Draft day takes on a different feel for fans of the Cleveland Browns, as there will no first-round selection to celebrate.
Cleveland joins seven other teams who don’t have a first-round pick. If this holds, it would be an NFL Draft record for teams without first-round selections.
Some view the Browns’ 2022 first-round pick as Deshaun Watson, and assuming he plays, that’s fine. If Watson plays as well as he’s supposed to, then he should elevate the play of those around him.
Considering the Browns already have a very good roster, then Watson should take them to the next level. So, while they don’t have a true selection, GM Andrew Berry can use the later rounds to fill in holes and better prepare the roster for the future, as it will get harder to do things through free agency.
The draft starts Thursday night with the city of Las Vegas playing host. Rounds 2-3 commence Friday, April 30 at 5 p.m. The event wraps up Saturday, with Rounds 4-7 beginning at 9 a.m.
As the draft looms, here’s my five best guesses for what the Browns will do when they make their first pick in the second round.
1. Cleveland Browns best guess: George Pickens, WR, Georgia
The Georgia wide receiver seems to check all the boxes for what the Browns’ analytically oriented front office is looking for.
Most notably, Pickens is 21 years old and he brings size to the position, standing at 6-foot-3 with a 77-inch wingspan. He’d be a heck-of-a-weapon to leave the second round with and could potentially start opposite Amari Cooper on Week 1.
The problem with the Browns having to wait until 44 is that there’s no telling if Pickens will be available with the 44th pick.Mock draft your day away, there’s always going to be a scenario where he goes late first round or earlier in the second.
2. Cleveland Browns best guess: Logan Hall, DL, Houston
If you’ve been checking in lately, you’ll know I’m not thrilled about the idea of taking a defensive tackle, mainly because when you’re picking this late for that position, you’re probably just going to end up with a developmental prospect.
Defensive tackle is a desired position, but if there’s a prospect with first-round talent at the spot, he usually doesn’t slip.
So why Hall, a player who went to Houston who doesn’t really mesh with Berry taking players from blue-blood programs (Jedrick Wills, Grant Delpit, Greg Newsome, JOK) in the early rounds?
Simply, Hall, while raw, is viewed as a pass rusher from both the inside and the edge. That versatility is what makes him intriguing and affords the Browns to move other pieces around, such as giving Myles Garrett some reps on the inside.
3. Cleveland Browns best guess: Jalen Tobert, WR, South Alabama
He’s only 6-foot-1, but offers a 76-inch wingspan, so if Deshaun Watson puts it close, there’s a good change Tobert’s going to rip it down.
Tolbert saw his stock rise with strong performances at the Senior Bowl and then at the combine. Also, as mentioned with Hall, there’s that small school factor the Browns don’t seem keen on drafting early.
With that said, Tobert balled out when playing big competition. He caught 7 balls for 143 yards and a score against Tennessee’s defensive backs last season.
I’m not sure he could start on Week 1, but he’d certainly be someone the Browns could work in reps for along with second-year veteran Anthony Schwartz.
4. Cleveland Browns best guess: Trade up for George Karlaftis
The Purdue defensive end has pretty much been a fixture in first-round mocks dating back to fall, but now, ESPN guru Todd McShay is saying Karlaftis could slide into the second round.
If it happens, one could see Andrew Berry making a trade up in the round to secure the pass rusher, much like he did last season when he moved up to select linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.
Peter King, who’s been doing this for 1,000 years, didn’t have him in his first-round mock, either. McShay and King are plugged into what GMs are thinking and that could indicate his fall could be real.
5. Cleveland Browns best guess: David Ojabo, DE Michigan
Ojabo was a player mocked to the Browns in the first round last fall. After a suffering an achilles injury during Michigan’s pro day, the edge rusher’s stock has fallen. Some still have him going in the first round, while his injury certainly puts him in play for the Browns at No. 44.
I think Ojabo is a “best guess” if available because I do think the Browns have plans to bring back Jadeveon Clowney for 2022. Ojabo can rehab and take over when healthy.
Not having first-round picks for three years also weighs in this decision. In Ojabo, you’d be getting a first-round talent, you’d just have to wait a little while to unlock him.
If the Browns can secure the defensive end spot and afford Ojabo time to heel, then taking him in the second round makes a lot of sense.