Andrew Berry stays aggressive as the Cleveland Browns net two first-round picks after a series of trades in our final 2020 NFL Mock Draft.
And here we are, the final mock draft of this draft season, and with so many questions and uncertainties in the world today. The draft goes on, even if it will look different, be announced from Roger Goodell’s basement, and be a great advertisement for Zoom, or Teams, etc.
Part of the uncertainty is injury questions, as Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa stands as the big question mark in the first round. Does he have a fall in him? The feel of pre-draft workouts, interviews, etc are different or in the case of pro days, cancelled. Agents haven’t been able to swing the narrative in the public on players, leaks, etc have been cutoff, notice how the mocks we read haven’t changed a lot in three months, this is rare.
Something we know is for certain, and that’s the first pick, so without further ado.
As for the Browns, Andrew Berry heads into the draft where he’s calling shots for the first time. Of course, Paul DePodesta will be there too, as the chief strategy officer figures to have a prominent role in who the Browns pick.
DePodesta has indicated he won’t be picking the players, rather, he’s there to make sure the prospect the Browns target fit into the parameters of the team’s analytical structure.
If that doesn’t get you excited for draft night, what will.
Here’s a look at the first round, in addition to whom the Browns might take on days two and three.
Anything other than Joe Burrow (player or trade), would be a massive, massive shock. All roads lead to him being the pick. He’s from down the road in Athens, was at Ohio State before moving on to LSU and winning a national title. While wearing a Tigers uniform, he had the greatest season in college football history, and the Bengals have spent money in free agency to try to build the team around him, in addition to putting the franchise tag on A.J. Green. Put this one in the bank now.
Like Cincy with Burrow, Chase Young to the Redskins is a lock. Young was an animal for the Buckeyes this past season, and would be the centerpiece to a young, fiesty Washington line. Additionally, he’d be a great first pick for new coach Ron Rivera.
TRADE: The draft beings here at pick three. Miami trades up with Detroit giving up picks 39, 56 and 70. With the Dolphins it’ll be interesting to see who they prefer, and if they are comfortable on the medicals with Tua to make the jump, giving up a lot of capital in doing so. Here I am guessing if they like him, they’ll park at 5 and take him there. If it’s Herbert, they’ll have to be aggressive to be sure a team like the Raiders, don’t make the leap above them.
The Giants are another team rumored to be trading up. In this case the fourth spot may see a team coming for Tua. Here, though, I have the Giants sticking and taking their top tackle in Wills. He’s a natural right tackle, so it’ll be interesting to see if they move him over to left tackle, or…if they crave a left tackle that they stick here and take Andrew Thomas as a safe option.
The Lions take the top corner on my board, and pick up good capital in doing so from the trade with Miami. However, might Matt Patricia value a chess piece in Isaiah Simmons here? That is something worth exploring as well. Okudah gives them a shutdown option to pair with Desmond Trufant to combat Aaron Rodgers, Kirk Cousins and whoever wins the Bears job.
The Chargers here snag Tua, despite lots of smoke flying around that they are somehow thrilled with Tyrod Taylor. While he’s not bad, he’s not a guy who will win a lot games or someone to thrill a fanbase. Tua, can be all of that, and a face for the fans in LA. Do the medicals check out? If not, he can be in for a pretty steep fall, with maybe the Raiders as a safety net.
For the Panthers and Matt Rhule, this is a no brainer, if he’s gone, maybe a tackle or Okudah, but it would be tough for Carolina coming off the retirement of Luke Kuechly to pass up a versatile play maker to feature in their defense.
Wirfs would start out at right tackle for the Cards, but worst case would kick inside to right guard, with a good chance to maybe play left tackle. In any case, this is essential for Arizona and protecting Kyler Murray, don’t forget the value of a guard with a shorter quarterback as well. Some buzz of defense or even still a reciever, but I wouldn’t be able to pass on Wirfs.
TRADE: The Jets jump ahead of the Browns for a true, safe left tackle prospect. The ceiling may be lower with him, but the floor is super high, and don’t discount with the assumption of a shorter offseason the value of a guy who is ready to play right now. The Jets give up pick 68 to move up two spots from No. 11.
TRADE: It’s been rumored, and it happens. Denver and the Browns make a deal, as John Elway gives up pick pick 15, 46 and a 2021 4th to move up to 10, and secure their top receiver.
Henderson is rumored to be on the rise, and in some circles maybe the top corner on some teams’ boards. With AJ Boyue being dealt to Denver, corner is a thin spot for the Jags, and they pick up a little value in moving and still getting one.
My guess is the Raiders value speed and Ruggs would be the pick if available. Lamb, while not a burner has great underneath quickness, and ability to take short passes to the house. Derek Carr and Marcus Mariota aren’t exactly deep ball throwers and Lamb fits their play style. As an aside, so would Jerry Jeudy.
Speaking of Jeudy, the run of wide receivers continues with the star from Alabama. Javon Kinlaw or Derrick Brown would be good options here for the Niners to replace DeForrest Buckner, but Jeudy adds a nice piece for Kyle Shanahan.
Left tackle is a big need for the Bucs and Becton is still on the board to help Tom Brady, Becton is a bit of a project, so maybe the Bucs take a falling Derrick Brown or Javon Kinlaw, but the left side is a glaring need so the Bucs pounce here.
TRADE: The Browns trade down again. The Jags give up picks Nos. 20 and 68 (just acquired from the Jets). Brown provides a needed upgrade to the middle of the Jags D Line, and certainly a big upgrade over Taven Bryan.
Kinlaw is next for the Falcons, and provides a defensive tackle who’s long and would be a nice running mate next to Grady Jarrett. Kinlaw, or Brown here, would be interchangeable for either team in this spot.
A bit of a surprise here, but with the retirement of Travis Frederick, and the lack of interior depth along the line in this draft, the Cowboys stay here and take their starting center in Ruiz, who can also kick into guard if needed.
Chaisson provides a lot of value here for the Dolphins. They do need to leave round one with a left tackle and are gambling one falls to them at 26 in this scenario.
Love is a gamble here, but he provides value here, and a QB that Gruden usually loves, big arm, mobile and can throw on the run, and in this case can sit behind Carr and Mariota, or if Love is the pick here, would Derek Carr be on the move?
So the Browns move down a few times, and Andrew Berry still gets his guy. They have done extensive work on him, and are rumored to have done so on Josh Jones, too. As a result, the Browns end up with picks 46 and 68 to maybe make a few moves as well.
Eagles are going hot for wide receivers to help Carson Wentz. LSU’s Jefferson is a great fit here for Philly, can work outside or in the slot, and provide much needed help for the Eagles.
Offensive line is still a glaring need for Minnesota and Jones, a Houston product, gives them a solid left tackle option across from Brian O’Neill on the right side.
Would the Patriots entertain a move up for Jordan Love? A few wideouts are still available as well. Queen, an LSU product, provides too much value for New England who lost Kyle Van Noy in the offseason.
Terrell provides a needed bookend next to Marshon Lattimore. He had a bad game against Ja’Marr Chase in the national title game for Clemson, but was rock solid the rest of the year for the Tigers.
It seems like the Vikings always take a corner in the first round and entering 2020, they are really thin in the secondary. Johnson–a name on the rise–is a long corner, who outside of a bad game against Michael Pittman Jr., was a lockdown specialist for the Utes.
Jackson brings immense upside for the Dolphins, he missed a big part of 2018 after donating bone marrow to his sister, and caused some issues upon returning to USC. He is a true left tackle and there are not a lot of them left on the board. Miami snags one here.
TRADE: Andrew Berry has said he will be aggressive this offseason.He was in free agency, and now is in the draft, jumping up to fill a big need ahead of Baltimore. Linebacker for the Browns is a glaring need, Murray provides a run and hit player who strengthens the front seven. Cleveland gives up pick Nos. 41 and 74 to Seattle to nab the sensational Oklahoma backer.
Running back may not be the value here, but the Ravens both value the run game, and need to get a younger option with Mark Ingram. Swift can also provide a safety value in the pass game for Lamar Jackson. Ask the Browns, Georgia backs don’t disappoint.
After losing Jack Conklin, the Titans go for a true right tackle prospect from Georgia who is a road grader to help pave holes for Derrick Henry. Wilson seems to be a riser late in the draft process and this is a perfect fit for Tennessee.
Mims is another riser in the process, he was great last season at Baylor, and concerns about drops in 2018, were quelled when it was reported that he had a broken hand. Aaron Rodgers needs help at wide out and Mims can work both underneath and over the top of defenses.
My guess is the Niners trade this pick, but hard to find a team going up here for a QB, or a position at the end of the run. Chinn had 14 career picks for Southern Illinois and provides a versatile piece for the Niners.
Kansas City has a serious need at corner. TCU’s Gladney would remind you of Denzel Ward. A smaller, fiesty corner, who may not have Ward’s playmaking ability but won’t shy away from anyone.
2nd Round
With left tackle, and linebacker out of the way, let’s see what the Browns may do on day 2 and day 3 of the draft. With the trades made earlier, the Browns added a first round pick, and maintained the same amount of picks in days 2 and 3. Look for production early and traits later on.
Round 2, No. 46 (from Denver)-Antoine Winfield Jr-S-Minnesota-Browns would be very fortunate if Winfield was here, safety is a need for Cleveland, and Winfield can help over the top as well as the slot. If Winfield is gone, keep an eye on Ashtyn Davis the safety from Cal.
Even if linebacker hadn’t been addressed, safety might be the Browns’ second biggest need. With Damarious Randall leaving via free agency, the Browns did not find a replacement.
The prospect of adding a safety is particularly interesting because the Browns hired Joe Woods as the their defensive coordinator. Woods worked magic in San Francisco as the 49ers defensive backfield coach prior to joining up with the Browns.
Cleveland’s secondary already boasts potential in Ward and Greedy Williams, now add in the signings of slot corner Kevin Johnson and strong safety Karl Joseph, and well, the Browns may be onto something.
Third round
Round 3, No. 68 (from Jags)-Curtis Weaver-DE-Boise St-In this range keep an eye on production, Weaver is the all-time leader sack leader in the Mountain West, James Lynch from Baylor was super productive as well.
As for the Browns, Olivier Vernon is still on the roster, and if he maintains his job, he’ll make $15.5 million in 2020. After that, he’ll be a free agent and the Browns will need to seriously think about adding depth at the position. They can do that by taking someone like Weaver.
Round 3, No. 74-Devin Duvernay-WR-Texas-Pay attention this spot, and even later on, because the Browns need to look at another wideout or pass catcher.
Tight end is coming later, but at No. 74, Duvernay gives the Browns a burner. Keep an eye on Bryan Edwards, the WR from South Carolina or Gabriel Davis from UCF as well.
On paper, the Browns are solid up top with Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham, but the team’s depth is severely lacking after Rashard Higgins was free to walk away.
Keep in mind that the Browns trade OBJ seemingly every day in the national press, and well, you just never know when you’re going to need another receiver.
Rounds 4-7
Round 4-Malik Harrison-LB-Ohio St-Harrison can play inside or outside and the Browns could use another line backer in this range of the draft who can come in and give good snaps for the defense.
Keep in mind that the Browns parted ways with two linebackers this offseason in Chris Kirksey and Joe Schobert. Mack Wilson seems like a surefire bet to at least play a lot of snaps, but 2019 third-round pick Sione Takitaki is still a question mark.
Round 6-Thaddeus Moss-TE-LSU-Moss can come in as a blocker, and while he’s not the biggest guy, he could be a chess piece on offense, especially in a two TE set. Plus, he has some upside to look at late here.
The Browns signed Austin Hooper this past offseason, but the future of David Njoku remains murky as we await the Browns’ decision on whether or not to pick up his fifth-year option.
Round 7-Markus Bailey-LB/Edge-Purdue-Here for me, it’s an upside player, whether it may be a faller because of injury, such as Bailey in this case,, or a small school guy from Division III, such as Ben Bartsch the tackle from D3.