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2018 NFL Mock Draft: Sean Dyer’s First-Round Mock 1.0

By Sean Dyer

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: A detailed view of the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: A detailed view of the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 05: Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick (DB51) runs the 40 yard dash during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 5, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 05: Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick (DB51) runs the 40 yard dash during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 5, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Minkah Fitzpatrick. player. 53. Pick Analysis. DB. 4. Scouting Report. Alabama

The ideal situation for the Cleveland Browns after drafting Sam Darnold first overall is for the New York Giants to trade back with the Denver Broncos or Buffalo Bills and have the first three picks all be quarterbacks. The Browns would then take Saquon Barkley at No. 4 and be immediately declared winners of the draft.

Without any trades, Barkley is unlikely to fall this far but the Browns are still able to draft a talented player who fills a need. Minkah Fitzpatrick is the top defensive back in this draft and either he or Bradley Chubb could be considered the top overall defensive prospect.

Chubb could be considered here as pairing him and Myles Garrett would be serious trouble for opposing offensive lines. However, considering Cleveland just spent their top pick on Garrett last year and the fact that they also have Emmanuel Ogbah and Carl Nassib on board, their secondary is a bigger need.

The Browns have made some changes to their secondary already this offseason, trading for Damarious Randall and trading away Jason McCourty. Randall was a safety in college at Arizona State who the Green Bay Packers turned into a cornerback. The Browns plan to move him back to safety, pairing him with Jabrill Peppers.

While at Alabama, Fitzpatrick played both cornerback and safety and he excelled at both positions. With Randall moving to safety and McCourty joining his twin brother in New England, Cleveland would be best giving Fitzpatrick a look at cornerback, perhaps getting plenty of looks in the slot which is essentially a starting position in today’s NFL. If Randall struggles at free safety and needs to move back to corner, Fitzpatrick can switch back to safety.

After their barrage of trades and free agent signings, secondary is the Browns’ biggest need. A talented and versatile player like Fitzpatrick gives Cleveland options and will help them match up against opponents like the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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