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Mel Kiper of ESPN released his first mock draft of the year this past Friday. Despite all of the high expectations for the Cleveland Browns in 2019, they finished at a disappointing 6-10. The upside of that poor finish is that it really improved the Browns’ draft position, slotting them in at No. 10 overall.
With that 10th overall pick, here is the direction that Kiper sees the Browns going:
No. 10: Cleveland Browns - OT Mekhi Becton, Louisville - “This is a tough pick to project because the Browns don’t even have a general manager yet, but Cleveland’s clear weakness in 2019 was at left tackle. Greg Robinson was in and out of the starting lineup there and is now a free agent; he’s not the long-term answer. If the Browns can’t upgrade there in free agency, they should look to the draft. Becton, a 6-foot-7, 370-pound mountain of a man, is rising since he declared for the draft and scouts got a look at his 2019 film. He has great feet for his size and can plow through defenders in the run game. The last offensive tackle the Browns took in the first round? Joe Thomas at No. 3 overall in 2007. If Becton can come close to Thomas’ ceiling, new coach Kevin Stefanski could stick around a long time.”
Here is Kiper talking more about Becton:
Mel Kiper on Louisville OT Mekhi Becton: "Huge...and light on his feet. And I think you look at a guy at that size, and you say 'Boy, can he pass protect as a left tackle?', he can."
— WBG84 (@WBG84) January 25, 2020
Kiper mentions playing LT adds to Becton's value and that he could go higher in Top 10 #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/eVneWd0eev
Would you be happy if the Browns drafted Becton with their first-round pick? Cleveland’s offensive line needs an upgrade at the tackle positions and one of the guard spots, but as last season showed, the defense could use some work too.