Browns select Jordan Elliott and Jacob Phillips

Entering the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns had done quite well for themselves with the selections of tackle Jedrick Wills on the draft's first evening and safety Grant Delpit earlier in the night.

Cleveland owned two choices in the third round to end the second day of the draft-their own and the Houston Texans compensation pick near the end of the round that the Browns added in the trade that sent Duke Johnson to the Texans.
The Browns would not use their choice as they would send that pick to New Orleans, who would take Wisconsin linebacker Zach Baun, and the Browns seventh-rounder (244) in return for the Saints pick later in the round ( 14 picks later), and their third-rounder in the 2021 draft.

Cleveland used the pick from New Orleans to select defensive tackle Jordan Elliott of Missouri.
The 6'4 Elliott was ranked by Pro Football Focus, the site most fancied by the Browns front office, as the top defender overall in the SEC as far as their grading process goes.
Elliott finished last season with eight and a half tackles for loss and is known as a player that can make stops in the backfield and adds some pass rush up the middle.
Elliott isn't known as an especially strong run-stuffer but isn't considered to be a liability as well.
Elliott owns above-average speed for the position and is very nimble off blocks, but isn't as strong as you would like for your defensive tackle.
Elliott has a chance to mature into a three-down lineman, should he add more strength to his game and mature into playing the run better, but should be a rotational lineman as early as this season with the ability to perhaps be more.


The Browns did use their pick that was obtained from the Houston Texans and at a position of need with the selection of another LSU Tiger in inside linebacker Jacob Phillips.
Phillips led the national champions in tackles and is a player that is an excellent finisher in wrapping up his ballcarrier.
Jacob Phillips can blitz the passer, makes the plays at home, and can run down the ballcarrier and I think Phillips has a chance to battle for a starting role right away with his opposition being journeyman B.J. Goodson and second-year player Sione Takitaki.
The question for Phillips is how he can play in the passing downs?
If he can adapt to pass coverage, Phillips will be a very productive player and even if he can't get the hang of coverage right away, Phillips will still be a solid two-down linebacker.
I did like Phillips but liked Ohio State's Malik Harrison a little better and Harrison was selected by the division rival Ravens with the pick that followed the Phillips selection, so it'll be interesting to follow how both players perform.
Phillips might have been drafted a little early and the Browns may have gotten better value for him in the fourth round, but I'm Ok with the pick when you consider that there were only eighteen picks between this one and the Browns fourth-rounder at 115.


Onto the final day as the Browns now own three picks after their two trades on Friday night.
The Browns own their own pick in round four, the Colts pick in round five (160), and the Cardinals pick in round six (187).
It would not surprise me that should the Browns receive an attractive offer in the fourth round to see the Browns drop down a little in the fourth or fifth to add a seventh-rounder as they currently lack one.
I'm thinking the Browns look at wide receiver, another linebacker, and perhaps an offensive lineman with those three picks, but after the fourth round, Cleveland could very easily go the best player available route.

I'll have a look at the newest three (or more) Browns later today.