Cleveland Browns Mock Draft Tracker

Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M (Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

What will the Cleveland Browns do in the 2014 NFL draft? Keep track of all the predictions made in our mock drafts leading up to Round 1 on May 8.

March 5, 2014 — 2014 NFL Mock Draft 2.0 (Doug Farrar)

Round 1, pick 4: Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M

We said: Ron Jaworski might not take Manziel in the first three rounds, but the Cleveland brain trust will have no such issues. Manziel still needs to get the hang of pocket passing on a consistent basis, but he’s a human highlight film with great mobility, escapability and improvisation. It will take Manziel a while to become fully integrated into an NFL offense, but he’ll become the face of a franchise that hasn’t had one in a good, long time.

Round 1, pick 26: Xavier Su’a-Filo, OL, UCLA

We said: John Greco and Shawn Lauvao, Cleveland’s primary guards in 2013, allowed a total of 10 sacks between then, and didn’t present much as run-blockers. Any re-do of Cleveland’s offense must include a re-examination of the guard position, and it’s tough to argue with what Su’a-Filo’s put on tape. He’s a big, nasty earthmover with enough agility to play right tackle at the NFL level, and he’ll establish a sense of intelligent aggression from his first day in the locker room. Few players in this class are more fun to watch.

Feb. 26, 2014 -- 2014 NFL Mock Draft 5.0 (Chris Burke)

Round 1, pick 4: Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M

We said: There might be a temptation to draft Sammy Watkins or even Mike Evans in this spot to pair with rising superstar Josh Gordon. But who’s going to throw them the ball? Brian Hoyer might be OK in spurts, maybe even for the entire 2014 season. Eventually, the Browns need to find a long-term answer at QB, and the electrifying Manziel would work.

Round 1, pick 26: Jordan Matthews, WR, Vanderbilt

We said: Mentioned above that the Browns could consider going after Sammy Watkins with that No. 4 pick. That Matthews, Brandin Cooks, Kelvin Benjamin and other impressive receivers are sitting here at 26 highlights why they may wait to address this position.

Matthews ran a 4.46 40 at the combine, off a strong Senior Bowl. He caught 112 balls last season for Vanderbilt in spite of shaky QB play. Count on him to produce in the NFL.

Round 2, pick 35: Xavier Su'a-Filo, G, UCLA

We said: Su’a-Filo had a stellar combine and would slot in well on Cleveland’s underrated line.

Feb. 19, 2014 — 2014 NFL Mock Draft 1.0 (Don Banks)

Round 1, pick 4: Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville

We said: The Browns could finally experience some first-round good fortune at quarterback, should they find Bridgewater waiting for them. The Cardinals' star is the most accurate and accomplished passer in this draft, and he is seen as the cleanest pro prospect among all the QB hopefuls. After Brandon Weeden and all those who came before him in Cleveland, accuracy in the passing game is something Browns fans could get used to. In this scenario, Cleveland will have its choice between Bridgewater's superb touch and command of a pro-style passing game, or the sturdier size and pocket-style quarterbacking of UCF's Bortles, who some scouts think has the most NFL upside.

Round 1, pick 26: Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU

We said: The thinking is that, if the Browns nab their next franchise quarterback at No. 4 (and we gave them Bridgewater), they'll try to get him a quality receiving target late in the round, someone who can take some pressure off No. 1 receiver Josh Gordon and tight end Jordan Cameron. Beckham and Fresno State receiver Davante Adams should come off the board in this range, but Beckham is the choice because he's a versatile and explosive pass-catcher who can do damage in either the slot or outside. He has dependable hands, separates easily and is adept at gaining yards after the catch, and might also have a role in the NFL in the return game.

Feb. 6, 2014 -- 2014 NFL Mock Draft 1.0 (Doug Farrar)

Round 1, pick 4: Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M

We said: He’s not the safest pick, that’s for sure — the YOLO lifestyle and occasionally weird on-field decisions will leave some teams wondering how he’ll handle things once the playbooks and defenses get a lot more complicated. Manziel has an element of randomness in his play that brings Tony Romo to mind, but the Browns desperately need something at that position — and Manziel also possesses the ability to carry his team on his back at times.

Round 1, pick 26: Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU

We said: Josh Gordon somehow had an amazing season with Cleveland’s Quarterbackapalooza, but with Davone Bess’ predilection for dropping everything thrown in his direction, whoever’s throwing the ball for the Browns in 2014 would appreciate another consistent receiver. Beckham is a smaller, fluid receiver who would be a great complement on crosses, slants and other slot routes.

Jan. 9, 2014 -- 2014 NFL Mock Draft 4.0 (Chris Burke)

Round 1, pick 4: Blake Bortles, QB, UCF

We said: Bortles is the man of the hour in draft circles, with his Fiesta Bowl win putting the capper on a brilliant season. He has a chance to be great at the next level. Right now? I’d say he could be pretty good as a rookie as he undergoes some growing pains. For the Browns, the notion of finally nabbing a franchise quarterback will outweigh any concerns.

Round 1, pick 26: Jordan Matthews, WR, Vanderbilt

We said: The Browns nabbed their QB earlier in this mock. Now, they add a terrific receiver for him. Cleveland already boasts one of the league’s budding offensive stars in Josh Gordon, and he’d welcome the arrival of Matthews, a polished prospect with a productive college career behind him. Matthews will be capable of starting from the get-go next season.

Dec. 5, 2013 -- 2014 NFL Mock Draft 3.1 (Chris Burke)

Round 1, pick 7: Zach Mettenberger, QB, LSU

We said: Up from No. 17, to the Bears, in Mock 3.0. The initial plan for the Browns here was to wait and nab a quarterback later on, with Sammy Watkins the choice at No. 7. Mariota’s departure takes a big piece out of the QB puzzle, forcing the Browns to strike a lot earlier. Mettenberger can hit all the throws, a must for Rob Chudzinski’s vertical passing attack. 

Round 1, pick 24: Marqise Lee, WR, USC

We said: Swapped in a QB at the Browns’ top-10 pick, so the earlier choice of Tajh Boyd here is now null and void. Instead, the Browns address their need for another WR to work with Josh Gordon. Lee has not had a terrific last season at USC, but he remains a big-play threat.

Sept. 24, 2013 -- 2014 NFL Mock Draft 2.0 (Chris Burke)

Round 1, pick 4: Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA

We said: The Trent Richardson trade obviously makes the Browns an extremely intriguing team to watch approaching the 2014 draft. Assuming Bridgewater lands No. 1, Cleveland needs to pick its guy at QB and go for broke to get him. Will that be Mariota? Hundley? Johnny Manziel?

Round 1, pick 17: Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M

We said: As trade rumors swirl around current Cleveland receivers Josh Gordon and Greg Little, the possibility of landing both a top-flight QB and an elite WR should have Browns fans feeling giddy. Don’t be surprised if Evans winds up being the most productive 2014 wide receiver.

April 30, 2013 -- 2014 NFL Mock Draft 1.0 (Chris Burke)

Round 1, pick 4: Marqise Lee, WR, USC

We said:

Calvin Johnson