NFL Mock Draft 2019: A roundup of Browns targets in the second round
By Scott Patsko, cleveland.com | Posted March 22, 2019 at 05:30 AM | Updated March 24, 2019 at 10:00 AM
Temple defensive back Rock Ya-Sin runs a drill during the NFL combine in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Browns don’t have a first-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. The 17th selection now belongs to the Giants. So mock drafts have become a little less interesting for Browns fans.
But there are some hardcore mockers out there who wade into the second round, when the Browns get their first pick (No. 49 overall).
To give you an idea of the players who might be available at that point, I’ve created a position-by-position list based off a few deep mock drafts. Each position includes a breakdown of players mocked within five picks above the Browns, any pick targeted for the Browns, and players mocked below the Browns in the remainder of the second round.
Sorry, no quarterbacks or running backs on this list. I stuck to positions that are either obvious needs, or positions that have been in the discussion since free agency began.
Mock drafts used for this exercise include those by Ryan Wilson (CBSSports.com), Chris Trapasso (CBSSports.com) and Luke Easterling (DraftWire). All were published after the Browns traded their first-round pick to the Giants.
LINEBACKER
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Terrill Hanks, New Mexico State
Blake Cashman, Minnesota
The Browns released Jamie Collins prior to free agency, creating a question at strong-side linebacker. Browns GM John Dorsey was asked about the position during a conference call last week and noted how good a season Genard Avery had. Avery, a fifth-round pick in 2018, was primarily used as an edge rusher last season, but was noted for his versatility coming out of college.
Virginia defensive back Juan Thornhill runs a drill at the NFL combine in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
SAFETY
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Taylor Rapp, Washington
Deionte Thompson, Alabama
Browns pick
Juan Thornhill, Virginia
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Johnathan Abram, Mississippi State
Deionte Thompson, Alabama
Taylor Rapp, Washington
Wilson has Thornhill going to the Browns, and wrote, “Thornhill had a quietly effective 2018 campaign and he used the combine as an exclamation point on the season. He ran a 4.42 40, had a 44-inch vertical, and that, coupled with his game film, makes him a Day 2 pick, and perhaps even a first-rounder.” Of the others listed, Rapp shows up most often, including twice after the Browns pick. Rapp is known for his physical play and tackling ability, and was moved between linebacker, strong safety and free safety for the Huskies.
Michigan State defensive back Justin Layne runs a drill at the NFL combine in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
CORNERBACK
Browns pick
Justin Layne, Michigan State
Rock Ya-Sin, Temple
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Julian Love, Notre Dame
Trayvon Mullen, Clemson
Joejuan Williams, Vanderbilt
Trapasso has the Browns selecting Layne, and wrote, “The Browns roster is now pretty loaded. It could use another corner opposite Denzel Ward. Layne is a long, athletic, feisty defender.” Easterling likes the Browns taking Ya-Sin. An earlier DraftWire scouting report noted: “Overall, good size, and agility paired with competitive toughness and spatial awareness will make Ya-Sin a starter in a heavy zone-scheme. He’s a pure cover corner who should produce right away, once he can improve in man coverage, tackling, and a few other areas.” Of the others listed, Love and Mullen both show up three times after the Browns pick.
OFFENSIVE TACKLE
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Yodny Cajuste, West Virginia
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Greg Little, Ole Miss
Kaleb McGary, Washington
David Edwards, Wisconsin
Wilson has the Dolphins taking Cajuste one pick before the Browns. Doug Lesmerises explained recently why the Browns should consider the West Virginia tackle. I did the same with Greg Little, who many mock drafts had as a first-rounder prior to the combine. But with Robinson re-signed this offseason and Kendall Lamm acquired in free agency, this doesn’t seem like a position to target in the second round. Of the others listed, McGary shows up three times after the Browns' pick.
TIGHT END
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Jace Sternberger, Texas A&M
Irv Smith Jr., Alabama
The Browns signed former Chiefs tight end Demetrius Harris in free agency, and still have David Njoku, Seth DeValve and Pharaoh Brown on the roster. It doesn’t seem likely that the Browns will target a tight end in the second round.
Texas A&M quarterback Trevor Knight (8) is pressured by Mississippi State defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons (98). (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
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Jeffery Simmons, Mississippi State
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Dre'Mont Jones, Ohio State
Khalen Saunders, Western Illinois
Jeffery Simmons, Mississippi State
Charles Omenihu, Texas
Lesmerises profiled Jones, a St. Ignatius grad, during the combine. The Browns signed Sheldon Richardson in free agency and tendered an offer to restricted free agent Trevon Coley and re-signed Carl Davis. But the draft is deep at defensive line, and Simmons, who shows up twice just ahead of the Browns in the second round, is seen by many as a first-round talent who will drop due to off-field concerns.
EDGE RUSHER
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Zach Allen, Boston College
Christian Miller, Alabama
Chase Winovich, Michigan
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Jachai Polite, Florida
Jaylon Ferguson, Louisiana Tech
Chase Winovich, Michigan
Like he did with defensive tackle, Browns GM John Dorsey addressed edge rusher last week, acquiring Olivier Vernon in trade. The Browns still have Emmanuel Ogbah, as well as 2018 third-round pick Chad Thomas. But, again, the draft is deep at defensive line. Allen is listed twice just above the Browns in the second round, and Ferguson twice below them. Polite is seen by some as a first-round talent.
Ohio State wide receiver Parris Campbell runs a drill during the NFL combine in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
WIDE RECEIVER
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Marquise Brown, Oklahoma
Deebo Samuel, South Carolina
Riley Ridley, Georgia
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N'Keal Harry, Arizona State
Deebo Samuel, South Carolina
Parris Campbell, Ohio State
Dillon Mitchell, Oregon
Andy Isabella, UMass
Emanuel Hall, Missouri
The second round is heavy on wide receivers in the three mock drafts I’m using here. The Browns seem set at the position after acquiring Beckham. They also signed Jaelen Strong earlier this year. Doug Lesmerises explained recently why the Browns should consider drafting Isabella.
INTERIOR OFFENSIVE LINE
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Erik McCoy, C, Texas A&M
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Erik McCoy, C, Texas A&M
Lamont Gaillard, C, Georgia
Elgton Jenkins, C, Mississippi State
Austin Corbett, the No. 33 overall pick in 2018, is expected to take over at right guard for Kevin Zeitler (traded to the Giants). The Browns signed guard/center Eric Kush and guard Erik Witzmann in free agency.