If the Browns could turn in a card right now for their top pick, defensive end Zach Harrison of Ohio State might be their No. 1 choice. (USA Today)
These should be the position groups of interest to Browns in the draft
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
One in a series previewing the 2023 Browns draft …
With no picks until No. 74 overall in the third round, it’s nigh impossible to even try to project the Browns’ selections in this year’s draft.
The best we can do is pinpoint the position groups they might target with their scheduled eight picks, and list some possibilities that may be available.
So that’s what we’ll do in this exercise.
For now, the Browns have two picks in the third round, two in the fourth, two in the fifth and one in the sixth and seventh.
The best bet of the weekend is that GM Andrew Berry will pull off a couple trades; he’s made seven in three previous drafts. He has traded up only one time and has rolled picks into the next draft four times.
If Berry were to use all eight picks, these are the position groups he most likely would target, and some possibilities in each.
Third round
No. 74
Position groups: Defensive end, defensive tackle.
The current roster of 73 players includes nine defensive tackles and only five defensive ends. So edge rusher is a top priority in the draft and in Phase 3 of free agency. But if a higher-rated tackle is within reach, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Browns take him and then make a roster move on problematic, second-year tackle Perrion Winfrey.
Candidates
* DE Zach Harrison, Ohio State: Meets the Browns’ criteria in height, weight, athleticism and age. Consistency of performance a little lacking.
* DE Isaiah McGuire, Missouri: A shade below Harrison in the measurables, but brings the added value of club-preferred SEC lineage.
* DE YaYa Diaby, Louisville: Lots of untapped potential. Browns aren’t normally attracted to no-star recruits, though.
* DT Gervon Dexter, Florida: Gifted big man schooled in basketball who was nationally rated a notch higher than Jalen Carter leaving high school.
* DT Siaki Ika, Baylor: Like Dexter, he was one of the Browns’ official 30 visits to Berea.
No. 98
Position groups: Defensive end, wide receiver.
If they take a tackle at No. 74, end would be most urgent at No. 98. Otherwise, receiver comes into play, with plenty of possibilities among the third wave of wideouts coming off the board.
Candidates
* DE Tuli Tuipulotu, USC: Three-year starter with 21 career sacks, he couldn’t test at combine or pro day because of hamstring woes.
* Tyler Scott, Cincinnati: Akron native with over-top speed who averaged 44.6 yards on 14 career touchdown catches.
* Marvin Mimms, Oklahoma: Explosive speedster (19.5-yard career average) with punt returner ability.
* Trey Palmer, Nebraska: Blistered the combine with a 4.33 40 who transferred from LSU and set receiving records at Nebraska.
* WR Nate Dell, Houston: Only 5-8 3/8 and 165 pounds, he joined Scott and Tennessee’s Jalin Hyatt in making a 30 visit to Browns.
Fourth round
No. 111 and No. 126
Position groups: Safety, offensive tackle.
Safety is another position where the Browns could add from both the draft and free agency. Right now, 2022 undrafted free agent D’Anthony Bell is the third safety. A developmental offensive tackle who could play either side in a pinch will always be on the Browns radar, especially now in the post-Chris Hubbard era.
Candidates
* S Jammie Robinson, Florida State: A popular choice mocked to the Browns despite size (5-10 5/8, 191 pounds), he has the versatility to play nickel cornerback.
* S Christopher Smith, Georgia: A deep safety with six interceptions his past two seasons playing in the SEC.
* OT Tyler Steen, Alabama: Graduated from Vanderbilt before transferring to Alabama, he played both tackle spots over five college seasons.
* OT Dawand Jones, Ohio State: Behemoth, road-grading right tackle whom the Browns would love to see drop into middle rounds.
Fifth round
No. 140 and No. 142
Position groups: Quarterback, cornerback.
With an opening to compete against Kellen Mond for QB3, the Browns visited with three quarterbacks and seem intent on adding a fourth to their roster. Cornerback will always be a draft target for depth and special teams.
Candidates
* QB Jake Haener, Fresno State: He’s over-aged (24) and undersized (5-11 5/8, 207) with below-average arm strength, yet the Browns have shown interest.
* QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, UCLA: Has a live arm and a skillset to create plays throwing and running.
* QB Clayton Tune, Houston: A good-sized athlete who makes plays on the move, he started 44 games over five college seasons.
* CB Jaylon Jones, Texas A&M: A former five-start recruit with imposing size (6-2, 200) who could be trained as a safety.
* CB Carrington Valentine, Kentucky: Long-limbed and physical despite a slight frame, he loves to compete on special teams.
Sixth and seventh round
No. 190 and No. 229
Position group: Running back, tight end.
There is room to add a back and tight end at the end of their position lines. If Berry rolls some late picks into 2024 with minor trades, these figure to be high-priority positions among the undrafted ranks.
Candidates
* RB Evan Hull, Northwestern: A coach’s favorite because of his work ethic, he was the only running back in college with more than 50 receptions.
* RB Travis Dye, USC: Transferred to USC after four years at Oregon, where he posted 83 career receptions, he translates as a third-down back candidate.
* TE Josh Whyle, Cincinnati: Not an overly productive receiver, but he has the desired height, weight, speed numbers to excite the analytics set.
