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Cleveland Browns: 7-Round 2019 NFL mock draft, Vol. 6

By Peter Smith

CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 04: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns throws a second-quarter pass agains the Kansas City Chiefs at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 04: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns throws a second-quarter pass agains the Kansas City Chiefs at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/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, Washington, 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

Ben Burr-Kirven made a name for himself at Washington being completely fearless, willing to just about anything to make plays and parlaying that into one of the most productive linebackers in the country. At the combine, he proved he’s also a great athlete. The combination of these factors makes him an excellent linebacker prospect and potentially the Browns long term answer at WILL after Chris Kirksey.

Burr-Kirven can fly around from sideline to sideline and attacking forward. At times, he will get flattened by offensive linemen, but he never gives up and just keeps coming, ultimately finding a way to the football. He does his best work when he’s got protection from the defensive line, allowing him to fly around unencumbered, which is why WILL might be his best spot in the NFL.

He needs to improve his drops and get to his spot faster, so he can more quickly find and attack the ball. A transition to WILL might make it easier to turn and slide or shuffle as opposed to trying a straight backpedal, which is pretty clunky. Between his speed and his lack of regard for his body, he’s ideal for blitzing as well as playing on special teams units, both in coverage and attempting to block kicks.

Assuming he can do the job, Burr-Kirven is a smaller, but faster player than someone like Kirksey. With so many teams trying to spread out on offense, it’s important to have linebackers that can cover a lot of ground and cover while not being afraid to do the dirty work on the interior. Burr Kirven appears to have everything needed to be successful and it’s just a matter of him going out and doing it.

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