Casserly mock draft 3.0: Browns make trade, add three stars
Published:
Updated:
The
[Browns](/teams/clevelandbrowns/profile?team=CLE), who are going to a 4-3 defense, get the best pass rusher in the draft.
Pass rush is the
[49ers](/teams/sanfrancisco49ers/profile?team=SF)' biggest need. My question is whether Thomas can provide an outside rush.
Allen is an excellent 3-4 defensive end who gives you an inside pass rush.
Fournette will take pressure off of
[Blake Bortles](/player/blakebortles/2543477/profile).
Lattimore has terrific cover skills, but are his hamstrings an area of concern?
[Jets](/teams/newyorkjets/profile?team=NYJ) get an impact safety who can cover and play the run.
Hooker is an exceptional cover safety.
Cook is an explosive back who will help
[Cam Newton](/player/camnewton/2495455/profile).
Barnett will instantly upgrade the
[Bengals](/teams/cincinnatibengals/profile?team=CIN)' pass rush.
This would give
[Tyrod Taylor](/player/tyrodtaylor/2495240/profile) an exceptional target, especially in the red zone.
Foster reminds me of
[Luke Kuechly](/player/lukekuechly/2533056/profile). I expect
[Saints](/teams/neworleanssaints/profile?team=NO) to fill their cornerback need by trading for
[Malcolm Butler](/player/malcolmbutler/2550613/profile).
Howard fills a major need for the
[Browns](/teams/clevelandbrowns/profile?team=CLE). Quarterback comes later. Keep reading!
A strong spring and combine has helped him. So has the injury to
[Sidney Jones](/player/sidneyjones/2557958/profile).
Cornerback was a major problem for the
[Eagles](/teams/philadelphiaeagles/profile?team=PHI) last season.
The
[Colts](/teams/indianapoliscolts/profile?team=IND) need help with their outside pass rush.
Davis is a big target for
[Joe Flacco](/player/joeflacco/382/profile).
The
[Redskins](/teams/washingtonredskins/profile?team=WAS) don't have a defensive lineman who can stop the run. If Brantley is their guy, they could trade back and pick him up later.
[Marcus Mariota](/player/marcusmariota/2552466/profile) gets a deep threat.
The versatile McCaffrey can fill many roles, including running back, wide receiver, and return specialist.
Left tackle is a major need for the
[Broncos](/teams/denverbroncos/profile?team=DEN), and Bolles is a good fit.
The
[Lions](/teams/detroitlions/profile?team=DET) get a bookend pass rusher opposite Ziggy Ansah.
Miami can play him at outside linebacker on run downs and defensive end on passing downs.
The
[Giants](/teams/newyorkgiants/profile?team=NYG) get the left tackle they desperately need. Erick Flowers moves to the right side.
Cunningham is an instinctive, athletic linebacker who can play all three downs.
Robinson would start immediately at right tackle for the
[Texans](/teams/houstontexans/profile?team=HOU). Tony Romo is happy!
I think the
[Seahawks](/teams/seattleseahawks/profile?team=SEA) will take a pass rusher over an offensive lineman and cornerback in the first round. They have had success getting those positions later in the draft.
Good landing spot here for Watson. He doesn't have to play right away, and Andy Reid has had success developing quarterbacks.
Humphrey fills a major need created by losses of
[Brandon Carr](/player/brandoncarr/4365/profile) and
[Morris Claiborne](/player/morrisclaiborne/2533059/profile) in free agency.
Tabor needs to run faster than he did at the combine. I like him as a player.
Is Peppers another Troy Polamalu?
Charlton plays better than he times.
*(Projected trade with Saints)* Excellent first-round haul by
[Browns](/teams/clevelandbrowns/profile?team=CLE) with
[Myles Garrett](/player/mylesgarrett/2557965/profile),
[O.J. Howard](/player/o.j.howard/2557856/profile) and now Trubisky.