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.
Edge Princely Umanmielen, Florida
The Browns traded the Vikings for DE Za’Darius Smith this offseason to pair him with Myles Garrett. However, the nine-year veteran hasn’t met the expectations that many had for him, posting just 22 tackles, 2.5 sacks and one forced fumble on the season.
Smith still has another year left on his deal, but adding a younger option like Umanmielen would be a smart move. The Florida product has 98 tackles, 15 sacks and three forced fumbles from 2020-23. He is currently ranked as Pro Football Focus’ No. 54 overall prospect, which is right in the range of Cleveland’s projected first pick.
Left tackle Patrick Paul, Houston
Jedrick Wills Jr., the Browns’ 2020 first-round pick, seems to have regressed every season following a promising rookie campaign. With just one year left on his deal and currently on injured reserve, strengthening QB Deshaun Watson’s offensive line with Paul could be the right move.
The massive 6-foot-7, 315-pound offensive tackle has allowed zero sacks and just seven pressures in 778 snaps this season. His daft stock could still very well rise, but ranking as PFF’s No. 51 overall prospect, Cleveland should keep a close eye on him.
RB Jonathan Brooks, Texas
Brooks wouldn’t be a necessary pick but a luxury one by the Browns. Four-time Pro Bowl RB Nick Chubb is expected to make a full recovery from his serious season-ending knee injury, which he suffered in Week 2. However, adding to the room for insurance and depth may be what the team feels is best.
The Texas product became the lead back this year following RB Bijan Robinson’s departure and posted 1,425 total yards and 11 total touchdowns. Brooks is PFF’s No. 60 overall prospect and would be a much better option than Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt if Chubb were to miss an extended period of time again.
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