ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. released his first mock draft Wednesday. With the No. 17 overall selection in the 2019 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns select Mississippi State defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons.

"The surging Browns hit on their 2018 draft class, led by Baker Mayfield, Denzel Ward and Nick Chubb. Can general manager John Dorsey do it again? My comp for Simmons is emerging Chiefs star Chris Jones, whom Dorsey picked in Round 2 when he was in Kansas City. Simmons is supremely athletic and already advanced in his technique as a pass-rusher. However, he will have to answer to NFL teams about his 2016 arrest during the pre-draft process," Kiper said.

Simmons was involved in an incident before arriving in Starkville. He was said to be breaking up the fight but he handled it in an inappropriate manner. The defensive tackle punched a woman as part of the process. The Bulldogs allowed him to enroll anyway. He has not had any issues since. The NFL has a low tolerance for domestic dispute. Kareem Hunt and Reuben Foster were released by the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers respectively after incidents.

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Browns General Manager John Dorsey has shown that he has no problem taking players that other teams might flag for character issues. While in Kansas City, he drafted wide receiver Tyreek Hill and Hunt. Hill had a domestic violence incident before he was drafted. Since taking over with Cleveland, Dorsey selected quarterback Baker Mayfield and wide receiver Antonio Callaway. Mayfield was arrested for evading police in 2017. Callaway was suspended in 2016 during a sexual assault investigation. He was cleared of all charges. He then plead no contest to possession of drug paraphernalia in July of 2007. Next, he was suspended for the 2017 season for using stolen credit card information to make bookstore purchases. Finally, he failed a drug test at the NFL Combine.

There is no denying Simmons' talent though. The Mississippi native had 58 tackles, two sacks, three pass deflections and a forced fumble this season. He recorded five sacks the prior year.

Defense is the strength of this year's NFL Draft. The Browns received a lot of production from defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi but the others were disappointing. Cleveland needs more from the position and Simmons would help solve some of those issues. In a recent Pro Football Focus mock draft, the Browns selected Clemson defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. Fans may notice a trend developing.

The team has a handful of needs beyond defensive tackle. Wide receiver, cornerback, outside linebacker and potentially offensive tackle are some of the biggest positions of need outside of defensive tackle.