Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns: Who Should They Draft #1 Overall?

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Sitting at 0-5, and following even more quarterback injuries, it’s looking like more of a sure thing that Cleveland will have the top pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. And with so many holes on their roster, you can make a case for so many people to be taken with the top pick.

But two glaring holes seem the most likely to be filled with top tier talent, quarterback and pass rusher. This 2017 draft class is loaded with both of those. Among those ranks, you can make a case for several different guys to be taken first overall.

Cleveland can use any top talent they can get, and with one of the deeper classes in a long time you can make a case for nearly every top prospect. Here’s the case for Cleveland to draft each top prospect that would fill a need for them.

Sep 19, 2015; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Myles Garrett (15) in action during the game against the Nevada Wolf Pack at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The Browns have a promising pass rush duo in Carl Nassib and Emmanuel Ogbah, but why not make what appears to be the safest bet in the draft and take Garrett. Garrett’s a proven commodity and almost a lock to be able to continue his success at the next level.

Garrett’s ability to take over games and live in the backfield would make him a great choice for Cleveland. The young pass rushing trio could become the foundation of the Browns defense for years to come.

Garrett’s also a guy who hasn’t been known for off the field issues, making him a welcomed entity into a Browns organization who has always been in the news for the wrong reasons. Garrett’s a safe pick, and one that can pay dividends instantly.

Oct 1, 2016; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) looks to pass the ball during the first quarter against the Louisville Cardinals at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

The Browns drafted Cody Kessler last year, and he hasn’t been playing horribly for them so far, but he hasn’t been a game breaker. Clemson junior Deshaun Watson is a game breaker. He is what the Browns need at quarterback under Hue Jackson.

His ability to make defenses respect the run, his poise when down late in games, his ability to read defenses, and his unbelievable deep ball accuracy. He’s they type or quarterback who’d fit what they wanted to do with RGIII, but would be an undeniable upgrade.

Watson is a top prospect in this draft, and could breathe life into a Cleveland offense. Watson would allow them to have a player with the electricity they though Manziel had, and the similar playmaking ability and style of Seattle’s Russell Wilson.

Oct 8, 2016; Raleigh, NC, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer (14) leaves the field following the game against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Carter-Finley Stadium. NC State won 10-3. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Notre Dame’s quarterback, Deshone Kizer, wowed people last season as a redshirt freshman when he spelled their quarterback of the future Malik Zaire, who broke his ankle, and outshines him forcing a QB battle heading into this year, which he subsequently won.

In their first game this year he came off the bench and won the job for good in a loss against Texas where he threw for 215 yards and five touchdowns. Since then he’s accounted for 1,621 yards 14 scores and five interceptions.

Kizer’s a tough QB who is mature, makes good decisions, has an NFL caliber arm, and underrated mobility. He has franchise quarterback traits, and would be a good fit in a Cleveland offense building on receivers who can go deep. He would also be a great fit with Hue Jackson given his ability to run a run-first offense, and coach ability.

Nov 14, 2015; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers defensive lineman Carl Lawson (55) walks on the sidelines during the first quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

Auburn’s defense has had a resurgence thanks to two people, new coordinator Kevin Steele, and star defensive end Carl Lawson. Lawson’s a disturbance all game long who has lived in opposing backfields his whole career.

Despite injury concerns (torn ACL in 2014 and hip injury in 2015), Lawson’s worthy of a top pick. There is a very noticeable difference between when he is on and off the field, and is without a doubt the next best option behind Myles Garrett, for now.

Lawson’s ability to get to the quarterback (six sacks so far), ability to stop the run, and ability to bounce back make him a noteworthy candidate. He could be a good piece to add for Ray Horton’s defense, and gives the Browns another young edge rusher who can cause problems all game long.

Oct 8, 2016; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Jabrill Peppers (5) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during their game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at High Points Solutions Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

This is a reach, however, Peppers has been playing like everyone expected him to when he came to Michigan as the top recruit he was in 2014. Peppers has done a little bit of everything in his career from play defensive back, to linebacking, to returning kicks, to even taking snaps on offense.

This gives Cleveland someone who can fill any defensive hole they choose, and an elite defender. A defensive backfield consisting of some combination involving Joe Haden, Jamar Taylor, Jabrill Peppers, Ibraheim Campbell, and Derrick Kindred sounds like an upgrade from prior years.

Peppers is spark plug that could be a stopgap in the back end, a returner that the Browns have been searching for since Josh Cribbs left, and a possible offensive weapon that could be utilized by Hue Jackson and Pep Hamilton. Again, this is a reach but if he keeps playing at the rate he is, it’s not out of the question.

Oct 1, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Brad Kaaya (15) greets fans after the game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Miami won 35-21. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

Another day, another potential Browns quarterback. Kaaya has greatly benefitted from Mark Richt’s arrival, and has led the Canes to a 4-1 record while throwing for 1,149 yards, 10 touchdowns and four picks.

Kaaya’s a guy who avoids turnovers, makes smart throws, and has the arm talent to succeed at the next level. With the coaching of Hue Jackson and Pep Hamilton, there’s no telling what he could develop into.

The addition of Kaaya is also unlikely with quarterbacks who are widely thought of as better prospects, but there is still a lot of football left to be played. Kaaya can easily work his way up draft boards with good performances, and a good showing at the combine and interviews.

Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Cam Robinson (74) and linebacker Reuben Foster (10) celebrate after defeating the Clemson Tigers in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

This is a stretch with the top pick, but it could make sense for the organization with their minds set on moving forward. Cam Robinson is low and away the best tackle in the college ranks right now, and has kept Myles Garrett at bay each time they’ve played.

Robinson is rarely flagged, and rarely beat. While the off the field questions are there, what he does on the field is undeniable. His run blocking and pass blocking skills are elite, and they have been since he was a freshman, and again he has proven he can succeed against top competition week in and week out.

Future Hall of Famer, Joe Thomas, is the Browns’ current left tackle, and it’s not far fetched that the “New Browns Regime” would ship him out to a contending team in need for a kings ransom before the deadline this year or in the offseason. Offensive line is also a position of need considering all of the quarterback injuries behind their current line (see RGIII, Josh McCown, Cody Kessler, and Charlie Whitehurst).