Do the Cleveland Browns 2022 NFL Draft Class deserve a passing grade?

How did the Cleveland Browns 2022 NFL Draft class do?

The Cleveland Browns have not had the best of luck with their draft classes under Andrew Berry. A step up over previous eras, sure, but with his Ivy League accolades and the fan’s bullish support, you would think that the Browns would have a plethora of starters, and a few Pro Bowlers from the last three years’ worth of picks.

They don’t. In fact, it’s very likely that only a handful, if even that many, will stick around to get a second contract. Jedrick Wills has been a disappointment, Greg Newsome has been a starting-caliber corner, but no one thinks he’s the next Jalen Ramsey, and the multitude of second and third-round picks have produced a few good players but nothing to write home about.

But you’d be shocked by the way some of the people talk about very average guys like Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and Donovan-Peoples-Jones. Necessary guys, by all means, but none are looking like All-Pros.

So it shouldn’t surprise anyone that the Browns earned only a C- in this year’s Rookie Grades via Nick Shook of NFL.com. Or maybe it would surprise you depending on how credible you view the rookies in 2022.

Despite what many claim, you can in fact get a good idea of where not only a player, but a class would be after one year. Most NFL players don’t improve once they make it to the league, hence the high-turnover rate. So was the 2022 crop of Browns’ rookies a C- group?

The Cleveland Browns 2022 rookie class was saved by one player

Largely, the rookie class was a disappointment. Shook lumps in D’Anthony Bell and Ben Stille, who were both signed as free agents, and even with them, they don’t help the curve any. Alex Wright and Perrion Winfrey were largely ineffective and in the case of Winfrey was a downright malcontent. He got himself removed from the rotation due to his attitude issues. David Bell came in with all the hype in the world and did nothing worth talking about. Same can be said for his receiver mate, Michael Woods.

Isaiah Thomas may be one of the first guys cut from the draft class, as he was not a good player as a rookie in the limited snaps he got. Dawson Deaton was out for the season, but he’ll be in competition with Nick Harris to start at center, as it’s unlikely Ethan Pocic returns.

Really, the Browns had three good-ish players. Cade York struggled at home, but no one ever points out how terrible it is to kick in Cleveland Browns stadium, especially during the winter. Too many people over-hyped him, but York had a fine season. It’s not his fault people thought he should’ve been drafted.

Jerome Ford was a finer returner, nothing special, and didn’t really see any real action on offense, so he’s an unknown quantity. M.J. Emerson emerged as a reliable third corner, and that’s not a bad thing.

Those three players alone can earn the Browns a C- if they don’t improve at all from the 2022 season. So that’s something at least. So yes, a C- seems about right.