Cleveland Browns Defensive Needs

The Cleveland Browns under John Dorsey have worked on the defense in the offseason, but the defense has a few more needs than on the offensive side, so it'll be interesting to see how Dorsey attacks the needed areas of concern.

The defensive line, which had areas of strength with Myles Garrett and Larry Ogunjobi, still could have been bulked up in spots as well with Emmanuel Ogbah continuing to disappoint, yet show the occasional brilliance that made it viable to keep him around and Ogunjobi needing some help beside him at defensive tackle.
Dorsey's moves to add Olivier Vernon from the Giants to start at the end opposite Myles Garrett and Sheldon Richardson from the Vikings to slot at defensive tackle immediately impacted the Browns and made them as good as anyone's line on paper.
Ogbah was traded to the Chiefs and the Browns now have strong depth in 2018 free agent signee Chris Smith, Trevon Coley, both of who had nice seasons and a group of veterans claimed off waivers last year that includes Anthony Zettel, Devaroe Lawrence, and Carl Davis along with 2018 third rounder Chad Thomas, who played in only three games last season despite being healthy all season.
This draft class seems very deep in defensive linemen, so I still think John Dorsey may not be able to resist a falling top prospect to trade back into round one or one day two with a second or third rounder.

The linebackers have questions that will need to be answered.
Joe Schobert returns after missing some time last season, Christian Kirksey is back after a season-ending hamstring injury and second-year man Gerard Avery will be given a chance to replace the released Jamie Collins after a rookie season that saw him make some big plays.
Considering that the two veterans had injury problems and the other starter will be starting for the first time, the Browns could go after a young linebacker high in the draft and maybe another one or even two from the undrafted free agents.
As of right now, the Browns only have newcomer Adarius Taylor, who was signed from the Buccaneers in the off-season and journeyman Ray-Ray Armstrong as the top reserves, so I don't think John Dorsey is finished with this position.

The secondary could also be addressed with the earlier picks.
Denzel Ward was terrific at one corner last season, but he struggled with the same injury problems as at Ohio State and Terrence Mitchell played well last season at the other before an injury of his own.
The reserves at cornerback are nothing to get excited about, so I'd like to see the Browns draft at least one corner or even two, but they will at least be signing an undrafted free agent or two.
Damarious Randall is back at one safety after a breakout season after being acquired from Green Bay.
Jabrill Peppers was traded to the Giants in the Beckham trade, but Cleveland signed veteran Morgan Burnett to take his place from Pittsburgh after one disappointing season there.
Burnett was among the best safeties in the game as a Packer but was often injured, so we'll see if Burnett can return to his previous form.
TJ Carrie is back as the nickel back and Eric Murray will play some after being added from Kansas City in the Emmanuel Ogbah trade.
Still, I'm a bit nervous with the starting corners coming off injuries that hampered them at times in 2018 and a veteran safety that has a history of dings and pings.
A safety could help a great deal whether the addition is a rookie or a veteran release around June.

Britton Colquitt is pretty safe at punter and the Browns could attempt to take a flyer on someone with punt return abilities in order to save Antonio Callaway from having to do so.

Positions of need in order of importance
1) Linebacker
2) Cornerback
3) Offensive line- Pick your position
4) Safety
5) Kicker

Who could be some of these players to fill these positions of need?
I don't try to rate who the Browns may take, I usually add a few players that I like in the draft and see what happens.
That piece (or two) will likely be posted sometime on the overnight or tomorrow afternoon before the draft begins.