Editor’s note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
How ‘bout a mock?
Yes, it’s that time of year. After sitting out the postseason for the 21st time in 23 seasons, the Browns turn their attention once again to their fans’ version of the Super Bowl – the NFL draft.
For now, the Browns hold the No. 13 position in the first round.
In their expansion era, they have taken a player 13th only once, in 2006. The Browns originally owned the No. 12 pick that year, but GM Phil Savage traded down one spot with Baltimore Ravens mentor Ozzie Newsome, breaking the taboo of trading with a division rival.
Newsome gave Savage a sixth-round pick and took Oregon defensive tackle Haloti Ngata. Ngata made All-Pro five times and the Pro Bowl five times.
Savage took Florida State edge rusher Kamerion Wimbley and used the sixth-round pick on Stanford defensive tackle Baba Oshinowo. Wimbley’s transition to a 3-4 edge rusher produced 11 sacks as a rookie. He didn’t come close to that number in three succeeding seasons and was traded to Oakland for a third-round pick, which was used to select quarterback Colt McCoy in 2010.
Oshinowo played three games for the Browns.
Our mock drafts will run every Friday and then on Thursday, April 28, the day of the first round of the 2022 NFL draft in Las Vegas.
That means there will be nine versions. Why nine? Because things change from week to week. Injury and off-field news, pro day workouts, free agency, rumors, speculation, trades all affect teams’ mock drafts in their draft rooms, — and ours, too..
Reaching Mock Draft 9.0 – our official projection of the entire first round – is a journey.
Until then, we will mock the first round through the Browns’ No. 13 spot, with additional picks for their AFC North rivals.
Happy mock draft season.
Mock draft 1.0
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: OT Evan Neal, Alabama
Failing a trade, new coach Doug Pederson replaces one Alabama tackle, Cam Robinson, with another to upgrade protection for Trevor Lawrence.
2. Detroit Lions: DE Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan
Unless there is a Michigan-native and Michigan Wolverine quarterback that drops from heaven, this is the only pick the Lions could possibly make.
3. Houston Texans: DE Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon
A defensive rebuild in the post-J.J. Watt era must be accelerated.
4. New York Jets: OT Ikem Ekwonu, North Carolina State
He’ll move behemoth Mekhi Becton to right tackle after becoming the third O-lineman in a row taken in the first round by the sad-sack franchise.
5. New York Giants: DE Travon Walker, Georgia
This seems like a surprise, but his stock should rise this high after his workout at the Combine this weekend.
6. Carolina Panthers: OT Charles Cross, Mississippi
We assume they will make a major move for a quarterback in free agency, and then will have to protect him.
7. New York Giants (via Chicago): S Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame
The new regime from Buffalo – GM Joe Schoen and coach Brian Daboll – kicks off its era with another defensive strike.
8. Atlanta Falcons: DE Jermaine Johnson, Florida State
This defense needs an infusion of impact talent.
9. Denver Broncos: Edge rusher David Ojabo, Michigan
Unless Von Miller returns after his Super Bowl ring ceremony in L.A., Bradley Chubb needs a complementary rusher.
10. New York Jets (via Seattle): WR Garrett Wilson, Ohio State
They must get QB Zach Wilson a playmaker and here he is.
11.Washington Commanders: QB Malik Willis, Liberty
He’s no Cam Newton, but coach Ron Rivera has learned something about mobile/running quarterbacks.
12. Minnesota Vikings: CB Derek Stingley Jr., LSU
New GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah crunched the algorithms and came up with a cornerback.
13. Cleveland Browns: WR Treylon Burks, Arkansas
Big, physical, versatile receiver with huge hands from the SEC. What’s not to like?
14. Baltimore Ravens: DT Devonte Wyatt, Georgia
They need reinforcements on their defensive front.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: QB Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh
They take a small-handed successor to Ben Roethlisberger and hope the rains stay away from Heinz Field.
31. Cincinnati Bengals: OT Trevor Penning, Northern Iowa
Whomever is the highest-rated offensive lineman should be a no-brainer.