If the season were to end today, the Browns (7-5) wouldn’t make their first selection in the 2024 NFL Draft until pick No. 56. Here are three players Cleveland could consider drafting come April.
Cut Florida’s Princely Umanmielen
In order to pair DE Za’Darius Smith with Myles Garrett, the Browns traded for Smith from the Vikings this offseason. The nine-year veteran has only recorded 22 tackles, 2.5 sacks and one forced fumble this season, falling short of many people’s expectations.
Although Smith has one more year on his contract, it would be wise to add a younger player like Umanmielen. From 2020 to 2023, the Florida product totaled 98 tackles, 15 sacks, and three forced fumbles. His current ranking, No. 54 overall by Pro Football Focus, puts him in the ballpark of Cleveland’s anticipated first pick.
After a strong rookie season, Houston’s Patrick Paul, a left tackle selected in the first round by the Browns in 2020, appears to have declined each season. Deshaun Watson, the quarterback, has just one year left on his contract and is currently on injured reserve. Adding Paul to his offensive line could be a wise move.
In 778 snaps this season, the massive 6-foot-7, 315-pound offensive tackle has given up zero sacks and just seven pressures. Though Cleveland should keep a close eye on him given that he is ranked No. 51 overall by PFF, his ridiculous stock could still rise.
RB Jonathan Brooks, Texas Brooks: The Browns would select Brooks as a luxury pick rather than a necessity. Nick Chubb, a four-time Pro Bowl running back, is anticipated to fully recover from the severe knee injury that ended his season in Week 2. The team believes that adding more depth and insurance room is the best course of action.
After RB Bijan Robinson left the team this season, the Texas product took over as the starting back and finished with 1,425 total yards and 11 touchdowns. As the No. 60 overall prospect by PFF, Brooks is a far better option than Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt should Chubb miss any more significant time out.
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