With huge money to spend this off-season, the Cleveland Browns made pass rusher Paul Kruger a priority, signing the former Raven to a five-year, $40.5 million free agent contract. Then they signed veteran 'backer Quentin Groves to a two-year deal, and they've got 2011 second-round pick Jabaal Sheard in-house, as well. All of that means that they're not going to take a pass rusher atop the 2013 NFL Draft, right? Well, not so fast...
2013 NFL mock draft: Dion Jordan to Cleveland Browns
We’re sensing a theme to the Browns’ off-season plan of attack...
Jonathan Ferrey
| Pick | Player | Position | Height | Weight | Class |
| 6. Cleveland Browns | Dion Jordan, Oregon | OLB | 6'6" | 248 | SR |
| Chris Pokorny: "Although the Browns signed outside linebackers Paul Kruger and Quentin Groves in the offseason, they need to fill their roster with as many edge rushers as possible. The Browns' two projected starters at outside linebacker are Kruger and Jabaal Sheard. Kruger was an effective rotational player in Baltimore, but thrived when there was a Terrell Suggs in the lineup. The team is hoping that Sheard can make the transition to 3-4 outside linebacker after playing as a 4-3 defensive end the past two years, but there is no guarantee in him being as effective in that role. "Having Jordan on the roster as well gives the Browns some flexibility to move him, Sheard, Kruger and Groves around to suit their strengths, working in the best-possible rotation and finding out which tandem will be the best one in the future." |  | ||||
Here’s our own Dan Kadar to break down the pick:
This would be a smart choice for the Browns. The known about Kruger and Sheard is that they can get up field. But it’s as coverage linebackers where there are issues. Jordan’s strength coming out of Oregon is his coverage ability. For a player of his size, it’s uncanny. Other than some of the smaller inside guys, there is no better coverage linebacker in the draft this year than Jordan. With other pieces in place in Cleveland, it would allow Jordan to ease into the NFL as he grows into his frame. He would also give the Browns some flexibility to run four-man fronts with himself and Sheard playing end.
Take the weekend off and enjoy some college basketball, mock drafters. We’ll be back bright and early on Monday morning to resume the 2013 SB Nation Writers’ Mock Draft.
Top 5 Players Remaining
| # | Player | Pos. | College | Ht. | Wt. |
| 2 | Star Lotulelei | DT | Utah | 6'3" | 311 |
| 3 | Chance Warmack | OG | Alabama | 6'2" | 317 |
| 4 | Dee Milliner * | CB | Alabama | 6'0" | 201 |
| 5 | Sheldon Richardson * | DT | Missouri | 6'3" | 294 |
| 6 | Barkevious Mingo * | DE/OLB | LSU | 6'4" | 241 |
See More:
