Mekhi Becton of Louisville figures to be on the board for the Browns at No. 10, but a trade for Trent Williams could lead to a trade of their top pick. (espn.com)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
This has been a draft season unlike any other I can remember in 36 years of covering the NFL.
Yes, the Covid-19 pandemic has a lot to do with that. The quarantining has presented unforeseen obstacles but also unique opportunities. GMs have done more film study in isolation. As Scott Pioli pointed out to me on Countdown to the Draft, there is more opportunity to focus on the task at hand – which is picking players, not spreading misinformation.
But there’s more mystery to this draft as a result of the continued influx of younger GMs and coaches more attuned to analytics. The Browns are an example. Conventional practices are being replaced by out-of-the-box thinking based on algorithms and complex statistical analyses. This makes the draft more unpredictable than before.
Some of the stuff I’ve heard out there is hard to believe, but it can’t be dismissed as “silly season” misinformation, anymore.
As a result, my final mock draft includes some picks I never thought I’d make at the start of this process on Feb. 25 at the NFL Combine.
As usual, my mock does not include trades. I expect many to happen throughout the first round. I expect the Browns to trade – possibly two times – especially if they are able to complete a deal for Redskins left tackle Trent Williams. My mock for them applies if they stay at No. 10 and would be void if they trade for Williams.
I want to thank all the special guests that gave their time and insight on our Countdown to the Draft shows on 850 ESPN Cleveland.
I also want to thank the many Websites that I’ve used during this process for information, direction, rumors, and some laughs.
Specifically: spotrac.com, overthecap.com, drafthistory.com, profootballreference.com, ourlads.com, thedraftnetwork.com, walterfootball.com, Dane Brugler’s NFL Draft Guide and profootballfocus.com. All are invaluable resources that allow anybody who can navigate the Internet to be an instant expert.
So here is my final mock draft without any trades. It can become dated and invalid after the first two picks.
1.Cincinnati Bengals: QB Joe Burrow, Louisiana State.
This is the culmination of the greatest college football season ever for a quarterback – on and off the field. Congratulations to the Burrow family and the Bengals.
Last time: Burrow.
2.Washington Redskins: DE Chase Young, Ohio State.
Wow, Ron Rivera will inherit quite a defensive front in his first year with the Redskins.
Last time: Young.
3.Detroit Lions: DT Derrick Brown, Auburn.
Defensive line trumps cornerback for a regime possibly on its last legs.
Last time: Jeff Okudah.
4.New York Giants: OT Jedrick Wills, Alabama.
The widespread rumor is the Dolphins want to leapfrog this spot not for a quarterback but for their favorite tackle.
Last time: Derrick Brown.
5.Miami Dolphins: OT Andrew Thomas, Georgia.
I don’t know what they do if the Giants take Thomas ahead of them.
Last time: Justin Herbert.
6.Los Angeles Chargers: QB Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama.
Imagine him in those sharp, new Chargers uni’s. Heck, he'd be worth his rookie salary as a club pitchman even if he redshirts to get healthy.
Last time: Tagovailoa.
7.Carolina Panthers: CB Jeff Okudah, Ohio State.
Tough call over the Swiss army knife from neighborly Clemson.
Last time: Isaiah Simmons.
8.Arizona Cardinals: OT Tristan Wirfs, Iowa.
He’s athletic enough to keep pace with Kliff Kingsbury’s tempo offense.
Last time: Wills.
9.Jacksonville Jaguars: LB Isaiah Simmons, Clemson.
Nobody expected Simmons to drop this far.
Last time: Javon Kinlaw.
10.Cleveland Browns: OT Mekhi Becton, Louisville.
This is the pick I’m least confident of among the top 10. Go figure.
Last time: Wirfs.
11.New York Jets: CB C.J. Henderson, Florida.
12.Las Vegas Raiders: WR CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma.
13.San Francisco 49ers: DT Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina.
14.Tampa Bay Buccaneers: OT Josh Jones, Houston.
15.Denver Broncos: WR Jerry Jeudy, Alabama.
16.Atlanta Falcons: LB K’Lavon Chaisson, Louisiana State.
17.Dallas Cowboys: S Xavier McKinney, Alabama.
18.Miami: QB Jordan Love, Utah State.
19.Las Vegas Raiders: Yetur Gross-Matos, Penn State.
20.Jacksonville Jaguars: QB Justin Herbert, Oregon.
21.Philadelphia Eagles: WR Henry Ruggs, Alabama.
22.Minnesota Vikings: WR Denzel Mims, Baylor.
23.New England Patriots: DT Marlon Davidson, Auburn.
24.New Orleans Saints: WR Justin Jefferson, Louisiana State.
25.Minnesota: OT Ezra Cleveland, Boise State.
26.Miami Dolphins: RB J.K. Dobbins, Ohio State.
27.Seattle Seahawks: DE Josh Uche, Michigan.
28.Baltimore Ravens: LB Patrick Queen, Louisiana State.
29.Tennessee Titans: LB Zack Baun, Wisconsin.
30.Green Bay Packers: WR Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State.
31.San Francisco 49ers: OG Cesar Ruiz, Michigan.
32.Kansas City Chiefs: CB Jeff Gladney, Texas Christian.