2020 NFL Draft: 3 players Cleveland Browns should pick if they trade down

3. Curtis Weaver, EDGE, Boise State

Call them NFL U, Boise State with another first-round prospect on this list in the form of EDGE rusher Curtis Weaver.

And while the Browns have an urgent need to add a pass rusher, they may soon have a huge need to fill on their defensive line.

The new league year will dictate what the Browns do with the EDGE position, as it’s believed among the Browns’ mainstream media that Olivier Vernon will be released, creating even more cap space for an organization that has $65 million to burn.

Cleveland can always sign an EDGE defender, but if they’re looking at anyone who’s any good, he’ll probably cost too much. It’s an important note to remember considering Cleveland is approaching the time to extend Myles Garrett–a transaction that will require a mega millions.

Perhaps the Browns keep Vernon, simply because there’s no one else capable of starting and being a productive player. If Vernon is healthy, he’s second only to Myles Garrett in terms of what he can produce on the field.

Keeping Vernon eliminates the need to find a pass rusher to complement Garrett. On the flip side, drafting someone like Weaver means they’ll be paying an EDGE rusher a salary commensurate with the rookie pay scale.

Weaver leaves college early as the Mountain West’s all-time sack leader. He projects to be traditional defensive end in a 4-3 scheme, but may also be to rush from the inside.

There’s only one player who projects as a better all-around player at the EDGE position, and that’s Chase Young. With that in mind, don’t forget Weaver’s name.