2018 NFL Draft: Cleveland Browns 7-round mock
By Joe Romano
Round 3 – Pick 65
Malik Jefferson, LB, Texas
The Browns get back to back picks to end the second round and kick off the third. This time they grab a player who is more potential than production. Texas linebacker Malik Jefferson is a freak athlete that will need coaching at the next level to maximize his tools.
Cleveland does not have a glaring need at linebacker but Jefferson was too special of an athlete to pass up for a team that desperately needs them. Joe Schobert, Christian Kirksey and Jamie Collins is a solid unit. Adding Jefferson into that rotation, and eventually taking over for one of them would represent long-term thinking and a great action plan for a developmental prospect.
Earlier in the season Jefferson’s name was getting round one buzz. Now that scouts have started dissecting his tape they are seeing inconsistency that will push him to day two. Jefferson needs to get better at reading and reacting. Too often he relies on his athleticism to make plays, and that will not work at the next level, no matter how good of an athlete this guy is.
With good coaching at linebacker Cleveland could have a steal at the top of the third round. Physical tools are all there for this guy. The team invested in their front four in last year’s draft with future star Myles Garrett and a starter in the third round with Larry Ogunjobi. With a strong front in place at Cleveland, an athlete like Jefferson could thrive in the right role.