Cleveland Browns: 3-round February mock draft

Nov 12, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs during the first quarter of the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Browns have countless holes to fill all along the roster. Here are some players the team can take in the first three rounds of the 2017 Draft.

The NFL season has finally come to an end. The NFL Draft order has been set and the Cleveland Browns are officially on the clock with the first overall pick. The main question that plagues all of us Browns fans is what in the world are the Browns going to do with all the crazy holes to fill?

Will the Browns select a quarterback with the first overall pick or will they go heavily on defense with one of the deeper defensive classes we have seen? Will the Browns trade a pick or two away to pursue a trade with the Patriots for QB Jimmy Garoppolo?

Most of us, including myself, don’t have answers to these specific questions. All we can do is sit here and hope that the organization picks the right players despite the history of picking players that never seem to pan out the way we’d hope.

But for now, let’s speculate on how I hope this draft goes for the Cleveland Browns. There are a few moves I would like to make in the offseason regarding the Browns personnel in free agency, seeing as they have $110 million to spend, so these picks will reflect those specific moves.

Sep 24, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Myles Garrett (15) during the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Round 1, Pick 1 (#1 Overall): DL Myles Garrett, Texas A&M

There is no other choice here and I am not sure what else to say about the guy, Myles Garrett can do it all. The hype around Garrett is too rich to ignore and it shows on and off the field. It exceeds that around former number one pick by the Houston Texans, Jadeveon Clowney.

Pro Football Focus also has him going No. 1 overall to the Browns:

Garrett is the consensus number one prospect on every NFL Draft analyst’s board and someone who can walk in the building and make an impact on day one, which the Browns desperately need on defense. The Browns new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams would have a field day scheming defensive plans with Garrett as one of the centerpieces.

Round 1, Pick 12 (#12 Overall): RB Leonard Fournette, LSU

There are a few different options I could pick here at No. 12. With likely both of my favorite safeties in the draft gone in the top ten, Malik Hooker (Ohio State) and Jamal Adams (LSU), I am taking another instant playmaker who can come in and make a huge impact on day one with running back, Leonard Fournette.

Fournette was the front-runner for the Heisman a majority of the 2015 college football season until some late-season struggles and the emergence of Derrick Henry. Regardless, Fournette finished the season with less than 1,953 rushing yards, averaging 6.7 yards per carry and scoring 22 touchdowns. Fournette was only slightly available for the 2016 season, but did end up with over 1,000 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns in only 7 games.

Now you’re probably wondering why I have the Browns taking Fournette here instead of a value defender. The Browns current go-to running back Isaiah Crowell is set to be a restricted free agent this offseason and the Browns have a decision to make. The Browns could pay him, or they could let him walk to see what his market is to match whatever kind of deal some else offers him. The real question is, do the Browns want to bring Isaiah Crowell to come back?

In my opinion, if there is a “once in a generational” player on the horizon, you go after him. Leonard Fournette is that “once in a generational” player.

Sep 3, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; LSU Tigers cornerback Tre’Davious White (18) intercepts a pass intended for Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Robert Wheelwright (15) and returns it for a touchdown in the 3rd quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Round 2, Pick 1 (#33 Overall): CB Tre’Davious White, LSU

Another LSU player? Yup. Since the Browns took an edge rusher and a power running back, it’s time to get back to defense. The Browns secondary was one of the worst in the NFL last season. Opposing quarterbacks had an average of a 101.8 passer rating and completed an average of 64 percent of their passes. So needless to say the Browns need some help in the secondary.

Tre’Davious White was one of the best cornerbacks in college football last year. He was a four-year senior who was a Consensus All-American and First-Team SEC in 2016.

In White’s 2015 season, he allowed a 53 percent completion percentage when thrown at him (25-47) and had eight pass breakups and allowed five touchdowns. In his 2016 season however, White played much better. Allowing only a 38.3 percent completion percentage (18-47) and had 14 pass breakups and only allowed two touchdowns. White also recorded two interceptions.

Part of my free agency plan is to try to bring in CB Trumaine Johnson and S T.J. McDonald over from the Los Angeles Rams to reunite with their defense coordinator Gregg Williams, which is why I waited until the second round to take a cornerback and didn’t use the No. 12 overall pick to select one. Adding White would just make the Browns deeper at the cornerback position and he would be able to learn behind two of the better cornerbacks in the game, or take over if we have any wild injuries which the Browns know all too well.

Sep 26, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Raekwon McMillan (5) celebrates his first quarter sack with teammate Tommy Schutt (90) versus the Western Michigan Broncos at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 38-12. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Round 2, Pick 20 (#52 Overall): LB Raekwon McMillan, Ohio State

I get at least one “super homer” pick this draft and Raekown McMillan is it. McMillan was one of the key components on the best defense in the country in college football last season. In his three seasons at Ohio State, McMillan was responsible for 275 total tackles (136 solo), 18 tackles for loss, six sacks, 10 passes defended and two forced fumbles.

Ohio State has been producing studs all over the field, especially if you look at the production from last year’s draft class. If the Browns want to start looking for playmakers, they may as well start looking in their own backyard.

Pairing McMillan (6-foot-2, 245 pounds) with Christian Kirksey and Jamie Collins would make for a deadly linebacking core that would help the struggles against the run, which the Browns were awful in trying to stop last season.

Dec 30, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Michigan Wolverines tight end Jake Butt (88) makes a a catch in front of Florida State Seminoles defensive back A.J. Westbrook (19) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Round 3, Pick 1 (#65 Overall): TE Jake Butt, Michigan

Before his injury where he tore his ACL in the Orange Bowl, Michigan tight end Jake Butt was seen as the top tight end in a draft class with many good prospects at the position. At 6-foot-6, 250 pounds, Jake Butt is one of the biggest, most reliable targets at the tight end position in college football.

There’s something crazy about Butt that he is able to go up and grab any and pass that seems to be contested. Some knocks against Butt is that he isn’t the best run blocker and he could work on his route running skills but that all seems like it’s just finding things to get him to refine a tad.

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The Browns haven’t been very good when it comes to scoring when they get in the red zone over the past few years, last year only successful on 54 percent of their tries. A big target like Jake Butt should surely help that number go up, especially with his ability to go up and get the ball.

Now I understand we just signed Gary Barnidge to a three-year deal in 2016 but he is aging and will be 32 this year. Barnidge’s contract expires in 2018 where he would be a restricted free agent and the Browns are going to need some to fill his roll. Jake Butt did have successful surgery in Janurary to fix his ACL and will have a road to recovery. I couldn’t think of a better value pick here to fill Barnidge’s roll than taking Jake Butt in the third round.