The Browns have a Pro Bowl-caliber cornerback in Denzel Ward, but the other cornerback has been a problem in finding someone to pair with Ward.
2019 second-rounder Greedy Williams missed all of 2020 due to nerve damage to his shoulder and even though the Browns signed Josh Hill in free agency, Hill is more of a slot corner than an outside cornerback.
IF Greedy Williams is at one hundred percent, the Browns could get away without using one of their first two picks on a corner, but they cannot feel comfortable that Williams is going to be able to take the grind of a now seventeen game season.
So Cleveland will almost certainly take a corner in either round one or round two, but what corner will that be?
Alabama's Patrick Surtain Jr and South Carolina's Jaycee Horn are the top two corners and will almost certainly be unavailable for the Browns.
I was really hoping for Greg Newsome of Northwestern as a corner that was not only talented but could be there at the Browns' 26th pick.
However, Newsome did very well at his pro day and is one of the players that has seen his stock improve as draft day neared, so Newsome may not be available for the Browns.
Newsome is a rugged cover corner that breaks up passes (25 in 21 games) and is a strong tackler that has improved every year at Northwestern.
Newsome's biggest issue is durability as he has missed three games in each of his three seasons and at a time when the NFL is extending their season, durability is a concern.
Virginia Tech's Caleb Farley has all the physical tools to be a top cornerback in the league, but missed 2020 as a Covid-19 opt-out and has had back problems.
Without those injuries, Farley is pushing Surtain as the top corner in this class, but the question that needs to be answered is this-IF Farley starts falling, is that the giveaway that his back problems are worse than expected?
And if Farley falls to them, can the Browns afford to take the risk on another talented, but possibly fragile cornerback?
I like Asante Samuel Jr. of Florida State, who isn't quite as big as the above four mentioned, but is in their class in coverage and could play inside or outside depending on the need.
Washington's Alex Molden's Dad ( Alex Sr) was a first-rounder of the Saints in 1996 and like Samuel is a little undersized, but would be an interesting possibility should the Browns wait until the second round to select their cornerback.
I also love the tools of Georgia's Tyson Campbell, who looks like a day two pick that may be available in the third round.
Maybe it's because I saw him play every week, but so many have gotten down on Ohio State's Shaun Wade after his struggles on the outside corner in 2020 that he could be a day three steal.
Wade has the physical tools to play safety and he might be a player that can be moved around the secondary to suit the situation.
I am also intrigued by Bryan Mills of North Carolina Central, who sat out in 2020 and played just one year at NCC, but his size and speed make me like him as a day three project.
The Browns addressed their safety situation when they signed John Johnson and will have 2020 second rounder Grant Delpit returning to the field after missing last season to go with Ronnie Harrison, who played well after being acquired from Jacksonville.
It's a good thing that the Browns don't need a safety because this isn't a great year to be looking for one as Dane Brugler doesn't think one will go in the first round.
If the Browns decided to take a safety on the third day, I really liked Cincinnati's James Wiggins when I watched the Bearcats.
Wiggins is an aggressive player that could eventually work his way into the lineup and at worst help on special teams.
It's late from the road office and running short on time, but I'm hoping to have time for some persons of interest for the front seven before the draft starts.
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