2012 NFL Mock Draft Round Up: Cleveland Browns
Every now and then I like to take a look around the web at the mock drafts and focus in on a particular team. I thought today with the news know that the Browns will for certain not be drafting Robert Griffin III it’d be fun to see what people think they will do.
Let’s start with a couple of CBS Sports mock drafts:
Dane Brugler
4th pick:
Selection: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
Explanation:
Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU: With the Browns missing on the RGIII sweepstakes, they will strongly consider Ryan Tannehill with this pick, but Matt Flynn in free agency is a more likely option at this point. GM Tom Heckert values cornerbacks and won’t shy from pulling the trigger on Claiborne, giving the Browns a special cornerback duo for some time along with Joe Haden.
22nd overall pick:
Selection: Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia
Explanation:
Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia: With needs at both tackle and guard, why not draft a player who can play either? Perhaps no one has had a better pre-draft process thus far than Glenn after a strong Senior Bowl and NFL Combine. He has impressive movement skills for a 345 pounder with a 5.15 40-yard dash, adding 31 reps of 225 pounds. Glenn started every game this past season at left tackle, but looks ideally suited inside at guard.
4th pick overall:
Selection: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
Explanation:
Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama: With two first-round picks due to their trade last year with the Atlanta Falcons, the Browns are in the best position to move up to secure the rights to Robert Griffin III. If they don’t make the trade up, Griffin isn’t likely to slip to them, meaning that the team would have to generate offense in another manner. Teams rarely are willing to invest this high of a pick in a running back any more but Richardson is an elite talent.
Selection: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A & M
Explanation:
Cleveland needs a franchise quarterback, and it sounds like right now the team is unwilling to give up what it will take to land Griffin. Colt McCoy was a third-round pick in 2010, so it is not like the Browns have a huge investment in him. He could still be a quality backup in Cleveland, and could even play until Tannehill is ready.
The Browns can’t expect Tannehill to make it to their pick at 22 with Miami, Buffalo, Kansas City and Seattle lurking in the next eight picks. Coming from Mike Sherman’s offense, Tannehill translates well to Cleveland’s system under Pat Shurmur and Mike Holmgren.
The 6-foot-4, 222-pound Tannehill is a good athlete who can make big plays with his feet and has a strong arm. This season, he completed 62 percent of his passes for 3,744 yards with 29 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. The senior also rushed for 355 yards with four touchdowns. Tannehill was inconsistent and is still developing at the position. He played well versus Baylor and Missouri, but struggled against Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas.
Tannehill has only played one full season at quarterback (20 total starts at QB), so he will need time to develop at the pro level. Another negative is that Tannehill has small hands, so fumbling could be an issue. As a wide out in 2008, he caught 55 passes for 844 yards and five touchdowns. Tannehill switched to quarterback in 2010 and played well in the last half of the season as the Aggies’ starter. He completed 65 percent of his passes for 1,638 yards with 13 touchdowns and six interceptions.
22nd overall
Selection: Mike Adams, T, Ohio State
Explanation:
The Browns need a right tackle to go with Joe Thomas. Tony Pashos is a journeyman, and Cleveland needs a right tackle who can improve the team’s pass protection while opening up holes in the ground game. Despite missing time with injuries, Pashos was beat for seven sacks last season.
Adams was suspended for the first five games of the 2011 season as part of the Ohio State scandal. He broke into the lineup as a sophomore in 2009 and became a first-team Big Ten standout as a junior. Adams (6-7, 323) is a powerful run blocker who may be a better fit as a right tackle at the pro level. A speed rusher, like Marshall’s Vinny Curry, gives Adams some problems in pass protection, but Curry was an easy win for him in run blocking.
In 2011, Adams struggled with another speed rusher in Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus, allowing 1.5 sacks and a fumble. Therefore, Adams is going to need a good coach to refine his technique as a pass protector in the NFL. At the Combine, he set off some alarm bells about his work ethic after notching only 19 reps on the bench press.
4th pick overall:
Selection: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
Explanation:
Richardson is a powerful back who presses the hole with balance and a strong lower body. He regularly breaks the first tackle attempt. Total package of running skills, receiving ability, and blocking courage. Has recent minor surgery on knee. NO Combine workout.
22nd pick
Selection: Mike Adams, T, Ohio State
Explanation:
He missed the first five games but when he returned, his footwork was smooth in pass protection and on combo blocks. Demonstrates good awareness and mobility on blitz pickup. Works to finish.SENIOR BOWL NOTES: 6070, 323, hands 11”, arms 33 ¾”, wingspan 82 ½”. Had a good week of practice and was one of the most dominant linemen on either side of the ball in the game. Patient in pass protection.Lets the defender come to him. The rangy tackle plays with good knee bend, base, and balance. Good flexibility for a big man. Redirects and stays square with the ability to mirror a pass rusher. Light feet and finish ability. Competed well against every end including Upshaw and Ingram
What I find compelling about this mock draft is that there is more diversity with the 4th overall pick-usually a pick that is easy to figure out for teams than there is for the 22nd overeall pick. In each mock scenario the Browns go with an offensive linemen (RT). I think that’s definitely possible, but I’m not sold on that yet. I still think the Browns will be looking to add another pass rusher if available, or a WR like Kendall Wright. Mike Adams has upside and like Phil Taylor comes with some questions about his work-ethic and character so the Browns might not really be scared away.
All in all I think the Brows made a mistake not giving up their two first rounders this year to move up and get Robert Griffin III. I’m not a believer in McCoy and the Browns were in a perfect position with two first round picks this year. They could have offered their two first round picks, a second next year and that might have been enough a week ago, but instead they tried to play chicken with the Rams and the Redskins gave up even more. If Robert Griffin III is a Superstar quarterback the Browns will be kicking themselves for ages-and for what? What is likely to turn out to be Trent Richardson/Morris Claiborne and a WR or RT? Now if Griffin III is a bust and can’t stay healthy the Browns will be ok.
Does this team seriously consider Tannehill at 4th overall?