Northwestern cornerback Greg Newsome could be the object of an Andrew Berry trade up. (Getty Images)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
Trades are back in mock draft 8.0.
And, yes, the Browns are involved in one.
The signing of defensive end Jadeveon Clowney this week convinced me of two things that influence this mock trade.
First, I don’t see the Browns staying put and selecting the fifth-best defensive end or fifth-best cornerback with their pick at No. 26. GM Andrew Berry has been too aggressive to suddenly turn passive on draft night.
Second, Clowney’s contract for up to $10 million further depleted the Browns’ salary cap room. Now, they were able to spread his salary cap figures over two years -- $3.9 million in 2021 and $3.6 million in 2022 dead money -- because there are four years that automatically void after the 2021 season. It brought down the Browns’ salary cap room to about $10.8 million. Using all nine draft picks would reduce it to about $5 million. Thus, I believe Berry would be more willing to package extra picks to move up in the first round.
How high Berry might be willing to move up depends on the price tag. I don’t foresee him mortgaging a high pick next year. For that reason, the Browns likely would be limited to a few notches upwards. But that might be enough to snatch the player they want.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: QB Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
I’m running out of things to say about this pick. They like him.
Last time: Lawrence.
2. New York Jets: QB Zach Wilson, Brigham Young
He’ll be the fifth QB drafted in the first or second round by the Jets since 2009.
Last time: Wilson.
3. San Francisco 49ers: QB Justin Fields, Ohio State
Bay Area media are divided on whom their team will select.
Last time: Fields.
TRADE: Falcons trade No. 4 to Patriots for No. 15 and No. 177 in 2021, and first-round pick in 2022.
4. New England Patriots: QB Mac Jones, Alabama
Following his 2021 gameplan, Bill Belichick zigs when everyone expects him to zag.
Last time: Penei Sewell (Falcons).
5. Cincinnati Bengals: WR Ja’Marr Chase, LSU
QB Joe Burrow’s input carries the day.
Last time: Chase.
6. Miami Dolphins (from Eagles): TE Kyle Pitts, Florida
Exquisite tight end talent nudges ahead of Crimson Tide receivers.
Last time: DeVonta Smith.
7. Detroit Lions: OT Penei Sewell, Oregon
A stalwart franchise tackle upon which to build their new era.
Last time: Pitts.
8. Carolina Panthers: QB Trey Lance, North Dakota State
Sam Darnold is a two-year commitment, after which Lance could take over.
Last time: Patrick Surtain.
9. Denver Broncos: LB Micah Parsons, Penn State
Expect them to aggressively pursue a QB with second pick after trade.
Last time: Lance.
10. Dallas Cowboys: CB Patrick Surtain, Alabama
‘Boys sweat out CB1 falling to them.
Last time: Parsons.
11.New York Giants: WR Jaylen Waddle, Alabama
Last time: Azeez Ojulari.
12.Philadelphia Eagles (from Dolphins): CB Jaycee Horn, South Carolina
Last time: Waddle.
13.Los Angeles Chargers: OT Rashawn Slater, Northwestern
Last time: Slater.
14.Minnesota Vikings: DE Jaelan Phillips, Miami
Last time: Phillips.
15:Atlanta Falcons (from Patriots): DE Azeez Ojulari, Georgia
Last time: Jones (Patriots).
16.Arizona Cardinals: WR DeVonta Smith, Alabama
Last time: Horn.
17.Las Vegas Raiders: DT Christian Barmore, Alabama
Last time: Caleb Farley.
18.Miami Dolphins: LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame
Last time: Owusu-Koramoah.
19.Washington Football Team: OT Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech
Last time: Darrisaw.
TRADE: Bears trade No. 20 to Cleveland Browns for No. 26, No. 91 and No. 132.
20. Cleveland Browns: CB Greg Newsome, Northwestern
Browns use extra picks in third and fourth rounds to secure cornerback capable of competing for starting spot.
Last time: Alija Vera-Tucker (Bears).
21.Indianapolis Colts: DE Kwity Paye, Michigan
Last time: Paye.
22.Tennessee Titans: CB Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech
Last time: Newsome.
23.New York Jets (from Seahawks): DE Gregory Rousseau, Miami
Last time: Jayson Oweh.
24.Pittsburgh Steelers: OT Teven Jenkins, Oklahoma State
Last time: Vera-Tucker.
25.Jacksonville Jaguars: S Trevon Moehrig, Texas Christian
Last time: Moehrig.
26.Chicago Bears (from Browns): OG Alijah Vera-Tucker, USC
Last time: Newsome (Titans).
27.Baltimore Ravens: DE Jayson Oweh, Penn State
Last time: Zaven Collins.
28.New Orleans Saints: WR Elijah Moore, Mississippi
Last time: Kadarius Toney.
29.Green Bay Packers: LB Jamin Davis, Kentucky
Last time: Davis.
30.Buffalo Bills: RB Najee Harris, Alabama
Last time: Harris.
31.Kansas City Chiefs: OT Alex Leatherwood, Alabama
Last time: Landon Dickerson.
32.Tampa Bay Buccaneers: RB Travis Etienne, Clemson
Last time: Etienne.