The Browns have locked down their draft position for 2022

The Cleveland Browns have secured their draft place for 2022.

It feels like a story retold yet again; the Cleveland Browns faithful looking forward to the NFL Draft. Yet, here we are. Luckily, however, the Browns have a solid place in the draft despite having a not-terrible record of 8-9. Granted, it’s utterly disappointing but usually winning eight games isn’t a bad thing.

The Browns, according to tankathon.com, have secured the 13th pick in the upcoming 2022 NFL Draft. The position should allow the Browns to go and get a playmaker at one of the two most lacking positions on the team; defensive tackle and wide receiver.

Hopefully, Garrett Wilson is still there at #13, but if he’s not the Browns would be wise to go get a defensive tackle at the position as well. If the team had any issues on defense, it was the interior, as they could be exploited by the rush a time or two up the gut. Like with defensive tackle, the Browns’ biggest issue on offense was at receiver, where regardless of who played, had countless games of missed opportunities and drops.

Baker Mayfield’s accuracy was off all year, no doubt about it, but that doesn’t excuse just how often a Browns’ receiver seemingly dropped the ball.

What other positions could the Browns draft in the first round?

Let’s say the first 12 picks are all defensive tackles and receivers, who else should be considered in a “best player available” situation? Well, offensive tackle, safety, and defensive end all come to mind. There’s still plenty of time for Jedrick Wills to turn it around and there’s no reason to think Jack Conklin won’t return to form but it’s not at all out of the realm of possibility.

If Jadeon Clowney opts to not return, the Browns could look into drafting a defensive end, but at #13, who knows what type of end is available. You may be able to hold off until the second round to address that need.

The safety position seems a lot healthier with the likes of M.J. Stewart, who really performed well after converting from cornerback. Yet, John Johnson III was anything but a good signing for what he got paid. A lot of times his former Rams teammate Troy Hill outplayed him and Hill wasn’t seen to be on the same level of a signing as Johnson.

So while like with the defensive end and offensive tackle position, safety shouldn’t be a first-round priority, if the best fits for the team are already off the board, those are three positions to consider. Only if the WR’s and DTs were picked apart by then; which likely won’t happen.