Browns move down, take Washington State WR Vince Mayle with No. 123 pick

Browns select Northwestern safety Ibraheim Campbell with No. 115 pick

May 2, 2015

Browns select Louisville cornerback Charles Gaines with No. 189 pick in the sixth round

May 2, 2015

Published by Will Gibson on May 2, 2015

The Cleveland Browns selected Washington State wide receiver Vince Mayle with the No. 123 overall pick in the fourth round of the NFL Draft Saturday afternoon. He was their second pick in minutes, after taking Northwestern safety Ibraheim Campbell at No. 115.

The Browns traded picks with the Arizona Cardinals, swapping the No. 116 overall selection for Nos. 123, 198 and 241.

Mayle (pronounced MAY-lee) caught 106 passes for 1483 yards — both school records — and 9 touchdowns in 2014. He was a second-team All-Pac-12 selection and a semifinalist for the Bilenitkoff Award (given to the nation’s top wide receiver).

Mayle is not a burner, having run a 4.67 second 40 yard dash at the NFL Combine, although he caught three 70-plus yard touchdown passes in 2014. He can also make defenders miss, and matched Alabama’s Amari Cooper in that category.

According to Pro Football Focus, 26 defenders missed tackles on Browns new WR Mayle, tying him with Amari Cooper.

— Jeff Schudel (@jsproinsider) May 2, 2015

He is a big body at 6-foot-2 and 224 pounds, and he will add depth to a largely new-look receiving corps. The Browns signed Dwayne Bowe and Brian Hartline in the offseason, and bring back jitterbugs Andrew Hawkins and Taylor Gabriel.

Mayle began his collegiate athletic career as a basketball player at Shasta College. He joined the football team after transferring to Sierra College in 2012, and he transferred to Washington State in 2013.

More on Mayle, from NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein:

STRENGTHS: Former basketball player. Has good speed and twitch for a big receiver. Can win in space and has tremendous ability to track the ball over his shoulder on deep throws. Has learned to vary route speed to help with separation on slants. Outstanding physical traits for the position. Sinks hips and sits down on route quickly for a receiver his size. Better acceleration than cornerbacks expect on free release. Can get to top speed quickly and has touchdown catches of 72, 81 and 90 yards over last two seasons. Has the body type to overwhelm small cornerbacks. Fights through initial contact after the catch and will grind out tough yards. Slimmed down entering 2014 and put up big numbers in pass-happy offense.

WEAKNESSES: Has limited playing experience. Needs to learn to use his hands more effectively against press coverage. Can be held up off release by smaller corners, despite size. Unsound fundamentals as a hands-catcher. Had 13 drops in 2014. Will trap ball against body and struggle with focus drops. Basic route runner at this stage. Below-average separation out of breaks. Predictable releases off snap allow cornerbacks to manipulate his routes. Inconsistent effort as run blocker if he doesn’t square defender up. No dynamic traits near line of scrimmage, including after the catch.

The No. 123 pick completed a run of AFC North draft choices, with the Bengals, Steelers, and Ravens picking at No. 120, 121, and 122, respectively.

Take a look at the Browns newest wideout: