Browns mock draft 7.0: Alabama defensive tackle Christian Barmore shows up again at No. 26

Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.

We pause from including trades in our mock draft for a special announcement: It’s looking more likely (at least, this week) that the Browns could take a defensive tackle with their first pick in the draft.

Mock draft 7.0 marks the second time a player has been a repeat choice for the Browns.

The first player mocked on two occasions was South Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn. Each time, once via a trade up, it seemed unlikely that Horn would drop low enough for the Browns to take him.

This week, Christian Barmore makes his second appearance in the Browns’ No. 26 draft slot. Alabama’s leading sacker last year is the top-ranked defensive tackle in the draft. Yet only one time in seven mock drafts have we had Barmore leaving the board before the Browns’ turn.

In Mock 1.0, Barmore was taken 17th by the Las Vegas Raiders. Every other time he was available for the Browns. We took Barmore 26th in Mock 4.0, and then passed on him after the Browns signed defensive tackle Malik Jackson in free agency. Jackson is one of four defensive tackles under contract, joining starters Sheldon Richardson and Andrew Billings, and reserve Jordan Elliott.

Do the Browns need a fifth defensive tackle? Yes. Why would they devote their top draft choice to a fifth defensive tackle? In Mock 7.0, Barmore is the highest-ranked defensive player left on the board. The top four defensive ends and the top four cornerbacks are gone.

Barmore is ranked 20th overall in the draft in Dane Brugler’s 2021 NFL Draft Guide. The next-best defensive end still available is Washington’s Joe Tryon (No. 32). The next-best cornerback is Florida State’s Asante Samuel (No. 42). The next-best linebacker is Tulsa’s Zaven Collins (No. 27).

Would the Browns take Barmore over Collins? Would they take Barmore over Miami defensive end Gregory Rousseau (No. 37)? Mock 7.0 thinks so.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars: QB Trevor Lawrence, Clemson

He’s signing a lifetime contract this weekend; he’s marrying his fiancée.

Last time: Lawrence.

2. New York Jets: QB Zach Wilson, Brigham Young

Jets were so impressed, they traded 2018 No. 3 overall pick Sam Darnold for kicking tees and practice jerseys.

Last time: Wilson.

3. San Francisco 49ers: QB Justin Fields, Ohio State

Sticking with this at least until Kyle Shanahan views Fields’ second pro day on Wednesday.

Last time: Fields.

4. Atlanta Falcons: OT Penei Sewell, Oregon

They remain most likely team left in first round to trade down.

Last time: Lance. (Broncos).

5. Cincinnati Bengals: WR Ja’Marr Chase, LSU

This has been the consensus choice for several weeks now.

Last time: Chase.

6. Miami Dolphins (from Eagles): WR DeVonta Smith, Alabama

Second team in a row to reunite receiver with college quarterback teammate.

Last time: Smith.

7. Detroit Lions: TE Kyle Pitts, Florida

New coach Dan Campbell was a tight end and needs to surround Jared Goff with intermediate targets.

Last time: Sewell.

8. Carolina Panthers: CB Patrick Surtain, Alabama

First defensive player off the board is a cornerback.

Last time: Mac Jones.

9. Denver Broncos: QB Trey Lance, North Dakota State

Still trying to correct mistake of passing on Josh Allen in 2018.

Last time: Smith (Dolphins).

10. Dallas Cowboys: LB Micah Parsons, Penn State

Tough call over CB2 and OT2.

Last time: Surtain.

11.New York Giants: DE/OLB Azeez Ojulari, Georgia

Last time: Jaelan Phillips.

12.Philadelphia Eagles (from Dolphins): WR Jaylen Waddle, Alabama

Last time: Waddle.

13.Los Angeles Chargers: OT Rashawn Slater, Northwestern

Last time: Slater.

14.Minnesota Vikings: DE Jaelan Phillips, Miami

Last time: Gregory Rousseau.

15:New England Patriots: QB Mac Jones, Alabama

Last time: Kadrius Toney.

16.Arizona Cardinals: CB Jaycee Horn, South Carolina

Last time: Caleb Farley.

17.Las Vegas Raiders: CB Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech

Last time: Teven Jenkins.

18.Miami Dolphins: LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame

Last time: Parsons.

19.Washington Football Team: OT Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech

Last time: Darrisaw.

20.Chicago Bears: OG Alija Vera-Tucker, USC

Last time: Liam Eichenberg.

21.Indianapolis Colts: DE Kwity Paye, Michigan

Last time: Paye.

22.Tennessee Titans: CB Greg Newsome, Northwestern

Last time: Horn (Browns).

23.New York Jets (from Seahawks): DE Jayson Oweh, Penn State

Last time: Oweh.

24.Pittsburgh Steelers: OT Teven Jenkins, Oklahoma

Last time: Vera-Tucker.

25.Jacksonville Jaguars: S Trevon Moehrig, Texas Christian

Last time: Moehrig.

26. Cleveland Browns: DT Christian Barmore, Alabama

Highest-rated defensive player on board.

Last time: Newsome (Titans).

27.Baltimore Ravens: LB Zaven Collins, Tulsa

Last time: Owusu-Koramoah.

28.New Orleans Saints: WR Kadarius Toney, Florida

Last time: Collins.

29.Green Bay Packers: LB Jamin Davis, Kentucky

Last time: Barmore.

30.Buffalo Bills: RB Najee Harris, Alabama

Last time: Ojulari.

31.Kansas City Chiefs: OG Landon Dickerson, Alabama

Last time: Samuel Cosmi.

32.Tampa Bay Buccaneers: RB Travis Etienne, Clemson

Last time: Harris.