The Cleveland Browns had a unique NFL draft. While two of their picks were moved as a part of the Deshaun Watson trade, the team still decided to trade down twice including out of their second-round pick at #44.
Before the draft started, many fans would have been happy with the team selecting DT Perrion Winfrey with that second-round pick. Instead, Andrew Berry traded down and selected M.J. Emerson with the team’s initial selection, in the third round, and added a few other picks.
Those picks allowed the team to be in a position to not only draft Winfrey in the fourth round but also pick up kicker Cade York as well.
According to NFL.com, the selection of Winfrey could be the most impactful of all the day three selections in the league in 2022:
Winfrey fell into a perfect spot, as Cleveland desperately needed a 3-technique to challenge opposing interior offensive linemen off the snap, thanks to the exits of Malik McDowell (whom the Browns did not tender as an exclusive rights free agent following his January arrest) and Malik Jackson (who was on a one-year deal) last season. It won’t be surprising if Winfrey produces more than former Browns draft find Larry Ogunjobi (who spent 2021 in Cincinnati) did as a third-round rookie (one sack, one start in 14 appearances in 2017).
The combination of Winfrey’s talent and the Browns need creates a perfect situation for him to succeed. While he fell further than most expected, Winfrey’s passion, motor and quick first step could make him a steal early in his career.