Browns: 3-round mock draft nets two defensive starters

Round 1, Pick 26: Carlos Basham Jr. Edge, Wake Forest

Insert the name of your preferred edge rusher and then write something about the player having the necessary tools to be a star, if only he can tap into his potential.

That’s not meant to be a slam on Wilson, rather, it’s just indicative of where the Browns will be drafting in the first round.

The talent pool thins out and there’s a handful of guys who are expected to be around when the Browns pick 26. Penn State’s Jayson Oweh has been mocked to the Browns before. Wilson also noted his physical tools. He went 27th to the Ravens.

Gregory Rousseau, the edge rusher from Miami who opted out of 2020? Some mocks have him long gone by 25. Wilson had him going 30th to Buffalo. Jaelan Phillips, recently mocked to the Browns by Tony Grossi, was gone with the 18th pick.

The noteworthy pick here is that the Browns passed on Zaven Collins, who went 29th to the Packers. It seems unlikely the Browns will use a draft pick on a linebacker.

As for the pick of Basham…well, great. Cleveland really needs a defensive end capable of coming in and starting, and that’s exactly what will be expected of Basham.

Who knows, if Cleveland is unimpressed, they could always trade down…or trade for a veteran player.