American Football

Barry’s Browns 7-round mock draft: Filling future needs

April 25, 2024

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: OCT 07 Wake Forest at Clemson — Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Cleveland will get players to stockpile

The Cleveland Browns have the luxury of not needing any of their six players who they will draft on Day 2 and Day 3 to start this year. Or the next. They will be drafting strictly for depth and development.

When was the last time that has happened? In almost every year, many players selected were needed to fill holes immediately whether they were ready or not.

GM Andrew Berry has done an exceptional job of filling holes and building depth at every position group. And now, this year’s draft class will have the time to sit, practice, work, listen, learn, develop, and be tutored by veterans and coaches while playing minimal snaps this year.

Last year was a similar situation with DT Siaka Ika, WR Cedric Tillman, and DE Isaiah McGuire.

So, who will the Browns draft this year? Berry is certainly a wheeling-dealing trader and has brought in many good players such as Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah because of his deals. But for this draft, it is strictly stand pat and see what happens.

Keep in mind this mock draft is based on what the Browns’ needs are, and also which prospects are available at each slot Cleveland has in that corresponding round.

Round 2, pick #54

CB T. J. Tampa – Iowa State

6’-1”, 189 pounds

Player rating: 85.8/100

The Browns have said that CB Greg Newsome is safe and won’t be traded. Yeah, maybe. He had an up-and-down season last year so anything is possible either on draft day or before the trade deadline.

Berry has a love for defensive backs in that he is a former cornerback. And he has done a terrific job of making sure the cornerback and safety room is full of top talent. The saying is true: you can’t have too many top cornerbacks.

Tampa is the 8th-ranked corner in this year’s draft. He runs a 4.45 in the 40 and showcases a blend of athleticism and versatility. He is blessed with long arms and can play both man and zone.

A former receiver, his defensive mentality can diagnose plays quickly and react which adds a dynamic layer of his defensive capabilities. In his senior year he had two picks, three tackles for loss, 44 total tackles and seven batted passes.

His weakness is sometimes he plays too aggressively which can lead to overcommitment. He also takes a lot of risks which when completed can be game-changers, but when failed lead to huge gains.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: NOV 26 Notre Dame at USC

Round 3, pick #85

OT Blake Fisher – Notre Dame

6’-6”, 327 pounds

Player rating: 85.3

Fisher is the teammate of highly-ranked Joe Alt in which the two combined for the best tackle tandem in the college game. Very intelligent being on multiple honor rolls. Started some games in his freshman year, but was a three-year starter and only three sacks in his college career.

He can utilize his considerable length effectively to keep defenders away from issues. He is excellent at both run and pass blocking. He is versatile having played both tackle positions going back to high school. He demonstrates a high level of technical refinement. Has competitive toughness and is very strong. Understands and uses leverage to his advantage and is capable of executing a variety of blocking concepts with proficiency.

Dawand Jones will start at one of the tackle spots this year. If healthy, Jack Conklin will man the right tackle. But we all know how Conklin is injury-prone, and his next injury will be his last snap in brown and orange. Jed Wills is inconsistent and is not a finisher. James Hudson can’t be trusted.

This means a bookend for Jones is needed to get a year of seasoning and be ready in year two. Get an exceptional talent now.

Round 5, pick #156 (from Philadelphia through Arizona)

DT Tyler Davis – Clemson

6’-2”, 301 pounds

Player rating: 82.2

One word: battle-tested. Okay, that’s two words, but Davis has played a ton of games in a tough conference. Was a beast at this year’s Reese’s Senior Bowl going up against top-notch offensive linemen.

Played five seasons due to the pandemic and totaled 16 sacks, 145 total tackles, three fumble recoveries, and 30 tackles for loss. Is a dynamic cog in the middle and a great run defender.

Davis has elite athletic skills with a high level of explosiveness. Solid bull rush capabilities and can collapse the pocket which shows his strength and technique.

Wasn’t the most durable athlete in college, and at times he does play with a higher pad level than desired. But Davis does bring versatility to the D-Line with the ability to line up in various techniques which will offer the defense some strategic flexibility.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: OCT 06 Nebraska at Illinois

Round 6, pick #206

TE Tip Reiman – Illinois

6’-5”, 270 pounds

Player rating: 80.5

Usually, players this big don’t run well, but Reiman was clocked at 4.61 in the 40. He is the prototypical in-line tight end and is an exceptional blocker. Great brain having studied kinesiology and earning three Academic All-Big 10 honors.

Reiman has a solid base and excels in run-game support. Has reliable hands from a program that did not throw much to their tight end. He can line up in various formations and execute multiple roles effectively. Very high football IQ.

He does have issues with separation but is quick. His route tree is also limited and needs to improve his catch radius. But Cleveland would be getting another first-down threat who can gain yardage after the catch.

Round 7, pick #227 (from Tennessee)

LB JD Bertrand – Notre Dame

6’-1”, 235 pounds

Player rating: 78.2

Good speed (4.61) and a tackling machine. Led Notre Dame in tackling his final two seasons. Had 267 total tackles in his college career with nine batted passes, one forced fumble, 5.5 sacks, and 22.5 tackles for loss. Had a great week at the Reese’s Senior Bowl.

Bertrand is good at rushing the passer when asked and has the burst to get around the corner. Is a sideline-to-sideline backer and an every-down player. Three-year starter with durability. Strong guy with a muscular build. Fluid and quick drop into zone and can take on larger tight ends in coverage where is better than decent.

He is also instinctive with violent hands. Bertrand can read and react and locate the ball quickly and is a finisher. Will become a special teams star right away, but will always be pushing for one of the outside backer starting spots.

Round 7, pick #243

DE Logan Lee – Iowa

6’-5”, 281 pounds

Player rating: 77.4

Made some noise at the East-West Shrine Game. Durable and shows quickness as a pass rusher.

Berry is always looking to add talent to the defensive line, and Lee offers another savvy, versatile, and instinctive edge rusher who can do a little bit of everything. Has a knack for getting to the quarterback.

For his college career had 155 total tackles, 9.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, seven batted passes, and 18.5 tackles for loss. Excellent motor guy who is strong and has good hand use.

Lee would be a work in progress and at times will take bad angles when trailing. He doesn’t play with ideal physicality and often fails to set the edge as a run defender.

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