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Cleveland Browns: Grading Day 2 picks in 2019 NFL Draft

By Cody Williams

BATON ROUGE, LA - SEPTEMBER 30: Andraez Williams #29 of the LSU Tigers reacts during the game against the Troy Trojans at Tiger Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
BATON ROUGE, LA - SEPTEMBER 30: Andraez Williams #29 of the LSU Tigers reacts during the game against the Troy Trojans at Tiger Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
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The Cleveland Browns made their first selections of the 2019 NFL Draft on Day 2, but did they make the right calls with those picks?

During the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns and general manager John Dorsey were biding their time. They traded away the 17th-overall pick for Odell Beckham Jr., meaning they had to wait until Day 2 of the draft to make their first selection of 2019. When it came time, though, they made the picks count.

Sitting with the 49th pick, Dorsey and the Browns noticed great value on the board and made their move. They traded up three spots and, with that selection, nabbed LSU cornerback Greedy Williams to add to the secondary. Cleveland looked to the defensive side of the ball in the third round as well, staying put at No. 80 and taking linebacker Sione Takitaki out of BYU.

Were these the right selections for the Cleveland Browns? Let’s take a look and hand out grades for their work on Day 2 of the 2019 NFL Draft.

Round 2, Pick 46: Greedy Williams, CB, LSU

The freefall of Greedy Williams was one of the biggest storylines of both the first and second rounds. However, when he got to the middle of the second round, the Browns couldn’t let it stand any longer and traded up from the 49th overall pick to No. 46 to tab the LSU cornerback for their secondary.

Every reason that people have concerns about Williams is valid. He does struggle with his tackling, he’s not physical enough at times and there are plenty of moments where he simply doesn’t look engaged. Having said that, he’s the best coverage corner in the 2019 NFL Draft class with the best set of physical tools at the position. If the Browns can coach him up mentally, pairing him with Denzel Ward gives Cleveland’s defense an immensely talented cornerback duo.

Grade: A

Round 3, Pick 80: Sione Takitaki, LB, BYU

Some people might think that Sione Takitaki is a reach with the 80th pick in the draft. However, he’s an athletic player that can patrol the middle of the field and tackle like a ton of bricks when he makes his reads. Yes, he needs polish and won’t contribute much as a coverage linebacker right away, or at least he shouldn’t.

Next. 2019 NFL Draft: 10 Best players available on Day 3. dark

Having said that, the Browns desperately needed to address the linebacker depth on the roster this offseason and Takitaki is a player that does that for them. He can see meaningful snaps right away while he develops and likely steps into a bigger role in Year 2 or 3. Again, it’s a bit of a reach, but the Browns addressed a need with a prospect that possesses nice upside.

Grade: B-

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