We continue to count down to the start of the 2018 NFL Draft, now just 16 days away. While I'm not sure we're any closer to knowing what the Cleveland Browns are going to do with their array of high picks, it's fascinating to see what national experts are forecasting.
Tuesday, ESPN's NFL Draft writer Todd McShay revealed his three-round mock draft. McShay makes it a point to say that this isn't what he's hearing from team executives or agents around the league. This is simply what he would do if he were a general manager. Here's what McShay picked for the Browns:
- Round 1 (1): Sam Darnold, QB, USC
- Round 1 (4): Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
- Round 2 (33): Donte Jackson, CB, LSU
- Round 2 (35): Justin Reid, S, Stanford
- Round 2 (64): Brian O'Neill, OT, Pittsburgh
Here's his rationale behind the picks:
This is an absolutely vital draft for the Browns -- and they'd be very happy with this haul. Darnold is the best QB in the draft, and he could sit and learn behind Tyrod Taylor. Some might think a running back at No. 4 is rich, but Barkley is the best player in the draft and gives Cleveland a dynamic set of backfield weapons with Duke Johnson and Carlos Hyde. Jackson ran a blazing 4.32 40 at the combine and would help on the outside, along with the versatile safety Reid. O'Neill helps solidify an offensive line that still needs help after Joe Thomas retired.
So I decided to run these five picks past the "Voice of the Browns," Jimmy Donovan and see what he thought about McShay's mock. He's a overwhelming YES for Darnold, and equally a NO for Barkley.
The other three players are all interesting choices by McShay. Jackson may be the next in a long line of highly productive LSU defensive backs in the NFL (think Patrick Peterson, Tyrann Mathieu, and Jamal Adams). Jimmy believes that a pick of a player like Reid would send a signal about the Browns' concerns about the future of Jabril Peppers as a starting safety. O'Neill would make a ton of sense as most people expect the Browns to take an OT high after Joe Thomas' retirement.
Just a note: McShay's colleague, Mel Kiper Jr. released his three-round mock draft on Tuesday night after Jimmy and I went off the air. Here is Kiper's projection for the Browns (which we may discuss on Wednesday's show)
- Round 1 (1): Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
- Round 1 (4): Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
- Round 2 (33): Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan
- Round 2 (35): Geron Christian, OT, Louisville
- Round 2 (64): Sam Hubbard, DE, Ohio State
This is my top-ranked quarterback, running back and 3-technique defensive tackle with the Browns' first three picks. General manager John Dorsey is in a great spot with two picks in the top five, and it would be tough to pass on NC State's Bradley Chubb at No. 4. Could you imagine him getting after quarterbacks on the other side of Myles Garrett? I went with Barkley, though, who will help make better the quarterback that Cleveland takes at No. 1.Christian would be in the mix to replace longtime left tackle Joe Thomas, and Hubbard is one of the top true 4-3 defensive ends in this class. This class is going to hinge on the quarterback. The Browns have added some weapons in the offseason, and Allen wouldn't have to start right away with Tyrod Taylor on the roster.
Watch the Donovan Live Postgame Show in the player above