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

By Peter Smith

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 15: Wide receiver Antonio Callaway #11 of the Cleveland Browns is congratulated after a fourth quarter go-ahead touchdown pass against the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on December 15, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 15: Wide receiver Antonio Callaway #11 of the Cleveland Browns is congratulated after a fourth quarter go-ahead touchdown pass against the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on December 15, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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MADISON, WI – OCTOBER 21: T.J. Edwards #53 of the Wisconsin Badgers returns an interception for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Maryland Terrapins at Camp Randall Stadium on October 21, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MADISON, WI – OCTOBER 21: T.J. Edwards #53 of the Wisconsin Badgers returns an interception for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Maryland Terrapins at Camp Randall Stadium on October 21, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Round 3 (via NE): T.J. Edwards, LB, Wisconsin – 6-1, 242 lbs. (Listed)

  • 73 solo tackles (15.4 percent), 11.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 3 interceptions, 2 pass deflections in 2018.

The Browns need to add linebacker help. Jamie Collins is all but released and everyone not named Joe Schobert and Chris Kirksey could be off the roster this coming season with Kirksey potentially gone after 2019. There is some disagreement as to what type of linebacker the Browns should add, be it a stout run defender or someone specifically suited to defend the pass. Why not both?

T.J. Edwards looks like a old school linebacker with a boxy build, but he’s been able to consistently make plays in the passing game. The Browns have had fantastic luck with Wisconsin anyway and Edwards was teammates with Schobert in Madison, so it might be a good decision to have them do the same on the Browns.

At least in terms of listed height and weight, Edwards is eerily similar to Schobert well, so it will be interesting to see if that’s true and how Edwards tests from an athletic standpoint. Edwards might actually trim down a little to help his athleticism, but that might be better for him anyway to make him a little lighter playing in the NFL. Unless there’s a scenario where Schobert would move to WILL because of his coverage expertise, that’s where Edwards would go and being lighter might be beneficial.

Edwards reads well and just has a great understanding on where the ball is going, able to cut plays off or put himself in position to disrupt them. He’s caught ten interceptions in three seasons and most of them are just finding his way into passing lanes and either tipping the ball to himself or just going up and catching it. Very little of his game looks flashy, but it’s all in how he gets himself in position.

Like Schobert, he might ultimately wait a year while helping on special teams, but Edwards seems like a guy who could force his way onto the field in spots as a rookie.

Some Other Interesting Possibilities Foregone: Iman Marshall, CB, USC; Jalen Jelks, DE, Oregon

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