2019 NFL Draft: 6 players Cleveland Browns could trade back into 1st-round for

The Cleveland Browns don’t have a first-round pick, but would GM Dorsey trade back into the first-round to nab one of these six players?

The News-Herald’s Jeff Schudel recently examined where the Cleveland Browns stand in the upcoming NFL Draft, and concluded it would be a surprise if general manager John Dorsey didn’t trade back into the first round.

The Browns traded their first-round pick, No. 17 overall, to the New York Giants for wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.

Schudel’s opinion is based off the bold moves he’s already made, like trading for OBJ and Olivier Vernon this offseason.

He wrote how Dorsey is someone who sticks to his convictions, based off the boldness displayed a year ago, when he took Baker Mayfield No. 1 overall.

Bottom line: If player on the board falls into the back half of the first round and he commands Dorsey’s mind, soul and spirit, a trade back into Round 1 shouldn’t be out of the question.

Here’s the players Schudel listed as candidates that the Browns would trade back into the first round for.

1. Devin Bush, LB, Michigan: He’s intriguing, because it’s the one position group on the team that carries the biggest question mark. If he gets to the 20s, who knows, perhaps Schudel will be proven right.

2. Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson: The Browns are set with Sheldon Richardson and Larry Ogunjobi. This position group calls for bodies and I’d rather have Dre’Mont Jones in the second round.

3.Jeffery Simmons, DT,  Mississippi State: An ACL injury means he’d “redshirt” for the 2019 season.

4. Andre Dilliard, OT, Washington:

5. Dalton Risner, OT, Kansas State:

6. Cody Ford, OT, Oklahoma: All three lineman are good prospect, who have holes. They wouldn’t be counted on to play in 2019, just as Austin Corbett didn’t play all that much during his rookie season. Ultimately, I just don’t see Dorsey moving up for a lineman in the first.

But for the other players listed, trading up shouldn’t be ruled out, especially because it won’t break the Browns’ draft bank to move up into the bottom third of the first round. For example, moving from 49 to 28 would require a lot less than moving from 17 to No. 3.

However, it was previously reported this offseason that Dorsey doesn’t consider this draft to loaded with player who carry first-round grades.

Unlike Schudel, I don’t anticipate the Browns trading back into the first round. Dorsey plugged a lot of holes this offseason, and the only spot that requires attention is linebacker. With that said, the Browns like Genard Avery as a candidate to take the strongside linebacker spot once occupied by Jamie Collins. Dorsey even gushed a little over the second-year veteran.

Plus, you’d have to consider the Browns would have to trade their third-round pick (80th overall) to move up into the first. Is it really worth trading your second- and third-round selection for a pick in the low 20s? The Browns would pick again until the fourth-round (119).

Our own Mike Graham projected the Browns would take Alabama linebacker Mack Wilson with the 49th pick. He’d compete for the starting job, and at the very least, would add depth to the position group this season.