The Cleveland Browns pick 10 in the 2020 NFL Draft. Here’s how the 1st and 2nd rounds could shake out with Kevin Stefanski on as coach.
The latest misery of another lost Cleveland Browns football season is behind us. This was supposed to be “The one.” The one where we had playoff dreams, and thoughts of division titles.
Instead, the Factory of Sadness is back to producing top 10 draft picks, rather than home playoff games.
The 2020 draft will mark a different path for the franchise, as the franchise focused on winning in 2019. Of course, victories didn’t exactly roll in, but with the mindset of “going for it,” the Browns, under general manager John Dorsey stopped collecting draft picks.
The team was supposed to be good, and with its core group of talent locked in for the future, there just wasn’t the need to go out and accumulate multiple fifth-round draft picks.
That’s not to say this draft will lack drama. The Browns are picking 10th and have some serious needs to fill. Plus, the organization has its second-round pick as well. In the third round, the team would have nothing, but fortunately, Dorsey made the Duke Johnson trade. Because Johnson played in 10 games, that pick become a third rounder, instead of a fourth.
It’s hyperbole at this point, but this draft is shaping up to be the most important in team history. Will Baker Mayfield get his blind side protector, or will the organization deliver him a play making tight end?
On defense defensive end,, linebacker and safety promise to command plenty of attention as well.
Now that the season is over, let’s get down to business. Here’s your first Cleveland Browns mock of the season. There will be more to come as this offseason stock of these NFL hopefuls changes every day.
Picks 1-5
1. Cincinnati-Joe Burrow-QB-LSU-This is open and shut, the former Ohio State QB and Athens H.S. graduate is a natural fit for the Bengals who need a QB. He’s thrown for over 5,200 yards and has 52 TDs on the season.
2. Washington-Chase Young-DE-Ohio State-This should be open and shut as well. Young who capped his career at Ohio State with 16.5 sacks and 6 forced fumbles was a force for the Buckeyes. Young would be the centerpiece of a young Redskins D Line consisting of him, Montez Sweat, Jon Allen, and Da’Ron Payne, they have the potential to be a force in the NFC east for years to come.
3. Detroit-Derrick Brown-DT-Auburn-Speaking of forces, Brown was the lynchpin for a strong Auburn defense, he finished his Auburn career with 13.5 sacks and 33.5 tackles for loss. This is the first spot where a team can make a move up for Tua or Justin Herbert. Is there a team who will be enticed enough to make the move for one of them?
4. New York Giants-Jedrick Wills-OT-Alabama-I’ve seen Jeff Okudah here or a Jerry Jeudy, both make sense with needs of the Giants, my main need for them is offensive tackle, and unlike WR or CB, tackle is not really deep, so I am stacking the board and going with my best tackle. Again, this could be a spot for a trade up for a QB.
5. Miami-Tua Tagavailoa-QB-Alabama-The key here is the hip, does it check out? If doctors are confident his floor is probably here with the Dolphins. When on the field, he is an absolute force, though I am also cautious with his other lower leg injuries during his time at Alabama. He has the talent, but is he a guy you would spend significant capital on in a trade ahead of Miami? The Browns coaching hire should be about improving culture
Picks 6-10
6. Los Angeles Chargers-Justin Herbert-QB-Oregon-With Phillip Rivers looking to hit free agency, the Chargers need to draft the next guy here. Herbert had many high moments at Oregon but could also be inconsistent. He’s big, has a strong arm, and is very mobile, can a team smooth out the rough spots?
7. Carolina-Jeff Okudah-CB-Ohio St-Best corner in the draft to a team dealing with Drew Brees, Matt Ryan, and maybe Jameis Winston in division, in short, teams who like putting the ball in the air. With Matt Rhule in the fold, are they a team looking to move up for a QB?
8. Arizona-Andrew Thomas-T/G-Georgia-The Cardinals may not value OLine as much with the mobile Kyler Murray, but they should invest in protecting their investment, Thomas at worst would be a super guard at the next level, and if that’s the case, helps keep Murray sights clear. I would make him the pick if he’s available.
9. Jacksonville-Jerry Jeudy-WR Alabama-Jags could be looking tackle, but go with some help on the outside for Gardner Minshew. Jeudy was over 1,100 yards receiving each of the last two seasons, and is a threat to take it to the house on from anywhere on the field.
10. Cleveland-Tristan Wirfs-OT-Iowa-Tackle should be a priority for the Cleveland Browns…and it almost becomes a slam dunk with analytics back in play. A possible franchise left tackle on a rookie contract? Paul DePodesta would turn the card in now.
Wirfs is the last of the big three tackles, but was dominant at Iowa. At this spot and with the possibility of tackles going higher, Cleveland may need to go up for one of these guys.
Picks 11-15
11. New York Jets-CeeDee Lamb-WR-Oklahoma-A popular pick for the Jets is the game-breaking Lamb, much like Jeudy, he can score from anywhere on the field and would provide a much-needed weapon for Sam Darnold who may be losing Robby Anderson to free agency. He had 62 catches for over 1,300 yards and 14 touchdowns. Also of note, he was 4th in the nation with over 21 yards a catch.
12. Las Vegas Raiders-Isaiah Simmons-LB/S-Clemson-Simmons fits a need for the Raiders and is someone who fits the Raiders draft profile of winning players with character. The Raiders went into the Clemson well a few times in last year’s draft and go back here. Keep an eye on him at 10 for the Browns if the tackles are gone. He is a true swiss army knife on defensewho can line up inside or outside at linebacker, as well as safety.
13. Indianapolis-K’Lavon Chaisson-DE/OLB-LSU-Colts could use a speed rusher, and Chaisson who’s been banged up at Baton Rouge is seemingly coming back into his role of being a dynamic pass rusher, if his medicals check out, look for him in this range. He was a consistent force in 2019 with 6.5 sacks and forced fumble, and seems to be heating up as the season goes on.
14. Tampa Bay-Kristian Fulton-CB-LSU-From the words of Bruce Arians, QB seems to be a target this offseason for the Bucs, but none are here worth grabbing in this area, instead, I go with a position who helps stop the QB with the Tigers playmaker. His ball skills need to improve a little as far as interceptions go, but he has 13 pass breakups which show he can be in the right place.
15. Denver-Kenneth Murray-LB-Oklahoma-Broncos also are in the market for an offensive tackle, but this range is a little rich for one, here I go with the playmaking Murray to fit on the inside of the Broncos front seven. He had 69 tackles and 4 sacks for the Sooners this season as well as 4 pass breakups.
Picks 16-20
16. Atlanta-A.J. Epenesa-DE-Iowa-Epenesa was a force in 2019 with 11.5 sacks and 4 forced fumbles, he also fits the Falcons who need a bigger defensive end, need and value align for Atlanta here who sorely need a pass rusher.
17. Dallas-Grant Delpit-S-LSU-Delpit is someone to watch in this draft cycle, he seemingly underachieved this season at LSU, and still won the Thorpe award. Dallas can’t go into next season with Jeff Heath as a starting safety. He was a force in 2018 with five picks, and five sacks, and was widely considered a top 10 pick before the season.
18. Miami (From Steelers)-Henry Ruggs-WR-Alabama-Dolphins need weapons, and Ruggs like his Alabama counterpart can take a simple pass and go to the house. It helps that he is now teamed up with his college QB. He may break the combine 40 records and his play backs up the hype that is coming. He had 40 catches for 746 yards and 7 TDs in 2019.
19. Las Vegas Raiders (From Bears)-Laviska Shenault-WR-Colorado-Shenault is a swiss army knife, and if properly used, can be a force. He scored 17 touchdowns either through the air or on the ground the last two years for the Buffaloes. He may be this year’s Percy Harvin or a Parris Campbell who can get touches in a variety of ways and hurt you.
20. Jacksonville (from Rams)-Javon Kinlaw-DT-South Carolina-Kinlaw falls a little here to the Jags, who have a decent need on the inside of their defensive line. The clock is running on Taven Bryan‘s time in Jacksonville, and an upgrade is needed. Kinlaw had his best season in 2019 with 35 tackles and 6 sacks, he has been a consistent force on the inside for the Gamecocks.
Picks 21-25
21. Philadelphia-CJ Henderson-CB-Florida-Eagles who were decimated by injury at the end of the season should be looking heavy corner and heavy receiver. Henderson is the best corner on the board here for Philly. He didn’t record a pick this season, but has the ball skills to improve on that for the Eagles.
22. Buffalo-Tee Higgins-WR-Clemson-Higgins is a big target with a huge catch radius to help Josh Allen. John Brown and Cole Beasley are smaller, Duke Williams has emerged as a bigger target but is raw. Higgins is a polished version who can help right now. Higgins has accounted for 13 touchdowns and over 1,100 yards this year for the Tigers.
23. New England-Justin Jefferson-WR-LSU-It’s him or Cole Kmet the TE from Notre Dame, in either case, the Patriots need weapons, the question is, who is coaching them, or QBing them? Jefferson is a big target and a smooth route runner, and is super productive for the Tigers with 18 TDs, and over 1,400 yards receiving for LSU.
24. New Orleans-Trevon Diggs-CB-Alabama-Diggs is a supersized corner who demonstrated more of a nose for the football this season with three interceptions. How he runs in Indy will be crucial for him. He also has the bloodlines as he is the brother of Stefon Diggs. With his size you have to wonder if a move to free safety may be in the cards eventually as well.
25. Minnesota-Jeff Gladney-CB-TCU-The run of corners continues with Gladney, Vikings secondary isn’t deep and Xavier Rhodes seems to have lost a step. Gladney is a productive corner who can step in and fill a role on day 1. He didn’t record a pick for TCU this season, but teams tended to look away from him.
Picks 26-32
26. Miami (from Houston)-Mekhi Becton-T-Louisville-Almost pulled the trigger on a running back here, but the Dolphins to need help at tackle and Becton’s value aligns here with Miami to help protect Tua. Becton is a BIG tackle at 6’7″ 340 lbs, movement at the combine will be important, but he has the traits to play at either tackle spot.
27. Seattle-Yetur Gross-Matos-DE-Penn St-With Clowney uncertain to sign with the Seahawks, they take the best available edge who happens to fit their scheme, and team up with last year’s first-round pick L.J. Collier. He finished his career with 9.5 sacks in 2019, after a breakout 2018 where he had 8 sacks.
28. Baltimore-Antoine Winfield Jr.-CB/S-Minnesota-Ravens rise here after their upset loss last night, Winfield is a super talented playmaker, who won Big Ten defensive back of the year. He was 4th in the nation with 4 picks, and as also used as a blitzer. He would be a nice addition for the Ravens who are in need of a slot corner
29. Tennessee-Terrell Lewis-Edge-Alabama-Do the Titans resign Derrick Henry, if not, is J.K. Dobbins or D’Andre Swift an option? I think they do, and if so, Lewis provides some heat on the edge for the Titans. He had his best season in 2019, with six sacks, there are some red flags though, he has dealt with injuries throughout his career in Tuscaloosa, so the medicals will be crucial for him.
30. Green Bay-Austin Jackson-T-USC-With Brian Bulaga about to become a free agent, the Packers, take a risk on the toolsy but raw Jackson. He also like Becton is a big tackle at 6’6″. The Packers have made a habit of developing lineman this is a good spot for one.
31. Kansas City-J.K. Dobbins-RB-Ohio St-Chiefs take the best running back in the draft, in my mind with Dobbins, who finished his career as the all-time leading single-season rusher in Buckeye history, he’d fit like a glove in Kansas City. With Mike Weber in Dallas, Dobbins showed he can be a workhorse back, he deserves to go higher in the draft.
32. San Francisco-Xavier McKinney-S-Alabama-Best safety on the board almost pulled the trigger on a wideout, but need and value align for the Niners at the end of round 1. McKinney like Winfield was used in a variety of ways, he had three picks, and three sacks, and forced four fumbles in 2019.
2nd-round possibilities
The Cleveland Browns pick ninth in the second round, or 41st overall, and tight end is certainly a position to look at because frankly, David Njoku is a question mark.
We can safely surmise the former first-round pick fell out of favor with Freddie Kitchens, because he couldn’t get on the field when he was available to dress toward the end of the season.
But with Kitchens and Dorsey gone, might the Miami U product get a second chance with DePodesta landing Stefanski? Njoku was born out of analytics and the Sashi Brown-led 2017 draft. His athleticism is undeniable, but after three years, all anyone can talk about is his potential. He spent his first year with a case of the dropsies, then suffered a broken wrist in what was supposed to be a breakout third season.
When will he finally make good on his status as a first-rounder and become the player he was supposed to be?
If the Browns do end up picking a tight end, look for Notre Dame’s Cole Kmet, Washington’s Hunter Bryant and Purdue’s Brycen Hopkins.
Additionally, the defensive line wasn’t as good as we all thought it would be, so that unit may get a jolt from the likes of Alabama’s Anfernee Jennings or Notre Dame’s Julian Okwara.
Right guard should be a priority too, so keep an eye on Robert Hunt from Louisiana. I’ll be back in a few weeks to fire off another mock, post-GM/coach hire.