2019 NFL Draft: Cleveland Browns 7-round mock

By Joe Romano | Feb 14, 2019

HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 02: Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) congratulates running back Nick Chubb (24) on a touchdown run during the football game between the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans on December 2, 2018 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Daniel Dunn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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FAYETTEVILLE, AR – NOVEMBER 5: Jawaan Taylor #65 of the Florida Gators drops back to block during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Razorback Stadium on November 5, 2016 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Gators 31-10. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

Round 1 – Pick 17

Jawaan Taylor, T, Florida

Cleveland is in the rare position of picking outside of the top-10. They are only a year removed from owning two of the first four picks. General manager John Dorsey nailed those two picks in Baker Mayfield and Denzel Ward. Both players look poised for excellent careers. Dorsey has a history of being a strong evaluator of talent in the draft and last year’s Brown class is no different.

That is why Dorsey will understand his team’s biggest need is at left tackle and grab the draft’s best one with Jawaan Taylor. He may not have the pedigree of Jonah Williams but Taylor’s upside and traits trumps Williams and make him the top-ranked tackle in the class. Despite being a right tackle at Florida, Taylor has the makings of a franchise left tackle in the NFL.

Taylor offers the Browns a perfect player to fill the void left by Joe Thomas. Cleveland tried to fill it with moving some players around or undrafted rookie Desmond Harrison. Taylor offers them a long-term fit and possible star at the position. Taylor is a massive man at 6-foot-5 and 313 pounds but his quick and agile feet coupled with long arms make him a dream for any offensive line coach. Against the nation’s best in the SEC Taylor constantly held his own and even got the better of some of the players that will be drafted ahead of him.

Protecting Baker Mayfield and opening up holes for Nick Chubb will push this offense over the top. Cleveland could also look at wide receiver or corner here. The value and position were too good to pass up. Receiver may be the deepest position in the draft and corners can be found later, especially after finding a rookie that will be a long-term piece only a year ago.

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