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3 round mock draft addresses Browns DL before finish with a WR

jared mueller
·4 min read
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Without a first-round pick in the next three NFL drafts, thanks to the Deshaun Watson trade, the Cleveland Browns need to hit on the picks that they do have. The team’s needs are similar to what they were when the offseason began:

  • Defensive end

  • Defensive tackle

  • Wide receiver

  • Kicker/Punter

The Browns did add Amari Cooper, Chase Winovich and Taven Bryan to help address some of those issues but the needs remain.

Thankfully, Cleveland has an extra third-round pick this year that keeps them with three selections in the first 100 picks in the 2022 NFL draft. They will also get another third-round pick in 2023 for Minnesota hiring Kwesi Adofo-Mensah as their general manager.

In this three-round mock draft from our friends at The Draft Wire, the Browns add a couple of guys on the defensive line before adding a receiver late in the third:

Second Round- Pick #44 - DL Logan Hall, Houston

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The 6’6″, 287 pound Hall is listed as a defensive end but can play inside and out for Cleveland. As a defensive tackle, he ranked quite high in athletic testing:

With a bigger influence on stopping the pass, Hall’s length and athletic ability could be very helpful on the interior for the Browns.

Who Else Was Available at #44?

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DeMarvin Leal, DT, Texas A&M – One of my personal favorites, Leal has been a little more hit or miss than some would like. If he were more consistent he’d likely be a first-round pick.

John Metchie, WR, Alabama – An interesting prospect coming off of injury, Metchie was a player many were high on before Jameson Williams exploded on the scene in his one year with Nick Saban.

Travis Jones, DT, UConn – Another interior defender that could help play the run and pass. Jones might be going much higher when the draft comes around.

Alec Pierce, WR, Cincinnati – The selection in an earlier mock draft, Pierce has some versatile upside Cleveland would like.

Jalen Pitre, S, Baylor – With Ronnie Harrison still a free agent, Pitre could fill out the team’s safety room quite well.

Third Round - Pick #78 - DE Cameron Thomas, San Diego State

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Unfortunately, we don’t have testing data on Thomas at this point but his play on the field had a lot to like. Lance Zeirlein of NFL.com compared Thomas to Sam Hubbard which would be a big win for the Browns.

Adding Thomas to Hall would give Myles Garrett some young running mates for the next few years. If the team can bring back Jadeveon Clowney, the line could be set to play great again in 2022.

Who Else Was Available at #78?

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

WR Wan’Dale Robinson, Kentucky – An interesting gadget receiver with dynamic playmaking ability, Robinson could be a long-term slot receiver for the Browns.

DL Haskell Garrett, Ohio State – Paring Tommy Togiai with his former running mate with the Buckeyes could be a lot of fun even with Hall already on board.

S Smoke Monday, Auburn – A safety seems like a likely addition at some point this offseason, why not here in the third round?

DE Drake Jackson, USC – A different edge rusher that some think could go in the second round, Jackson will have some fans around the league.

WR Jalen Tolbert, South Alabama – A smooth athlete at the position, Tolbert has good size and speed along with explosive ability.

Third Round - Pick #99 - WR Justyn Ross, Clemson

With Cleveland’s final pick of this three-round mock, a receiver is brought on board. Ross is a big target standing at 6’4″ and over 200 pounds. Ross had a significant surgery in 2020 but came back in 2021 and played well.

His freshman and sophomore seasons were dynamic for the Tigers so the Browns would be betting on him getting back to those kinds of numbers. He can play inside and out, providing Kevin Stefanski with some versatility.

Who Else Was Available at #99?

DE Amare Barno, VaTech – Any edge players have to be of interest to the Browns at this point in time even if Barno is a little lighter and possibly a better fit as a standup edge player.

TE Isaiah Likely, Coastal Carolina – While Stefanski may be going away from as much use of tight ends, adding one late in the third seems possible. Likely is more of a developmental prospect but one with real upside.

DE Sam Williams, Mississippi – Rinse and repeat with edge rushers until they fill a long-term need. Williams ran an impressive 4.46 40-yard dash at 6’4″ and 261 round.

CB Mykael Wright, Oregon – While cornerback will be a strength in 2022, only Greg Newsome II is under contract for 2023 and beyond from the top four in the group. Wright could help in the slot or outside very quickly.

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