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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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SEATTLE, WA – OCTOBER 20: Linebacker Ben Burr-Kirven #25 (R) of the Washington Huskies is congratulated by defensive back Keith Taylor #27 after making an interception in the fourth quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes at Husky Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – OCTOBER 20: Linebacker Ben Burr-Kirven #25 (R) of the Washington Huskies is congratulated by defensive back Keith Taylor #27 after making an interception in the fourth quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes at Husky Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

Round 5 (Via JAX): Ben Burr-Kirven, LB, Washington – 6-0, 230 pounds

  • 94 solo tackles (17.9 percent) in 2018.

Age: 21 (Born Sept. 8, 1997)

40-Yard Dash: 4.56s
Broad Jump: 121″
Vertical Jump: 34.5″
3-cone: 6.85s
Shuttle: 4.09s
Bench: 21 reps

Outside of Joe Schobert, the Browns appear headed to significant turnover at the linebacker position. Genard Avery, nominally a linebacker, is the only other player in the group with what should be a lasting future with the team. They made the expected move in releasing Jamie Collins, creating one roster spot in that group already. The team doesn’t necessarily need starters now, but they need to find players that can potentially be starters down the road.

Burr-Kirven has made up for a lack of size by being completely fearless, willing to throw his body around as he tries to make plays. And at the combine, he was able to up his weight and turn in an outstanding workout. His weight is likely always going to be a concern and if Burr-Kirven had to work to get up to 230, he’s probably going to end up playing in the 220s during the rigors of the season.

He flies around trying to make tackles. Sideline to sideline and going forward, he’s aggressive and looking to make plays. At times, it looks like water crashing against rocks when offensive linemen are in his way, but he doesn’t back down and will do the same thing the next play. Eventually, he finds a way through.

Burr-Kirven needs to transition to WILL because of Schobert and his lack of size, but also because he has to be protected. Washington had beef up front to protect him, which enabled him to fly around and make plays. When he can’t slip a block, he’s in real trouble and can get wiped out from the play.

The other area a move to WILL might help him with is his drops in zone. Too often, Burr-Kirven is standing straight up and backpedaling. It’s slow, it’s clunky and it sells his athleticism short. Either he’s got to improve that significantly or perhaps the better option is to open up one way or the other and strafe. That would allow him to play lower and change direction more effectively and at WILL, it would make it obvious which way to turn.

It’s easy to understimate Burr-Kirven based on his size, but he just keeps coming and finding ways to make tackles and get involved in plays. He’s at his best when he’s able to turn and run, so he looks pretty good covering backs out of the backfield and blitz effectively, all of which could be attractive to the Browns.

Best Option Not Taken: Stanley Morgan Jr, WR Nebraska

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