The Cleveland Browns desperately need a linebacker and due to a series of events end up with Isaiah Simmons at 10th overall.
This is quite a bit different from the trade up scenario from USA Today’s Nate Davis. Kevin Hanson of CBS Sports has the Cleveland Browns staying at 10 and ending up with Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons.
Three offensive tackles go in the Top 10 leading to Cleveland looking at other options. That option being Isaiah Simmons and bypassing Mekhi Becton who goes just one pick later. Jedrick Wills Jr., Tristan Wirfs, and Andrew Thomas all go before Cleveland has a chance to pick. If the draft actually works out like this taking Simmons is hardly a consolation prize. The Browns have a gaping hole at linebacker and ending up with Simmons could give them the playmaker they desperately need.
Other selections in this mock
For those who worry about the Browns not addressing the left tackle position, those worries are alleviated with their next pick. The Browns take Ezra Cleveland 41st overall to give Baker Mayfield the protection he needs. Will Cleveland be available at 41? Depends on who you ask. Some feel that the lineman will go quick at the top of the 1st round leading to some others hanging around. Others feel that they will all be taken very quickly. In this scenario Cleveland is available at 41 for the Browns.
Another area of need is safety, luckily the Browns address that area as well. With the 74th pick Cleveland selects Ashtyn Davis. Davis should be able to step in and help make something out of the hodgepodge collection of players at the safety position. Davis might not start right away, but with the inevitable departures of Karl Joseph and Andrew Sendejo after the year they need a longterm solution.
Their final pick in this mock is Davon Hamilton at 97th overall. This was the pick Cleveland got from Houston in the Duke Johnson trade. Adding an interior defensive lineman into the mix is a smart way to go considering their lack of depth in that particular area. The addition of Davon Hamilton could help make the impending decision about Sheldon Richardson just a bit easier.
