We are one day from the NFL Draft and it’s time to make our final NFL Mock Draft. The Cleveland Browns are an interesting team because, with such a deep and talented roster, they are running out of positions to fill up. Because of the way they attacked free agency, the team does not have many needs but the Browns have eight picks this year and could really bolster their playoff-caliber roster.
Cleveland Browns NFL Mock Draft: Day One
1.26 | Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah | LB | Notre Dame
I made a Browns mock draft in February of this year and this was the pick I made back then as well. This pick almost makes too much sense as the Browns can add a player that plays multiple spots on the defense and would be a great scheme fit for the 4-2-5 defense i’d imagine Cleveland runs this season. JOK can cover tight ends, play the run, and is athletic enough to work in zone coverage. He fits the mold of player the Browns should want at linebacker.
Cleveland Browns NFL Mock Draft: Day Two
2.59 | Gregory Rousseau |DL | Miami(FL)
Back in 2020, Greg Rousseau was a projected top ten pick and was going to be the Chase Young of this class. Now, in NFL Mock drafts, he falls to the second round. This is mainly due to the questions surrounding him as a player. The young defensive lineman opted out of the 2020 college football season after 15 sacks as a redshirt freshman. Going into the season, Rousseau assumed his stock would hold true, but the questions were never answered about him as he didn’t play.
Rousseau is still a talented player and has incredible length for his position. He can rush the passer from any place and fills two holes for the Browns at defensive end and defensive tackle as he should be able to play both. He can slide inside and use his long arms to get leverage and get to the quarterback, and he could be a nice player to have with Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney.
3.89 | Tommy Togiai | IDL | Ohio State
Despite the pick of Greg Rousseau at 58, the Browns still need help on the defensive line. After releasing Sheldon Richardson, the Browns have a hole in the middle of the defense, and getting Tommy Togiai in the third round gives them a great run-stopping option to pair with the pass rush options they got earlier. The Browns keep Togiai in the Buckeye state and are better equipped to stop the Baltimore Ravens rushing attack. This pick is hard to project as the Browns have filled most of their needs, but this player would make sense.
3.91 | Ben Cleveland | IOL | Georgia
The Browns had a top five offensive line in football last season but when things got dicey due to injuries and covid, they had to test a lot of their depth. While that depth played fine, it is always advantageous to get better in the trenches and Ben Cleveland is the defintion of better in the trenches. At 335 pounds Cleveland adds great depth to an already great offensive line. He is a nasty blocker, who is physical and tough.
Give him Bill Callahan to help him be more technically sound and you have a recipe for success. Not to mention Wyatt Teller is a free agent next season and will not be cheap. If the Browns can’t retain him, Cleveland could develop into a starter to fill that spot.
I’d also like to see the Browns move this pick, as it will be tough for eight rookies to make an impact, but I will not be forecasting any trades in this Browns NFL mock draft.
4.110 | Keith Taylor Jr. | CB | Washington
The Browns added a corner in this year’s free agency class, but you can never have too many good players in the secondary. Keith Taylor gives the Browns a tall outside corner, with the ability to play to man defense and compete with Greedy Williams for the outside corner spot. Nonetheless, he adds depth to a position that had none last season. This defense looks much better with more DBs on it. Taylor is a very different player from Troy Hill and gives the team a different kind of player.
4.132 | Dazz Newsome | WR | North Carolina
This pick is an absolute slam dunk at this spot. Dazz Newsome is one of the most versatile and fast players in this draft and gives the Browns something they don’t really have. Newsome is a Swiss army knife kind of player who will play from everywhere on this offense. He also adds tremendous value as a returner which helps the Browns in multiple ways. Newsome is a top-100 player on my big board and is one of my favorite players in this class.
5.169 | Josh Ball | OT | Marshall
There isn’t a lot to say about this pick, because it is the fifth round. However, the Browns continue to add depth in the places they need it most and select a nice third or fourth tackle in Josh Ball. He is another player who can develop and fill in where he is needed.
7.211 | Ernest Jones | LB | South Carolina
The Browns don’t value linebackers as much as I wish they would, but taking one in the seventh round is certainly viable. Jones is a player most people are not talking about but he is a great linebacker prospect for this spot. He is a terrific run stopper and is the prototypical “thumper” in the middle. He has below-average coverage skills and athleticism but provides the Browns with great depth at a position they need it.
Thanks for reading my Cleveland Browns NFL Mock Draft, a part of the 32 Mocks in 32 days series!
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