend Joe Schobert’s contract, the Browns will need new linebackers and preferably cheaper ones. If they can grab and develop guys like they did Schobert in guys like Coney, Hodge and Genard Avery, the Browns will be in good shape at the second level for years.