With 15 picks last year, the Browns didn't exactly knock it out of the park. I gave their class a C-plus in my regrades. They picked up some useful players, sure, but they were the worst team in the league, and they have needs all over the roster headed into the 2017 draft.
Thanks to the trading out of the No. 2 spot last year and picking up a 2017 first-and second-round pick from the Eagles, the Browns are again the team that could set the tone of the draft this year. In fact, their draft capital is historically great. They have five picks in the top 65 and 11 picks overall.
So, Browns fans, that's where I come in. I've gone through all 11 picks and mocked a perfect, ideal, A-plus draft for your favorite team. This will not put Cleveland into Super Bowl LII, but it helps the momentum of the rebuild, which is sorely needed.
A few important notes before we get to it:
These are the Browns' picks right now. The Cleveland front office likes to compile picks, and it's almost certain the Browns will trade down and pick up future picks -- or trade up and use some of their draft capital.
All of the prospect projections are based on where I have them ranked and where they realistically could go. I'm not giving the Browns 11 first-round-type picks.
Yes, the Browns have major needs everywhere, but I'm not giving them 11 starters. Again, this is realistic. On Day 3, teams are just looking for guys who can contribute and make the team.
Let's start at No. 1 overall, where I'm sticking with a familiar face.
Round 1, pick No. 1
Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
This is a no-brainer pick for me. Garrett has been atop my Big Board since September -- he's the best prospect in this class, period. I get the thought of taking a quarterback at No. 1, but Garrett is too good to pass up. With Garrett and Emmanuel Ogbah, who quietly had a decent rookie season with 5.5 sacks while starting every game, Cleveland would have two young, high-ceiling pass-rushers who can set the edge in the run game. The Browns only had 26 sacks last season (tied for 30th in the league) and also ranked 31st in rushing defense (142.7 yards per game).
And take Garrett's word for it. Just let him explain what would happen if the Browns pass on him, as he did to ESPN The Magazine's Sam Alipour: "If you don't draft me No. 1, I will punish your team for the next 10 to 12 years. I'll knock your QB out of the game every time we play you, and I'll have to kick the hell out of No. 1, whoever it is."