The Browns improved their defense against the run last season with the signings of veterans Dalvin Tomlinson and Shelby Harris at defensive tackle and they hope 2023 third-rounder Siaki Ika will step up this season but the Browns lost Jordan Elliott in free agency, so it would make sense for another interior lineman.
Three players have been connected to the Browns, should they address this early in the draft: LSU's Maason Smith, Ohio State's Michael Hall, and Michigan's Kris Jenkins.
Smith has the best tools, Hall is the best pass rusher, and Jenkins appears to have the highest floor of the three, so any would make sense.
If the Browns look at the position on day three, Gabe Hall of Baylor is a high-effort player who could develop into a rotational tackle.
Looking at the defensive end/edge rusher position, Cleveland would likely use late-round picks and toolsy rushers like Mississippi's Cedric Johnson and Texas Tech's Myles Cole are the types of high-reward players that could be a possibility.
The Browns don't seem to value linebackers as much as other positions but the success of Jeremiah Owosu-Koahmoah may have changed that a little.
I was a big fan of Jeremiah Trotter version one in his days with the Eagles and Jeremiah Jr is my favorite linebacker in this draft.
Trotter Jr. has many of the skills of JOK, runs to the ball, has great agility, and possesses the speed and tackling ability to be a three-down linebacker.
I'd love to see Andrew Berry grab Trotter. Jr on day two and watch JOK and Trotter run down ball carriers together as a pair!
Some prefer Michigan's Junior Colson (I don't) to Trotter but I still wouldn't be sad to see Colson with the Browns, and Ohio State's Steele Chambers is still learning the position and would be an immediate demon on special teams.
Andrew Berry loves to take at least one cornerback in each draft and for the flaws in his drafts, Berry has been successful with his selections at the position.
Assuming the Browns would decide to tab a cornerback on day two, the two that I really like that could be available are Max Melton of Rutgers and Khyree Jackson of Oregon.
Jackson is the larger of the two at 6'3 and projects as a classic outside corner while the 5'11 Melton is the more versatile of the two with the ability to play in or out of the slot and as the nickel corner as well.
A day three corner that I am high on is Tennessee's Kamaal Hadden, who missed half of the 2023 season with a shoulder injury just as he was earning attention for his play.
Hadden would be an interesting selection if his shoulder has healed as would Penn State's Kalen King, who looked like a first-rounder in 2022 before struggles last season in State College.
The Browns returned Grant Delpit and Juan Thornhill as starting safeties, re-signed Rodney McLeod, and received help from undrafted free agent Ronnie Hickman.
Cleveland could go back to that well if Ohio State safety Josh Proctor isn't drafted as Proctor would be a special teams contributor.
Another intriguing safety is Air Force's Trey Taylor, who won the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's best defensive back and happens to be the cousin of long-time Browns nemesis Ed Reed.
If I have time, I'd like to post a brief preview- But in case I do not have that time, the following list shows the Browns draft picks by round and overall draft selection.
Round 2: (54)
Round 3: (85)
Round 5: (156) Via Philadelphia thru Arizona
Round 6: (206)
Round 7: (227) Via Tennessee
Round 7: (243)
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