NFL Draft 2020 Review: Cleveland Browns

Every year in the National Football League (NFL), there is one team that is over-hyped by the media.  Last year’s media darling was the Cleveland Browns.  Experts were saying that the Browns would be playoff contenders.  Never buy into the hype because Cleveland had a losing record in 2019.  Browns QB Baker Mayfield talked a bunch of stuff.  Now, he is social distancing because he has only done one interview so far in the offseason.  Despite all of this, optimism abounds in Cleveland because of a new head coach.  Let’s take a look at who they picked in the NFL Draft.

Round 1, Pick 10:  Jedrick Wills – T – Alabama (6’4″, 312 lbs).  Mayfield was sacked way too many times last season.  Wills will start at one of the tackle spots in order to alleviate some of that pressure.  

Round 2, Pick 12:  Grant Delpit – S – LSU (6’2″, 213 lbs).  Delpit dropped to the second round after playing through injuries for the entire season.  Nevertheless, he was still picked by pundits as college football’s best defensive back.  The Browns gave up way too many long passes last season.  Delpit will be able to break up long connections while also helping out in the run game.

Round 3, Pick 24:  Jordan Elliott – DT – Missouri (6’4″, 302 lbs).  Elliott disrupts offensive rhythm on the defensive line with 10 tackles for loss and 3 sacks last season.  His pressure will be needed up the middle.

Round 3, Pick 33:  Jacob Phillips – LB – LSU (6’3″, 229 lbs).  The Browns needed to add an inside linebacker after free agency defections.  Phillips will add depth at the inside linebacker position.

Round 4, Pick 9:  Harrison Bryant – TE – Florida Atlantic (6’5″, 243 lbs).  Bryant led the nation in receptions and TD’s at the tight end position.  He dropped due to his lack of blocking.  Nevertheless, the Browns are extremely deep at TE so he will be used as a receiving TE and as a slot receiver.

Round 5, Pick 15:  Nick Harris – C – Washington (6’1″, 302 lbs).  Harris will add interior offensive line depth for the Browns.

Round 6, Pick 8:  Donovan Peoples-Jones – WR – Michigan (6’2″, 212 lbs).  Peoples-Jones will compete for time in three and four wide receiver sets.  He could also see time as a kick returner.  

Grade:  A-.  Every pick has the potential to contribute for the Browns in 2020.  Plus, they filled some major holes in the offensive line and in the defense.  When in doubt, then draft the way Carol DM thinks, “SEC, SEC, SEC!”