2021 Cleveland Browns NFL mock draft – Selecting all 9 picks
By Chad Porto
Round 1, Pick 26: Jaelan Phillips, DE, Miami
Recent rhetoric from several draft “experts” and even the Browns GM Andrew Berry himself has seemingly implied that defensive end or some type of pash rusher will still be in play at the 26th pick. Cornerback or safety also makes sense, as does defensive tackle, but that’s only if there’s one the team really really likes.
While writing this column, it’s stretched over a couple of days and the most recent news is about how Baker Mayfield and Denzel Ward got their fifth-year options picked up, this may make Phillips even more in play at 26, especially if the Browns see a high-ceiling for him. With over $30 million dollars going to Mayfield and Ward next season, the odds that Clowney is brought back are near zero, even if he has a huge year.
The Browns are going to need to let some veterans go to make room for Mayfield and Ward, Clowney is more than likely to be one of them. So if Phillips is high on the Browns draft board, then expect him to go to Cleveland. It’s always possible they target someone else, or another position entirely but this seems like the best bet for the team moving forward.
Ideally, if Zaven Collins falls to 26, he’s the pick regardless. He’s big enough to play on the line in passing downs and fast enough to cover the middle of the field or the flats from a linebacking position. If he’s not there, and Phillips is, it’s Phillips.
Remember though, we can only take people that are still on the board, and Collins is long gone in this scenario.