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2015 NFL Draft: Too-Early Cleveland Browns 7-Round Mock

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By @Spencer_NFL

2015 NFL Draft: Cleveland Browns' Early 7-Round Mock

Cleveland Browns 2015 NFL Draft
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Despite a last-place finish in the AFC North, the Cleveland Browns were one of the surprise teams of the season. The team finished 7-9 after a disappointing five-game losing streak to end the year. For the second-straight year, the Browns will have two first-round picks in the NFL Draft. In order to make the playoffs, Cleveland will need a more immediate impact from the 2015 class than what Justin Gilbert and Johnny Manziel provided in 2014.

Round 1: T.J. Clemmings (OT-Pittsburgh)

T.J. Clemmings Pittsburgh
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Round 1: T.J. Clemmings (OT-Pittsburgh)

T.J. Clemmings Pittsburgh
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

T.J. Clemmings is rising fast on draft boards as scouts and analysts are getting their first looks at the raw right tackle prospect. He moved from the defensive side of the ball in 2013 and is just learning to play the position. At 6-foot-6, 315 pounds, he has the prototypical size to protect the edge. His experience at DE helps him explode off the snap quicker than more experienced tackles. He may have the highest ceiling of any OT in the draft.

Round 1 (from Buffalo): Benardrick McKinney (ILB-Mississippi State)

Benardrick McKinney Mississippi State
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Round 1 (from Buffalo): Benardrick McKinney (ILB-Mississippi State)

Benardrick McKinney Mississippi State
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland finished last in the NFL this year in run defense. The second level of the defense underachieved at just about every position. McKinney can come in right away and solidify one of those inside linebacker positions. He led Mississippi State in tackles for the second-straight season this year and is always around the ball. McKinney's ability to drop back in coverage as well as stop the run, makes him the No. 1 ILB prospect on my board.

Round 2: Arik Armstead (DE-Oregon)

Arik Armstead Oregon
Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Round 2: Arik Armstead (DE-Oregon)

Arik Armstead Oregon
Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

While McKinney has been very consistent during his time in college, Arik Armstead has not. He has the size, speed, power and awareness of a top-10 pick, but his inconsistent play will likely bump him down to Round 2. If that's the case, Cleveland could be getting a steal. Armstead's play in the national championship game will be his last chance to prove he's worthy of a high pick.

Round 3: Cody Prewitt (FS-Ole Miss)

Cody Prewitt Ole Miss
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Round 3: Cody Prewitt (FS-Ole Miss)

Cody Prewitt Ole Miss
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Is Tashaun Gipson the answer at free safety? If not, Cody Prewitt would be an excellent choice to play alongside Donte Whitner. Like Whitner, Prewitt is known for his hard hits. Not only does he hit hard, but he makes sure to wrap up as well. His ability to read the play as it develops allows him to not only level receivers, but intercept passes as well. He has nine picks over the last two seasons.

Round 4: Darren Lake (NT-Alabama)

Darren Lake Alabama
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Round 4: Darren Lake (NT-Alabama)

Darren Lake Alabama
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Darren Lake is one of the best pure nose tackles in this draft even though he's behind Brandon Ivory on the depth chart and hasn't lived up to his potential. It's because of that potential that Lake will be drafted much higher than his stats (23 career tackles) would indicate. The only NT on the Browns' depth chart who isn't a free agent is Ishmaa'ily Kitchen. While a veteran should be brought in to start, Lake should be a part of the rotation.

Round 4 (from Buffalo): Austin Hill (WR-Arizona)

Austin Hill Arizona
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Round 4 (from Buffalo): Austin Hill (WR-Arizona)

Austin Hill Arizona
James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

This is the final piece of the Sammy Watkins trade from the 2014 draft. The Browns have needed help at WR for a while, yet continue to ignore the position in the draft. Cleveland hasn't drafted a WR since selecting Travis Benjamin in Round 4 of the 2012 draft. The top three wideouts on the roster (Benjamin, Andrew Hawkins and Taylor Gabriel) are all under six-feet tall. At 6-foot-3, Hill provides the size and big-play ability the team needs.

Round 5: John Miller (G-Louisville)

John Miller Louisville
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Round 5: John Miller (G-Louisville)

John Miller Louisville
Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

While we don't yet know who will be the starting QB for the Browns in 2015, he will need to be protected. With rookie Joel Bitonio at left guard, Miller would compete with John Greco for the starting right guard position. Miller has been very durable in his time with Louisville, starting 47 career games. After all the injuries the Browns had this season, depth on the offensive line is critical to a playoff run in 2015.

Round 6: Bernard Blake (CB-Colorado State)

Bernard Blake Colorado State
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Round 6: Bernard Blake (CB-Colorado State)

Bernard Blake Colorado State
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The Browns have some decisions to make at the cornerback position. Who will start across from Joe Haden? Current starter Buster Skrine is a free agent and rookies Justin Gilbert and Pierre Desir have struggled. If the team doesn't believe in Gilbert, Buster Skrine or another veteran will likely be brought in to start. The selection of Blake adds depth to the position and provides competition for players such as Gilbert and Desir.

Round 6 (from Baltimore): Kenny Bell (WR-Nebraska)

Kenny Bell Nebraska
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Round 6 (from Baltimore): Kenny Bell (WR-Nebraska)

Kenny Bell Nebraska
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

A strong Holiday Bowl against USC likely assures Kenny Bell of being drafted. He doesn't have great size, but at 6-foot-1, he's taller than most receivers on the Browns' roster. Despite being the team's go-to receiver, his numbers aren't that great. The success of Nebraska's running game, along with inconsistent QB play certainly plays a role. He needs to impress at the East-West Shrine Game in order to improve his stock any higher than this.

Round 7: Mike Hull (OLB-Penn State)

Mike Hull Penn State
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Round 7: Mike Hull (OLB-Penn State)

Mike Hull Penn State
Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Hull has continued Penn State's tradition of being Linebacker U, as he led the No. 1-ranked run defense in the country. His 140 tackles on the season were 65 more than anyone else on the team. The Nittany Lions were the only team to hold Indiana's Tevin Coleman to less than 100 yards rushing this year. Hull plays on the inside at Penn State, but will move to the outside in the NFL. If nothing else, he'll be a great special teams player.

Shawn Spencer is an NFL Draft writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Spencer_NFL, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

Related:

2015 NFL Mock Draft: Top 20

2015 NFL Draft: Too-Early Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7-Round Mock

2015 NFL Draft: Too-Early Dallas Cowboys 7-Round Mock

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