Editor’s note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
Final thoughts on the Browns’ draft:
- They need a cornerback capable of starting in 2021. Need that player badly.
- GM Andrew Berry has been aggressive all transaction season. I don’t expect him to back off and be passive on draft night. I would expect him to try to move up and nab one of the top four cornerbacks, but he won’t mortgage this draft or anything high in 2022.
- If he’s unable to fill that large need with a draft pick, Berry still has some options in trade or free agency. So if the first round is devoted to another position, stay tuned.
- I don’t think Berry trades back from No. 26. If he stays at No. 26 and the top four cornerbacks are gone, the options come down to developmental edge rusher, defensive tackle, hybrid linebacker or wide receiver.
- I can’t get out of my head the belief that somehow New England’s actions indirectly will affect what the Browns do.
- My hunch is that Alabama defensive tackle Christian Barmore will be the highest-ranked defensive player on the board if the Browns are forced to pick at No. 26. If they take him, they may have to trade up in the second round for a cornerback.
- I vacillate on what the Browns would do if Virginia Tech cornerback Caleb Farley slides to No. 26. It would be up to their medics’ evaluation of his back issue. I imagine the inability of Denzel Ward and Greedy Williams to avoid injuries would be the deal-breaker against gambling on Farley.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: QB Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
Wire to wire winner of the No. 1 spot.
Last time: Lawrence.
2. New York Jets: QB Zach Wilson, Brigham Young
They close their eyes and see Patrick Mahomes. With their vision, better hope it’s not actually Ken O’Brien.
Last time: Wilson.
3. San Francisco 49ers: QB Mac Jones, Alabama
Followed by a trade of Jimmy G. to Bill B.
Last time: Justin Fields.
4. Atlanta Falcons: TE Kyle Pitts, Florida
Matt Ryan contract locks him in for two more years.
Last time: Pitts.
5. Cincinnati Bengals: OT Penei Sewell, Oregon
Rare tackle prevails over best-in-class receiver.
Last time: Ja’Marr Chase.
6. Miami Dolphins: WR Ja’Marr Chase, LSU
They benefit from Bengals’ choice of tackle.
Last time: Trey Lance (Panthers).
7. Detroit Lions: WR Jaylen Waddle, Alabama
Like everyone else, they need to score more points.
Last time: Sewell.
8. Carolina Panthers: QB Justin Fields, Ohio State
Trade of Teddy Bridgewater creates immediate competition with Sam Darnold.
Last time: Waddle (Dolphins).
9. Denver Broncos: QB Trey Lance, North Dakota State
But Bridgewater addition doesn’t dissuade Broncos from adding another QB.
Last time: Micah Parsons.
10: Dallas Cowboys: CB Patrick Surtain, Alabama
Defensive-starved team gets first defensive player of draft.
Last time: Jones (Patriots).
11.New York Giants: LB Micah Parsons, Penn State
Last time: DeVonta Smith.
12.Philadelphia Eagles: WR DeVonta Smith, Alabama
Last time: Surtain.
13.Los Angeles Chargers: OT Rashawn Slater, Northwestern
Last time: Slater.
14.Minnesota Vikings: DE Kwity Paye, Michigan
Last time: Paye.
15:New England Patriots: CB Jaycee Horn, South Carolina
Last time: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (Cowboys).
16.Arizona Cardinals: LB Zaven Collins, Tulsa
Last time: Horn.
17.Las Vegas Raiders: OG Alijah Vera-Tucker, USC
Last time: Caleb Farley.
18.Miami Dolphins: DE Azeez Ojulari, Georgia
Last time: Ojulari.
19.Washington Football Team: OT Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech
Last time: Darrisaw.
20.Chicago Bears: OT Teven Jenkins, Oklahoma State
Last time: Newsome (Browns).
21.Indianapolis Colts: CB Greg Newsome, Northwestern
Last time: Jaelan Phillips.
22.Tennessee Titans: WR Rashod Bateman, Minnesota
Last time: Bateman.
23.New York Jets: DE Jaelan Phillips, Miami
Last time: Gregory Rousseau.
24.Pittsburgh Steelers: RB Travis Etienne, Clemson
Last time: Jenkins.
25.Jacksonville Jaguars: LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koromoah, Notre Dame
Last time: Christian Barmore.
26. Cleveland Browns: DT Christian Barmore, Alabama
Highest-ranked defensive player on board – from an SEC school – prevails over developmental edge rushers.
Last time: Vera-Tucker (Bears).
27.Baltimore Ravens: DE Jayson Oweh, Penn State
Last time: Oweh.
28.New Orleans Saints: CB Asante Samuel, Florida State
Last time: Elija Moore.
29.Green Bay Packers: LB Jamin Davis, Kentucky
Last time: Davis.
30.Buffalo Bills: RB Najee Harris, Alabama
Last time: Harris.
31.Baltimore Ravens: OT Alex Leatherwood, Alabama
Last time: Leatherwood (Chiefs).
32.Tampa Bay Buccaneers: S Trevon Moehrig, Texas Christian
Last time: Etienne.