2020 7-Round Mock Draft, Vol. 1
With the Cleveland Browns on their bye week, it's an opportunity to get a look at what's on the horizon in terms of issues the team will have to deal with in the offseason and potential solutions that could be available in the NFL Draft.
Most of the holes the Browns need to address are apparent and have been a huge focus so far this season. Offensive tackle is at the forefront. Both Greg Robinson and Chris Hubbard have been a struggle this season and the Browns may like rookie Drew Forbes as a potential solution for the right tackle spot, but the 2020 left tackle isn't on the team currently.
The safety position has been abysmal. Damarious Randall, vying for a massive pay day in a contract year, has not played at a level that would make the Browns or anyone else inclined to pay him a massive contract, In the event he can find a team willing to make that kind of commitment to him, the Browns should let him walk.
The combination of Jermaine Whitehead and Morgan Burnett has been miserable as well. A combination of missed tackles and failures in run support have left the Browns run defense in the lurch, giving opponents the ability to stay on schedule and keep them off balance. The Browns need to address both safety spots and should add at least two in the offseason to try to catch up to the level of talent they have at corner.
College football is about halfway through their regular season schedule, so there are some indicative trends at certain positions as it pertains to production data; enough to get a sense of who's worth keeping an eye on even if it's difficult to place them on a board in terms of value. Plenty will change between now and April in terms of where players are ranked and the Browns draft position should also change dramatically over the course of their final ten games.
At this point, it's about identifying players of interest and seeing how they progress the rest of the year and in the draft process, particularly athletic testing. Some players will rise dramatically and others will be removed entirely. It's also just an opportunity to feature some players talented college football players people can notice while watching games and could potentially be future Cleveland Browns.
Round 1: Prince Tega Wanogho, OT Auburn
Listed Measurables: 6'7" 305
In the event the Browns pick high, this isn't likely to be the pick. In a world where the Browns pick later in the round, Prince Tega Wanogho is a player that could make a big move in the draft process, if he tests as well as he looks capable.
He has the build of a prototypical tackle and shows impressive athleticism for the position with good flexibility. Quick feet and good strength for the position, Wanogho plays with a consistently high level of effort. He shows good fundamentals in pass protection and bring an aggressive approach to it. He look for work, likes to keep punishing opponents and finishes plays.
His family moved from Nigeria and he only played one year of high school football, having played soccer and basketball his whole life. He was actually recruited as a defensive player before moving to the offensive line, so despite having a terrific 2018 season, he's still new to the game and as a result, is still a work in progress.
His stance is something that can stand improvement so he can get more explosive with his first step and his angles getting to certain blocks, particularly the second level in the running game, could improve dramatically. In essence, he has all of these physical gifts and he's not always in a position to maximize them. When he locks on to an opponent, gets his hips involved and drive, he's extremely powerful.
The other issue is the offense Auburn runs is a very simple zone scheme. Auburn plays fast, they utilize a lot of formations and motions and when they snap the ball, it's simple up front; zone left or zone right and a pretty simple pass protection scheme. There's going to be an adjustment from the NFL as there just like with Greg Robinson and Shon Coleman. Fortunately, Wanogho is smart and works hard as illustrated by the fact he's playing thi season doing post grad work, having already earned his bachelor's degree.
The predraft athletic testing remains to be seen but the tools Wanogho has appears to be better in terms of agility and with the type of scheme the Browns and James Campen want to utilize. There's room to continue adding strength on his frame, particularly his upper body.
Round 2: Jalen Reagor, WR TCU
Listed Measurables: 5'11" 195
Age: 21 at time of the draft (Born January 1, 1999)
Production: 72 receptions for 1,061 yards (38.5 percent), 9 touchdowns in 2018. 19.3 yards per punt return on 12 attempts and a touchdown in 2019.
If the wide receiver class plays out as some expect, the value will be incredible for the savvy team that wants to be patient. The class has so much receiver talent it could allow a game-breaking talent like Reagor to be available in the second round. The fact he's so similar to Corey Coleman and would be coming from the same conference might scare some away from liking Reagor as a prospect.
He's electric with incredible speed, balance and agility. Any time the ball is in his hands, he's a threat to score. A quick screen, a slant, or a deep ball, Reagor demonstrates the ability to make plays and score at every level of the field.
Across from Odell Beckham or in the slot, it would give two players that are dominant after the catch and offer game-breaking speed that fits what Baker Mayfield does well; hitting players in stride and letting them make plays after the catch.
The Browns are in a difficult spot because they can't trust or rely on Antonio Callaway and they've got a few big contracts at the position and some choices to make. Reagor would give them another playmaker, making Callaway a bonus as opposed to a necessity and in the event the Browns let Rashard Higgins walk, get out of Jarvis Landry's contract or or suffer an injury, they would have someone else to step in and account for that production.
Reagor has also become TCU's punt returner this season and has been a huge threat from there as well. Teams hope a punt returner is able to field the ball and advance it ten yards. Reagor is just shy of double that on average and has a touchdown.
Round 3: Ashytn Davis, S Cal
Listed Measurables: 6'1" 200
Age: 23 (Born October 10, 1996)
Production: 22 solo tackles (7.9 percent), 4 pass deflections (12.5 percent), 1 interception (33 percent) so far in 2019.
From a production standpoint, Ashtyn Davis is a little short in both solo tackles and pass deflections as it currently stands, but he's been an impressive player for the Cal Bears at free safety. A two sport athlete that also runs track, Davis is tasked with covering a substantial amount of the field and shows impressive range.
Largely playing the deep middle, Cal will occasionally shift to a two-high look and spoke their safeties, which will periodically have Davis play down hill. His speed is obvious and he's not afraid to throw his body around. He's extremely lean and it doesn't look like there's much to him, so it will be interesting to see what he actually weighs.
The Browns will have a second year Sheldrick Redwine who hasn't shown anything to this point, so adding help that fits what they do would be wise. Davis appears to be a great fit and is accustomed to playing the last line of defense, keeping things in front of him while being able to make plays on the football.
Round 3 (Trade with HOU): Jared Pinkney, TE Vanderbilt
Listed Measurables: 6'4" 260
Age: 22 (Born August 21, 1997)
Production: 50 receptions for 774 yards (24.4 percent), 7 touchdowns in 2018.
Pinkney put up elite production in 2018 as the team's second leading receiver, so he can contribute as a pass catcher, which is good, but the reason the Browns take him first and foremost is because of his ability to block.
A portion of Vanderbilt's offense is dedicated to getting the ball to a player and having Pinkney out in front to block for them. In the box, as a puller from the wing and split out in space. Pinkney plays with a ton of effort as a blocker and can drive opponents off the ball.
The Commodores use him as an H-back, but he can fit multiple roles for the Browns they are hoping to find. First, they need a reliable Y tight end. Demetrius Harris has been a free agent bust at that position and having a true Y would enable them to put David Njoku all over the field; Inline, in the slot or lined up out wide.
Pinkney could also fill the fullback role that is currently occupied by Pharaoh Brown. Brown's trying his best, but he's not really built for it. He's so tall and has a difficult time getting behind his pads to win in the hole. He had a really nice game against the Baltimore Ravens, but it's largely been a struggle. This is what Pinkney does, which would enable the Browns to line him up inline or in the backfield and lead block.
He's just a utility player that can fill multiple roles blocking and contribute as the occasional receiver contributing in the ways Darren Fells did when he was here. Pinkney is a solid receiver and the only reason he wouldn't get the ball more is because the Browns would theoretically have more tantalizing options on the field with him. If teams don't take him seriously, he can punish them for it.
With Njoku as the top tight end and Ricky Seals-Jones as a pure receiving option, Pinkney would give them a complete group of tight ends that can do everything for an offense. In situations like short yardage, all three of them could be on the field at the same time. Running the ball or playaction, that much size can be difficult to defend.
The biggest concern with Pinkey will be his height. He's listed at 6'4", which is a good size for a tight end, but if he measures in at 6'2" and change, it limits how viable he is as an inline player. Opposing defensive ends can simply outreach him at that point and put him at a disadvantage on most any play. That would mean he's just an H-back, which doesn't mean he wouldn't be a nice player, but not quite as nice as he would be as a full service tight end.
The bottom line is Pinkney is just a really good football player that seems to fit everything Freddie Kitchens says he wants in a player and a team. As defenses go smaller, there's more demand for these type of players that can do a little bit of everything in terms of the dirty work when offenses want to go bigger. He would provide a ton of options for the offense.
Round 4: Damar Hamlin, S Pittsburgh
Listed Measurables: 6'1" 195
Age: 22 at time of the draft (Born March 24, 1998)
Production: 61 solo tackles (11 percent), 2 interceptions (22 percent) in 2018.
Hamlin is an interesting prospect because of how often he gets to the football. He led Pitt in solo tackles as a junior and continues to produce at a high rate this year.
Pitt doesn't really play strong and free, instead asking their safeties to do everything. Hamlin is more suited to be a strong safety, but he is improving in terms of making plays in terms of making plays on the ball this year.
The experience of being asked to do more in terms of coverage and playing over the top should pay dividends when he enters the NFL as he will likely have his role reduced at that level, focusing on where he's best, supporting the run and flying down hill to make tackles.
With the Browns playing a 4-2-5 scheme, Hamlin could potentially help the Browns both at strong safety as well as up in the box. He diagnoses well and breaks on the ball quickly, bringing everything he has to make plays in run support. Hamlin will occasionally end up playing out of control and miss some tackles as a result, but he will also make his share of big time plays.
Special teams coverage units on another area where Hamlin should be successful because of the attitude and aggressiveness he brings to the table.
Round 6: McTelvin Agim, DT Arkansas
Listed Measurables: 6'3" 300
Age: 22 (Born Sept. 25, 1997)
Production: 13 solo tackles (4.9 percent), 6.5 tackles for loss (15.8 percent), 5 sacks (27.7 percent) through 7 games in 2019.
Agim is a player that looks like he could make a big move up draft boards. He's explosive off the ball, shows good agility and an ability to sack the quarterback. Arkansas has him play both as an odd front defensive end and then slides him inside in their nickel package.
Agim is always trying to penetrate into the backfield and blow up plays before they get started, but he's fast enough to chase down ball carriers from behind before they get going. He can be downright dominant at times, being able to avoid getting blocked with active hands and getting skinny.
In the event opponents can get him blocked, he doesn't do a great job at shedding. He has shown the ability to hold up at the point of attack and in dealing with double teams, but he can also play too tall, turn his shoulders and get driven off of the ball.
Agim seems ideal to play as a role player along the defensive line, mostly as a 3-tech defensive tackle, but does appear like he could play some base end as well. He brings the ability to rush the passer and energy to the field with him and looks like he could develop into a full time player.
Round 7: Evan Weaver, LB Cal
Listed Measurables: 6'3" 235
Age: 21 (Born August 11, 1998)
Production: 59 solo tackles (21.2 percent) so far in 2019.
Part of the reason Ashtyn Davis is lacking for solo tackles is because Evan Weaver is the greediest linebacker in college football. Weaver plays linebacker like he has an explosive device strapped to him that is set to detonate if he doesn't get to the ball carrier. Last season, he had 15.9 percent of the team's tackles, which is elite in its own right.
Weaver is at his best playing forward, diagnosing and attacking or as a blitzer. He's explosive down hill and has good length for the position, enabling him to use his long arms to fend off blockers on his way to the ball carrier.
Laterally, he shows decent range and just finds ways to get to the ball carrier. The weakest part of his game to this point is when he's asked to drop straight back into zone. He's far more comfortable working at an angle. Straight back, he tends to be slow to his spot and doesn't really move too much.
At times, he will read slow, usually when opponents are coming straight at him and he ends up being reactionary, having to beat a blocker on top of him before being able to attack the ball carrier.
For a stout Cal defense, Weaver does a little bit of everything and it becomes easier to poke holes as a result. In the NFL and a team like the Browns, Weaver's scope will be more limited and it should focus him and allow him to really shine within a team framework. His teammate Jordan Kunaszyk had tremendous production last year next to him and didn't draw enough interest to get drafted, but is currently a Carolina Panther. It'll be interesting to see how the NFL views Weaver.
