It’s not the best year to be needing a dominant middle backer, but there is enough talent here for the Cleveland Browns to find some potential play-makers. With the exit of Joe Schobert and Christian Kirksey, Cleveland needs a difference-maker, especially on the inside.
I grade players extremely generous and like to think with an open mind. Most writers only rank 20-25 first-round grades and that is probably more indicative of their talent rather than where they are selected. I rank prospects based on the highest I could possibly see them be snagged.
1st Round
1. Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma, 6-2, 241 pounds
Murray flows fast and hard to the ball and already has good size for the position, but his frame suggests he can tack on even more weight and inflict even more punishment on ball carriers. Murray is still an unfinished product. Despite having an extremely high ceiling, Murray has boom or bust potential because he relies more on his athletic ability than his instincts, which need to improve.
2. Patrick Queen, LSU, 6-0, 229 pounds
Queen is fast and uses that speed effectively when in coverage, while also utilizing his athleticism and impressive instincts to close fast on the run game. The biggest issue with Queen is his lack of ideal size and that could cause problems for him in regard to the run game.
2nd Round
3. Jordyn Brooks, Texas Tech, 6-0, 240 pounds
Like Queen, Brooks is a great athlete with the ideal explosion, change of direction and straight-line speed to be a thorn in an offense’s side. Brooks wasn’t given a first-round grade because he needs more than athleticism to take him to the ball. He has gotten lost on tape more than once.
4. Evan Weaver, California, 6-2, 237 pounds
There is a reason Weaver led the nation in tackles with 182 and averaged a healthy 14 per game. His elite instincts and ability to read and react to what the offense shows him are better than anyone in this class. Weaver will need time to develop as he has only started since his junior season and transitioned from defensive end.
3rd Round
5. Logan Wilson, Wyoming, 6-2, 241 pounds
Wilson was a defensive back early in his college career, but gained some positive weight and kept his impressive coverage skills to become an extremely intriguing prospect. Despite being great in coverage, Wilson lacks the ideal measurements that guarantee similar success in the NFL.
6. Markus Bailey, Purdue, 6-0, 235 pounds
Bailey will instantly upgrade a team’s pass-rushing presence as his relentless motor and his ability to shed blocks make him the best in the class in regard to blitzing. Like Wilson above, Bailey doesn’t have the ideal measurables that would lead you to believe he can make the same impact in the NFL.
7. Malik Harrison, Ohio State. 6-3, 247 pounds
Harrison likes to put the ball carrier in the dirt and has the ability to strike fear into an offense. He appears to be on an upward trajectory as he showed real improvement throughout his career, especially in regard to read and react. Harrison needs to be more reliable in coverage to be a force in the NFL.
4th Round
8. Jacob Phillips, LSU, 6-3, 229 pounds: Rarely misses tackles, but not the best in coverage.
9. Shaquille Quarterman, Miami, 6-0, 234 pounds: A team will fall in love with his old-school attitude, but can get lost sometimes.
10. David Woodward, Utah St., 6-2, 230 pounds: Can play both inside or outside effectively and rarely misses tackles, but struggles at shedding blocks.
5th Round
11. T.J. Brunson, South Carolina, 6-1, 230 pounds: Named captain twice and has a nonstop motor, but has more than a few missed tackles on film.
12. Francis Bernard, Utah, 6-0, 234 pounds: Played running back at BYU before transferring and utilizing those skills to become the best in the class in coverage. Still raw with limited experience on the defensive side.
6th Round
13. Joe Bachie, Michigan St., 6-1, 230 pounds: Great tackler, but lacks ideal athleticism despite having an impressive combine.
14. Dante Olson, Montana, 6-2, 237 pounds: An All-American in the FCS with 179 tackles last season, but again it was in the FCS.
15. Michael Divinity Jr., LSU, 6-2, 242 pounds: Plays well against the run and pass as evidenced by his eight sacks and three takeaways accumulated the past two years.
16. De’Jon Harris, Arkansas, 6-0, 234 pounds: Versatile backer who earned All-SEC and can thrive on special teams.
17. Mykal Walker, Fresno St., 6-3, 230 pounds: TFL machine who earned All-Mountain West.
18. Shaun Bradley, Temple, 6-1, 235 pounds: Fairly athletic, but lacks ideal size and has already maxed out frame.
7th Round
19. Jordan Mack, Virginia, 6-3, 241 pounds
20. Chris Orr, Wisconsin, 6-0, 228 pounds
21. Jonas Griffith, Indiana St., 6-3, 247 pounds
22. Dele Harding, Illinois, 6-1, 229 pounds
23. Kyahva Tezino, San Diego St., 6-0, 235 pounds
Priority Free Agent
24. Christian Rozeboom, South Dakota St., 6-2, 230 pounds
25. David Reese II, Florida, 6-0, 239 pounds
26. Asmar Bilal, Notre Dame, 6-2, 231 pounds
27. Jason Ferris, Montana Western, 6-2, 220 pounds
28. Leo Lewis, Mississippi St., 6-2, 246 pounds
29. Mohamed Barry, Nebraska, 6-1, 245 pounds
30. Jordan Fehr, Appalachian St., 6-3, 230 pounds
31. Krys Barnes, UCLA, 6-2, 229 pounds
32. Clay Johnston, Baylor, 6-1, 227 pounds
33. Sage Lewis, Florida International, 6-0, 232 pounds
34. Tae Crowder, Georgia, 6-3, 235 pounds
35. Cale Garrett, Missouri, 6-2, 234 pounds
36. Marcel Spears Jr., Iowa St., 6-1, 222 pounds
37. Kylan Johnson, Pittsburgh, 6-1, 230 pounds
38. Keisean-Lucier South, UCLA, 6-4, 235 pounds
39. Jeffrey McCulloch, Texas, 6-3, 230 pounds
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