Dane Brugler’s 7-round mock draft an intriguing haul for Browns

Cleveland’s draft class filled with players who still need work but have nice upside.

Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry heads into next week’s 2024 NFL Draft with six draft picks at his disposal.

That number could change between now and the conclusion of the draft as Berry has never been shy about making a trade to move around in the draft or add additional picks for down the road.

For now, at least, the Browns are scheduled to make their first selection in Round 2 with the No. 54 overall pick and their final selection in Round 7 with the No. 243 overall pick.

With just a little more than a week away from the draft, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler released a full mock draft of all 257 selections, so let’s break down the players he has the Browns selecting next weekend in Detroit.

Round 2 (No. 54 overall): Maason Smith, DT, LSU

According to Brugler’s summary:

Teams want 6-foot-5 and 300-plus pounds in the trenches. Those D-line types are in short supply in this draft class. which will help push Smith up the board. With his age and talent, the LSU product makes sense for Cleveland, as it looks to add depth on the defensive line.

Smith needs to land with a team that will be patient with him, as Brugler wrote in his draft guide, The Beast:

A one-year starter at LSU, Smith was primarily a three-technique defensive tackle in even fronts, although he has experience everywhere from nose tackle to the five-technique. With his long, large frame and body quickness, it is very easy to see why Smith was a five-star recruit – and why NFL teams are intrigued with his pro ceiling. But he needs to land with a patient coaching staff that can help him maximize his rare toolset.

Overall, Smith is a traits-based prospect with his size, movement skills, and pop at contact, but his inexperience is evident on tape with his inconsistent technique, block recognition, and rush plan.

Read more about Smith in DBN’s draft profile.

Round 3 (No. 85 overall): Kiran Amegadjie, OT, Yale

Kiran Amegadjie is Brugler’s 12th-ranked offensive tackle in this year’s draft class. He was a First Team All-Ivy League selection the past two years and picked up a Third Team All-American selection last season despite missing the final six games with a quad injury, which took away an opportunity for him to get in additional work at the Senior Bowl.

Amegadjie is still a bit raw, but he has the “foundational elements” that NFL teams look for in an offensive tackle, as Brugler wrote in his draft guide, The Beast:

Overall, Amegadjie is a raw prospect who needs technical and strength work before he sees live NFL reps, but his physical ingredients and competitive drive are the foundational elements that pro coaches want to develop. He projects as a backup left tackle as a rookie who has all the tools to gradually develop into an NFL starter.

Amegadjie would be an interesting pick as a potential bookend to Dawand Jones at offensive tackle in a few years.

Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images

Round 5 (No. 156 overall): Tahj Washington, WR, USC

Tahj Washington is Brugler’s 27th-ranked wide receiver in this year’s draft class. Washington spent three seasons at USC, finishing with 163 receptions, 2,449 receiving yards, and 15 touchdowns. He was the Trojans’ leading receiver last season.

Washington is on the small side at 5-foot-9 and 174 pounds, which could take him off some draft boards, but his production and route running will help catch the eye of some teams, as Brugler wrote in his draft guide, The Beast:

(Washington) knows how to beat press and separate at the stem, although NFL lengthy and physicality will raise the level of difficulty for him. Overall, Washington’s size will immediately turn off some teams, but his competitive focus and playmaking instincts are the “make-it” qualities evaluators desire at the receiver position. He will push for slot and special-teams snaps during his rookie season.

Round 6 (No. 206 overall): JD Bertrand, LB, Notre Dame

JD Bertrand is Brugler’s 12th-ranked linebacker in this year’s draft class. He led the Irish in tackles in each of the past three seasons.

Bertrand is a smart player who struggles when tasked with pass coverage responsibilities, as Brugler wrote in his draft guide, The Beast:

An instinctive player, Bertrand diagnoses play speed well in the run game and closes with urgency because he trusts what his eyes tell him. Overall, Bertrand is sawed-off with only adequate range in coverage, but he processes well with the play recognition skills and competitive makeup that will endear him to NFL coaches. He projects as a backup linebacker with rotational value in the NFL.

Read more about Bertrand in our draft insight article.

Photo by Chris Leduc/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Round 7 (No. 227 overall): Isaiah Davis, RB, South Dakota State

Isaiah Davis is Brugler’s 17th-ranked running back in this year’s draft class. He earned Freshman All-American honors after rushing for 818 yards and 10 touchdowns in his first season with the Jack Rabbits, and was a First Team All-American after leading the FCS in rushing as a senior with 1,578 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Davis has the size (6-foot-2 and 218 pounds) if not the speed for the NFL game, as Brugler wrote in his draft guide, The Beast:

A hard-nosed runner Davis patiently reads his blocks and follows them with square, determined cuts to maximize each carry. He shredded FCS defenses the last four seasons, but adapting to NFL speed won’t be easy. Overall, Davis is not a proven third-down option, but he runs tough and balanced with the feet to pick through the defense on early downs.

Read more about Davis in DBN’s draft profile.

Round 7 (No. 243 overall): Javion Cohen, OG, Miami

Javion Cohen is Brugler’s 16th-ranked guard in this year’s draft class. Cohen spent three seasons at Alabama, where he was a Second Team All-SEC selection in 2022, before transferring to Miami for his final season.

The 6-foot-4 and 324-pound Cohen has a “solid mass” and “outstanding length” for his position, but lacks consistency, as Brugler wrote in his draft guide, The Beast:

Even though his sustain skills are lacking, Cohen jars at initial contact and relies on his physical strength to strike, latch and overmatch defensive linemen. Overall, Cohen is a physical, square-cut blocker who can lock up targets when he stays centered but he has trouble combating quick defenders on his edges. He projects as a backup with potential to be more.

Read more about Cohen in DBN’s draft insight article.

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That’s the full seven rounds. Now that you have seen Brugler’s selections, how would you grade his draft? And what players would you rather see the Browns select?

Add your grade in the poll below and share you thoughts in the comments.