Cleveland Browns: 2019 7-Round mock draft, Vol. 4

Round 1: T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa – 6-5, 250 lbs. (Listed)

• 49 receptions for 760 yards (25.7 percent) for 7 touchdowns in 2018.

Age: 21 years old (Born July 3, 1997)

Hockenson has tremendous production and his age is fantastic. The only question with him is how well he tests, because his tape is also excellent. Hockenson would give the Browns another big target and would be an ideal compliment to what they have in David Njoku, plus it works with some of the things that Freddie Kitchens liked to run last year.

Under Kitchens, the Browns ran a ton of different looks, but one that seemed to be consistently part of the gameplan included three tight ends. Njoku has improved as an inline tight end, especially as a blocker and there will still be times where that’s valuable, but that is where Hockenson is at his best.

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Hockenson isn’t just a willing blocker, but a passionate one. He does a great job of firing out into opponents, keeping his legs under him and being able to punch the right way to maximize his impact while keeoing his body under control. He also releases really well from a three-point stance into the passing game and is dangerous at a number of levels.

His ability to catch passes in traffic is notable, using his body to box people out and able to concentrate on the ball through contact. He’s got a huge catch radius as well and he’s shown the ability to be dangerous after the catch.

Hockenson also allows the Browns to be a power offense with Nick Chubb with the ability to be creative and versatile which is right in Kitchens’ wheelhouse. They can line up in double tights or with a wing and let Chubb power his way down the field, but both Njoku and Hockenson can line operate in motion, line up in space and still be effective. It allows Kitchens to do everything he did last year, but not need to vary personnel as much if that’s not his preference.

In many ways, Hockenson could be a combination of what Darren Fells and Jarvis Landry offer the Browns currently. Inline as a road grading blocker, lined up as a wing in space to block and offering the same viability as a receiving threat has value for a team likely to move on from both Fells and Landry after the 2019 season. Add in the fact that, along with Njoku, the Browns would have two matchup problems defenses consistently have to figure out on a weekly basis.

There is a credible argument against the idea of taking a tight end at 17 due to the sheer amount of tight end talent in this class. Hockenson is one of only a handful of full service tight ends, but they are out there. Assuming Hockenson tests like a stud tight end, it makes it a great discussion within the organization.

Tight ends are a tremendous investment in general and in concert Baker Mayfield’s track record with the position, Kitchens’ ability to scheme and create opportunities and the sheer talent of Hockenson, it just seems like a terrific fit for everyone involved.

Best Option Not Taken: Jaylon Ferguson, DE, Louisiana Tech