Next up in the series recommending a player for each of the seven rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft at a particular position group for the Cleveland Browns: defensive tackle.
It’s a definite need for Cleveland, though not necessarily an urgent one. Sheldon Richardson is a great starting point and played well in his first season with the Browns. Newcomer Andrew Billings is an ascending talent at nose tackle, while enigmatic Larry Ogunjobi enters his contract year.
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Who fits best for what new defensive coordinator Joe Woods might want up front in Cleveland? Here is a defensive tackle prospect for each and every round in the draft who could make the Browns better on the line.
First round: Javon Kinlaw
Kinlaw leaped into the national consciousness by almost singlehandedly leading the South Carolina Gamecocks to upset the heavily favored Georgia Bulldogs last fall. It was the most impressive single-game performance by any player I watched all year.
Kinlaw is a physical freak who has worked hard at remaking his body and getting both quicker and stronger. He’s too fast for interior blockers when he gets the initial jump, and his swim, rip and up-and-under moves are polished already. There is some bust potential but also very high-end impact ability right away.
If the Browns somehow don’t take an offensive tackle in the first round, Kinlaw would be my No. 1 choice at No. 10.
Second round: Justin Madubuike
Madubuike posted just modest production in the last two seasons at Texas A&M (5.5 sacks both years), but he’s a player whose impact goes beyond the box score. He’s a quick gap-shooting 3-tech who wins with fast hands and feet and natural leverage. Madubuike is light at about 290 pounds, but he’s functionally strong and uses his lither build effectively to winnow past big blockers. He’s also quite good at chasing down mobile QBs and stretch runs.
The biggest wart with Madubuike is his overeager nature on the field. He runs himself out of the hole in the run game and will get pushed too far upfield on his rush at times, too. Those are problematic but coachable issues.