The Cleveland Browns finished their most successful season since the 1994 campaign, and now the fan base will look for their team to take the next step in winning the city its first Super Bowl title.
With the Browns spending considerable resources on the offense last winter through the draft and free agency, the expectation is that general manager Andrew Berry will give the same kind of treatment to Joe Woods’ defense.
The needs are great across the board, with the Browns needing help on the line, as well as at linebacker. The secondary looks good on paper, but even so, Cleveland could probably use another corner.
Browns own 9 draft picks in 2021
Cleveland hosts the draft this spring and the Browns will have nine picks throughout the weekend. The Browns own their own picks in rounds 1-4, in addition to their sixth-round selection.
The Browns picked up additional picks from the Saints (third-rounder), as well as a fourth-rounder from the Eagles acquired in the Genard Avery trade. The Browns also have a fifth-round pick from the Rams, which was a part of the Austin Corbett trade.
And while the Wyatt Teller trade with the Bills already looks like a steal, consider the Browns also got a sevent- rounder from Buffalo!
It’s January, we all want more football, but we’re all waiting for next year. So, until then, let this 7-round mock draft get through the cold winter nights.
Round 1, pick 26: Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama
At 6-foot-5, 310-pounds, Christian Barmore comes from Alabama, where Nick Saban has had success producing two first-round picks in recent vintage (Quinnen Williams and Jonathan Allen).
Barmare, who is a third-year sophomore, would be a day-one starter at defensive tackle. At Alabama, Barmore was stellar against the run, while also showing a penchant for getting to the quarterback with 7.0 sacks last season.
With so many needs on defense, few are talking about the Browns’ need for help on the interior defensive line.
Larry Ogunjobi will be hitting free agency and it remains to be see whether Cleveland will make an offer to retain the former fourth-round pick. Additionally, Sheldon Richardson has one year left on his contract, so something’s going to give sooner or later at the position.
The Browns drafted Jordan Elliott out of Missouri last season. The rookie had some nice moments stopping the run, but he doesn’t carry the same impact potential Barmore possesses.
For what it’s worth, ESPN’s Todd McShay had Barmore selected toward the end of the first round in his latest mock, so he should definitely be one to watch.
Round 2, pick 58: Rashad Weaver, EDGE, PITT
Rashad Weaver was recently mocked as high as No. 18 overall by a CBS Sports mock draft. That’s probably a reach right now, but Weaver certainly has times to change the mind of evaluators.
For now, like most, I’m sticking with Weaver as a Day 2 pick.
Maybe I’m just being hopeful, because Weaver would be an excellent addition for the Browns because EDGE rusher is another huge need for Cleveland.
With Olivier Vernon injured, in addition to his free agent status, a starting spot opposite of Myles Garrett is open. Look for Curtis Weaver, whom the Browns picked up off waivers before the start of the season, to get some reps at the position.
Additionally, Adrian Clayborn will return and he played well down the stretch, mostly in a rotational role.
Weaver certainly has the goods to come in start. In his final season at Pitt, he totaled 7.5 sacks, forced three fumbles and tallied an incredible 42 quarterback pressures.
Round 3, pick 89: D.J. Daniel, CB, Georgia
On paper, the Browns look stout with Denzel Ward and Greedy Williams as starters. Unfortunately, Williams has to prove he can make it through a tackling drill on the first day of training camp before we can really pencil him for Week 1.
Additionally, Terrance Mitchell, who has done a solid job of filling in for Ward and Williams when needed, will look to strike it rich on the free-agent market. It’d be nice for the Browns to bring him back, but they will likely be unable to do so because the organization’s financial resources will be allocated elsewhere.
With this in mind, the third round is a good place to start looking for depth, which makes D.J. Daniel the pick.
Daniel worked his way up the JUCO ranks before transferring to Georgia, where in two seasons, he recorded 51 tackles and deflected 9 passes.
At 6-foot-1, 185-pounds, Daniel’s size is an asset, as it was in 2019 when he matched up with blue chipper Ja’Marr Chase. Chase is expected to be a top-5 pick and some of Daniel’s best tape was collected when he covered the top prospect.
The Browns will look to add depth this offseason, and Daniel offers that, in addition to the potential to start down the road.
Round 3, pick 91: Jabril Cox, LB, LSU
The Browns have two third-round picks in 2021, and with this spot, the team should look no further: Draft a linebacker!
Based off one draft, it doesn’t look like Andrew Berry and the analytically oriented offense puts great value on linebacker, so drafting one here falls in line with where the Browns picked Jacob Phillips in 2020 (fourth round).
If Berry goes linebacker here, he should go with another LSU Tiger in Jabril Cox. Cox starred at South Dakota State and transferred to LSU to boost his NFL stock.
LSU had a down year after winning the national title in 2020, but Cox still did enough to warrant being picked at this spot.
He possesses good speed and should help out at the second level. He’s excellent downhill (like Sione Takitaki), but unlike the the BYU product, he should better in coverage.
Unfortunately, it isn’t realistic to expect Cox to start this season, but he doesn’t have to be in the lineup on day one. The Browns slowly brought Phillips along and he should log more snaps next season.
It’s my expectation that Phillips and Takitaki are starters in 2021, with someone like Mack Wilson, or perhaps a cheap free-agent signee filling in the third spot. B.J. Goodson signed a one year deal last offseason, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Browns try to retrain him with a similar contract to add stability to the corps.
Round 4, pick No. 103: Tommy Togiai, DT, Ohio State
Defensive tackle is one of those position groups where you stock up on bodies to win the battle of attrition, and if Ohio State prospect Tommy Togiai is available here, he would be a steal.
Look for his stock to go up during the pre-draft process, but if the Browns are able to get him, they’d be getting a bonafide run stopper.
And while getting after Patrick Mahomes is something we’ll think about all offseason, many are still having nightmares of running back Josh Jacobs slashing the Browns defensive front.
I’ve got the Browns taking a defensive tackle in the first round, but improving against the run is a paramount concern.
While Larry Ogunjobi will be missed from a fan perspective, he was 52nd among DTs against the run. The Browns need to build depth at the position and adding Togiai does that. Plus, there’s potential for him to start down the road with Sheldon Richdardon probably entering the final year of his contract.
Round 4, pick No. 125: Trevon Grimes, WR, Florida
Trevon Grimes isn’t a perfect prospect, but that’s why he falls to the fourth round.
Even at Florida, Grimes wasn’t an all-around talent, but he did a stellar job of establishing himself as a deep threat, as well as a red zone target.
Hands up if we could use one of those!
Grimes only caught 38 passes, but nine went for touchdowns. At 6-foot-4, 218 pounds, Grimes certainly looks the part. That size could work wonders in the red zone. Plus, he has the speed to get separation on the field.
With Odell Beckham Jr. out until perhaps late October, having someone who can stretch defenses to complement Donovan Peoples-Jones make this an optimal selection.
Wide receiver doesn’t seem like a pressing a need, but with Beckham out and Higgins looking at free agency, there is a need to bring in bodies at the position.
Round 5, No. 155: Shaka Toney, DE, Penn State
If throwing bodies on the stockpile at defensive tackle is something do, defensive end is another position you need to stock up at to combat injuries.
Think about the edge for a second: How often did we see Adrian Clayborn and Porter Gustin in rotational roles?
Now with the spot Olivier Vernon occupied set to open, the Browns will be looking for a starter this offseason. Free agency is certainly an option, but using the draft to build strength at a position that can eat up a lot of cap space certainly fits within the analytics model.
In Toney, the Browns would be acquiring a a two-year starter who led Penn State with seven sacks in nine games. He finished his collegiate career with 19.5, which is tied for 10th on the Nittany Lons all-time list.
Round 6, No. 188: James Hudson, OT, UC
The Browns are good, and when you’re a winning team, you build up depth that you can plug in when you need it.
Think about how the Steelers have done it for the better part of 20 years. One someone got old or retired, they plugged in the next guy who had been developing behind the scenes.
That’s why Hudson would be the pick here. He’s already a good player and his ceiling is even higher. Hudson played at Cincinnati, but he initially played on the defensive line for Michigan before transferring to the Bearcats, so he has a blue-chip pedigree.
And with only around 800 snaps logged on the offensive line, you’d certainly like to see what he could do with more practice–especially with the possibility that he could be coached by O-line whisper Bill Callahan.
Hudson was invaluable to the Bearcats, evidenced by the UC’s performance in the Peach Bowl. He got tossed for targeting in that game, and after he departed, UC could do nothing to slow down Georgia’s rush.
On the line, the Browns have Chris Hubbard returning from injury as the team’s sixth man, while Nick Harris should be healthy to handle guard and center duties in a backup role.
Plus, Drew Forbes will return after opting out of the 2020 season. Michael Dunn played was exceptional in the Wild Card game, while Blake Hance, the player picked off the Jets practice squad after Week 16 also showed he deserves more of a look.
That’s why Hudson is the type of player to look at here. The Browns have nine picks and these aren’t your 2017 Browns. Not every rookie is going to make the team. Hudson got a late start to his current position, perhaps he emerges as the best candidate.
Round 7, pick 188: Briley Moore, TE, K-State
Tight end is strong at the top of the depth chart with Austin Hooper and Harrison Bryant.
However, it remains to be seen what Cleveland will do with David Njoku. They’ve picked up his fifth-year option, so he’s under contract, but at $6 million, will he become expendable as the Browns start extending players currently on the roster?
There’s certainly an argument for parting ways with the four-year veteran, but I thought Njoku played well in limited snaps this past season. However, yes, that’s a lot of money to commit to a third tight end.
Plus, it’ll be interesting to see if Njoku asks for a trade, as he did last offseason.
More played at Northern Iowa before transferring to Kansas State, where he plays djust one season. In nine games, he caught 22 ball for 338 yards and three touchdowns.
He led K-State in touchdown receptions, but that may say more about the quality of their roster.
Moore’s viewed as a player with potential that’s untapped. In the 7th round, he’s certainly worth looking at, if he’s still around.