Cleveland Browns draft forecast: Take a big swing in the seventh round
It's the seventh round of the NFL Draft. By this point, only the diehards are truly watching.
Whether or not the Browns are among the teams still on the board with a seventh-round pick by the time it arrives on April 29 remains to be seen. It certainly would make sense for general manager Andrew Berry to use pick No. 229 to get something of use either earlier in the draft or next season.
If the Browns are still choosing in the final round, there's a chance some players who could, at the minimum, help their special teams will remain on the board. At this point in the draft, that's essentially what you're looking for initially, with hopes that one turns into a much bigger contributor down the road.
Third-round possibilities for Browns: Cleveland Browns draft forecast: Zach Harrison, Tyler Scott top third-round possibilities
Fourth-round possibilities for Browns: Cleveland Browns draft forecast: Karl Brooks, Kenny McIntosh among fourth-round options
Fifth-round possibilities for Browns: Cleveland Browns draft forecast: Fifth-round means best player available, whoever that is
Sixth-round possibilities for Browns: Cleveland Browns draft forecast: Sixth round means options aplenty across the board
Who could some of those players be in the seventh round? Here are five suggestions for who could be the final pick for the Browns, assuming they pick this late.
Pick No. 229: Time for a few big swings late
Habakkuk Baldonado, DE, Pittsburgh
Ronnie Bell, WR, Michigan
Arquon Bush, CB, Cincinnati
Mohamoud Diabate, LB, Utah
Brandon Joseph, S, Notre Dame
Baldonado has good size at 6-foot-4, 251 pounds. However, his best role may come in early downs as a run stopper more than in pass-rush situations, at least early on in his career. … The last late-round receiver the Browns chose out of Michigan (Donovan Peoples-Jones) worked out, didn't he? One prominent national draft analyst, The Athletic's Dane Brugler, said Bell can "carve out a Rashard Higgins-like role," which no doubt will make Bell attractive to a certain set of Browns fans. … The last two cornerbacks to come out of the University of Cincinnati (Sauce Gardner, Coby Bryant) were certainly productive. While Bush, a Euclid native, isn't nearly at their level, he's definitely NFL material, especially considering a substantial experience playing the nickelback spot. … Diabate's path to an NFL roster is likely through special teams. The former Florida Gator-turned-Utah Ute is the ideal north-south kind of attacking linebacker, with straight-line speed and the ability to attack without having to change directions. … Joseph is a former Northwestern teammate with Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II, which certainly can't hurt. Beyond that, he would make for a perfect backup to newly signed Juan Thornhill as a deep safety, as well as a valued member on Bubba Ventrone's special teams units.
Contact Chris at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com.
On Twitter: @ceasterlingABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns should look at a late, big swing if they pick in seventh round
