Fifth-round pick Jerome Ford probably imperils the roster status of D'Ernest Johnson more than Kareem Hunt. Eventually, he'll replace Hunt, too. (Getty Images)
Where do the new Browns from the draft fit in?
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
The Browns entered last week’s draft depleted of first- and fifth-round picks, plus a second fourth, because of the Deshaun Watson and Amari Cooper trades.
But three additional trades by GM Andrew Berry resulted in nine players added to the roster, plus extra picks in the fourth and fifth rounds in 2023.
Nine players, and none until the third round? How do they fit in on a stacked roster expected to compete for the AFC North division title?
All the rookie draft picks plus over a dozen undrafted rookies will take the field on Friday for the first of three days of minicamp.
Here is how they might impact other players in their position groups.
Round 3, 68th overall, cornerback Martin Emerson, Mississippi State
In his post-draft wrap-up press conference, Berry implied that the surprise pick of Emerson had nothing to do with the trade of nickel back Troy Hill back to the Rams the next day. Reporting from Los Angeles by the Athletic, however, indicated Berry and Rams GM Les Snead talked of a trade of Hill before the draft.
Emerson, however, is not considered a candidate to begin his NFL career as a slot corner. He didn’t play inside much at Mississippi State and his size (6-1 5/8 and 201 pounds) and skill-set as a press-corner suggest the Browns value him on the outside.
“We have to work through all of that,” said coach Kevin Stefanski. “I think it would be unfair to say yet, but really value versatility among the defensive backs so we want to work with multiple guys in there … Greg [Newsome] has done it in-game. I think with Martin, get him on campus, work with him and see what he is capable of, but we really want all of those guys to feel comfortable playing in there.”
What’s likely to happen is Emerson will enter camp competing with A.J. Green as the fourth cornerback. When the Browns field three cornerbacks, Newsome will slip inside and Greedy Williams will man the outside opposite Denzel Ward.
Williams is entering the final year of his rookie contract. The Browns already have invested $100.5 million in Ward. Eventually, they’ll re-invest in Newsome.No team can pay three cornerbacks big money. So Williams likely will leave for free agency in 2023 and Emerson will succeed him for three more years under his rookie contract.
Round 3, 78th overall, defensive end Alex Wright, University of Alabama-Birmingham
With Jadeveon Clowney still unsigned, the Browns don’t have a true starter at left defensive end. It would be a stretch to say Wright can fill that role immediately.
If Clowney doesn’t return, Wright would compete for the job, but he’s more likely seen as the heir-apparent in 2023. Clowney might be holding out for a multi-year deal with guarantees extending into 2023. That could be the hang-up in getting him in.
If Clowney returns, Wright conceivably could leapfrog veteran pickups Chase Winovich, Stephen Weatherly and Isaac Rochell as the No. 3 defensive end with a tremendous rookie training camp. In any case, he should receive plenty of snaps in his rookie season.
Round 3, 99th overall, receiver David Bell, Purdue
Several national “insiders” and local media outlets have persisted in touting a return of Jarvis Landry. This pick should finally put an end to that speculation. Bell will begin his career transitioning to the slot receiver role, which he did not play at Purdue.
The Browns have been intent on adding size to several positions. Slot receiver is one. At 6-1 and 212 pounds, Bell would be the Browns’ biggest slot receiver since Joe Jurevicius. Stefanski figures to increase his use of 11 personnel – one back, one tight end, three receivers – to take advantage of Watson’s skill-set.
Bell’s arrival would leave Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones as the main outside receivers. If needed, Bell could move outside, too. What does this mean for Anthony Schwartz? The Browns surely haven’t given up on him, but now they don’t have to rely on him making a quantum leap in his second year. Bell is far more polished as an overall receiver.
Round 4, 108th overall, defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey, Oklahoma
If he plays as well as he promotes, Winfrey could be the only non-kicker to start in Game 1 as a rookie. Hey, if Malik McDowell could do it in 2021 after four years out of football, why couldn’t Winfrey answer the call?
The opportunity certainly is there for him. The Browns chose not to pursue a high-priced free agent tackle. They did sign former Jacksonville first-round pick Taven Bryan, but he’ll merely compete with third-year Jordan Elliott and second-year Tommy Togiai. And now Winfrey is in the mix, too.
Round 4, 124th overall, kicker Cade York, LSU
He’s the 11th kicker since the Browns let Phil Dawson leave in free agency in 2013. I mean, they removed any threat of competition by releasing Chase McLaughlin and Chris Blewitt last week.
This is comparable to a team drafting a quarterback in the first round and announcing, “He’s the starter. End of story.” I can’t remember the Browns ever doing this with a rookie kicker. Ever.
Round 5, 156th overall, running back Jerome Ford, Cincinnati
This pick does not imperil the roster status of Kareem Hunt. He will not be traded. But Berry is thinking a year ahead, similar to Emerson replacing Williams. Hunt’s contract is in its last year. I now doubt he’ll be re-signed.
Ford’s pass-catching expertise more likely means D’Ernest Johnson’s spot could be in danger this year. Johnson is a real good runner of the football, but pass catching is not one of his virtues. I would be surprised if he makes the final roster, unless Ford bombs or suffers an injury in his rookie camp.
Round 6, 202nd overall, receiver Michael Woods, Oklahoma
Woods joins the back end of the receiver roster with Schwartz, return specialist Jakeem Grant, two-year practice squadder Ja’Marcus Bradley and a handful of undrafted free agents.
Round 7, 223rd overall, defensive end Isaiah Thomas, Oklahoma
Thomas had 16.5 sacks and a total of 24.5 tackles for losses (which includes the sacks) his last two years with the Sooners, who were no defensive powerhouse. He’s a developmental defensive end.
Round 7, 246th overall, center Dawson Deaton, Texas Tech
This was a curious pick. The Browns are committed to passing the baton from released J.C. Tretter to 2020 fifth-round pick Nick Harris, who impressed in his one NFL start at center last year in Green Bay.
What’s curious is the Browns also signed free agent Ethan Pocic, a 2017 second-round pick of the Seahawks who can also play guard. Pocic seems like the ideal veteran interior swingman.
Deaton had one start at left tackle and one at left guard at Texas Tech. He’ll need to display versatility in his rookie camp to stick.
