Cleveland Browns NFL Draft Live Blog (3rd Round)

With our round two live blog / open thread reaching over 1,000 comments, we figured we should start fresh for the third round of the draft.

This thread will act as a "live blog" of sorts, with short one-liners about the latest small rumors, picks, or trades involving Cleveland or other NFL teams. You should also use the comments section as your NFL Draft open thread! (Newest updates will be at the top of the live blog below)

Browns NFL Draft Live Blog

11:19 PM: The Browns selected DT Xavier Cooper. Here is our post on it.

11:10 PM: WHOA! Hold the phone, the Browns just traded back in!

11:08 PM: Thanks for tuning in again today. We'll be back with an open thread for Saturday, but it will be more of a regular open thread instead of a live blog. We'll update the live blog with updates for when each of the Browns' Day 3 picks are made.

10:35 PM: The Browns selected RB Duke Johnson at No. 77 overall in the 3rd round. Here is our write-up on the pick.

10:09 PM: The Browns are coming up in about 15 minutes as we are just 4 picks away. Here is an updated look at players available on our cumulative DBN big board:

18     OT T.J. Clemmings
20     OLB Eli Harold
41     DT Grady Jarrett
43     DT Carl Davis
45     QB Brett Hundley
48     DE Michael Bennett
58     WR Rashad Greene
60     QB Bryce Petty
62     WR Sammie Coates

I wouldn't mind the Browns getting any of the top three players, Clemmings, Harold, or Jarrett. I'm not sure why Clemmings has fallen, but at this point, you can add even more competition to the offensive line, or have legitimate depth in case of injury. Harold would also add to the depth. The player I'd really love though is Jarrett. I know we took NT Danny Shelton in round one, but DL Phil Taylor is a free agent next year and the combination of Shelton + Jarrett would be great for the long term and for stopping the run.

10:04 PM: As more wide receivers go off the board without Cleveland drafting one, keep this in mind:

9:51 PM: Here is what Pro Football Focus said about the Browns' selection of DE/OLB Nate Orchard earlier:

Nate Orchard, ED, Utah

What He Brings: Some speed off the edge and a natural combination of football and hand usage to defeat blocks. Caused Andrus Peat more than a few problems with his unique blend but went missing a little more than we’d have liked. For all his pressure only had the 23rd best pass rushing grade of edge defenders against Power-5 opposition.

Where He Fits: Putting some pressure on Barkevious Mingo and potentially making Paul Kruger expendable depending on how well he plays. Orchard won’t be handed anything but should eat up some of the snaps Jabaal Sheard left on the table.

9:37 PM: At this point, if players high on our DBN Big Board are still available, chances are there is some reason the Browns and all the other teams in the league have passed on them. Nonetheless, here are the top players available from our big board as we start the third round:

18     OT T.J. Clemmings
20     OLB Eli Harold
21     WR Jaelen Strong
26     DE Owa Odighizuwa
41     DT Grady Jarrett
43     DT Carl Davis
45     QB Brett Hundley
48     DE Michael Bennett
52     OG A.J. Cann
58     WR Rashad Greene
60     QB Bryce Petty
62     WR Sammie Coates
63     WR Tyler Lockett

9:32 PM: If you missed what happened in the second round, the Cleveland Browns traded back from No. 43 to No. 51 with the Houston Texans, and then selected DE/OLB Nate Orchard at No. 51 overall. Cleveland's third-round pick is No. 77 overall.