Browns Mock Draft
I am not sure I would call it a changing of the tide in Cleveland, as we all know the reason the Browns are limited on the first two days of the NFL Draft this season. But this time of year, used to be the Super Bowl for Browns fans – and how could it not be? We are about as far away from playing actual games as you could imagine. The taste of last year’s season has finally gone away, and training camp isn’t until July; there is only one thing Browns fans could do this time of year – hope.
Well, we gave up the proverbial farm for Deshaun Watson, a move that is still polarizing to many Browns fans. While I have moved on to looking at this from a football perspective, I do not discount anybody’s feelings about the organization or Deshaun the person. People forget that “fans” is short for fanatics; and regardless of how you felt or still feel about the trade your feelings are just. This team, for better or worse (mostly worse), has been a huge part of my life, hell my personality, for my entire adult life. And while I’ll never buy a Watson #4 jersey, I also can’t quit this team. Regardless of your feelings towards the QB and organization, that trade has rendered draft day just another Thursday in Cleveland.
In addition to our first-round pick, the Browns traded away their second-round pick to New York for Elijah Moore (a move that I really like). Cleveland has revamped their team in free agency and through the trade market, knowing they couldn’t rely on the draft. In the last two years we have seen them bring in Amari Cooper, Deshaun Watson, Dalvin Tomlinson, Juan Thornhill, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, and Marquise Goodwin amongst others.
So, guess what I am doing this draft season (besides going on a golf trip to Louisville)? I’ll be relying on hope all the same to bring me through to September – but it won’t be because of the names you hear on Friday and Saturday. I also won’t be questioning some publications meaningless draft grade they give my team Sunday morning. I’ll be hoping that a roster consisting of Myles Garrett, Nick Chubb, Deshaun Watson, Denzel Ward, and many more can finally put it all together. I will be hoping that super hunk Kevin Stefanski really is NFL Coach of the Year caliber and not just a flash in the pan. I’ll be optimistic that Jim Schwartz can take all the talent on defense and finally turn them into a top-10 unit, something departing defensive coordinator Joe Woods could never do. I’ll have the expectation of success for 2023 because I am sick of the NFL Draft being my Super Bowl. I know old habits die hard, but I think a break from the NFL Draft is a healthy step for us Browns fans.
Day One:
Use this time to really convince your significant other that you would much rather spend time with them than watch the stupid draft. It is just like the Bye Week philosophy, go apple picking or carve pumpkins. I’d suggest finding something more seasonable for April, but really milk it for all its worth. Sometimes you must invest in your future, and while most teams will be doing that on Thursday Cleveland will not be. So, catch the ticker and see who your division rivals took but don’t waste a perfectly good Thursday night, cash that in for a later date.
Day Two:
As I’ve stated before, old habits certainly die hard and while we knew we would not have a first-round pick, Browns fans had been curiously looking at what WRs could be available for the second-round. Andrew Berry at least had the courtesy of trading the pick a month before the draft this year; last year he used our second-round pick to trade back on draft day, a move very unlike Browns on-screen GM Sonny Weaver (I want my picks back you pancake eating F#%k!). So now we finally come to pick #74 which was swapped back in the Elijah Moore trade with the Jets. You can now open your eyes and consume the NFL Draft, but if you want my advice – don’t. What has it helped before? Take a break, you’ve earned it for sticking with this team since 1999.
Round 3 Pick 74 Derick Hall EDGE, Tenn:
The Browns continue to look for the elusive book end edge to Myles Garrett. Signing Ogbonnia Okoronkwo was a good step for Cleveland, but he only really flashed after finally getting the starting job half-way through the season with a bad Houston team. Hall possesses athleticism and power that paired with being outside of a perennial DPOY contender can get his confidence going early. At this stage in the draft, albeit the start for Cleveland, you are looking for guys who can come in and compete in the rotation. Anything above that is a bonus and I think Hall has that upside.
Round 3 Pick 98 (Comp) Olusegun Oluwatimi G/C, Michigan:
Cleveland was able to resign Ethan Pocic after he came in and played well-above average after taking over for Nick Harris who was the projected starter in camp. Harris got injured on the first drive in preseason ending his season. This is why depth on the line is always so important to any team. Oluwatimi was 4-year starter, winner of the Joe Moore Award, and certainly passed the eye test in college. But it’s his versatility at this pick that intrigues me the most. There will just be a contingent of Browns fans that will have to overlook his alma mater.
Day Three:
This is for the truly sick amongst us, the elite of the elite of football nerdome. I will outline some guys below that I could see the Browns sniff around but please heed my advice and seek help for your draft withdrawal.
Round 4 Pick 111 Henry To'oTo'o ILB, Alabama:
This might be wishful thinking for To’oTo’o to be available with this pick, but ILB has been the defensive equivalent of running back over the last few years. Seemingly how the Browns elected to ignore DT last year, while posting a historically bad run defense, I hope they don’t overlook LB. Henry was a top 50 recruit out of HS and has been as consistent as they come, add a second-team All-SEC award to boot. He doesn’t possess elite athleticism but a true gamer and a high football-IQ in the fourth round is hard to pass up.
Round 4 Pick 126 Jake Haener QB, Fresno State:
Cleveland brought back Joshua Dobbs to backup Deshaun for the 2023 campaign. They also took a waiver claim on Kellen Mond last year as well. This pick is to compete for that 3rd spot. It would be nice for Cleveland to develop a backup given how much they already have invested in the position. Haener’s TD-INT ratio is what intrigues me the most at 53:12 over the last two years. I want a backup QB who can come in and manage the game by getting the ball to the weapons on the field, not someone who thinks they need to do it themselves.
Rounds 5-7: Anyone’s Guess OFF/DEF/ST, Anywhere USA:
While the Browns certainly have needs across the board, we are simply looking at depth anywhere we can get. The goal will be BPA at every level of this draft. The most important thing to understand is most of these guys won’t be competing for starting jobs, which in and of itself is nothing short of progress. In fact, the front office and coaching staff are going to be on the ultimate hot seat if they can’t make the playoffs this year.
So, Browns fans I urge you, take a break this year. Enjoy the fact that the draft is not your pinnacle of existence. But brace yourself for the coming storm if this roster, loaded with talent at every level, can’t put it together; because as we know, next April is a long way away.
- Aaron
