The 2021 Click-bait, Mock Draft Collection Thread

Tour2ma

Here they come... every online publication will be raining them down on us before long. Sprinkling right now, but once the SB is in the books... frog-strangler.

I figured we could collect and corral them here.

Here's one going for shock value right out of the gate a 7-rounder by dawgpounddaily.com's Randy Gurzi.

His logic is decent, even if his picks aren't.

1 - Terrace Marshall, Jr., WR LSU

All offseason, we are going to hear about the need for defensive players with the first pick. And while the Browns do need an influx of talent on that side of the ball, there are already some reinforcements coming.

One will be safety Grant Delpit who missed his rookie season with a torn Achilles. Another is Greedy Williams, who also missed the 2020 campaign due to a nerve issue in his shoulder. Should those two return, the secondary will already be improved.

Some lesser-known reinforcements will also arrive as they will have Andrew Billings and Curtis Weaver on the defensive line. Of course, their biggest hole is linebacker but Andrew Berry has already shown that’s not a huge position of importance to him. With all that being said, Cleveland could look to surprise us all, and go offense at No. 26 — which is what they do here with the selection of Terrace Marshall, Jr. from LSU.

During their loss to the Chiefs, it was painfully obvious that Cleveland needs a receiver who can beat man coverage and create some real separation. Relying on Jarvis Landry in that role proved to be a disaster as he had just 20 yards om seven receptions. That won’t cut it.

There will also be those who claim Odell Beckham, Jr. will be the guy to do that but he has yet to show that he and Baker Mayfield can get on the same page. For that reason, Marshall comes in and he is everything this offense needs.

Marshall has the size (6-foot-3 and 200-pounds) and speed to give defensive backs a hard time. He also showed he can make the big play as he hauled in 23 touchdowns in the past two seasons. There will probably be some changes to the receiving corps in 2021 for Cleveland and landing Marshall will give them a young player capable of coming up huge for them.

2 - Patrick Jones II, EDGE Pittsburgh

As mentioned above, Curtis Weaver should be back in 2021 and while he has yet to play a down in the NFL, he was a solid defensive end at Boise State. And Cleveland clearly felt as though he had a future with them since they were willing to snatch him away from the Miami Dolphins and store him on their injured reserve all season.

Even with him coming, Weaver will be a rotational player at best. He could end up performing in the same role that Porter Gustin had this season, but they could end up having to replace Olivier Vernon as the starter opposite Myles Garrett.

With that goal in mind, they add Pittsburgh defensive end Patrick Jones here with their second pick. Jones has ideal size for a 4-3 defensive end at 6-foot-5 and 260-pounds and had 17.5 sacks over the past 22 games for the Panthers. While those are the numbers many of us want to see, the fact is, a defensive end’s job is much more than getting after the quarterback.

We have seen that with Olivier Vernon and Myles Garrett both being excellent at setting the edge against the run. That’s something Jones can do as well and if Vernon is gone — he’s set for free agency and just ruptured his Achilles — Jones should be able to step in and contribute right away.

3.1 - Israel Mukuamu, CB South Carolina

The Browns are hopeful that Greedy Williams will come back next season which will be a huge boost to the secondary. Still, they need more help and while we went with a wideout and an edge rusher in the first two rounds, they still find some value in the third with South Carolina’s Israel Mukuamu.

He’s got incredible length and at 6-foot-3, he can match up with any wideout in the NFL. Some might peg him as a safety but he should fit nicely in the Browns defense as a corner due to his ability to play in zone coverage — and his excellent tackling.

In three seasons with the Gamecocks, Mukuamu had seven picks which were more than his fellow starter Jaycee Horn. This doesn’t mean he’s on the same level as Horn but his opportunistic style of play fits like a glove in Cleveland.

3.2 - Monty Rice, LB Georgia

The Browns once again wait until the third round to land a linebacker and while this might frustrate the fan base, it’s a likely scenario given the way this staff values the position. The good news is, there are some capable players at this spot including Georgia’s Monty Rice, who lands with Cleveland here.

Rice is undersized at 6-foot-1 and 235-pounds but he is solid in man coverage which is something this defense desperately needs. While he doesn’t pop off the tape in run defense, he does know how to locate the ball carrier and isn’t a liability there. He could develop into a decent starter alongside Jacob Phillips, their third-round pick from 2020.

4.1 - Haskell Garrett, DT Ohio State

With their first of two picks in the fourth round, the Cleveland Browns stick with the defensive side of the ball. This time, they land an in-state prospect as they select Ohio State’s Haskell Garrett. He has moved to both defensive tackle spots for the Buckeyes but at 6-foot-2 and 286-pounds, he seems better suited for the three-technique at the next level.

Garrett would be able to handle that role well, even if it’s only in sub-packages as a rotational player. The Browns proved in 2020 that they had some solid players on the defensive line but they were struggling when it came to depth. Garrett is a player who could come in and push the pocket in spurts while spelling players such as Sheldon Richardson and Jordan Elliott.

4.2 - Brady Christensen, OT BYU

Another depth pick is selected here as the Browns add Brady Christensen with their second pick in the fourth. Christensen lined up at left tackle for BYU and performed well for them. He’s projected as a swing tackle at the next level and Cleveland can use a player in that role.

In 2021, Chris Hubbard was the primary reserve at almost every spot and when he went down, they were relying on Kendall Lamm. In their loss to the Chiefs, they even saw Lamm go down to an injury — after he was already replacing Jedrick Wills.

That was the story throughout the season for the Browns as they simply couldn’t stay healthy on the offensive line. Rather than hope for better health, they improve their depth.

5 -Jaelon Darden, WR North Texas

Adding a wide receiver in the first round might have been a shock to some, so why add another here? Simply, Jaelon Darden is a big play waiting to happen.

He’s not someone who will crack the starting lineup and won’t be an every-down player either, but the 5-foot-9, 170-pounder from North Texas can line up out wide, in the slot, or in the backfield and has the speed to take it to the house anytime he finds an opening.

What might be most impressive about Darden is how he can stop on a dime and then get back to top speed in the blink of an eye. This is the exact type of weapon that could have flipped field position for Cleveland in their last game and could help this offense find another dimension.

6 - Ventrell Miller, LB Florida

Another undersized linebacker is added here as the Browns use their sixth-round pick on Ventrell Miller from Florida. Miller is listed at 6-foot-0 and 222-pounds which is part of the reason he slips some in this draft. Despite his size, he’s able to take down the ball carrier with ease and is very good when it comes to blitzing the quarterback.

Defensive coordinator Joe Woods might not employ the blitz nearly enough but perhaps with a player such as Miller who can pull it off, he might change his mind.

7 - Robert Rochell, CB Central Arkansas

With their final pick in this mock draft, the Browns add Central Arkansas cornerback Robert Rochell. This is a bit of a prospect pick as Rochell put up great numbers collegiately (25 pass defenses and 10 picks) but hasn’t played stiff competition.

https://dawgpounddaily.com/2021/01/19/cleveland-browns-7-round-mock-draft-3/

TexasAg1969

I had forgotten we had the extra picks in the 3rd and 4th rounds this year. That's a good thing.?

mjp28

@texasag1969 said:

I had forgotten we had the extra picks in the 3rd and 4th rounds this year. That's a good thing.?

Extra mid round ️ picks are where you fill out your starting squad and some gems are there for the keen football eye to pick up. Yes we're in mock draft time in Cleveland Ohio for the next few months. GO BROWNS !

The 2020 season is over for the Cleveland Browns, which means it’s time to turn the page and begin to focus on the 2021 NFL Season. Sure, we can — and probably will — continue to look back over the season that just ended and question what could have been, but we can also look forward to try and see how they can continue to grow as a franchise.

While there will be free agency and the possibility of trades, the best way to build a roster is through the NFL Draft. And AndrewBerry proved last that he knows how to get the best out of each one of his selections.

This year, it will be more difficult since their success means they will be starting with pick No. 26, but there’s still a lot of talent to find. And with that being said, we dive in and kick things off with a pick that may be a bit of a surprise.

Ibleedbrown

Dane Brugler of the Athletic has a 2 round mock written so far. It may be a couple weeks old with not so perfect draft positioning.

26. Cleveland Browns — Jaelan Phillips, edge, Miami (Fla.)
With Myles Garrett frequently facing multiple blockers, the Browns need to add another pass rusher opposite him. Phillips is a first-round talent with his athletic movements and handwork, but his landing spot on draft day will come down to teams’ medical grades.

60. Cleveland Browns — Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB, Syracuse
There are several upgrades needed in Cleveland’s secondary, including at outside cornerback. Melifonwu has room to improve his anticipation, but he has the rare physical gifts in his length, speed and fluidity to match up against different types of NFL receivers.

tiamat63

Haskell is coming back. Another reason why mocks, especially this early, are useless.

Nero

@tiamat63 said:

Haskell is coming back. Another reason why mocks, especially this early, are useless.

What a way to mock Tour, Tia.

tiamat63

@nero said:

What a way to mock Tour, Tia.

He's just a messenger. They are a decent lot.

SdBacker80

@tiamat63 said:

Haskell is coming back. Another reason why mocks, especially this early, are useless.

As an OSU fan I love it. He had a great year. Shocked on Olave though- makes you think Stroud is going to be a stud and Olave has confidence in the QB room.

tiamat63

@sdbacker80 said:

As an OSU fan I love it. He had a great year. Shocked on Olave though- makes you think Stroud is going to be a stud and Olave has confidence in the QB room.

Let us hope that's it. But Fields has more to gain by coming back then leaving. All of the firepower across the CFB landscape is headed to the NFL.

Trask and co.

Jones, Smith and Harris.

Kellen Mond is out.

Notre Dame is...well, Notre Dame.

Clemson loses Goldie locks and Eitienne.

If Fields comes back with 60% of the Oline, his trio of receivers, Ruckert and two capable backs? It's 2006 all over again. Wire to wire #1 - except maybe the defense will be improved. But I have my doubts about Coombs as a DC.

Tour2ma

Where a damn middle-finger reaction when I need one?

I guess this emoji will have to do... ?...

Tour2ma

@texasag1969 said:

I had forgotten we had the extra picks in the 3rd and 4th rounds this year. That's a good thing.?

Ditto...

The Gipper

@tiamat63 said:

Haskell is coming back. Another reason why mocks, especially this early, are useless.

What IS the deadline for declaring for the draft this year? It used to be like January 15th.

...OK, I looked it up.....it was Monday:

Underclassmen have until January 18 to file declaration papers with the league, with a 72-hour period to reconsider after filing.

So, actually, all players who are to be eligible should by now be determined unless someone wants to rescind their declaration......so that particular mock must have been done before Monday.

Tour2ma

Daniel Jerimiah's first mock is out... it's a one-rounder. Dj's pretty good IMO.

I've boldfaced picks that surprise or mention prospects that have garnered some attention in tia's Who are you watching thread.

For Jerimiah's pick-by-pick rationale go to his article.

** SPOLIER ALERT** DJ has us going LB...

The NFL has released the list of underclassmen who have been granted early entry to the 2021 NFL Draft, marking the official start to Mock Draft Season! With 97 days until Round 1 kicks off in Cleveland, here's my first look at how the first 32 picks of the 2021 draft class could play out.

NOTE: The final four spots below were ordered by seed, with regular season record as the tiebreaker. The official order for those slots will be determined by the outcome of the remaining playoff games.

Pick 1: Jacksonville Jaguars - Trevor Lawrence · QB Clemson | Year: Junior

Pick 2: New York Jets - Zach Wilson · QB BYU | Year: Junior

Pick 3: Miami Dolphins - Ja'Marr Chase · WR LSU | Year: Junior --- PICK ACQUIRED FROM THE HOUSTON TEXANS

Pick 4: Atlanta Falcons - Trey Lance · QB North Dakota State | Year: Sophomore (RS)

Pick 5: Cincinnati Bengals - Rashawn Slater · OT Northwestern | Year: Senior

Pick 6: Philadelphia Eagles - Patrick Surtain · CB Alabama | Year: Junior

Pick 7: Detroit Lions - DeVonta Smith · WR Alabama | Year: Senior

Pick 8: Carolina Panthers - Justin Fields - QB Ohio State | Year: Junior

Pick 9: Denver Broncos - Caleb Farley - CB Virginia Tech | Year: Junior (RS)

Pick 10: Dallas Cowboys - Penei Sewell · OT Oregon | Year: Junior

Pick 11:New York Giants Jaylen Waddle · WR Alabama | Year: Junior

Pick 12: San Francisco 49ers - Kyle Pitts · TE Florida | Year: Junior

Pick 13: Los Angeles Chargers - Alijah Vera-Tucker · OT USC | Year: Junior (RS)

Pick 14: Minnesota Vikings - Gregory Rousseau · Edge rusher Miami | Year: Sophomore (RS)

Pick 15: New England Patriots - Micah Parsons · LB Penn State | Year: Junior

Pick 16: Arizona Cardinals - Jaelan Phillips · Edge rusher Miami | Year: Junior (RS)

Pick 17: Las Vegas Raiders - Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah · LB Notre Dame | Year: Junior (RS)

Pick 18: Miami Dolphins - Christian Darrisaw · OT Virginia Tech | Year: Junior

Pick19:Washington Football Team -Kadarius Toney · WR Florida | Year: Senior

Pick 20: Chicago Bears - Jalen Mayfield · OT Michigan | Year: Sophomore (RS)

Pick 21: Indianapolis Colts - Kwity Paye · Edge rusher Michigan | Year: Senior

Pick 22:Tennessee Titans -Jaycee Horn · CB South Carolina | Year: Junior

Pick 23: New York Jets - Travis Etienne · RB Clemson | Year: Senior --- PICK ACQUIRED FROM THE SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Pick 24: Pittsburgh Steelers -Teven Jenkins · OT Oklahoma State | Year: Senior (RS)

Pick 25: Jacksonville Jaguars - Trevon Moehrig · S TCU | Year: Junior --- PICK ACQUIRED FROM THE LOS ANGELES RAMS

Pick 26: Cleveland Browns - Zaven Collins · LB Tulsa | Year: Junior (RS)

Pick 27: Baltimore Ravens - Azeez Ojulari · Edge rusher Georgia | Year: Sophomore (RS)

Pick 28: New Orleans Saints - Nick Bolton · LB Missouri | Year: Junior

Pick 29: Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Joe Tryon · Edge rusher Washington | Year: Junior (RS)

Pick 30: Buffalo Bills - Aaron Robinson · CB UCF | Year: Senior (RS)

Pick 31: Green Bay Packers - Tutu Atwell · WR School: Louisville | Year: Junior

Pick 32: Kansas City Chiefs - Levi Onwuzurike · DT Washington | Year: Senior (RS)

https://www.nfl.com/news/daniel-jeremiah-2021-nfl-mock-draft-1-0-zach-wilson-to-jets

TexasAg1969

SF adding Pitts as a TE is a good move. Reed had 4 TDs and only 26 receptions for the whole year in 10 games. I could live with Collins or Moehrig in areas of need that would likely also be BPA.

The Gipper

@texasag1969 said:

SF adding Pitts as a TE is a good move. Reed had 4 TDs and only 26 receptions for the whole year in 10 games. I could live with Collins or Moehrig in areas of need that would likely also be BPA.

SFO has George Kittle. Why would they want to use a first round pick on another TE. Not discounting Pitts' talent....just the 49ers priorities

SdBacker80

@the-gipper said:

SFO has George Kittle. Why would they want to use a first round pick on another TE. Not discounting Pitts' talent....just the 49ers priorities

Pitts can easily be split out or you can go double TE and hurt a defense that way too.

TexasAg1969

@sdbacker80 said:

Pitts can easily be split out or you can go double TE and hurt a defense that way too.

These hybrid TEs are becoming much more valuable in the NFL offenses. Block, isolate on LBs, split out wide, etc. These guys have near WR speed and can body up on coverage like BB forwards. You can never have too many Kittles on a team.

SdBacker80

@texasag1969 said:

These hybrid TEs are becoming much more valuable in the NFL offenses. Block, isolate on LBs, split out wide, etc. These guys have near WR speed and can body up on coverage like BB forwards. You can never have too many Kittles on a team.

Watched a handful of Gator games this year his box out ability in the red zone is Antonio Gatesesque...But he can run by you too.

He will be great Pro unless the injury bug hits.

Probably one the most can’t miss type prospects this year.

The Gipper

@texasag1969 said:

These hybrid TEs are becoming much more valuable in the NFL offenses. Block, isolate on LBs, split out wide, etc. These guys have near WR speed and can body up on coverage like BB forwards. You can never have too many Kittles on a team.

Is that what we have with Njoku, Hooper and Harrison?

TexasAg1969

@the-gipper said:

Is that what we have with Njoku, Hooper and Harrison?

Not IMO. Pitts is on another level just like Kittle. And next year A&M's Wydermyer will be a 1st round TE too with very similar kind of play.