by CLEVELAND BROWNS
1 (10). Jedrick Wills Jr., T, Alabama
2 (44). Grant Delpit, S, LSU
3 (88). Jordan Elliott, DT, Missouri
3 (97). Jacob Phillips, LB, LSU
4 (115). Harrison Bryant, TE, Florida Atlantic
5 (160). Nick Harris, C, Washington
6 (187). Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR, Michigan
On paper, this may be the best draft for Cleveland since returning in 1999. They absolutely nailed it! They had to fill positional holes and they did exactly that. Their biggest holes coming in were pass rusher, pass blocker, run stopper, secondary help and third receiver depth. They got all of that and more!
I absolutely love the selection of Wills from Alabama to protect Baker Mayfield moving forward. Fans need to get over the fact that he played RT in college. That was only because he was blocking for a lefthanded quarterback. Trust me, watch film on him, he will do great at LT. He gave up 1 sack in 900 snaps. What more do you need to hear?
Grant Delpit was the safety help the Browns needed. He is a genetic freak and has the capability to knock receivers on their butt every time they cross him.
The one and only problem we can see is his tackling issues which is something the Browns have had major issues with in the past. Teach this kid to tackle, and he could be one of the best safeties in the league and a game changer. He has boom written all over him once he gets that technique down. Can he?
Fans seemed to love the Jordan Elliot pick in the third round at DT. I do not as his college career was all flash and little substance at Missouri. The Browns need a linemen who can wreak havoc in the backfield and stop the run.
Elliot didn’t show he could do either in college. He may have been a stud at the combine and on paper with skills, but until you get it done consistently in the game it means nothing.
Jacob Phillips out of LSU came to the Browns at the end of the third round and I love this pick. This young man can flat out stop the run. He is a tackling machine leading he Tigers last season.
His lone problem is pass coverage but Mack Wilson has proven he can hold that down. The Browns need to stop the run at all costs, also stop mobile quarterbacks, Phillips will get it done.
The selection of Harris Bryant in the fourth round at tight end pretty much spells the end for gigantic first round bust David Njoku. The “Chief” will go down as a giant “what if” for his time in Cleveland as he never once lived up to the hype of his selection. Sashi Brown was not a draft genius by any stretch, but trading up to get Njoku may have been his biggest blunder. Bryant is a great blocker and had excellent hands as well.
Nick Harris will add depth on the offensive line coming off the bench when needed. Finally, the sixth-round selection of Donovan Peoples-Jones a WR out of Michigan may go down as one of the best late round draft steals this year. This speedster can flat out run, and will also challenge for the spot of main kick returner. Look for Jones to make waves in camp with his breakout abilities.
Grade A –
