2017 NFL mock draft: Cleveland Browns select O.J. Howard

Just 11 picks ago, Cleveland Browns substitute general manager Boney added defensive end prospect Myles Garrett with the first overall pick. The Browns are already on the clock again, and this time they’re targeting their offense. With the 12th pick in the Pride Of Detroit Community Mock Draft, the Browns have selected tight end O.J. Howard. Below, Boney explains his pick.

The Browns have not made the most of their last two drafts even though they've had a lot of selections. In recent years they've tried and failed to draft their quarterback of the future in Brady Quinn and most recently Johnny Manziel. A lot of the experts have got Mitchell Trubisky going here, and it would make sense. He's a hometown guy, from Mentor, Ohio, and he's arguably the No. 1 rated passer on all the draft boards. But it's time for the Browns to make best use of their second first-round pick by selecting a can't-miss prospect in another position of need.

I will select O.J. Howard, tight end from the University of Alabama. After foolishly letting Jordan Cameron walk in the middle of his prime just a few seasons ago, the Browns need to desperately fill the gaping hole of mediocrity at tight end with a playmaker. An established tight end also helps out a young quarterback by providing a safe option in a checkdown and a reliable set of hands in the red zone. He can line up split out wide or at the end of the line and he has the athleticism to get off the line and into his route quickly. In an offensive system run by a head coach that saw his offense turn Tyler Eifert into a Pro Bowl tight end and Gary Barnidge into a serviceable one, Howard should have no issue stepping in and playing at a Pro Bowl or All Pro level very quickly.

Track all of the POD Community Mock Draft picks here