Brace yourself: The Browns very likely trade back from pick 42 in the 2023 NFL Draft
This is not a rumor. This is not a report. This is simply connecting the dots of where the Cleveland Browns are with their draft capital, the trends of general manager Andrew Berry, and where the holes on their roster are compared to the depth at those positions in the 2023 NFL Draft. Brace yourself, the Browns and Berry will very strongly consider trading back out of the 42nd overall pick to add more draft capital in both the NFL Draft and next year’s festivities.
Through three drafts with Berry, he has never once held on to his original second round pick. In 2020, he traded down with the Indianapolis Colts, picking up another day-two pick the following year before selecting safety Grant Delpit. In 2021, Berry opted to move up in the second round to nab linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. Then again in 2022, Berry sold his pick to the Houston Texans, who selected wide receiver John Metchie.
This year’s crop of prospects is not as loaded as it has been in years past, especially at positions of need like defensive tackle and wide receiver. The Browns also have a massive gap in the 2023 NFL Draft between pick 42 and 98 (their awarded compensatory pick for the departure of Kwesi Adofo-Mensah). If the Browns have the opportunity to drop into the 50s and pick up another third rounder this year to bridge that gap, they will consider and have a hard time saying no.
Even looking ahead to next year, the Browns have seven picks but do not possess a fourth round pick. As they have two fourth and fifth rounders this year, they could look to trade back out of those spots as well to gather assets (or potentially package them up for veterans on the trade block).
In a weak wide receiver class, North Carolina’s Josh Downs could come off the board early. LSU’s dynamic pass rusher B.J. Ojulari would be worth hanging in at 42 for, but will likely hear his name called sooner. Maybe, just maybe, Cincinnati wide receiver Tyler Scott could slip into a trade back range for the Browns as he makes the transition from the Group-of-Five to the NFL.
Regardless of what happens next year, 56 picks between their second and third round pick is a long time for the Browns to sit on their thumbs. If they do not feel like the value is right for a defensive lineman or wide receiver at 42 and feel like they can get a certain player later into the second round, look for the Browns to turn over every stone to get out of the 42nd overall pick and add another third rounder in the 2023 NFL Draft.
