This Cleveland Browns Mock Draft starts at receiver and gets interesting
By Chad Porto
53. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. John Ridgeway. 104. player. DL. Arkansas
The Cleveland Browns need more help at defensive tackle than any other position, that’s why we’re going back to back with defensive tackles in semi-project pick John Ridgeway (PFF #117) out of Arkansas. He and Travis Jones are nearly identical in measurables and that’s the point. The Malik’s of 2021 were more slender, and “quicker” and they were awful. So let’s switch directions, let’s geet two hosses to fill the middle of the field and dare the offense to move them.
Ridgeway is someone with incredible strength, but he’s also only had one year of high-level competition at Arkansas.
Pro Football Network has some fair criticism about Ridgeway, but none of it isn’t fixable. His biggest knocks against him are going straight up against offensive linemen and getting pushed back. That’s a coaching issue. He also doesn’t have quick footwork, which again, isn’t something that should worry anyone, the Browns coaching staff will get him working on that.
They do cite that he has a high motor, lateral agility, and strength. Those are three things the Browns need. They think he’s only a fit at nose tackle but I think he could be a great anchor tackle and keep in mind, the Browns aren’t likely to rely on just him and Travis Jones. A veteran will likely be signed. Giving Ridgeway, Jones, and Togiai some more time to develop.