Cleveland Browns Rumors: Projected Selections For 2016 NFL Draft Include Connor Cook

Cleveland Browns rumors now link the team to Connor Cook in the 2016 NFL Draft. These Browns rumors, as well as the team targeting several new players, comes from a fresh mock draft on NFL. The full seven-round mock draft predicts which 12 players the Browns are going to select in the 2016 NFL Draft.

This latest projection has the Browns selecting Clemson outside linebacker Shaq Lawson with a first-round selection. The Browns traded the No. 2 overall selection to the Philadelphia Eagles as part of a large package that brought the team several later picks this year and several additional selections in the 2017 NFL Draft. Due to that maneuvering and compensatory picks, the Browns have two third-round selections, three fourth-round selections, and three fifth-round selections this year.

In the second and third rounds of the 2016 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns are predicted to select Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook, Pittsburgh wide receiver Tyler Boyd, and UCLA offensive tackle Caleb Benenoch. This would address several big needs on the current roster. In the fourth round, the Browns are projected to take Ohio State defensive tackle Adolphus Washington, Akron outside linebacker Jatavis Brown, and Harvard tight end Ben Braunecker.

While the team could certainly make a big splash by adding 12 draft picks to the roster, there are additional Cleveland Browns rumors suggesting the team could look to package some of those later picks to move up. A report on Forbes contradicts that plan, suggesting that the Browns might employ a volume-based strategy in the draft. That could lead to the Browns trading down in the fist round and turning that No. 8 selection into several additional picks.

There are a number of NFL teams that would still like to move up in the first round, possibly making that No. 8 pick a hot commodity as the 2016 NFL Draft draws closer. It could lead to more Cleveland Browns trade rumors, especially if the front office has already made it clear that the pick is available. The reason to do this is that the franchise could then acquire a later pick in the first round as well as an additional pick in the second, third, or fourth round. The strategy could be repeated in later rounds as well.

A new report from CBS Sports breaks down the needs that the Browns have to address in the 2016 NFL Draft. The list is extensive, as the Browns need to improve at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, on the offensive line, on the defensive line, and in the linebacker corps. Using a formula, the report states that the biggest need for the Browns, when compared to other NFL teams, is on the defensive line. Whether the Browns look to address a specific need or simply take the best player available won’t become clear until the draft begins.

The first round of the 2016 NFL Draft begins at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 28. ESPN and NFL Network will be providing the live television coverage of the event. Only one round will take place on the first day, with each team getting 10 minutes to make their selections. Typically, several trades take place on the first day as teams try to figure out what players might slide to the second round and whether a target is still on the board when they are on the clock.

Rounds two and three of the draft take place at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, April 29. Then the final four rounds take place on Saturday, April 30, beginning at 12 p.m. ET. A lot of attention will be paid to the Browns as the team tries to emerge from a dark shadow that Johnny Manziel has left on the franchise. Fans should expect to constantly hear about new Cleveland Browns rumors and possible trades as the draft really starts to unfold.

[Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images]