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."
Round 1, pick No. 12 (from Eagles)
Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
Now, Trubisky might not make it to No. 12. But he -- and Clemson's Deshaun Watson -- absolutely could fall here. There could be a run of pass-rushers and defensive backs in the top 15, and I expect offensive playmakers Leonard Fournette, Mike Williams and O.J. Howard to all go in the top half of the first round, too.
In this scenario, the Jets (No. 6) and Bills (No. 10) each pass on quarterbacks, and no team trades up to pick one, which leaves Trubisky and Watson both on the board (there's also a plausible scenario in which Watson is the first quarterback chosen).
And so the Browns get my top-ranked pass-rusher and top-ranked quarterback -- the latter with the pick they got from Philadelphia last year in the deal that netted the Eagles Carson Wentz. Trubisky is inexperienced -- he only started one season for the Tar Heels -- but he has the tools to be a top-tier starter. He's an upgrade on Cody Kessler, and he's a player around which the Browns can build.
Round 2, pick No. 33
Tre'Davious White, CB, LSU
In a great class of corners, I think White is the guy who is most ready to step in and play on Day 1 in the NFL. He was a four-year starter for the Tigers. White plays the ball as well as any corner in this draft, and he's not afraid to stick his head in and make a tackle. Now, he's not an all-world athlete (4.47 40 and 32-inch vertical at the combine), and that's why he could drop out of the first round. But White's steady, and he's consistent, and he could also return punts in Cleveland.
Stick him on the outside and let him compete for a starting spot with Joe Haden, who has only started 18 games the past two seasons, and former second-round pick Jamar Taylor.
Round 2, pick No. 52 (from Titans)
Dion Dawkins, OL, Temple
The Browns upgraded their interior offensive line in free agency this offseason by signing JC Tretter and Kevin Zeitler, but there's no clear starter at right tackle. Former first-round pick Cameron Erving, who played center last season, looks like he'll get a shot there, but he has had an inconsistent career. And so the value in Dawkins is in his versatility.
He is my No. 2-ranked guard, but don't count him out of being a tackle in the NFL. Dawkins (6-foot-4, 313 pounds), who started at left tackle for the Owls the past three seasons, is a dominant run blocker who gets to the second level with ease.
Round 3, pick No. 65
Kareem Hunt, RB Toledo
With the upgrades along the offensive line, I expect Cleveland's running game to much improved in 2017. Yes, the Browns already have Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson, who both averaged 4.8 yards per carry or better last season, but Hunt is a steal if he makes it here. Why not add Hunt to your stable and put an emphasis on the running game?
Hunt, my No. 8-ranked back, is a downhill runner who breaks tackles and has some quickness. He'll also help the Browns in the passing game -- he caught 41 passes last season. Hunt probably will be available in the third round because he doesn't have elite speed (4.62 40 at the combine). One other plus? He's an Ohio kid who has known Trubisky since he was 10.
Round 4, pick No. 108
Damontae Kazee, CB, San Diego State
Kazee is one of my favorite players in this class. He's a ball hawk. He has tremendous hands and catches interceptions like a receiver -- he had 15 in the past two seasons for the Aztecs. He's a true slot corner (5-foot-10, 184 pounds) who will probably be available here because of his 4.54 40 at the combine.
With White and Kazee, the Browns have a chance to immediately improve their secondary. And in a league that is all about defending the pass, that's something Cleveland sorely needs.
Round 5, pick No. 145
Isaiah McKenzie, WR/PR, Georgia
We're getting to the point in the draft where teams are just looking for guys who can contribute. McKenzie will contribute. He'll play some receiver and he'll upgrade the Browns' special teams. McKenzie had 44 catches and seven receiving touchdowns last season, and he had five career punt return touchdowns for the Bulldogs.
Now, he's tiny. He's 5-foot-7, 173 pounds. He won't be a full-time player. But McKenzie has incredible quickness, and he's explosive in space. Yes, White could be a punt returner, too, but McKenzie would be able to make an impact there immediately.
Round 5, pick No. 175 (from Patriots)
Amara Darboh, WR, Michigan
The Browns took five receivers in last year's draft. They got 33 catches and three touchdowns from first-round pick Corey Coleman (in only 10 games), but the other four guys didn't leave much of a mark as rookies, and Kenny Britt was brought in via free agency to be a starter.
I could see Darboh going as high as the fourth round -- the 4.45 40 at the combine helped his stock -- but he's a steal for the Browns if he falls here. He had 115 catches and 12 touchdowns in the past two seasons. He outplayed his counterpart Jehu Chesson, who was seen at this time last year as one of the top receivers in this draft.
Round 5, pick No. 181 (compensatory)
Anthony Walker, ILB, Northwestern
In a 3-4 defense, teams need production from inside linebackers. That's what Walker did for the Wildcats the past two seasons. He had 20.5 tackles for loss in 2015 and added 10 more in an inconsistent 2016 season.
The underrated Christian Kirksey mans one of the Browns' inside spots while Demario Davis, who's a free agent in 2018, plays the other. Walker is a studious kid who has every-down player potential, and he should also help out on special teams.
Round 6, pick No. 185
Rudy Ford, S, Auburn
A three-year starter for the Tigers, Ford could get lost in the shuffle in a strong, deep defensive back class. He's strong -- 20 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press at the combine -- and athletic, but he's undersized (5-foot-11, 205 pounds). He ran a 40 under 4.4 at his pro day, which moves him up from likely going undrafted. He might not be a starting-caliber NFL safety, but he has some value here.
Round 6, pick No. 188 (from Texans via Bears)
Ryan Glasgow, DT, Michigan
A former walk-on, Glasgow reminds me a little bit of Bills tackle Kyle Williams, who was picked in the fifth round in 2006 and has played in five Pro Bowls. That's obviously a best-case scenario for Glasgow (6-foot-3, 302 pounds), who's strong and a potential plugger inside for the Browns. He's a likely Day 3 pick who could exceed expectations.
Kiper's complete 2017 draft class for the Browns
Let's review: This gives the Browns my No. 1 pass-rusher (and overall prospect) and No. 1 quarterback. Potential starters with their third, fourth and fifth picks. A plug-and-play slot corner and punt returner with their next two. Then promising prospects to close out their draft.
That looks like a solid A-plus draft to me. How'd I do? Let me know on Twitter at @MelKiperESPN.