2015 NFL Draft grades: Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns had a large 12-man draft class so how well did head coach Mike Pettine and general manager Ray Farmer do in the 2015 NFL Draft?

Armed with two picks in the first round the Cleveland Browns had the ammunition to try to move into the top two to take Marcus Mariota to try to solve the quarterback quandary for head coach Mike Pettine.

Ultimately, the Browns weren’t able to complete any deal for the picks and stayed at No. 12 where they took Washington nose tackle Danny Shelton and he adds another piece to the team’s defense that has some nice building blocks. He could develop into a dominant nose if he keeps his weight in check.

With the No. 19 pick they stayed in the trenches with Florida State center Cameron Erving who can play center or offensive tackle.

In the second round they took Utah outside linebacker Nate Orchard who has 18.5 sacks and led the nation with 1.42 sacks per game. He can replace Jabaal Sheard and if Barkevious Mingo can live up to his potential would give the Browns a pair of good edge rushers.

With the first of two picks in the third round they took Miami running back Duke Johnson who brings a big-play ability to the offense and should be able to carve out a role in their crowded backfield. With their second pick in the round they took Washington State defensive tackle Xavier Cooper who should be able to contribute on passing downs.

Fourth round pick Ibraheim Campbell was a productive safety at Northwestern where he was a co-captain his final year. He isn’t going to wow you in coverage but is a willing participant in run support. Their second pick in the fourth round saw them take another player from Washington State in receiver Vince Mayle who has good size at 6-2 and 234 pounds but doesn’t have great speed to separate. Could be a situational No. 4 or No. 5 receiver.

Sixth round pick Charles Gaines is an undersized cornerback out of Louisville with questionable intangibles and average skills. Wouldn’t be surprised to see him fail to make the 53-man roster considering this is a 12-man draft class.

They double-dipped with their next two picks in the sixth round with Mississippi State tight end Malcolm Johnson and USC tight end Randall Telfer. Johnson can play H-back, fullback or tight end but at 6-1 and 231 pounds is limited due to size. Telfer has ideal measurables at a shade below 6-4 and 250 pounds but is a better blocker than he is a receiver.

Normally, seventh round picks are training camp fodder but I really liked what Cleveland did in taking USC inside linebacker Hayes Pullard who made 52 starts for the Trojans and has all the intangibles in the world. He’ll definitely make the roster.

Their last pick in the draft was Oregon cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu who was an All-American in 2014 and was a potential first round pick before he tore his ACL in practice in mid-December. He likely will miss his rookie season, but considering the value here and how good he is when healthy, this is a steal. Could be one of the best seventh round picks in the modern era if he makes a full recovery.

Grade: A-

Next: Every NFL Team's Best Draft Pick of All-Time

More from Cleveland Browns

Home/Cleveland Browns