As the 2015 NFL Draft nears, ClevelandBrowns.com is ramping up its coverage to ensure fans know everything about the team's potential picks.
The Browns have two of them in the first round, of course, so there's plenty of turf to cover. "Browns draft radar" will give you a glimpse at the nearly two dozen names being mentioned in the same breath as the Cleveland Browns. Today, we dive into another wide receiver on our list, Central Florida's Breshad Perriman.
Vitals: 6-foot-2, 212 pounds
Why the Browns would be interested: Last week during his press conference, Browns general manager Ray Farmer made it clear: He's not anti-wide receiver and signing both Brian Hartline and Dwayne Bowe won't impact the draft "one iota." Scouts say Perriman runs like a shifty slot receiver but possesses the size and skill set to blossom into a No. 1 target. There would be plenty of room for Perriman's explosiveness in Cleveland's offense.
Why he could be around at 12 or 19: Up until the last few days, Perriman has consistently been ranked by most mock drafters as the fourth- or fifth-best wide receiving prospect behind Alabama's Amari Cooper, West Virginia's Kevin White and Louisville's DeVante Parker. Inconsistencies with route running coupled with the fact that the competition in the American Athletic Conference isn't exactly frightening have been factors that have been debated about Perriman's draft stock.
Why he won't be around at 12 or 19: Mel Kiper Jr. has listed Perriman as one of six players who are shooting up draft boards. During his pro day, Perriman ran a blazing 4.24 seconds in the 40-yard dash and leaped 36.5 inches in the vertical jump. Perriman's freakish athleticism and body control in the air are apparent and they match effortlessly with his second-gear speed. On 50 receptions in 2014, Perriman averaged 20.9 yards per catch, flaunting how hard he is to tackle after the catch. Perriman hauled in a miracle 51-yard Hail Mary against East Carolina at the buzzer. It became his signature college play.
Thing to know: Son of Brett Perriman who played 10 years in the NFL at wide receiver for the Dolphins, Chiefs and Lions and boasted 108 catches for Detroit in 1995.
Quote to note: "As a big receiver you have to go up and get the ball at its highest point, you have to be able to wall off defenders, you have to be able to block and you have to be able to also kind of shrink your mentality as a smaller receiver as well." – Perriman
The last time: … Central Florida produced a Pro Bowl wide receiver? Brandon Marshall, currently of the New York Jets, who has made the NFL's all-star game five times.
Round 1 – Pick 1 – QB Jameis Winston
Round 1 – Pick 2 – DE Leonard Williams
Round 1 – Pick 3 – OLB Dante Fowler
Round 1 – Pick 4 – WR Kevin White
Round 1 – Pick 5 – QB Marcus Mariota
Round 1 – Pick 6 – DE Shane Ray
Round 1 – Pick 7 – WR Amari Cooper
Round 1 – Pick 8 – OL Brandon Scherff
Round 1 – Pick 9 – CB Trae Waynes
Round 1 – Pick 10 – WR DeVante Parker
Round 1 – Pick 11 – DE Randy Gregory
Round 1 – Pick 12 – NG Danny In the right scheme, Shelton's combination of a stout body in the run game to go along with athleticism as a pass rusher could make him an eventual centerpiece of a defense. In Cleveland, the 339-pound Shelton not only could start right away but also have the potential to overhaul the Browns' defensive line.
Round 1 – Pick 13 – OLB Vic Beasley
Round 1 – Pick 14 – CB Jaelen Collins
Round 1 – Pick 15 – RB Melvin Gordon
Round 1 – Pick 16 – WR Jaelen Strong
Round 1 – Pick 17 – OL Andrus Peat
Round 1 – Pick 18 – DL Eddie Goldman
Round 1 – Pick 19 – OLB Bud Dupree Thus far into free agency, the Browns have yet to fill the void Jabaal Sheard left at outside linebacker. Enter Dupree, and then some. Perhaps no pass rusher in the draft has the former Kentucky Wildcat's combination of size (6-foot-4, 269 pounds) and speed (4.54 seconds in the 40-yard dash). Coach Mike Pettine said the team will place a premium on making the defense a dominate unit. Dupree coupled with Shelton put Pettine's beliefs into action.
Round 1 – Pick 20 – SS Landon Collins
Round 1 – Pick 21 – WR Dorial Green-Beckham
Round 1 – Pick 22 – CB Marcus Peters
Round 1 – Pick 23 – OL Lael Collins
Round 1 – Pick 24 – RB Todd Gurley
Round 1 – Pick 25 – OL D.J. Humphries
Round 1 – Pick 26 – WR Breshad Perriman
Round 1 – Pick 27 – DL Malcom Brown
Round 1 – Pick 28 – OL T.J. Clemmings
Round 1 – Pick 29 – LB Denzel Perryman
Round 1 – Pick 30 – TE Maxx Williams
Round 1 – Pick 31 – DL Arik Armstead
Round 1 – Pick 32 – DT Jordan Phillips
