Browns draft: Cornerback emerges as team’s No. 1 need

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

(One in a series on Browns needs and interests in the NFL draft.)

Position: Cornerback

Multiple reports spread on Sunday that the Browns will meet a second time and possibly come to a contract agreement with end Jadeveon Clowney on Monday. A signing of Clowney would shift the Browns’ No. 1 need in the draft to cornerback.

Clowney would be the third veteran defensive lineman added in free agency, following end Takk McKinley and tackle Malik Jackson. That doesn’t mean the Browns wouldn’t add another lineman in the draft, but it significantly reduces the probability of using their first pick on the position.

Should they keep the No. 26 overall selection, it’s far more likely now the Browns would use it to shore up their cornerback roster.

The Browns did add nickel back Troy Hill from the Los Angeles Rams in free agency. But with the departures of Terrance Mitchell, Kevin Johnson and Tavierre Thomas – and the uncertainty of how Greedy Williams will look after a full season off with a shoulder injury exacerbated by a nerve condition – the Browns have more work to do at cornerback than any position group.

It so happens this is a bountiful draft for cornerbacks, with plenty of candidates available on each of the three days of the draft.

Projected starters: Denzel Ward, Troy Hill, Greedy Williams.

Also under contract: M.J. Stewart, Robert Jackson, Brian Allen, A.J. Green.

Analysis: Although the Browns have delivered positive reports about Williams’ recovery from a season-long nerve ailment in his right shoulder, it’s unrealistic for the team to count on him as a Day 1 starter. He missed his entire second NFL season and was not that good as a rookie. Williams had a measly two passes defensed in 680 defensive snaps in 2019. Williams has never played inside, so he is relegated to the outside – either as a starter or coming off the bench if Hill would begin his Browns career as the second starting outside corner. In any case, a secondary nowadays is only as good as its fourth cornerback. Thus, the need for a corner capable of competing for a starting job immediately. It’s also necessary for the Browns to upgrade their depth at the position with another draft pick capable of contributing immediately on special teams.

Day 1 candidates

• Patrick Surtain II, Alabama: The son of an NFL Pro Bowl cornerback with fabulous size, he was groomed in the most NFL-like defense in college football under DB-expert Nick Saban. He should be the first cornerback off the board.
• Jaycee Horn, South Carolina: Also the son of an NFL player (receiver Joe Horn), he’s long, athletic and feisty (five penalties in seven games in 2020), with the instincts coaches love.
• Caleb Farley Virginia Tech: Once regarded as the draft’s CB1, he may drop to the Browns' vicinity because of two procedures on his back after he opted out in 2020. He also had an ACL surgery as a freshman.
• Greg Newsome, Northwestern: Smaller than the top three, but faster. He led the Big Ten in pass breakups in the shortened 2020 season and has high football acumen.

Day 2 candidates

Asante Samuel Jr., Florida State; Elijah Molden, Washington; Tyson Campbell, Georgia; Eric Stokes, Georgia; Kelvin Joseph, Kentucky; Featu Melifonwu, Syracuse; Aaron Robinson, Central Florida; Paulson Adebo, Stanford; Robert Rochell, Central Arkansas.

Day 3 candidates

Ambry Thomas, Michigan; Shakur Brown, Michigan State; Shaun Wade, Ohio State; Zech McPhearson, Texas Tech; Thomas Graham Jr., Oregon; Tre Brown, Oklahoma; Marco Wilson, Florida; Keith Taylor, Washington; Benjamin St-Juste, Minnesota.