Cleveland Browns: 2019 7-Round mock draft, Vol. 3
By Peter Smith
Round 5 (Via NE): Cortez Broughton, DT, Cincinnati – 6-2, 290 lbs. (Listed)
- 30 solo tackles (6.8 percent), 16.5 tackles for loss (20.1 percent) and 5.5 sacks (17.7 percent), 5 pass deflections, 1 forced fumble in 2018.
Another player slated to participate in the Shrine Game, Cortez Broughton looks like someone else who could really shine there. Broughton looks like a prime candidate for bad body, good football player and hopefully he tests that way, but his production speaks for itself. He was an impact player for the Cincinnati Bearcats.
Similar to Wise, he has experience playing both inside and outside. He looks more suited to play inside at the 3-tech and might be able to fill in at nose in spots. He can be quick off the ball with power, but when he plays low, he can be difficult to move. It just gives them another capable body to compete for reps inside and hopefully disrupt opponents.
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.
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.