2017 NFL Mock Draft: Can we trust the Cleveland Browns?
By John Buhler
The Cleveland Browns have multiple picks in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Can they be trusted to nail both of their selections in this mock draft?
The 2017 NFL Draft is less than two weeks away. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will announce the selections atop the Rocky Steps in Philadelphia because that’s amazing. On Thursday, April 27, 29 of the 32 NFL teams will be gaining a new member, or two, with their first-round picks.
NFL teams picking in the first round should be happy to find plenty of promising pass rushers and several slick secondary starters. While the wide receivers class is wonder and the tight end class is terrific, the quarterbacks are questionable at best.
The Cleveland Browns are one of three teams along with the Tennessee Titans and the New Orleans Saints that will have two first-round selections. Cleveland is picking at No. 1 and No. 12. Can the Browns be trusted to make the right decision with their first round picks? Here is the latest mock draft of the first round.
Myles Garrett
Defensive End, Texas A&M Aggies
Only the Browns would mess this up, but don’t expect them to gaffe the No. 1 overall pick. The consensus No. 1 selection is Texas A&M Aggies defensive end Myles Garrett. Barring anything ridiculous, he’s going to begin his NFL career with the Browns.
Already this offseason, Cleveland has made a point to get better in the trenches. Browns general manager Sashi Brown made great strides in improving the offensive line. Getting former Cincinnati Bengals guard Kevin Zeitler in free agency was a great move by the Browns organization.
However, the pass rush could be improved greatly by the Browns in the draft. Keep in mind that Gregg Williams is now calling the shots as the Browns’ defensive coordinator. Few coordinators love to get after the passer more than Williams. He should yell himself hoarse if the Browns don’t end up taking Garrett No. 1 overall. This is a no-brainer selection, but these are the Browns we’re talking about.
NFL scouts have put Garrett on a pedestal during this draft process. Could he be a future Pro Football Hall of Famer coming off the edge? Potentially, but we might be getting ahead of ourselves here. No player has had the hype of Garrett entering the draft since Jadeveon Clowney went No. 1 overall to the Houston Texans in the 2014 draft out of South Carolina. Garrett has the better motor over Clowney and could make an impact day one in Cleveland with their pass rush.