2015 TST Community NFL Mock Draft: Cleveland's Second First-Round Pick Matches D-Line Help With WR

Back with the 12th pick, blarghamuffin mocked the Browns to take Louisville WR DeVante Parker. Now at 19 with one of the picks they received from the Bills who moved up to take Sammy Watkins a year ago, here's their second pick of the first round:

#19, Cleveland Browns - Eddie Goldman (DT, Florida St.)

Justin Forsett. Jeremy Hill. Le’Veon Bell. What do the three of these running backs have in common? Well, they all rushed for over 1,000 yards last season and have the opportunity to take advantage of a 32nd ranked Cleveland Browns run defense twice per year in the AFC North. In fact, each one of the aforementioned rushers had a 100 yard rushing game against the Browns last season. Cleveland was never able to prevent a rushing attack, giving up over 2,200 rushing yards and allowing 4.5 yards per carry to the tune of over 140 yards per game. Ouch. If the Dawg Pound wants to remain competitive in the North, they’re going to need to get some big bodies up front to plug up the defensive line.

And that’s where Eddie Goldman, the defensive tackle from Florida State, comes in. With an almost 6’4" and 330+ lb. very athletic frame, Goldman won’t have any issue using his size to block running lanes. Cleveland can use his best attribute, his play against the rush, to put the hammer down on some of the better running backs in the league. With decent quickness, a good anchor and excellent block shedding, Goldman could become one of the more prolific run stoppers in the NFL. His versatility to play both the three-technique and as a nose tackle would be instrumental in the formation of the Browns defense. His very average pass rushing skills leave a little to be desired, especially for a team that finished with only 31 sacks last season, but it’s his solid tackling and hitting power that take precedence. Goldman is fantastic at jarring the ball loose from ball carriers up the middle, and has flashed the ability to effectively escape double teams to track down a back and make a strong tackle. The Browns need to eliminate the running game to keep afloat in an increasingly competitive AFC North, and it certainly wouldn’t hurt to add a guy who gets comparisons to Darnell Dockett, in Eddie Goldman.

I just can't get much of a feel for where Cleveland is going. The need to take a WR is there simply due to the absence of Josh Gordon. Does Johnny Manziel's current and perhaps temporary absence pressure Cleveland to go after a QB? Is the answer a prospect on the D-line like Goldman or Missouri's Shane Ray as was the case for Chris Pokorny of Dawgs By Nature in the SBN NFL Blogger Mock? Do they need more offensive line talent? I think they're in a really strong BPA position with both picks and could surprise, perhaps with a trade in the 1st.