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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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SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 15: Miles Boykin #81 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish attempts to make a catch against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Notre Dame Stadium on September 15, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Vanderbilt 22-17 (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 15: Miles Boykin #81 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish attempts to make a catch against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Notre Dame Stadium on September 15, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Vanderbilt 22-17 (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Round 3 (via NE): Miles Boykin, WR, Notre Dame – 6-3.75, 220 pounds

  • 59 receptions for 872 yards (26 percent), 8 touchdowns in 2018.

Age: 22 (Born Oct. 12, 1996)

40-Yard Dash: 4.42s
Broad Jump: 140″
Vertical Jump: 43.5″
3-cone: 6.77s
Shuttle: 4.07s
Bench: 12 reps

Boykin is a player that didn’t get much attention until he tested like one of the best athletes at the scouting combine. His production may not be top of the line but it is more than enough to warrant consideration, especially when factoring in the athleticism; size, speed, strength and remarkable agility.

Boykin’s also not a finished product. He had a productive season for Notre Dame, but that’s the only one he had. A lot of what Boykin can do is impressive, but he’s just not a good route runner at this point in his development. Boykin doesn’t create much separation and has to make far more contested catches than someone who’s that athletic should.

To his credit, Boykin’s got strong hands, is able to catch passes away from his frame, in traffic and through contact. A lot of his problems when it comes to route running appear to be as a result of simply being predictable. If he’s not running a slant, he tends to immediately try to go for an outside release, try to rip through and box the defender out with his shoulder. The lack of variety just makes it so opponents set on that tendency. Often times, his slants are wide open as a result, but he has to work so hard for what he gets.

Boykin is an aggressive, powerful run blocker, especially on crack blocks. Their offense featured a lot of slants and cracks, so he’d sell both the same way and then either take out an opponent or potentially make a catch. He’s shown a real ability to be dangerous after the catch because of his strength and body control.

If Boykin can develop as a route runner, the sky appears to be the limit for him. Someone with size and strength that can go up and get the ball, but he’s a threat after the catch with a nice catch radius that could be a great fit with Baker Mayfield. His ability to play both inside and outside should be attractive to the coaching staff.

Best Option Not Taken: Maxx Crosby, EDGE Eastern Michigan

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