The Cleveland Browns window of opportunity to win the AFC North in 2019 is wide open. Following the franchise’s best season since 2007, confidence is up at the home of the dawg pound.
There are plenty of holes that need to be filled. Free agency will take care of some of the problems. The NFL Draft in April will be very important for general manager John Dorsey and rookie head coach Freddie Kitchens.
So what positions will the Browns staff address in the draft? Cleveland has ten picks to use next month. Here is full press coverage’s Cleveland Browns 2019 mock draft version 1.0.
Round 1 Pick 17: Christian Wilkins – DL Clemson
Lets address a big need, literally to begin this mock draft. The Browns need to add some depth and some size in the middle of the defensive line. Adding a big guy with a championship pedigree is a bonus. Christian Wilkins played very large in winning two national championships for the Clemson Tigers. Wilkins can stop the run and help create more pass rush inside.
Round 2 Pick 49: Parris Campbell – WR Ohio State
Dorsey struck gold with Denzel Ward in 2018. Can he do the same with another northeast Ohio native out of Ohio State? Parris Campbell finished with the best 40 time at the combine. The Browns need to add more weapons for Baker Mayfield in the passing game. Campbell can be both a slot receiver and a deep threat because of his speed. Wide receiver could be an option in round one as well. Campbell would be a stretch there. If the Akron native is there at 49, (not likely,) the card should be turned in with Campbell’s name on it very fast.
Round 3 Pick 80: Yodny Cajuste – OT West Virginia
The Browns begin a stretch of two picks in each of the next three rounds. The search for the permanent replacement for Joe Thomas at left tackle continues. Greg Robinson re-signed for 2019. Desmond Harrison showed he was not ready for the job. Yodny Cajuste could be the answer. Cajuste protected Will Grier at West Virginia. So there is experience in blocking for a mobile quarterback.
Round 3 Pick 95: Rock Ya-Sin – CB Temple
The Browns addressed one cornerback spot last year with Ward. Now the opposite side needs to be addressed. The Browns use this pick acquired from the New England Patriots for Danny Shelton on Temple cornerback Rock Ya-Sin. Who is he may you ask? Well he played a key role in the Owl’s 8-5 2018 season. In his one season at Temple, Ya-Sin had 47 total tackles and 12 pass deflections in addition too a pair of interceptions. Before transferring to Temple, Ya-Sin spent two seasons at Presbyterian. He recorded five interceptions in 2017.
Round 4 Pick 119: Andy Isabella – WR UMass
Doubling down on Northeast Ohio native wide receivers. It solves the lack of depth issue at the position. Andy Isabella played his high school ball in the Cleveland suburb of Mayfield, Ohio. He matched Campbell’s time in the 40 and can claim he beat current Browns cornerback Denzel Ward in a track meet in high school. Isabella can be a second slot receiver along side Jarvis Landry.
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Round 4 Pick 132: Christian Miller – LB Alabama
The Browns are going to acquire Olivier Vernon from the New York Giants in exchange for Kevin Zeitler when the new league year begins on Wednesday. Cleveland also gets this pick from the Giants and use it to add depth at linebacker. Christian Miller like Vernon can add much needed outside pass rush opposite of Myles Garrett. With Vernon only under contract through 2020, the time is now to add pass rushing depth at the outside linebacker spot.
Round 5 Pick 144: Devin Singletary – RB Florida Atlantic
A running back really? Yes indeed. Sure the Browns drafted Nick Chubb last year. Yes, they signed Kareem Hunt, but who knows how long until he can see action in a game in 2019. Duke Johnson has drawn interest from other teams. As of now, the running back depth is a little thin. Bringing in a guy like Devin Singletary can fill the gap in the short term.
Round 5 Pick 170: Garrett Brumfield – OG Louisiana State
Last year’s second round pick Austin Corbett is now expected to be the starting right guard following the Zeitler trade. Depth along the line needs to be addressed. Garrett Brumfield can be a developmental offensive lineman in 2019. Brumfield can play guard and could be a replacement at center if J.C. Tretter gets hurt again. Brumfield is 6′ 2″ 300 pounds.
Round 6 Pick 189: Kendall Joseph – LB Clemson
Dorsey goes back to the reigning national championship well for a second time. Kendall Joseph can be a backup in the middle behind Joe Schobert. Joseph benefited playing behind the dominant defensive line for the Tigers. He’s also an excellent coverage linebacker.
Akron linebacker Ulysees Gilbert III runs up field during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa State, in Ames, Iowa. Iowa State won 26-13
Akron Iowa St Football, Ames, USA – 22 Sep 2018
Round 7 Pick 221: Ulysees Gilbert – LB Akron
To round out mock draft 1.0, the Browns head down the road to Akron and select linebacker Ulysees Gilbert. The 6′ 1″ 225 pound outside linebacker will look to follow in the footsteps of fellow Akron Zip, Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Jatavis Brown. Gilbert is a two time first team all-MAC selection and also participated in the East-West Shrine game this year.
Scott Piker is the Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Cavaliers and Cleveland Indians Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage.com. So follow him on twitter @ScottPikerSport
