Cleveland Browns: 7-Round 2019 mock draft, Vol. 5
By Peter Smith
Summary
17. Justin Layne, CB Michigan State
49. Charles Omenihu, DL Texas
80. Khalen Saunders, DT Western Illinois
95. Miles Boykin, WR Notre Dame
119. Oli Udoh, OT Elon
144. Ben Burr-Kirven, LB Washington
155. Foster Moreau, TE LSU
170. Anthony Nelson, DE Iowa
189. Greg Gaines, DT Washington
221. Saquan Hampton, S Rutgers
The Cleveland Browns take a significant amount of this draft to strengthen their defense, both in addressing needs immediately and ensuring its effectiveness for the long term. Baker Mayfield and the offense does get help, but the impact may not be immediate, which could be a disappointment for some.
Justin Layne, should he be sitting there at 17, represents the best corner in the draft by the numbers. There may be other great options there, but it’s a money position and makes it clear where the corner position is for the foreseeable future. It also gives them options in how they want to deploy their secondary to matchup against opponents.
Save for Larry Ogunjobi, the defensive tackle position was abominable for the Browns last year. And it showed in how Ogunjobi wore down over the course of the season. With Charles Omenihu, Khalen Saunders and Greg Gaines, they bring in a ton of talent and competition. It also enables the Browns to use a ton of different defensive looks in how they want to attack quarterbacks and defend the run.
Omenihu and Saunders show the ability to rush the quarterback and are still developing when it comes to defending the run consistently. Both are explosive, able to get up the field and can collapse the pocket. Saunders has the ability to rush from both the three and the nose, giving them a multitude of ways to put four pass rushers on the field at once while maintaining credibility against the run.
Miles Boykin could potentially contribute early. It really just depends on how quickly he adapts to the NFL and improves his route running. He shows remarkable ability in a lot of areas and his ability to play at different spots in the formation could be valuable. He’s a threat after the catch too, so if Freddie Kitchens can figure out ways to get him open, Baker Mayfield can get it to him.
Oli Udoh appears to be the exact type of lineman prospect that James Campen loves. He’s got size and athleticism in addition to flexibility. He also appears to learn quickly and those are the ingredients Campen has typically used to find success with players, including the Browns current center, J.C. Tretter. Udoh is someone that could fill in at right guard but looks to be a tackle in the long run and could ultimately replace Chris Hubbard.
Anthony Nelson adds more length that both John Dorsey and Steve Wilks seem to want, but he’s remarkably agile for his size. If he can get stronger, develop heavier hands, he could become a really nice, full service defensive end that takes away the left side against the run, but can put pressure on the quarterback.
Saquan Hampton is someone that could fill what appears to be the soon vacated roster spot of Briean Boddy-Calhoun. He’s a purer safety that would back up Damarious Randall, but if the Browns want to expand how Jabrill Peppers and use big nickel packages, Hampton could find himself playing the third safety spot and find time on the field early.
Next. 2019 NFL Mock Draft: Post-Combine two-round projection. dark
Overall, the Browns hopefully get to a point where the defense is addressed even if it’s not perfect, allowing them to focus on the offense in 2020, making what could be a Super Bowl run. The Browns have and should have playoff expectations with eyes on the division crown and this draft could aid them in that pursuit.