Cleveland Browns: Pre-Combine 7-round 2019 mock draft
Round 4, Pick 17: Khalen Saunders, DT, Western Illinois
In the fourth round, the Browns pick up the viral sensation of this draft class. Khalen Saunders, the head-scratchingly athletic defensive tackle from Western Illinois will have a lot of eyes on him next season, even as a mid-round pick. At 6-2, 320 pounds, Saunders’s acrobatic ability caught the eyes of social media.
Khalen Saunders is a pretty impressive 300 pounder. pic.twitter.com/mz8P6gZSp5
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 22, 2019
Saunders has been called “The Aaron Donald of the FCS” and that is a flyer that the Cleveland Browns simply must take. If Saunders is even a fraction as good as Donald, he will transform the Browns’ defensive line from one of the better units in the league, to most likely, the best. And for John Dorsey, that is an offer that he simply cannot refuse.
Round 5, Pick 6: Terry McLaurin, WR, Ohio State
Terry “Scary Terry” McLaurin is another player who had a great Senior Bowl week. The Browns, one way or another, are going to bolster their receiving corps, and the additions of Deebo Samuel, along with McLaurin, will help immensely.
McLaurin’s catch radius offers a wide variety of places for Baker Mayfield to put the ball. Couple this along with McLaurin’s great short-range quickness could help him develop into a redzone threat for the Browns.
Round 5, Pick 17: Jace Sternberger, TE, Texas A&M
Sternberger is a good depth piece for Cleveland, and could be a solid backup to David Njoku if Seth Devalve doesn’t make the 2019 roster. In his last year at Texas A&M, Sternberger caught 48 passes for 832 yards and 10 touchdowns on the year.
David Njoku looks to make the leap in 2019, and Sternberger could be a great addition for the Browns’ two tight end looks on offense. The Browns will have two legitimate redzone options at tight end, and Baker Mayfield will greatly benefit.
Round 5, Pick 32: Ryan Finley, QB, NC State
Ryan Finley is the textbook definition of a backup quarterback, and the Browns need to invest in one of those. This pick is simple, and gives the Browns a safety net for the quarterback position, should the unthinkable happen to Mayfield at some point in 2019.
Spending this late of a pick on a quarterback isn’t going to hurt the Browns at all. At this point, they should just be going best player available, unless there’s a serious steal on the board. So, it might be best to secure a backup quarterback for the next few years.