Browns having second thoughts on pick
The Browns made Caleb Brantley, the former Florida defensive tackle accused of simple battery this month, the first pick of the sixth round of the NFL draft.
Shortly afterward, Cleveland’s head of football operations said the team might release him pending further investigation into the incident.
“This is something that he can’t repeat as he moves forward,” executive vice president Sashi Brown said. “And more important than that, we communicated to Caleb that this is something that we’re still investigating and looking into, and facts may turn up that prevent us from being able to keep him on our roster.”
Brown said the team had not talked to Brantley before drafting him and thus did not get his version of the story.
Packers high on LB Biegel
The Packers selected Vince Biegel, a Wisconsin linebacker, with the first pick of the fourth round. Biegel, who was a Packers fan growing up, appears to be a good fit at a position of need.
The Packers needed someone with pass- rushing ability after Julius Peppers ( Panthers) and Datone Jones ( Vikings) left in free agency. Biegel also fits into the team’s recent philosophy of drafting players with the potential to play multiple positions. They think he can play inside, too.
The Packers also were deter- • MORE NFL: Mixon among firstround talents who slipped. USA Today, Page 69. mined to avoid their running- back issues last season after injuries to Eddie Lacy and James Starks by taking three backs in the final four rounds.
Lions fill need at linebacker
The Lions addressed a need at linebacker by selecting Tennessee’s Jalen Reeves- Maybin in the fourth round.
Reeves- Maybin, 6- foot, 230 pounds, was a productive twoyear starter in college, leading the team in tackles each season. But a season- ending shoulder injury his senior year limited him to start- ing just four games and posting 20 tackles.
Kelly’s nephew ‘ Mr. Irrelevant’
The Broncos took the last player in the draft at No. 253, Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly. The nephew of Hall of Famer Jim Kelly has had numerous off- thefield issues in his career. Plus, he blew out his knee last season and injured his wrist during the draft process.
2 NU players drafted
Northwestern linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. was picked by the Colts in Round 5 and defensive lineman Ifeadi Odenigbo by the Vikings in Round 7.