Browns mock draft 10.0: Barring a trade-up, highest-ranked defensive player on board is the choice

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.