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Cleveland Browns: 7-Round 2019 mock draft, Vol. 5

By Peter Smith

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 15: Running back Duke Johnson #29 of the Cleveland Browns gives a stiff arm to free safety Justin Simmons #31 of the Denver Broncos in the fourth quarter of a game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on December 15, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 15: Running back Duke Johnson #29 of the Cleveland Browns gives a stiff arm to free safety Justin Simmons #31 of the Denver Broncos in the fourth quarter of a game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on December 15, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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PISCATAWAY, NJ – NOVEMBER 05: Saquan Hampton #9 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights celebrates after a tackle against the Indiana Hoosiers during the first half at High Point Solutions Stadium on November 5, 2016 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ – NOVEMBER 05: Saquan Hampton #9 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights celebrates after a tackle against the Indiana Hoosiers during the first half at High Point Solutions Stadium on November 5, 2016 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Round 7 (via JAX): Saquan Hampton, S, Rutgers – 6-1.25, 206 pounds

  • 44 solo tackles (10.8 percent), 13 pass deflections (23.6 percent), 3 interceptions (33.3 percent) in 2018.

Age: 23 (Born Dec. 12, 1996)

40-Yard Dash: 4.48s
Broad Jump: 125″
Vertical Jump: DNP
3-cone: DNP
Shuttle: DNP
Bench: 14 reps

Regardless how people feel about retaining Briaen Boddy-Calhoun (I’d prefer they did), the indication is he’s going to be allowed to go elsewhere, despite being a restricted free agent. They’re going need to find a replacement for that roster spot and Saquan Hampton looks like he can be a stud based on the numbers and warrants going substantially earlier.

Hampton is comfortable playing in space, he’s got pretty range, he’s physical and he knows how to play the ball. By position, he’s a free safety, but he seems to be able to play both spots without issue.

When he reads run, Hampton comes screaming down hill and he’s a pretty good tackler, taking advantage of his length. In pass defense, he can get a good jam receivers, has range to cover ground and has shown ability to cover receivers and tight ends.

It’s not clear what Wilks wants to do with his defense, but if he were interested in having Jabrill Peppers play some linebacker looks, they will need another defensive back on the field. If Peppers plays effectively nickel, the Browns could have Damarious Randall and another defender split the field in half for a Cover-2 look or keep their base Cover-3.

Potentially, a player like Hampton could come in and play strong safety. He could keep the Browns in good position in coverage while keeping them credible when it comes to defending the run.

Best Option Not Taken: Cortez Broughton, DL Cincinnati

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