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2015 NFL Mock Draft: Browns lock down defensive line with Danny Shelton

The Browns go for a safe pick rather than a sexy one in our mock draft.

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Oh, the Cleveland Browns. Their top-5 pick from a few years back, Trent Richardson, played his way out of Cleveland in short order. Last year's first-rounders, cornerback Justin Gilbert and quarterback Johnny Manziel, ended the season on the bench and in rehab, respectively.

In fact, it would be easy to feel bad for the Browns. Then again, if a General Manager is inept enough to get suspended for texting down to the field like Ray Farmer did, that calls all sorts of decision-making skills into question, at least somewhat. Playing the role of Farmer in our mock draft is Josh VanDyke, and with the 12th pick in the APC Mock Draft, the Cleveland Browns select...

Danny Shelton, defensive tackle, Washington

Height: 6'2"
Weight: 339 pounds
Combine bench press: 34 reps

Here's Josh with the pick:

The Browns run defense was awful last season and Shelton would be a no-brainer at this spot in the draft. The only problem is that the Browns front office seems to like to make selections that are "sexy" so they could somehow screw this up. Shelton has a thick frame at 330-plus pounds and a powerful punch with his upper body strength. As a senior with the Washington Huskies, he dominated the line of scrimmage at times and displayed above-average pass rush skills for a nose tackle. He has Pro-Bowl potential, but like most big men, effort and health could limit his ceiling.

Pick Team Player Position School
1 TB Jameis Winston QB Florida State
2 TEN Leonard Williams DT USC
3 JAX Amari Cooper WR Alabama
4 OAK Randy Gregory OLB/DE Nebraska
5 WAS Dante Fowler, Jr. OLB Florida
6 NYJ Marcus Mariota QB Oregon
7 CHI Vic Beasley OLB Clemson
8 ATL Brandon Scherff OT Iowa
9 NYG Kevin White WR West Virginia
10 STL La'el Collins OT LSU
11 MIN DeVante Parker WR Louisville
12 CLE Danny Shelton DT Washington
13 NO