The first round of the 2013 NFL Draft has come and gone and it certainly had its fair share of interesting moments. For the first time since 1963, a running back was not drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft and there were nine offensive linemen drafted in the first round with Central Michigan offensive tackle Eric Fisher being selected number one to the Chiefs. Also players like West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith, Alabama running back Eddie Lacy, and Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o are still on the board and are waiting to hear their names be called.
The Cleveland Browns were one team that had success in the first round of the NFL Draft by drafting LSU defensive end Barkevious Mingo which will help the Browns 3-4 defense that also added former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Paul Kruger this off-season. According to many draft experts like Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay, Mingo possesses the explosiveness and closing speed that defensive coordinators love. He also possesses the ability to hold up in underneath coverage if moved to linebacker, has a relentless work ethic when chasing after the ball, and has the potential to be a great pass rusher in the NFL. Mingo complements outside linebacker Jabaal Sheard and newly signed Paul Kruger because he adds a third speed rusher who will help a defensive unit that will be very tough to block.
At LSU, Mingo played in all 40 games with 14 starts during his three seasons at LSU and in 2012 Mingo recorded 38 tackles and 4.5 sacks for the LSU Tigers. Mingo possesses superior pass rush skills, elite speed for his position, and plays with a mean streak which allows him to fly around the field and make plays. The Cleveland Browns clearly got a player they wanted and a player who has the potential to wreck havoc in the league for the next 10 years. It could be a fun time to play defense in Cleveland with Sheard, Kruger, and Mingo now residing in Cleveland.
