After a crazy first round in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns are in a great position to add more talent during Day Two of the draft. After selecting Baker Mayfield and Denzel Ward in the first round, Cleveland have three more picks in the second round: 33, 35, and 64. With some surprising picks in the first round, some quality talent fell into day two of the draft. So who should the Browns target on Friday night?
Connor Williams – Offensive Tackle, University of Texas
When Joe Thomas retired on the first day of the new league year, the Browns were left searching for a new left tackle. It was thought that Cleveland would need to trade down from fourth overall or trade back into the first round to get Willliams. But the Texas product fell out of the first round. Meaning the Browns may have their replacement for Thomas at 33.
Williams has great technique with solid athleticism. He puts himself in good position to make the block and has the strength to finish off blocks. Does not have great arm length for a tackle, but his technique makes up for what he is not able to do with short arms. After selecting Mayfield to be their franchise quarterback, it would make sense to pick the guy to protect his blindside.
Other positional options: Tyrell Crosby, Brian O’Neill, Jamarco Jones
Derrius Guice – Running Back, LSU
Running back is not the biggest need for the Browns with Carlos Hyde and Duke Johnson on the roster. But Cleveland addressed their two biggest needs, quarterback and cornerback, in the first round. They also showed they believe in Emmanuel Ogbah to be the bookend of Myles Garrett at defensive end. So if the Browns can find their left tackle at some point in the second round, they can take a best player available approach. It was also reported by NFL.com’s Mike Silver would have drafted running back Rashaad Penny at 33, had he been available.
Browns LOVED Penny. Would have probably taken him at 33. But now he’s a Seahawk.
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) April 27, 2018
Guice is a powerful runner that is able to run through tacklers, but has good speed when in space. But his speed may not translate well to making plays on the outside, and could be limited to a between-the-tackles runner. Adding him to the committee of Hyde and Johnson would create a tough three-headed monster running game that would be tough for defenses to contain.
Other positional options: Kerryon Johnson, Ronald Jones, Nick Chubb
Maurice Hurst – Defensive Tackle, Michigan
The Browns traded Danny Shelton in March and are expecting Larry Ogunjobi to fill a bigger role up the middle. But the depth at defensive tackle is not the most talented, with Trevon Coley, Jamie Meder, and Caleb Brantley filling out the middle. Adding Hurst will give the Browns a very talented tackle to fill out a scary and young defensive line.
Hurst was used all across the Michigan defensive line, but mainly used as a nose tackle. He will be better suited as a three-technique in the NFL. He has excellent burst and is very quick off the ball. Once he is in a gap, he can cause havoc with great ball recognition. There is concern about his size, but NFL trainers will be able to bulk him up. Also has concerns over a heart issue, which could have been the reason he fell out of the first round. But the Browns may not find better options to add talent up the middle in the draft. Getting Hurst in the second round would be great value for the Browns.
Other positional options: Harrison Phillips, Nathan Shepherd, Da’Shawn Hand
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Courtland Sutton – Wide Receiver, SMU
Another position where the Browns do not necessarily have a need, but Sutton could fill out a talented group of receivers in Cleveland. With Josh Gordon, Jarvis Landry, and David Njoku, Sutton’s size could be very useful in Cleveland. The Browns have their deep vertical threat in Gordon, sure-handed slot receiver in Landry, and an athletic receiver down the seam with Njoku. Sutton would fill in as a solid possession receiver for Cleveland’s quarterback.
Sutton does not have the blazing speed to create separation from defenders, but can use his size to box-out defenders. Needs to work on running crisper routes to create separation. But the Browns could use his size as a threat in the middle of the field. Safeties will not be able to take him out with big hits. With Gordon working over top and Landry underneath him, Sutton could find a lot of single coverage, using his size to bully defenders. Adding Sutton would take double coverage off of Landry or Gordon, and create mismatch problems for defenses.
Other positional options: Anthony Miller, D.J. Chark, Daesean Hamilton
