Cleveland Browns rumors: Trade down to draft Javon Kinlaw
In Cleveland Browns rumors, there’s a suggestion that the team may trade down in the 2020 NFL draft, with Javon Kinlaw being the eventual target.
The Cleveland Browns aren’t doing much to spin the rumor mill ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft, as the team is expected to take an offensive tackle.
Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller has given us a nugget to chew on though, as the scribe wrote a “well connected scout” mentioned Cleveland could trade back with a defensive tackle in mind. The name Miler threw out was South Carolina’s Javon Kinlaw.
The thought of the Browns trading down has been covered pretty extensively, considering the history of analytics in the draft. Sashi Brown isn’t here, but Paul DePodesta still dictates strategy and looks to have more power than ever, even with Andrew Berry in place as general manager.
Browns’ fans have their favorites when it comes to offensive tackles, but perhaps the analytically oriented front office doesn’t view things the same way.
Some mock drafts have four offensive tackles be taken in the top 10. Others have the Browns taking the first tackle off the board at No. 10. It probably won’t shake out either way, but the point is that the Browns may have a player in mind they can nab at No. 41. Just throwing out names, but Boise State’s Ezra Cleveland or UConn’s Matt Peart comes to mind.
You’re thinking the same thing I’m thinking. It becomes increasingly harder to find a starting left tackle the longer you wait and expecting a kid from Boise State to start in Week 1 is as crazy as it gets.
As for Kinlaw, the Browns need to get better on the inside. Sheldon Richardson had a good 2019 campaign, but Larry Ogunjobi didn’t live up to expectations fans had for him.
Adding the South Carolina would give Cleveland an instant pass rusher from the defensive interior. PFF’s Draft guide noted how nobody is a sure thing when it comes to the draft, but Kinlaw is a “very low-risk proposition.”
This label takes me back to when DePodesta was answer questions from the media following the coaching hire. The press was grilling DePo on the return of analytics, and the Sabermetrics guru responded by stating how data analysis helps make a better informed decision by taking minimizing risk.
"“It’s having frameworks to make decisions under uncertainty….it’s all about uncertainty…so what frameworks can you use to stack the odds in your favor.”"
Sure seems like PFF and DePodesta would be aligned (latest buzzword from Browns’ HQ) on a the Kinlaw pick.
Berry gave the position some attention in free agency, signing 25-year-old Andrew Billings to a contract. He’s expected to bring rotational depth, but imagine Kinlaw starting next to Richardson with Ogunjobi and Billings as backups. All of a sudden, that position group would be a whole lot better.
Next. 5 later-round picks Browns must draft. dark
Plus, the Browns would add draft capital, and you the current front office loves that idea.