Cleveland Browns ‘Best 2nd-round fit’ offers immediacy concerns
Adding another wide receiver in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft is certainly in play, but with the Cleveland Browns doing little to add to the depth of the defensive line, ESPN listed Oklahoma interior defensive lineman Perrion Winfrey as the best prospect fit at No. 44.
Author Jordan Reid wrote (subscription required) the Browns are “starved for help in the middle of their defense with a need for a penetrating 3-technique tackle…”
He’s not wrong. As tempting as it may be to add a receiver such as Georgia’s George Pickens, the Browns need to be worried about the defensive line.
The only starter slated to return as of now is Myles Garrett. There’s rumblings Jadeveon Clowney could still re-sign, but until it happens, the Browns are desperate for a defensive end.
Cleveland traded Mack Wilson for Chase Winovich in a move that screamed, “We’ll take the pass rusher over the coverage linebacker.” The Patriots gave up on the Michigan product after a disappointing 2021 season, but the Browns are hoping Winovich can get back to what he accomplished in his rookie season of 2020.
Cleveland Browns interior needs help, no guarantee you’ll find major contributor
As for the interior, the Browns do have Jordan Elliott and Tommy Togiai on the roster. Elliott is a third-round pick from 2020. It should be time for him to log more playing time. Togiai looked pretty raw last season. Look for him to play more, but it may be a stretch to see him logging starter-esque snaps.
This is what worries me about taking a player such as Winfrey in the second round. It’s hard to find a defensive tackle after round one, throw them into the starting lineup and forget about them for seven years. Usually, it takes some time to adjust to the position at the pro level, as we’re seeing with Elliott and Togiai.
Winfrey’s NFL Draft profile says he can have rotational value and could be an eventual starter down the road.
If the Browns are convinced he can help right away, great. If he doesn’t, then it’s a missed opportunity. Without first-round picks for the next three years, the best way to find cost affordable talent is through the draft, meaning Cleveland’s got to hit on some of these second rounders.
The Browns also signed Taven Bryan, who was a 2018 first-round pick of the Jaguars. At a $5 million price tag, he’ll get plenty of reps in the person with the chance to earn a lot of playing time.
You could see the writing on the wall with Bryan, who was a healthy scratch for Jacksonville last season. On the flip side, after being told to sit down, he came back and notably sacked Josh Allen twice in the same game.
A lot can happen before the draft, but I would think that if the Browns can’t re-sign Clowney, they’re going to to with an edge rusher with their first pick.
5 players Browns should target in 2nd round. dark. Next
I hope they go with a receiver because I think the position group offers the most immediate impact.