Cleveland Browns: Pre-Combine 7-round 2019 mock draft

Round 3, Pick 16: Dalton Risner, OT, Kansas State

The Browns need to find an heir to the Joe Thomas throne. Greg Robinson and Desmond Harrison were fine in 2018, and Freddie Kitchens was able to hide them in his offensive schemes, but it’s unlikely that either of them is the Browns’ long-term answer. For their left tackle of the future, the Browns should look to the Kansas State Wildcats, and grab Dalton Risner in the third round.

At 6-4, 297 pounds, Risner is a bit small for a tackle, but his fantastic skillset and great Senior Bowl week has pushed him higher up on many draft boards. Risner may need some polishing up, but the potential is there. At the very least, head coach Freddie Kitchens can work to Risner’s skills and help him out in play calling. The Browns need to protect Baker Mayfield, and this is a fine addition.

Round 3, Pick 31: Elijah Holyfield, RB, Georgia

The Browns just picked up a Georgia running back last year in the form of Nick Chubb. This year, they’ll be double-dipping into the Bulldog running back pool and take Elijah Holyfield. The 5-11, 215-pound running back is the son of former boxer Evander Holyfield, and he plays like it, too.

Although Holyfield isn’t the fastest running back in this draft class, but he is a knock-down drag-out power back who could take some major pressure off of Nick Chubb in 2019. Having Chubb and Holyfield in the same backfield would be a one-two punch that wears defenses down very, very quickly. Holyfield is an interesting prospect, considering that he doesn’t have a ton of college tape, but the talent and power in his running style are very evident from just one year as a starter.