The Cleveland Browns’ impressive stockpile of 2017 draft picks added another on Thursday.
Cleveland acquired a fifth-round pick from the New England Patriots in exchange for 2013 first-round bust Barkevious Mingo, giving the Browns picks from four different teams—the Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts—in next year’s draft.
In addition to the New England’s fifth-rounder, the Browns also have a first-round pick from the Eagles, a second-round pick from the Titans and a seventh-rounder from the Colts.
The Browns already have 11 picks for the 2017 draft, and that total doesn’t yet include compensatory picks. Cleveland could add at least two more via the NFL’s formula for handing out picks based on players lost in the previous year’s free agency period. Center Alex Mack, receiver Travis Benjamin and safety Tashaun Gipson departed, while the Browns' only major signing was quarterback Robert Griffin III.
Cleveland made 14 draft picks in the 2016 NFL draft, including six in the top 100 picks.
A young team with a flawed roster, the Browns will continue to rebuild through the draft. Having more proverbial swings at the plate in 2017 could fast track the rebuild, but only if the Browns can turn the extra picks into quality players.
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