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Heading into the 2013 NFL draft, virtually no one had a firm grasp on what the Cleveland Browns’ new regime might do with the No. 6 overall pick. So we must give the Browns credit for one thing: secrecy.
The Browns selection of LSU defensive end Barkevious Mingo comes as a surprise given the amount of Dee Milliner and Geno Smith chatter in recent days.
For weeks, most analysts predicted that Cleveland would target Milliner with its first-round selection in order to fill the gap opposite emerging star Joe Haden in the secondary. Then rumors began to build traction surrounding the possibility of Cleveland selecting Smith. To some degree, the speculation made sense, as new general manager Mike Lombardi had been especially critical of incumbent signal caller Brandon Weeden during his time as an analyst.
There was also the possibility of trading down in the first round in an effort to move back into the second round (Cleveland’s second round pick was surrendered when the Browns took wide receiver Josh Gordon in last year’s supplemental draft.
However, considering the presence of pass-rushing defensive end Jabaal Sheard and the offseason acquisition of outside linebacker Paul Kruger, a pass-rusher might not have been the biggest need for the Browns, but the selection falls in line with the strategy of new defensive coordinator Ray Horton.
Since taking the coordinator job in Cleveland after two years with the Arizona Cardinals, Horton has been adamant that the Browns will field an aggressive, attacking defense. With Sheard, Kruger and now Mingo on the roster, the Browns undoubtedly have the ability to attack opposing signal-callers with three viable options in the front seven.
Last season, Mingo logged 8.5 tackles for a loss and 4.5 sacks for the Tigers while playing primarily at defensive end. The 6’4″, 241-pound defender projects as an outside linebacker in Cleveland’s new 3-4 defense, where he is currently expected to split time with Sheard (also converting to linebacker from the end position) opposite Kruger in base fronts.
Mingo will join Sheard (seven sacks in 2012) and Kruger (nine sacks last season) behind an impressive defensive line that features five-year veteran Ahtyba Rubin, 2011 first-round pick Phil Taylor and second-year players Billy Winn and John Hughes.
By passing on Milliner, the Browns leave a fairly big hole opposite Haden, as former starter Sheldon Brown has not been retained. Also, by passing on Smith, the new regime appears to be showing at least some degree of confidence in the quarterback tandem of Weeden and recent acquisition Jason Campbell.
Any ability of the Browns to work a favorable trade likely went out the window when the Chiefs selected Central Michigan offensive tackle Eric Fisher at No. 1, the Jaguars took Texas A&M tackle Luke Joeckel at No. 2, and the Eagles nabbed Oklahoma tackle Lane Johnson , at No. 4.
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