The NFL Draft is coming up quickly. Uncertainty prevails, not just in Cleveland but every NFL city. The 2020 NFL Draft taking place in the midst of a global pandemic has made business as usual completely impossible.
As such, we know less than normal about what NFL teams are going to do in the draft. With a new regime in Cleveland, that uncertainty only gets magnified. But that doesn’t stop us from trying!
Here are a few thoughts I have about the Browns draft over my Saturday morning coffee. Just my thoughts and ideas, not a report or “this is going to happen” hot takes…
I think the Browns would love to trade back from No. 10
More picks mean more chances to land more players that can help. My belief is GM Andrew Berry and his staff would love to parlay the No. 10 pick into two picks in the top 50 in 2020 and a premium pick in 2021, or two first-round selections this year.
I think they view Tristan Wirfs as the top OT
Wirfs has the elite athleticism that is required to thrive in new coach Kevin Stefanski’s zone blocking scheme. He’s well-coached under Kirk Ferentz at Iowa and ready to play right away. The Stefanski scheme mitigates Wirfs’ flaws, and having a veteran OL coach like Bill Callahan will too.
I think adding a veteran LT is still very much on the table
The Trent Williams trade rumors have settled but have not died. Jason Peters is still out there as a free agent, as is Cordy Glenn. A one-year bandage at left tackle would buy time for a more developmental-type tackle to get up to speed. Which ties into the next thought…
I think the Browns are more open to passing on OT at No. 10 than expected
This is especially true if both Wirfs and Georgia’s Andrew Thomas are already gone. I believe if a player they value higher than the next available tackle, they won’t force the tackle pick. Players that I believe fit that bill include Isaiah Simmons, Derrick Brown and Jeff Okudah, if still on the board.
I think they’re taking at least one wide receiver on Friday
Wideout is an underrated need. With both Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry coming off surgeries, it’s prudent to have some depth. The Browns have Damion Ratley, KhaDarel Hodge and Taywan Taylor. That’s not going to cut it and I strongly believe Berry and Stefanski know it.
It’s a great draft to need wide receiver help. Plenty of prospects of all styles will come flying off the board during the second and third rounds on Friday night. I believe the Browns will contribute to that run on WRs at least once.
I think the team’s love for OT Ezra Cleveland is real but also overblown
The Boise State left tackle does indeed have some appeal for the Browns. He has the movement skills to work with and should be able to keep Baker Mayfield comfortable in the pocket.
But I don’t think they see him as a viable option at No. 10, or No. 20 overall with a hypothetical trade back. I don’t think any other NFL team will view him as worthy of being taken that high and I think the Browns know that, too. So I’m not buying the “Cleveland to Cleveland in the first round” hype, not unless the team acquires a second first-round selection.
I think Wyoming LB Logan Wilson will be a Browns pick
Wilson is smart, a sure tackler and has the range and athleticism to fit into Joe Woods’ defense right off the bat. I know the team has done homework on Wilson dating back to the Senior Bowl, where they interviewed him. His skills complement Mack Wilson and Sione Takitaki well.
Wilson generally projects as a 3rd-4th rounder. That might be lower than some fans will want the Browns to address the position, but Wilson sure seems like a likely target in that range and one who will win the fans over quickly.