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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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EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 10: Justin Layne #2 of the Michigan State Spartans breaks up a pass next to Terry McLaurin #83 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the first half at Spartan Stadium on November 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 10: Justin Layne #2 of the Michigan State Spartans breaks up a pass next to Terry McLaurin #83 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the first half at Spartan Stadium on November 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Round 1: Justin Layne, CB, Michigan State – 6-1.75, 192 pounds

  • 44 solo tackles (11.2 percent), 15 pass deflections (25.8 percent) in 2018. Did not play in team’s bowl game.

Age: 21 (Jan. 12, 1998)

40-Yard Dash: 4.5s
Broad Jump: 134″
Vertical Jump: 37.5″
3-cone: 6.9s
Shuttle: 4.09s
Bench: DNP

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Based on the numbers, including production, athleticism and age, Justin Layne is the best corner in the class. He also fits the Cover-3 scheme that new defensive coordinator Steve Wilks ran both with the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals.

Layne has remarkable length for the position, ideal agility and he’s able to play the ball and be aggressive as a tackler. He’s also got a ton of experience playing a number of different coverage techniques, has been exposed to a great deal. Tight man, off man, and inside leveraged zone on both sides of the field and he’s really not a finished product.

Layne is not a corner that’s designed to play tight man coverage and get in a foot race with burners going down the field. He’s a false step away from getting beat there, but he’s really well suited for just about every other situation. So if he were added to the Browns and they face a team that’s facing a true burner, they have Denzel Ward who can take that matchup and Layne can take away another receiving threat.

There are still areas where Layne can improve in terms of his technique and just making some of his movements more efficient, including how he tackles, but he’s a high effort player that keeps improving. Layne is aggressive, knows how to find and play the ball. The Browns could find themselves with arguably the top corner from each of the past two drafts in their secondary.

Best Option Not Taken: Andre Dillard, OT Washington State

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