Cleveland Browns: 7-Round 2019 mock draft, Vol. 2
By Peter Smith
Round 5 (Via NE): Cortez Broughton, DT, Cincinnati – 6-2, 290 lbs. (Listed)
- 26 solo tackles (6.5 percent), 16.5 tackles for loss (22 percent) and 5.5 sacks (18.3 percent), 5 pass deflections, 1 forced fumble in 2018.
Continuing to upgrade and overhaul the weaknesses on the defensive line, Cortez Broughton is a player with elite production this year for the Bearcats. He has experience both on the edge as well as defensive tackle, but for the NFL, he would make his home on the interior.
Broughton has a great first step, tries to get into the backfield immediately and just cause as much havoc as he can while moving forward. He’s shown some pretty decent strength and can be pretty slippery as he gets up the field. Broughton can find himself off balance, getting too high or having too narrow of a base on the move.
Alternatively, he will sometimes fire off super low and keep his head down, which can make it easy for opponents to matador him and take him out of the play. But when he’s right, he can be a wrecking ball for opponent, whether he makes the play or forces the play into his teammates.
The other question worth asking with Broughton is why he was only really able to put up much production this past year. Nevertheless, for the Browns, who would only need him to be depth competing for snaps, he looks like someone who can contribute.
He’s built to be more of a three, but the way he plays, he looks like he could provide some snaps at nose. Broughton can cause problems and split double teams when he’s quick off the ball and his balance is right. That needs to be consistent or he risks getting blown up. But with a defensive line that seems to thrive off of penetration, Broughton splitting or just disrupting a double team could open up some opportunities for teammates.
Athletic testing will be important for Broughton and he may be a player that gets substantially more popular in the postseason process, but he’s been a stud this year and the class as well as how the Browns are set up could enable them to find a gem day three on the interior defensive line and address some needs, upgrading the competition. Last year’s third round pick, Chad Thomas, will have to fight tooth and nail to keep his roster spot next year.