Mel Kiper’s latest gives the Browns DeVante Parker and Todd Gurley

Talk about a break from the norm. After several mock drafts have pegged the Cleveland Browns with offensive and defensive linemen with their pair of first-round draft selections, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has Ray Farmer’s crew beefing up the offensive skill positions in a big way.

With the 12th overall pick, despite having added Brian Hartline and Dwaye Bowe to the receiving corps through free agency, Kiper has the Browns going with another wide receiver in Louisvile’s DeVante Parker. Here are his thoughts:

12 DeVante Parker | Cleveland Browns (7-9) | College: Louisville | Class: Sr. | Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 209 | Pos: WR

Analysis: The Browns have added Dwayne Bowe, but he’ll be 31 in September and is more name value than anything close to a No. 1 receiver at this point in his career. I expect the Browns to pick more than one pass-catcher, and getting Parker here is a good place to start. I do think he has a chance to be as good as any of the three guys already off the board if he can stay healthy. Parker will beat defenders to the ball on high-point catches with his size, leaping ability and catch radius, and he’s underrated as a threat to add yards after the catch on short throws. He’ll help a QB look better. The Browns could also look at a pass-rusher here, or Waynes if he’s still on the board, but Parker makes sense.

WFNY’s Joe Gilbert recently listed Parker as the third-best receiver in this year’s crop. His catch radius and athleticism are among the best of his peers, with some pundits saying he’s worth of a top 10 selection.

For those wondering where Danny Shelton (the defensive tackle who is widely tied to the Browns) lands, Kiper has him going 14th to the Miami Dolphins—a weird decision given the money that team recently tied up in Ndamukong Suh, but who am I to judge?

With the team’s second first-round pick, Kiper throws another curveball.

19 Todd Gurley | Cleveland Browns (7-9) | College: Georgia | Class: Jr | HT: 6-0 | WT: 222 | POS: RB

Analysis: It’s not the pick I’m making as GM of the Browns, but this is a projection, not “Mel’s picks.” The Browns already have added talent at wide receiver, and if healthy the offensive line could be one of the NFL’s best. While they got pretty good production out of the rookie tandem at running back in 2014, Gurley certainly could qualify as the “best player available” at this spot on the board. The Browns can take him knowing he doesn’t have to be an impact player in Week 1, and create an opportunity for him to be a stud for them as he reaches his full potential when at 100 percent.

Weird caveat, no? WFNY’s Joe Gilbert recently listed Gurley as the top running back in the 2015 NFL Draft, but after whiffing on Trent Richardson and having two second-year backs, would the Browns really use a first-round pick on one this spring? We will find out soon enough.