What are the 3 positions the Cleveland Browns most need in the 2023 NFL Draft

The Cleveland Browns have done some work this offseason but there’s much to do.

The Cleveland Browns came out swinging in the free-agent period, hoping to address a variety of lingering issues with some budget signings. The team may have upgraded several spots, namely the defensive tackle and safety spot with Dalvin Tomlinson and Juan Thornhill. Both men are going expected to be starters for the 2023 season and both should improve the team.

Especially Tomlinson, even if he’s overpaid and not a great run-stopper, he’s leaps and bounds better than anyone the Browns have on the roster from 2022 at his position. Thornhill, on paper, should be an upgrade over John Johnson, but as we saw with Johnson, a change in system and scenery could do a lot to mess up a player.

The Browns also addressed depth issues at receiver with the Elijah Moore trade and at tight end with the signing of Jordan Atkins. That said, the Browns are still thin at the offensive line and may need a versatile sixth man of sorts for the group, one that could see him play multiple spots. That isn’t the team’s biggest need, however.

The defense is still lacking.

While GM Andrew Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanski may be hoping guys like Grant Delpit and Perrion Winfrey take the next step in their development, we have to operate from a place that basically says if they’re not an obvious starter, there is a need for one.

So with that said, these are the positions I’d concentrate the first three picks in the draft at, in order.

Three positions the Cleveland Browns must address in the draft

1. Defensive Tackle

The Browns getting Tomlinson was a good get. Not a great get, however. His impact on the team will only be so much, and considering the rest of the defensive tackles the team signed after him, the team is still looking at some really lackluster players. Not to mention Jordan Elliot, Tommy Togiai, and Winfrey being pretty lackluster. The team needs help at the position as they currently lack anyone beyond Tomlinson who could be described as a “solid starter”.

2. Linebacker

The Browns did a good job re-signing three linebackers in free agency, bringing back Anthony Walker, Sione Takitakia, and Jordan Kunaszyk. The latter of the three may see some significant snaps at the position as well. The likelihood the Browns find an impact linebacker mid-to-late in the third round isn’t great, so the team should prioritize a player with an adaptable nature to him. Someone who can fill in should anyone get hurt.

3. Safety

I don’t think Grant Delpit is it. The Browns would be wiser to move Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah to safety, but that doesn’t seem to be on the card.  Due to that, the Browns have got to find someone who can push a guy like Grant Delpit. Delpit is the presumed starter at the moment, but things can easily change. Drafting a safety will create some competition, and who knows, maybe the winner turns into the star of the secondary the team needs.