With less than 12 hours until the 2021 NFL Draft is set to begin in Cleveland, it’s time to give our best educated guess on who the Cleveland Browns might draft. In Todd McShay’s final mock draft, he had the Browns taking Christian Barmore, the defensive tackle from Alabama. Reports surfaced earlier this week questioning Barmore’s character. However, just 12 hours ago, Alabama head coach Nick Saban put those reports to bed, disputing the claims. He spoke to Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot yesterday.
““We never had any issues here with him at all when it came to structure, whether it was football or academics,’’ Saban told Cabot. ““He always worked hard in the off-season program, and he did whatever everybody told him to do. We were were very structured in regards to academics, and he worked very hard at that.’’
Consensus Pick at 26
Even with Saban’s backing, Barmore could fall past the Browns at 26. In a recent consensus mock draft on CBS Sports, the panel went with Jamin Davis, the linebacker out of Kentucky, to the Browns at 26. Most of the Cleveland media wouldn’t be shocked if they took Davis. He’s been rising up big boards for a couple of weeks now. With that being said, it’s entirely possible the Browns pass on him at 26.
Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen experts and fans alike try an predict the Browns’ pick at 26. We’ve seen guys like Zaven Collins, Terrace Marshall Jr. and even Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah mocked to the Browns. Now, it’s finally time to give our official Browns mock draft.
Browns Draft Picks
- Round 1: No. 26
- Round 2: No. 59
- Round 3: No. 89
- Round 3: No. 91
- Round 4: No. 110
- Round 4: No. 132
- Round 5: No. 169
- Round 6: No. 211
- Round 7: No. 257
7-Round Browns Mock Draft | 2021 NFL Draft
Round 1, Pick 26: Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU
For the past two weeks, it seems that every possible Browns draft target has moved up on most big boards, or has had a steep decline. In this Browns mock draft, the top three corners in the draft are off the board. So, the Browns must decide if they want to take a bit of a risk and draft Caleb Farley out of Virginia Tech. Farley has all the physical tools to succeed at the next level, he just has a bad injury history. It’s hard to imagine the front office brings on another injury-ridden corner. Therefore, they are in a position to draft the best player available, who is Terrace Marshall Jr., the wide receiver out of LSU. He had a monster season this last fall, hauling in nearly fifty passes for 731 yards and seven touchdowns. Marshall is an explosive receiver that excels on the outside. He is a smooth route-runner that would mold well with the young Browns receiving corps. Marshall Jr. would give quarterback Baker Mayfield yet another LSU wide receiver to throw, too.
NFL Comparison: Michael Thomas, WR, Saints
Round 2, Pick 59: Tyson Campbell, CB, Georgia
This figures to be a tough choice for the Browns front office. There’s a good chance Elijah Molden from Washington and Aaron Robinson from UCF are still on the board at 59. However, Tyson Campbell is exactly the type of defensive back the Browns love. He’s long and athletic, with top end speed. His footwork could use some work once he gets to the NFL, but he has the potential to be an All-Pro at the cornerback position for years to come. Personally, I would take Molden here, but he’s not the type of defensive back the Browns like. Campbell fits the bill, so he joins a defensive backfield with former SEC stars Ronnie Harrison and Grant Delpit.
NFL Comparison: Byron Jones, CB, MIA
Round 3, Pick 89: Joe Tryon, EDGE, Washington
If Joe Tryon is on the board in the third round, the Browns will be racing to get their card in. Tryon may have the most upside of any edge rusher in this class. He has been flying up draft boards for about two months now. He’s one of the players that opted out of the fall college football season. However, just like the other players who opted out, it shouldn’t affect his draft stock. He’s very quick off the edge and isn’t a one-trick pony. He engages offensive lineman and uses his strength and speed to get past him. He has the potential to possibly play on the inside at the next level as well. Getting Tryon in the third round would be a steal for the Browns.
NFL Comparison: Bradley Chubb, EDGE, DEN
Round 3, Pick 91: Chazz Surratt, LB, North Carolina
Chazz Surratt’s path to the 2021 NFL draft was a very unique one. Surratt was recruited to the Tar Heels as a quarterback. He started seven games as a redshirt freshman in 2017. He was the Heels starting quarterback heading into the 2018 season, but was suspended for the first four games. Surratt then made the switch to linebacker. He was named to the First Team All-ACC Defense and finished second in the Defensive Player of the Year voting. Surratt is a smooth linebacker who needs more time under his belt. He has tremendous upside, and his familiarity with the quarterback positions should make him even better in the NFL.
NFL Comparison: Shaq Thompson, OLB, Carolina
Round 4, Pick 110: Tyler Shelvin, DT, LSU
Tyler Shelvin is another player who the Browns would love to take if he falls to them in the fourth round. He played his college ball at LSU, so he knows the ins and outs of defensive football. Shelvin will be at his best clogging up running lanes. He doesn’t figure to be much of a pass rusher in the NFL, but as for a guy who can fill any gap on defense, snagging him in the fourth round would be a great acquisition.
NFL Comparison: Danny Shelton, DT, NYG
Round 5, Pick 169: Shaun Wade, CB/S, OSU
Shaun Wade should have kept his name in the NFL Draft last year. After a great year in Columbus in 2019, 2020 was a different story. Once viewed as one of the top corners in the draft, Wade has seen his draft stock plummet since he took the field in the fall of 2020. Wade needs a lot of mechanical work and needs to improve his ball skills. That being said, Wade has all the physical tools you look for in a cornerback. He’s long, athletic, and fast, so why not give him a shot?
NFL Comparison: Poor Man’s Minkah Fitzpatrick, Safety, PIT
Round 6, Pick 211: Marvin Wilson, DT, Florida State
Marvin Wilson is another player whose draft stock has plummeted. Although, his sudden drop came right after he stepped onto the Florida State campus. Wilson was at one time a five-star prospect, but has had his struggles in Tallahassee. However, if he falls until late in the draft, his upside would be something worth drafting for. Even if he doesn’t pan out, you only used a sixth-round pick on him. Best case scenario for Wilson is that he ends up in a good franchise with veterans he can learn from.
NFL Comparison: Brandon Williams, DT, DEN
Round 7, Pick 257: Shane Buechele, QB, SMU
Browns back-up quarterback Case Keenum will be 34 before the season is over, so it might be time to look around for a future back-up. Shane Buechele, who was once a Texas Longhorn, had a lot of success under June Jones at SMU. Also, it doesn’t hurt that he’s from Texas. The Browns seem to love Longhorns.
NFL Comparison: Case Keenum, QB, CLE
