Cleveland Browns: Players team doesn’t want AFC North to draft
By Peter Smith
As the Cleveland Browns prepare to add players that can hopefully get them one step closer to contending, there are players I just don’t want to see end up with division foes.
On the eve of the 2019 NFL Draft, one of the thoughts that crosses my mind is players I’d hate to see end up playing for division foes because their talent and the fit could be really good for those teams and bad for the Cleveland Browns.
In past years when the Browns had countless needs, it was a good way to help illuminate how good a player would be on the Browns. With fewer holes to fill, that’s less of a concern but still doesn’t change the fact that there are players that can be a thorn in the Browns side for the next few years.
Each division opponent gets one prospect that could be available in the first round and then one that could be picked later in the draft that could be great for them, but bad for the Browns. So, here’s hoping these teams are unable to get any of them.
Baltimore Ravens
Montez Sweat, DE Mississippi State
It’s really anyone’s guess what’s true and what isn’t about his medical situation and the alleged enlarged heart he may have. The bottom line is based on what he has in terms of talent, he could be a dream scenario for the Baltimore Ravens with the 22nd pick of the draft.
Matt Judon is a great pass rusher on one side, but they’ve now lost Terrell Suggs and could look to get more than just having Tim Williams on the other side. Sweat’s talent and particularly his remarkable physical traits, should they fall to him, could be too good to pass up. He has the profile to be a Pro Bowl pass rusher. It’s very easy to see how Sweat could be a problem for the Browns in the same way Suggs was for years.
Blake Cashman, LB Minnesota
The loss of C.J. Mosley is a massive one for the Ravens and the middle of that defense. If they’re able to get Cashman, he could provide them a terrific athlete who’s extremely physical and has great range. Cashman has had multiple shoulder surgeries, which is a concern, but he played his full senior season and he just makes a mess. It’s not always pretty or technically sound, but he disrupts the running and passing game.
Willing to not only to take on a lead block, he has flashed the ability to knock it out of the way and make the tackle. He also has the range to fly around and make plays in the passing game. As long as the medical checks out, if the Ravens can end up with a player like Cashman, it could really ease the transition from Mosley and keep the Ravens a potent defense in 2019 and going forward.