The NFL Draft is fast approaching and there are many draft experts releasing their latest versions of mock drafts.
Pro Football Focus’ Mike Renner revealed his latest 3-round mock draft with all the Browns’ selections.
Let’s take a look at how each of his projected picks break down:
10th pick: Andrew Thomas, Georgia, Offensive Tackle
“Thomas’ familiarity with left tackle gives him the nod here over Jedrick Wills. Thomas allowed 37 pressures on 1,075 pass-blocking snaps in his college career.”
The Browns have searched for Joe Thomas’ successor since 2017.
The team has played Spencer Drango, Desmond Harrison, Greg Robinson, Kendall Lamm, Chris Hubbard, and Justin McCray at the position during the last two-and-a-half seasons.
If Thomas is still available with the 10th pick, he could fill the void to protect Baker Mayfield’s blindside.
Mayfield was sacked 40 times in 2019, which was the ninth most in the NFL.
Thomas is widely considered as the most consistent pass protector of any of the top tackles in this year’s class.
According to Pro Football Focus, he hasn’t allowed more than two quarterback pressures in a game since 2017 and has dominated at the highest level of competition.
Georgia OT Andrew Thomas hasn’t allowed more than 2 pressures in a single game since 2017. pic.twitter.com/G82vLDqoPi
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) April 9, 2020
Looking at film of Thomas, you can easily see why NFL teams find him ready to plug and play at the NFL level.
41st pick: DaVon Hamilton, Ohio State, Defensive Tackle
“With Larry Ogunjobi’s play slipping, Hamilton can be the anchor in the middle of the Browns’ defense. He earned a 90.8 run-defense grade over the past two seasons.”
The Browns need to solidify their run defense considering they allowed 144.7 rushing yards per game, which ranked 30th in the NFL.
As a full-time starter in 2019, Hamilton had 10.5 tackles for loss and six sacks earning third-team All-Big Ten Conference honors.
During the last two seasons, Hamilton earned a 90.8 run-defense grade.
He was voted as the defensive lines’s Practice Player of the Week at the Senior Bowl.
“You saw him at the Senior Bowl — what he was doing to some people,” said former OSU lineman and fellow draft hopeful Jonah Jackson. “I was like, ‘Hopefully not me … I’m kidding. We actually got to rep against each other.
“He’s just another ferocious competitor and he’s a great guy and he’ll be a great fit for whatever team picks him up.”
Hamilton could mix in with Larry Ogunjobi and Sheldon Richardson.
For the second straight day, #OhioState DT Davon Hamilton got the best of #Washington OC Nick Harris.
Pure power and drive from Hamilton. And there’s nothing Harris can do about it. pic.twitter.com/R4SZynhz8h
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 24, 2020
74th pick: Troy Dye, Oregon, Linebacker
“He may not be the sexiest pick, but Dye is far more fluid in coverage than Mack Wilson and was far more productive at the college level. Dye graded above average in coverage in all four seasons as a starter for the Ducks.”
In addition to improving their run defense, the Browns also have a void at linebacker with the departures of Joe Schobert and Christian Kirksey.
As a four-year starter, Dye had 391 career tackles while topping 100 tackles in a season twice.
Dye played the second half of the 2019 season with a club on his hand for a broken thumb and had a meniscus tear.
Troy Dye isn’t great between the tackles, but man he can do some special things in coverage.
The interception against Utah with the club was just as impressive. pic.twitter.com/xIRoopPkIX
— Seth Steere (@SethSteere) April 14, 2020
The Oregon linebacker missed the NFL Combine and the Senior Bowl because of the injury.
Earlier this month, Dye put together a make-shift Pro Day because of cancellations related to the coronavirus.
Dye led Oregon in tackles four consecutive seasons, making him the only player ever to accomplish the feat in the school’s history.
Here is another make-shift Pro Day: This time, #Oregon LB Troy Dye, who played the second half of the season with a club on his hand for a broken thumb and a meniscus tear that cost him postseason games and workouts. The potential Friday pick wanted to show teams he’s heathy: pic.twitter.com/kwVBNVYWzd
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 9, 2020
97th pick: Jonah Jackson, Ohio State, Offensive Guard
“The Browns addressed the tackle position, and now they set their sights on the interior, where Wyatt Teller’s days could be numbered at right guard. Jackson has started at both right (2018) and left (2019) guard the past two seasons and been excellent in pass protection.”
Jackson transferred to Ohio State from Rutgers in 2019 and earned a starting left guard spot, where he started all 14 games.
He was named Second-Team All-Big Ten and a Third-Team All-American.
He started 30-of-43 games in college.
Jackson started at right (2018) and left guard (2019) during the last two seasons.
(Thread) #OhioState LG 73 Jonah Jackson @Jackson77Jonah . Transferred from Rutgers prior to this year. Played with power and intensity through the whistle on every single snap. There’s a place in the NFL for this guy #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/xgt95WQc9y
— Tommy (@tmacdraft24) April 10, 2020
i hope you are wrong on every pick, don’t like them at all.