[dropcap]T[/dropcap]rue to form, the Cleveland Browns threw both it’s fans and the entire 2013 NFL Draft an unexpected curveball.
Widely projected by many mock drafts to select Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner to pair opposite Joe Haden, The Browns decide to pass on Milliner—after Detroit selected BYU DE/LB Ziggy Ansah at No. 5—and select the top-rated defensive end prospect in Barkevious Mingo instead.
From this writer’s point of view, while I’m not a fan of this move, it does make a lot of sense in a division that has two Super Bowl winning quarterbacks in the form of Joe Flacco in Baltimore, Ben Roethlisberger in Pittsburgh and an up-and-coming quarterback in Andy Dalton in Cincinnati.
One must consider that it is no secret that the Browns have had issues getting to the quarterback the last few years, while the free-agent additions of Desmond Bryant, Quinton Groves and Paul Kruger help in correcting this issue, the selection of the 6’4 241-pounder begins to make sense.
While we may never know why the Browns passed on Milliner—who would later be selected by the New York Jets ninth overall—due to his five surgeries or not, Mingo fills an area of critical need in Cleveland, and the 2013 NFL Draft is deep at cornerback.
While Browns fans may collectively groan at the selection of the former LSU standout, the sight of Mingo, Bryant, Kruger, Jabaal Sheard and Phil Taylor sacking opposing QB’s in 2013 may be more gratifying.
Robert D. Cobb is the Founder/CEO/Senior Editor-In-Chief Of The Inscriber : Digital Magazine, for questions, comments and concerns email me at robcobb@theinscriber.com follow me on Twitter @RC_TheInscriber and follow The Inscriber : Digital Magazine on Twitter at @TheInscriber
Love the selection of Mingo. Versatile pass rusher who is very good stopping the run as well. People will harp on his stats, but if you look at the tape he was constantly double-teamed all season while at times lining up at Defensive Tackle at 240 pounds!! This kid is lightning in a bottle, quick and could put up Clay Matthews/Aldon Smith numbers at OLB in the NFL.