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2013 NFL Mock Draft: Browns could continue adding to pass rush

The Cleveland Browns could find some top pass rushing talent in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft.

USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Browns are hoping to field a strong team on the back of their defense in 2013. While they invested heavily into the offense in the 2012 NFL Draft, those picks may or may not actually pan out, and under a new regime, they turned their attention to the defensive side of the ball in free agency.

With guys like Desmond Bryant and Paul Kruger coming in, the Browns could be on the verge of contending. With the No. 6 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, they stand a chance at adding a real impact player. The big question is whether they'll add an offensive or defensive player.

Don Banks of SI.com released his latest mock draft on Wednesday, and he has the Browns going with the latter, bringing in BYU defensive end Ezekiel Ansah.

With both Milliner and Jordan selected above them, the Browns would continue their offseason upgrade of the pass rush, taking the talented but relatively inexperienced Ansah. He has obvious potential that equates to a top 10 draft slot, but he requires a bit more projection than many of his highly regarded classmates.

It's true that Ansah's positioning is hard to project. Many have the Detroit Lions taking him at No. 5, jut before the Browns pick. That's primarily due to the team's familiarity with him, though, and most feel like he may fall a bit if the Lions don't go with him.

Still, Ansah would be an immediate starter for the Browns and would improve upon the team's pass rush, which has been a point of focus. In the latest mock draft from SB Nation, Dan Kadar has Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner going to the Browns at No. 6, but he was already gone in Banks' mock, getting picked at No. 4 by the Philadelphia Eagles.

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Photographs by spatulated, Triple Tri, and chrischappelear used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.