The persons of interest posts are something that I try to do every year before the draft and usually, I'm able to do so, which gives me a chance a few years down the road to see how those players that I liked for the Browns actually panned out in their pro careers.
For the purposes of this post, I'm going to stick to discussing players that have a chance to perhaps be available for the Browns with the choice that they received from the Jets in the Elijah Moore trade in the third round.
I still think that the Browns top need remains on the defensive line, even after their investments in free agency and I could see them going for an edge rusher to be part of the rotation opposite Myles Garrett or a young defensive tackle for the interior line.
Andrew Berry's track record with defensive linemen has been mixed at best, although Jordan Elliott starts for Cleveland, he wouldn't for very many teams and the fact that he does speaks volumes for the defensive tackle group.
Berry has also gotten little production from Tommy Togiai, and Perrion Winfrey has shown more off the field than on it as his draftees at defensive tackle.
The jury is still out on 2022 picks Alex Wright and Isaiah Thomas but neither showed anything special as rookies either.
So while that's the need, it's understandable to be a bit concerned considering the draft record for defensive linemen.
Ohio State's Zach Harrison has all the tools to be a terrific edge rusher but in Columbus as a five-star recruit, Harrison was very good but not great which raises questions about why.
I'd take Harrison in a heartbeat should he fall to Cleveland but he's not a sure thing.
Missouri's Isaiah McGuire is another edge rusher that could slide to the Browns that has the tools to be a star but not the production that you would expect and another end that I like is Auburn's Derick Hall.
If the Browns want to have a chance to add a player with the potential to play long-term off the edge, these three might be the final three off the board that can do that and have a chance in round three.
Should the focus be on defensive tackle. I really like Bowling Green's Karl Brooks, who is versatile enough to play end but at over 300 pounds Brooks can be a load inside as well.
Texas's Moro Ojomo and Wisconsin's Keenau Benton each have the potential to be solid starters in the league and I like Mississippi State's Cameron Young if the Browns decide to wait until day three.
Linebacker is also a position to upgrade and my favorite that could be available is Wisconsin's Nick Herbig, who runs to the ball like a maniac and can rush the passer as well.
If Herbig was a bit bigger, he would have no chance of being available for the Browns.
I also like Oregon's Noah Sewell, who has a chance of being a three-down linebacker and as a big physical linebacker, Sewell could be just what Cleveland needs as the Yin to Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah's Yang.
The Browns could use a safety for depth and if LSU's Jay Ward is around on day three, I'd love to see Ward selected as he is a dominant special teams player and can be a "Swiss Army Knife" type that can be used all over the secondary and even closer to the ball.
He reminds me a bit of Tyrann Mathieu in that way and could be a day three steal.
Andrew Berry is known for his love of cornerbacks and he could take another one in this draft.
Two cornerbacks that I like that have big corner size but need some refinement are Iowa's Riley Moss and Purdue's Cory Trice.
Should the Browns go in that direction, either would work for me, especially Moss who can return kicks and was known for his special teams prowess at Iowa.
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