The first Browns NFL mock draft with a week to go.
Now, we won’t be selecting every pick for every team. That’d be absurd and far too time-consuming. Instead, for the basis of this thought exercise, we will be using the foundation set by the seven-round selection of WalterFootball‘s mock draft.
So if you go and read their mock, we’ll only be selecting players that are still “on the board” when Cleveland is ready to pick. To keep things organized, and concise, we’ll do a “swap” of sorts with players picked. For instance; WalterFootball has the Browns taking Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah from Notre Dame with the 26th pick. In this scenario, let’s say I wanted Greg Newsome, the CB from Northwestern instead.
Newsome, according to WalterFootball’s mock, would go to the Packers at 28. So with this exercise, I’d take Newsome for the Browns and the Packers would take Owusu-Koramoah instead. This way we can make sure players that are supposed to be gone later in the draft are off the board. It doesn’t matter if the Packers need a linebacker, we’re simply making sure that a first-round prospect isn’t still on the board in the fourth round.
So anyone “still on the board” when the Browns “pick” is fair game, anyone taken already when the Browns pick are unable to be picked. It’s very simple.
For this draft, we’ll be focusing on defense mostly, but if an offensive player falls to us that’s too good to pass up, like a lineman, running back or receiver, we’ll consider it. With that being said; it is pick 26 and we’re on the clock.
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.
Round 2, Pick 59: Jay Tufele, DT, USC
The Browns are in need of securing the middle of their defense. The defensive tackles and linebacker the team has just aren’t good enough. Andrew Berry has even said that if they keep all nine picks, that it won’t be a problem because he wants to force guys to compete. That’s not something a GM says if he knows he’s found his 22 every-down players.
For Jay Tuefele, he’s considered a late-2nd, early-3rd round pick and many are very high on his potential, with WalterFootball describing him as an “extremely athletic and agile 310-pound defensive tackle”. That’s exactly what the Browns need, a three-technique tackle who can beat guards to the point of contact, get low and blow up the line of scrimmage.
For the Browns, securing the defensive line needs to be a priority as it was one of the two biggest reasons why they fell to the Kansas City Chiefs; the other being linebacker. They’ve already improved their defensive end situation and now this will give the Browns a top-quality body to work into the front-four rotation.
Round 3, Pick 89: Pete Werner, LB, Ohio State
Sage Surratt was going to go here originally, as I was hoping to find the Browns the best option at receiver to allow them to move on from Odell Beckham or Jarvis Landry eventually. That’s bound to happen, considering the new deals for Baker Mayfield and Denzel Ward. Their $30+ million deals will make it impossible to retain both Beckham and Landry in 2022 without them both restructuring their deals significantly.
Yet, Surratt only ran a 4.7 40-yard dash at his pro day, and frankly, the Browns need speed at receiver. Most tight ends are faster than that these days, so instead of going receiver, we’re double-dipping with two of the next three picks.
Pete Werner makes sense considering the linebackers the team has. They’re not good, and even the recent signing of Anthony Walker is nothing but a stopgap by one of the worst-rated linebackers we’ve seen in some time. Werner showed a lot of poise at Ohio State and his 4.56 40-time makes Werner an instant contender to start; as he’d be the fastest linebacker on the staff besides Malcolm Smith.
If he has the same nose for the ball in the pros as he did at OSU, then he’ll be someone who could instantly start for the Browns.
Round 3, Pick 91: Dax Milne, WR, BYU
The Browns need speed at receiver and someone who can find a way to get open, so we’re looking to the top of the class. Zach Wilson, BYU quarterback and projected No. 2 overall selection in the upcoming draft didn’t make a name for himself all on his own. No, he had a lot of help at BYU, and to close out the second pick in the third round, we’re going with the speedy number one wideout from BYU; Dax Milne.
While not sub-4.4 speed, Milne is still an incredibly fast 4.51 in the 40-yard dash and has shown to have the hands needed to be a standout receiver. You may not think 4.51 is fast, but remember, Donovan Peoples-Jones only ran .03 faster, and he’s considered a “fast” receiver.
The hope was that Mizzou wideout Sage Surratt would have the speed to go with the first of two third-round picks, but he just doesn’t have what it takes speed-wise. On a different team, Surratt will be a star more than likely but the Browns already have enough guys who can’t go over the top.
Milne can run routes with the best of them on top of everything else. He’s not a slam-dunk pick by any means, which is why he’s going at the end of the third round, but he’s someone the team could really see improve, and perhaps he and Peoples-Jones could become the speedy outside (or slot) receivers the team needs to adequately stretch the defense.
Round 4, Pick 110: Paddy Fisher, LB, Northwestern
This one we’re defaulting to WalterFootball for. For some reason, they think that Paddy Fisher would be a good option to go here, and frankly, I’m really out of reasons to disagree. Fisher isn’t a great prospect on paper but sometimes that’s ok. Sometimes the guys you don’t expect will do great are in fact the guys who do great.
Fisher, at best, has a 4.8 40-yard dash, which isn’t great but it’s on par with guys like Mack Wilson, who are barely under a 4.8 himself. Fisher may not be great in coverage but he may be a good enough tackler to push some of the veteran players to either play better or get cut entirely.
Fisher’s defensive abilities aren’t terrible, even if his athleticism leaves you wanting. His ability to stick tackles is very impressive and could be a good two-down linebacker, allowing him to play against the run and closing distance in the middle. It’s unlikely he’d be on the field for any type of long-down situation, but 1st and 10, or 2nd and 4? Yeah, Fisher could really make an impact defensively.
The issue is that he’ll probably never be a three-down linebacker like OSU’s Pete Werner, but after the third round, you’re not looking for starters, so much as you’re looking for projects and special teamers, and Fisher is both.
Round 4, Pick 132: Elijah Molden, CB, Washington
Elijah Molden isn’t the fastest corner in the draft but he’s available in the 4th round when the Browns are picking and Cleveland needs some depth at corner. With Denzel Ward under contract for two more years, the signing of Troy Hill, and the hopeful return of Greedy Williams, Molden wouldn’t be expected to be a top-three corner on the Browns for at least two years. So he makes some sense as a pick here.
The problem is that he runs a 4.58 40-yard dash, and even though he has good hips to allow him to transition while covering, his flat speed just isn’t great. OSU’s Pete Werner is faster in a dead sprint than him. That’s either a knock on Molden or high praise for Werner.
He might be better served being moved to safety.
For the Browns though, they could do worse than a second-generation NFL player. Part of the big pitfalls of the NFL is the sudden rush of fame and the immense spotlight. Molden’s father Alex was a long-time starter in the NFL, playing for the Saints, Lions, and Chargers, starting 57 career games and playing in 90 total. That type of tutelage could help the younger Molden improve greatly and grow as a pro.
His son could be everything his father was. Elijah doesn’t need to be a Hall of Fame player for the Browns and heck, he doesn’t even need to earn a second contract; he just needs to play better than Terrance Mitchell and Kevin Johnson.
That shouldn’t be hard.
Round 5, Pick 169: Darrick Forrest, S, Cincinnati
While listed as a safety, his 4.41 speed and potential need at corner could see Darrick Forrest and Elijah Molden switch positions. Forrest is a great late-round prospect and could be a steal with adequate coaching and training. SI’s breakdown of Forrest reads like a what’s-what of a high-end cornerback. He’s got great hips, and transitions smoothly from his backpedal, is very willing to get mixed up in tackles, and has a slender frame that may not be conducive to stopping the run.
That’s everything a corner is usually described as. Plus, Forrest is given praise by SI for his ability to work short zones, deep zones, and man coverage, again, a huge staple of being a corner. Regardless of where Forrest plays in Cleveland, if he were to be drafted, he’d at least be an option to improve the coverage.
The Browns secondary last year was largely a mess, and it started with very weak corner spots. The Browns have, essentially, three safeties for two spots with John Johnson having one spot and Grant Delpit and Ronnie Harrison taking the other.
That means that Forrest would have time to learn and grow for at least a year or two, before being needed to step in to play significant snaps. That is unless he’s moved to corner.
Round 6, Pick 211: Brady Christensen, OT, BYU
Not a great prospect, as he’ll be 25 years old at the start of the season, but Brady Christensen has great measurables. With linemen, 40-yard dashes are like measuring a first basemen’s long jump; there’s no point. The dash is a speed measurement, with linemen, you want quickness measurements. According to SI, he’s a beast everywhere it counts.
His 10 and 20-yard splits are considered to be elite, and his shuttle and cone drills are among the top of any offensive tackle in the draft class.
The Draft Network describes his ideal role as a backup swing tackle, in a run-first offensive scheme. Considering the need to cut salary for 2022, and the fact that the Browns’ very own swing tackle, Chris Hubbard, will more than likely not be brought back in 2022 due to cap concerns, makes Christensen an ideal prospect to come in.
He played left tackle for BYU and protected Zach Wilson’s blindside, and at 6’6, with a 300lb frame and a 4.9 40-yard dash, could be an excellent pulling guard if called upon.
Round 7, Pick 257: Bryce Thompson, CB, Tennessee
The Browns need help at corner, especially on the outside. The Draft Network claims that Bryce Thompson is an outside-only corner. He’s got a 4.5 40-yard dash and numerous outlets have described him as being very quick in reactionary situations. That bolds well for his viability as a prospect.
Truthfully, everyone from the fourth round on should be considered a four-year project. Guys who are not promised anything beyond a fourth year, if they even deserve that. Thompson more than likely would get cut by the Browns before his fourth year on the team, but he has enough positive attributes to waste a pick on him and see what kind of guy you really have.
Really, all you’re hoping for out of a seventh-round pick is for someone who can maybe play special teams for four years, fill in on dime and quarter packages as needed and not get into any trouble.
That’s it, Thompson could probably do that, and if he can’t? Well, it was just a seventh-round pick.