Browns make the selection with the 6th pick in the 3rd round.
BEREA, Ohio - The Cleveland Browns selected San Diego State cornerback Leon McFadden tonight with the sixth pick in the third round of NFL Draft 2013. The pick was the 68th overall. McFadden is 5-10 and 190 pounds, and a native of Bellflower, Calif.
The Browns did not have a pick in the second round, because they chose wide receiver Josh Gordon in the 2012 Supplemental Draft.
In Thursday night's first round, the Browns selected outside linebacker Barkevious Mingo from LSU. Also Friday, the traded with the Miami Dolphins to acquire veteran receiver Davone Bess.
In a conference call tonight with reporters, McFadden said he was excited to be taken by the Browns.
"Words can’t explain how excited I am to be a part of the Cleveland Browns organization," McFadden said. "I’m looking forward to working my butt off on the field and helping the team get wins.
"This was a big surprise to me. I didn’t talk to them much, probably some basic questionnaires. Other than that I didn’t know their interest in me at all."
McFadden was asked what he thinks his strengths and weaknesses are.
"I believe my ball skills are very good, my man-to-man coverage," McFadden said. "I became a lot more aggressive in the last couple years. My IQ for football, studying my opponent is really big for me. The main thing I would like to work on is my press man (coverage) and polishing up my technique and keeping my eye discipline."
When asked about being only 5-10 and going up against taller receivers, McFadden said he doesn't think that will be an issue.
"I’m a competitor, and I don’t think my height has anything to do with me and my competitiveness playing."The San Diego State program has a Browns connection, as former All-Pro quarterback Brian Sipe is the quarterbacks coach for the Aztecs. McFadden said the link was not lost on him.
"I just thought about that when I got the phone call, the first guy who came to my mind was Brian Sipe, him being part of the organization," McFadden said.
SDSU's coach early in McFadden's career was Brady Hoke, who is now at Michigan. Hoke and his staff had McFadden move to defensive back from wide receiver when he arrived on campus.
"At first I was kind of bitter about it," he said of the move. "When I went to school I wanted to play receiver, I wanted to score touchdowns. My coach Brady Hoke at the time gave me a three-day tryout at corner.
"Ever since I went there, I never looked back, and I believe it was the best decision I ever could have made. I don’t regret it at all."
McFadden said his father, Leon Sr., has been a huge influence on his career. Leon Sr. played nine seasons of professional baseball as a pitcher, shortstop and outfielder, including 62 games over three seasons with the Houston Astros from 1968-70.
"He always pushed me to my fullest potential and he supported everything I did," Leon Jr. said. "He was hard on me to an extent. He wants what every father wants: Play your best and play hard and always give your all in any challenge, anything you’re doing."
Here is a scouting report on McFadden from The Associated Press:
A three-time all-Mountain West Conference first-team selection, McFadden was considered one of the best cornerbacks in the western half of the country last year as he helped San Diego State claim a share of the league title. McFadden had 40 passes defended over his three years as a starter for the Aztecs and totaled eight interceptions for his career, running back two of his three as a senior for touchdowns. While slightly undersized height-wise, McFadden is extremely good at man-to-man coverage and is very fluid in his movements, allowing him to competently cover his half of the field. McFadden has very good hands in terms of catching and also fighting receivers for 50-50 balls, but also shows a great deal of physicality with a receiver in close space. The one area in which he needs improvement is supporting run defense - McFadden hasn't shown an ability to get away from a pulling lineman and sometimes opts for a cut tackle as opposed to wrapping and tackling. Additionally, he will need to better his jam skills at the line of scrimmage. McFadden participated in Senior Bowl workouts but did not play due to a groin injury and did not put up any eye-popping metrics at the NFL combine. His 40-yard dash time was 4.54 seconds and his best finish in any individual portion was seventh in the three-cone drill at 6.81 seconds. While McFadden had limited duties as a punt returner his final two seasons with the Aztecs, he is more suited to gunner duty as he settles into his NFL responsibilities. The numbers, however, don't show McFadden's refined techniques that make him one of the top cornerbacks available in this draft. He likely will be a third- or fourth-round selection who can make an immediate contribution in a nickel package and special teams.
Video and links:
Video: Leon McFadden making some plays for San Diego State:
Video: The focus is on San Diego State cornerback Leon McFadden (2) during the Aztecs' 14-13 win at Boise State last Nov. 3.
Video: Leon McFadden at the NFL scouting combine:
Video: A GoAztecs.com interview with Leon McFadden:
A scouting report on San Diego State cornerback Leon McFadden. (NFL.com)
Another scouting report on Leon McFadden. (National Football Post)
Story links:
Devotion to his family and friends and his humility are characteristics of Leon McFadden. (By Tod Leonard, San Diego Union-Tribune, Aug. 28, 2012)
San Diego State cornerback Leon McFadden, called the "best cover corner" by Lindy's Sports, is poised for a standout senior season. (By Rob Terranova, San Diego Union-Tribune, Aug. 14, 2012)
The baseball career of Leon McFadden's father, also named Leon. The elder McFadden, a shortstop-outfielder, played parts of three seasons (1968-70) with the Houston Astros. (Baseball-Reference.com)
- Videos and links compiled by Plain Dealer reporter Mike Peticca
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