Cleveland Browns: 7-Round 2019 NFL mock draft, Vol. 6
By Peter Smith
Round 2: 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
Despite the fact that Justin Layne is the best corner in the class, there are no shortage of people who think he’s going to be available in the second round, even at 49. Given how the position group has sabotaged itself so much in the draft process thus far save for Layne, it would make far more sense that he goes in the first round but should he make it to day two, the Browns might have to trade up for him.
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Layne is an ascending prospect that is still learning the position and improved over the course of this past season, showing the ability to be an outstanding corner, particularly in a heavy zone or off man scheme. And for the Browns, with Denzel Ward on the other side, it’s a fantastic set up in terms of mixing up size and speed.
The Michigan State product doesn’t need to come in and start immediately for the Browns, but the hope is that he can get comfortable, play a role and perhaps around the end of the year and the playoffs, he’ll be comfortable and ready to take a bigger role. That would give the Browns their starting corner tandem under rookie contracts for another three years, allowing them to utilize money elsewhere.
Layne has everything a team wants from physical ability to outstanding production as well as age with the tape that has shown top level play. The task for the Browns is to fully realize that potential, get him to play to it consistently. It would be a huge upgrade to the secondary and help them close the gap from the unit that had Jabrill Peppers last year.