Browns mock draft: 3 best candidates for first-round pick

4. No DE?

Browns Twitterati says that signing of Jadeveon Clowney won’t preclude Cleveland from taking an edge rusher in the first round.

And I don’t get it.

The Browns signed Clowney and Takk McKinley this offseason. Yes, both are only on one-year deals. However, Cleveland also has Curtis Weaver and Porter Gustin. Weaver is Boise State’s all-time sack leader. He was picked by Miami in the fifth-round of last year’s draft. He was injured in camp and waived. The Browns signed him and held onto him all season as he recovered.

Gustin had nice moments and is rotational player. The point is the Browns would probably like to see Weaver play, while also taking a longer look at Gustin.

Now the question: How many defensive ends are you going to carry? That’s why I don’t see an edge rusher going here. They can only play two at a time. Yes, I do expect Clowney and even Garrett to line up at defensive tackle at times, but still. Any pick at No. 26 is a project. I want to win a Super Bowl, so I don’t need a project.

Plus, if defensive end is still a glaring need next offseason, the Browns can always draft one in 2022.