Cleveland Browns: 2019 7-Round mock draft, Vol. 4
By Peter Smith
Round 4: Michael Dogbe, DT, Temple – 6-3.125, 286 lbs. (Shrine Game)
- 36 solo tackles (5.6 percent), 12.5 tackles for loss (15.4 percent), 7 sacks (19.4 percent) in 2018.
The Browns need all the defensive line help they can, particularly when it comes to defensive tackle and Michael Dogbe is someone with tools to be a pass rusher and overall energy player. Dogbe’s got a terrific motor that can have him looking like Ed Oliver at times. Some of this is the fact both are undersized and they both spend a lot of times playing a true nose over the center.
Dogbe looks small with skinny legs, but he’s just a very dense player as illustrated by his recent weigh in at the East-West Shrine Game. He’s got great power as well and intriguing speed. Dogbe just doesn’t carry much excess weight on his frame.
Athletically, he looks light on his feet with good burst and ability to work laterally and change directions. His balance and agility seem fine, though nothing special. Dogbe was a good run defender in college, but that could be something that becomes more difficult simply because opposing linemen will be bigger and stronger in the NFL.
Dogbe is a great player when it comes to stacking opponents, but he’s got to improve when it comes to shedding. Often, Dogbe drives the opposing blocker back, then makes a play when the ball carrier comes up, be it the quarterback or a running back. He’s also able to shoot gaps at times to gain an advantage. The issue and where he needs to improve is how little he’s able to win because of his hand usage.
He flashes a swim move and will rip when he’s lined up at a 5-tech. It’s just more often than not he’s getting hands on and driving the opponent. Perhaps that’s simply what Temple coaches him to do, but so much of his development will be taking some flashes of good hand usage and defeating blockers and making it happen more often.
If he is able to go in and drive opposing linemen back on pass plays, collapsing the pocket, he will be able to create plays for teammates. On occasion, he will clean up some other guys plays, but it’s about going from a facilitator and cog in a system to becoming someone who creates plays of his own.
The way he plays and the consistent energy level he brings will make him popular with coaches and teammates. Athletically, he should test well at Pro Day (since at this point, he doesn’t appear to be getting an invite to the combine) and could be exactly what the Browns want when it comes to getting lighter and quicker up front with as often as they should be rushing the passer in 2019.
Some Other Interesting Possibilities Foregone: Kaleb McGary, OT, Washington; Lukas Denis, FS, Boston College; Josh Oliver, TE, San Jose State