Four rookies drafted by the Cleveland Browns who have a shot to start for the organization during the 2020 season.
The Cleveland Browns added seven players in the 2020 NFL Draft, and while it seems crazy that four rookies could make such a big impact, these four rookies should be starting on day one.
The Browns just had some massive holes to fill in this draft, and while needs were addressed in free agency, there were some glaring holes that remained.
Here’s the four players you can count on seeing in Week 1.
Jedrick Wills, OT, No. 10
The most obvious, slam-dunk choice here is Jedrick Wills. Going 10th overall better guarant-darn-tee that Alabama product starts for the Browns in Week 1.
By now, we’ve heard the astonishing stats regarding Wills, who will switch from right tackle to left tackle with the Browns.
In 929 pass blocking attempts, the SEC stalwart allowed one sack. If you thought Mayfield had to rush his throws before, that concern should become a thing of the past. Plus, it’s not often talked about, but Wills is known as a mauler in the trenches. If that’s true, it’s hard to see a world in which Nick Chubb doesn’t win his first NFL rushing title.
In joining the Browns, Wills will play along perennial Pro Bowl contender Joel Bitonio on the left side, while J..C. Tretter is still the man at center. On the right side, tackle is taken by free-agent signee Jack Conklin.
Right guard is the weakest spot, but Wyatt Teller seemed to steady himself and the position by the end of 2019. If he doesn’t work out, the Browns have Chris Hubbard, who recently took a pay cut to stay in Cleveland, in addition to last year’s sixth-round pick, Drew Forbes.
The Browns also drafted Washington center Nick Harris, who should also get reps at guard during the preseason.
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2. Grant Delpit, S, No. 44
In drafting Grant Delpit, the Browns have potentially added the playmaking safety the organization has mostly gone without for the better part of two decades.
When it comes to safety’s in this year’s draft, Delpit forced interceptions at a higher rate than any of the other top prospects at the position.
It’s also noteworthy that Delpit had a reputation for avoiding tackles, when in reality, he had almost twice as many run-stops as the next safety prospect among the crop of 2020 talent, according to Pro Football Focus.
rant Delpit stands out for more than just his coverage ability. He had almost twice as many career run-stops as the next closest top safety in this year’s draft.
The Browns lost Damarious Randall in free agency, which was OK after the safety failed to live up to the campaign he strung together in 2018. The Browns secondary lost it’s knack for creating turnovers and was atrocious when trying to stop the run.
Now, the Browns secondary boasts first-round corner Denzel Ward, second-round corner Greedy Williams, as well as free-agent signee Karl Joseph. Delpit figures to start, with Andrew Sendejo offering security as a backup.
3. Jacob Phillips, No. 97
It may seem like a stretch to pencil in Jacob Phillips as a starter, but who else do the Browns have that could legitimately start at the position?
It’s entirely possible he could start, especially on rushing downs, with him subbing out when the Browns have to go into the nickel formation.
Mack Wilson and Sione Takitaki are back from a year ago, but the duo, especially Takitaki, are also unproven.
Everything the Browns are doing on defense is about finding a schematic fit and they consider Phillips to possess sideline to sideline sped. He ran a 4.66 40, which is noteworty considering Joe Schobert ran it in a 4.76 seconds. One second doesn’t seem like a lot, but in the world of the NFL, speed is everything.
The Browns signed B.J. Goodson to be a body position, and you can see the veteran playing his fair share of snaps.
That said, if Phillips shows he gets it, I doubt the Browns will hesitate to put him in. Remember, Wilson was very impressive coming into Cleveland as a fifth-round pick. As a rookie, he had his flaws, but he still put together a solid rookie campaign.
The Browns hope to improve stopping the run, which is a complaint we usually have every season.
Adding Phillips will help them do that. LSU had one of the best rushing defenses in the country last year, and Phillips didn’t miss his changes. On 88 tackling attempts, the third-round pick missed just three times, according to PFF.
4. DPJ, the punt returner
No, Donovan Peoples-Jones won’t bump OBJ or Jarvis Landry from the top of the depth chart, but he does have a shot to make a significant impact…on special teams.
Kick returner and punt returners aren’t technically starters, but they’re somone we would like to see if the Browns now re-vamped defense starts shutting teams down.
The kick return game is far from set in stone, however, the Browns did sign 5-foot-7 return specialist JoJo Natson. Plus, the team also have Tavierre Thomas.
While at Michigan, DPJ returned punts in his three seasons wearing Maize and Blue. He had 40 opportunities in his first season, and then 25 and 24, respectively, in his final two campaigns. Overall, he averaged 8.3 yards per return and took two returns to the house. He also had this stellar return against Ohio State in 2017, although the play drew a penalty flag.
DPJ can run, having posted a 4.48 40-time, so he has the speed to be electrifying on returns.
Kevin Stefanski talked about his ability to return, so the idea of giving him a shot is on the Browns’ radar. It’d be a good way to get him acclimated to the NFL, as his receiving chances will probably be limited behind OBJ and Landry.