OG Michael Deiter: How Would Drafting this Player in Round 2 Make the Browns Better?

The Browns traded their starting right guard Kevin Zeitler to the Giants. While they instantly improved the pass rush with the addition of LB Olivier Vernon as part of the trade, the offensive line now has a huge hole to fill. Last year, Cleveland enjoyed the fifth-highest clean dropback rate in the NFL at 71.2%. Starting QB Baker Mayfield is certainly mobile, but like any QB he needs time to throw.

The fallback plan for the Browns is last year’s draft pick Austin Corbett, the first player taken in the second-round from Nevada. On the surface, Corbett certainly has the credentials to be the starter and be the starter for the next 10 years.

What if the Browns drafted another guard this year in the second-round as insurance and/or quality depth? Thankfully, Wisconsin’s Michael Deiter should be available when Cleveland selects at the 49^th slot of the second-round.

Wisconsin in known for spitting out nasty offensive linemen who can take the cold weather and are bruisers. Dieter has strong hands and is versatile enough to use at either guard position, has played tackle and had 16 starts at center. He is a much run blocker than as a pass blocker and will need to be coached up more in this aspect. Deiter is an elite run blocker at guard but does not have the anchor skills for the tackle position.

As an offensive lineman, he is a solid athlete who gets off the ball quickly and has no problems in the second level. Deiter could have come out after his junior season but waited another year.

He is also a native of Ohio as he attended Genoa Area High School in Genoa, Ohio.

Specifics:

College: Wisconsin
Height: 6’-6”
Weight: 321 pounds
40-time: 5.23
Career college games: 41

Positives:

• Exceptional mobility
• Very versatile playing every position
• Impressive run blocking skills
• Excellent pulling abilities
• Great balance and leverage
• Physical with blocks at second level with LBs
• Three-year college starter
• Played in a championship program
• Two-Time First Team All Big 10
• Big 10 Offensive Lineman-of-the-Year 2018

Negatives:

• No great deal of length
• Better suited for inside rather than OT
• Struggles with change of direction
• Not an explosive player but steady
• Issues with speedier D-linemen at times
• Needs to improve pass blocking

Expert Draft Site Analysis

Withthefirstpick.com

Michael Deiter is a big-bodied offensive lineman who will draw plenty of attention in the 2019 NFL Draft process. He features a thick frame with solid overall size. He uses this frame to routinely seal defenders from the play and extend the pass rushers path to the quarterback. Deiter has the size, raw strength and effort to work along the interior. Moving inside to guard would help protect him from getting exposed while working on the edge. It’ll be interesting to see how other evaluators see Deiter as we work through the process. He absolutely has NFL starter potential, but it looks more likely to be at guard.

Could the Browns use the versatile talent of Michael Deiter?