Cleveland Browns: On which way Dorsey may lean in 2019 NFL Draft

The lead up to the 2019 NFL Draft will be fun, as history may tell us which way John Dorsey and the Cleveland Browns are leaning.

With one ultra successful draft behind him, Cleveland Browns GM John Dorsey, in one off season, turned expectations from literally zero in 2018 to real hope for a division winning team in 2019.

In deterring which direction Dorsey may go this spring, we can look at what he did in the last draft, as well as others he participated in with the Chiefs.

First and foremost, NO QUARTERBACK, or no talk of one, at least. This is music to Browns’ fans ears.

Baker Mayfield had a record setting rookie year in only 13 starts. He galvanize the team and city of Cleveland. The 2017 Heisman winner elevated others around him and visions of winning the AFC North, or at least a wild card berth, are real possibilities for next season.

We can say the same thing about running back after the addition of Kareem Hunt (when he is eligible) to somehow mix in with Nick Chubb and Duke Johnson.

So where do the Browns look? John Dorsey has stated the most important positions in football are quarterbacks, guys who protect the quarterbacks and guys who can affect the quarterbacks (wide receivers/pass rushers/corners).

Now a little history here: Of teams where John Dorsey had a big say in the draft (Packers/Chiefs/Browns), only once has that said team taken a wide receiver(Javon Walker).

With the lack of top-end talent at the position, we can count that out at 17. It is, however, a draft deep in defensive linemen, and looking at where the NFL is going, it is leaning toward pass rushers more than run stuffers.

1. What does that mean for the current class? Well, more Christian Wilkins type players at defensive tackle than the Dexter Lawrences of the world. Jefferey Simmons, who tore his ACL and comes with off-the-field-baggage, may be an option in the second round.

2. Does a Clelin Ferrell or Ed Oliver somehow slide down the draft board? Corner is also deep in this class, and there are a couple of tough-minded guys like Deandre Baker, Byron Murphy and Rock Ya-Sin expected to be there.

3. Offensive lineman such as Andre Dillard or Jawaan Taylor may be there at 17, and there’s a chance Jonah Williams fall, even with Greg Robinson re-signing, the Browns may look to upgraded the spot vacated by Joe Thomas one season ago.

4. Linebacker can’t be forgotten either, so don’t be surprised if the Browns specifically look at Devin White from LSU, if he falls.

Philosophically, stacking their big board will be important in how the Browns maneuver. Perhaps Dorsey and company favor the 7th best pass rusher over the second-ranked offensive tackle, second-ranked corner or maybe even the top-ranked linebacker.

How do those positions stack with second- and third-round possibilities? The next few months will be fun, full of projections,  especially with a quarterback off the table. I’ll be back next week after the combine with a first-round mock draft as well as a Browns only seven rounder.