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Mel Kiper & Todd McShay complete dueling two-round mock drafts for Browns

NFL Combine - Day 4 Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images

In the past, we’ve seen Todd McShay and Mel Kiper of ESPN collaborate on a three-round mock draft together. This year, instead of posting their “Mock Draft, version 4.0” mocks separately, they decided to combine them into one post so readers could better compare and contrast the drafts.

Each person did a two-round mock draft. The results are below:


Mel Kiper

No. 1 Overall: Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M | No change at the top. Garrett is the best pass-rusher in a class full of them. He's a rare talent and a physical freak (4.64 40-yard dash and 41-inch vertical at 6-foot-4, 272 pounds), and he also produces on the field (32.5 sacks in three seasons).

No. 12 Overall: Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson | One of Trubisky and Watson will probably be available here at No. 12; can the Browns really pass on another potential franchise quarterback? They're getting this pick from last year's trade that netted the Eagles Carson Wentz, who flashed Pro Bowl potential as a rookie. Watson is certainly more experienced than Trubisky, and he's used to the bright lights that will shine on him on Day 1 in Cleveland.

No. 33 Overall: Joe Mixon, RB, Oklahoma | The Browns still have several needs. They could keep an eye on the pass-rushers and cornerbacks here, in particular, but I'm going with the dynamic Mixon, who could sneak into the first round. He has off-field issues and won't be on the draft boards for every team, but he's a tremendous talent. He had 65 catches and nine receiving touchdowns the past two seasons.

No. 52 Overall: Marcus Maye, S, Florida | So that makes a defensive end, quarterback, running back and safety as four of the Browns' picks in the first two rounds. Maye broke his arm in November and played in only nine games, but he's an explosive defender. He forced five fumbles in 2015.

Kiper has had Garrett going to the Browns in all three of his mock drafts at No. 1 overall. This is the first time he had Watson going to the Browns — previous mocks had RB Dalvin Cook, CB Tre'Davious White, and QB Mitch Trubisky going to Cleveland at No. 12.


Todd McShay

No. 1 Overall: Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M | Yeah, there's no reason to overthink this, Cleveland. Take the clear-cut best player in this draft.

No. 12 Overall: O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama | The Browns got an up-close look at Howard in January, coaching the star TE at the Senior Bowl. Trubisky would obviously be an option if the board fell this way, but at the moment I'm just not getting a strong QB vibe from the Browns, though it's still early. Selecting Howard would allow Cleveland to continue to develop its roster until it can find the QB it wants.

No. 33 Overall: DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame | Kizer is not a finished product, but this would be a long-term play for the Browns and coach Hue Jackson. Kizer has an enticing physical skill set, including elite arm strength; his mechanics still need some work, though.

No. 52 Overall: JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, USC | Smith-Schuster played a ton of football at USC (39 starts), finishing his career with 213 catches for 3,092 yards and 25 TDs. With 4.54 speed, he doesn't profile as a deep threat in the NFL, but Smith-Schuster has solid size (6-1, 215) and reliable hands.

McShay has had Garrett going to the Browns in his previous two mock drafts at No. 1 overall (his first one had Jonathan Allen). This is the first time he had Howard going to the Browns — previous mocks had OLB Takkarist McKinley, QB Mitch Trubisky, and QB Deshaun Watson going to Cleveland at No. 12.


Whose mock draft do you prefer -- Kiper’s or McShay’s?