Cleveland Browns: Post-Myles Garrett Video Three-Round Mock Draft 2.0

Thanks to a recent video asking for his hometown Dallas Cowboys to trade up and select him, Myles Garrett may have cost himself in being the first pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Garrett, a 6’5, 270-pound “war daddy” of a pass-rushing defensive end out of Texas A&M, has been consistently been linked to the Browns via various mock drafts, has been compared to the likes of Jevon Kearse, Jason Pierre-Paul, Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack.

In 11 games, Garrett registered 8.5 sacks—mostly against lesser competition—i.e. directional schools—and struggled against quality competition such as projected top-ten pick in Alabama offensive tackle Cam Robinson.

A 21-year-old native of Arlington, Texas, the forementioned video pleading Dallas Cowboys owner, general manager and president in newly-minted Hall of Famer in Jerry Jones to trade beloved quarterback—and second son—in Tony Romo and some future picks to Cleveland, may raise eyebrows about his commitment, dedication and despite to play for any team other than Dallas.

How this will play out between now and April remains to be seen in regards as to who will be taken?

Garrett, Jonathan Allen, Solomon Thomas or dare I say the most feared words that NO Browns fan wants to hear….TRADE DOWN.

Going into the draft, Cleveland could go in a number of directions and has needs at OL, DL, DB, QB and LB. Thanks to having five picks in the first 65 overall, Cleveland has a chance to do some major damage and take the next step in infusing some much-needed talent into the otherwise talent-deprived franchise.

Below is my post-Myles Garrett Video Browns mock draft

First Round:

 1.) Myles Garrett, EDGE Texas A&M: Despite the recent video—and thanks to concerns about Alabama defensive lineman Jonathan Allen’s reported shoulder injury, the Browns are in desperate need of a pass rusher on the edge, Cleveland tabs Garrett to pair opposite promising second-rounder Emmanuel Ogbah and a recently re-signed Jamie Collins in new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams aggressive 4-3 system is simply too much to pass up.

Depending on how Garrett performs in team interviews, his pro day and one-on-one’s Garrett is still a lock, although right now, that may be called into question.

12. Marshon Lattimore, DB, The Ohio State University: Slated as high as No.2 in NFL.com’s Mike Mayock’s recent NFL mock draft, the former 6’1, 192-pound Ohio State Buckeye and Glenville High alum gets to channel his inner LeBron James and play for his hometown Browns.

While the prospect of Lattimore already being off the board may exist, due to the glutton of defensive line, quarterback and linebacker talent, this could be a top-heavy DL draft with talented DB’s such as the former Buckeye sliding down.

Widely regarded as one of the top DB’s in the entire draft as he recorded 37 tackles and four interceptions, he would immediately provide Cleveland with some much-needed secondary help opposite Pro Bowl CB Joe Haden.

Second Round:

 33rd Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech: One of the most intriguing QB prospects in the entire draft, the 6’3, 230-pound rocket-armed NCAA passing leader (5,052 passing yards and 41 passing touchdowns) could be in play for the Browns either at No.12 or in the early second round.   

If Deshaun Watson, Mitch Trubisky are off the board and Jimmy Garropolo are not available via trade, don’t be shocked to see the Browns pull the trigger on the talented Mahomes and pair him up with Hue Jackson.

52nd T.J. Watt, ILB/OLB, Wisconsin: After missing out on his older brother years ago, Cleveland redeems themselves in  drafting the younger and just-as aggressive former Badger inside linebacker in T.J. Watt. At 6’5 and 243 pounds, Watt registered 63 tackles and 11.5 sacks along with one interception. Projected to go either in the last first and top of the second round, getting Watt with the 52nd overall pick would be an absolute steal for Cleveland here.

Third Round:

 65th Ethan Pocic, C, LSU: As I said in my last mock, Cameron Erving at center. Need I say no more.

In what was a forgettable year for the Browns offensive line, one year after letting Alex Mack and Mitchell Schwartz leave in free agency, the massive 6’7 302-pound Pocic makes the most sense at this spot as he fills an area of need and is the best player on the board for the Browns.

With the likelihood of Erving moving to right tackle, Pro Bowl left guard Joel Bitonio returning and Joe Thomas getting older, Pocic could help upgrade and solidify an otherwise average line.