NFL Draft Grades - Cleveland Browns
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Cleveland Browns Upcoming 2023 Draft Picks (8)
Grade: A
I was really hoping for an offensive lineman, but another weapon for Deshaun Watson makes a ton of sense - especially this one. Cedric Tillman should have been chosen 20 or so selections earlier than this. Tillman is a huge receiver who will be a great weapon for Watson in the end zone.
Grade: A-
Siaki Ika is someone I had in the first round long ago, but he fell because of injury concerns. He's also a run-stuffer, so he made sense for the second frame anyway. Still, the Browns desperately needed someone to help stop the run, which was a big problem for them last year.
Grade: A+
The Colts brought in plenty of offensive linemen for top-30 visits, as they wanted depth and a successor for Jack Conklin. Dawand Jones is a massive offensive lineman who will blast open huge running lanes for Nick Chubb. He could have gone in the second round, so I love this value.
Grade: C+
The Browns needed to continue to bolster their defensive line, which was very weak last year outside of Myles Garrett. Isaiah McGuire is a powerful defensive lineman who could do well in Cleveland's rotation. I had him going later though.
Grade: A-
With Jacoby Brissett gone, the Browns needed to develop a young quarterback just in case Deshaun Watson gets more massages. Dorian Thompson-Robinson is a very mobile quarterback who provides some value in the fifth round.
Grade: A
I had Cam Mitchell going in the third round, so I love this value. Cam Mitchell is a physical, versatile defensive back who can play all over the secondary. He'll be needed versus the high-powered offenses in the AFC.
Grade: A+
What a steal! Luke Wypler should have been drafted on Day 2. The Browns showed interest in a bunch of centers during the pre-draft process, and I can't imagine that they thought they'd land someone like Wypler in the sixth round.
Grade: A+
The Ravens found a gem in the seventh round. Andrew Vorhees is a very versatile and smart offensive lineman whom I expected to be chosen in the third or fourth round. I'm shocked he fell this far, but Baltimore won't complain.
Walt's Mock Selections as of 6/6/2023 -View Current Mock Draft
Round: 3


The Browns have hosted more offensive linemen for top-30 visits than any other position. I expect them to add a blocker with one of their first picks.
Wanya Morris needs to get stronger, but he's an athletic blocker.
Round: 3


The Browns had one of the worst run defenses in the NFL last year, so they'll need to make sure that doesn't happen again.
Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson is only 5-9, but he has great coverage skills as a fast and athletic prospect.
Round: 4


Kareem Hunt and D'Ernest Johnson are free agents, so the Browns will need another running back.
Round: 4


The Browns signed Juan Thornhill, but they could still use help at safety.
Jammie Robinson has been a solid run defender for Florida State.
Round: 5


The Browns have hosted several centers, so it shouldn't surprise anyone if they address the position.
Round: 5


The Browns could stand to add multiple linebackers during the draft.
Dee Winters is a solid run defender who can stand to improve in coverage.
Round: 6


The Browns might be interested in finding a better developmental quarterback behind Deshaun Watson.
Jake Haener is an accurate quarterback, but missed some time with an injury.
Round: 7


The Browns brought in numerous offensive linemen for top-30 visits, so they're expected to address the area at some point.
Past Grades and Selections
2023 NFL Draft Selections and Grades
A I was really hoping for an offensive lineman, but another weapon for Deshaun Watson makes a ton of sense - especially this one. Cedric Tillman should have been chosen 20 or so selections earlier than this. Tillman is a huge receiver who will be a great weapon for Watson in the end zone.
A- Siaki Ika is someone I had in the first round long ago, but he fell because of injury concerns. He's also a run-stuffer, so he made sense for the second frame anyway. Still, the Browns desperately needed someone to help stop the run, which was a big problem for them last year.
A+ The Colts brought in plenty of offensive linemen for top-30 visits, as they wanted depth and a successor for Jack Conklin. Dawand Jones is a massive offensive lineman who will blast open huge running lanes for Nick Chubb. He could have gone in the second round, so I love this value.
C+ The Browns needed to continue to bolster their defensive line, which was very weak last year outside of Myles Garrett. Isaiah McGuire is a powerful defensive lineman who could do well in Cleveland's rotation. I had him going later though.
A- With Jacoby Brissett gone, the Browns needed to develop a young quarterback just in case Deshaun Watson gets more massages. Dorian Thompson-Robinson is a very mobile quarterback who provides some value in the fifth round.
A I had Cam Mitchell going in the third round, so I love this value. Cam Mitchell is a physical, versatile defensive back who can play all over the secondary. He'll be needed versus the high-powered offenses in the AFC.
A+ What a steal! Luke Wypler should have been drafted on Day 2. The Browns showed interest in a bunch of centers during the pre-draft process, and I can't imagine that they thought they'd land someone like Wypler in the sixth round.
A+ The Ravens found a gem in the seventh round. Andrew Vorhees is a very versatile and smart offensive lineman whom I expected to be chosen in the third or fourth round. I'm shocked he fell this far, but Baltimore won't complain.
2022 NFL Draft Selections and Grades
C- Grade
The Browns are deep at cornerback, so I don't understand this selection. I like that the Browns moved down, but they had huge holes at receiver and defensive line. Surely, they could've found someone who made more sense than Martin Emerson. I like Emerson a bit as a tall corner with good length, but this fit isn't great.
C- Grade
This is the opposite of the Browns' first pick. With Martin Emerson, they didn't fill a need, but got decent value. Now with Alex Wright, they're filling a need on the edge, but are getting poor value, as Alex Wright was a fifth-round prospect. Cleveland's draft feels like Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
B Grade
Once upon a time, people were telling me that David Bell belonged in the first round. I stopped getting those e-mails eventually, as N'Keal Harry comparisons surfaced. I'm not convinced David Bell can separate, but I like the gamble here in the third round rather than the initial frame. Bell could fill a need if people are wrong about his separation issues.
A+ Grade
I slotted Perrion Winfrey to the Browns in the re-draft because it made so much sense. Cleveland needed defensive line help, and Winfrey is someone I had in the second round. This is a major steal for the Browns, as they're getting someone who dominated in the trenches at Oklahoma.
O'BRIEN Grade
Ugh, come on. I know the Browns had kicker woes, but kickers can be found on the street. Seriously, just walk down the street and ask people to try out for kicker, and you'll find a half-decent one. There's no need to waste a significant pick on one.
C Grade
Jerome Ford doesn't fill a need at all for the Browns, who are extremely deep at running back. With so few picks, I don't think the Browns could afford to make selections like this, though I don't hate the prospect. Jerome Ford figures to be a solid receiver out of the backfield in the NFL.
B Grade
A Tarik Cohen replacement? This is a fine pick. Trestan Ebner is a small back, but he's a good receiver out of the backfield who runs quickly.
B+ Grade
Cameron Goode was in the sixth round of my final mock, so this is a slight value pick. It also fills a need; once again, the Dolphins brought in so many linebackers for visits, so they really wanted to address this position.
2021 NFL Draft Selections and Grades
B Grade
Anything in the back seven would've made sense for the Browns. They need linebacker help to deal with Lamar Jackson and cornerback upgrades to cover all of Pittsburgh's receivers. They opted for Greg Newsome over Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, which is fine. I had Newsome pegged in this area, and he figures to be a solid No. 2 cornerback across from Denzel Ward.
A Grade
D.J. Moore's contract is up soon, while Robby Anderson is just above average, so receiver was in play for the Panthers. Terrace Marshall was the best player available at the position. Marshall was mocked in the first round by some, but injury concerns caused him to drop. I like the value for Marshall here, especially with the Panthers picking up a pair of third-round chices from trading down twice.
F Grade
The Texans are not good at this putting talent together to form a team thing. I didn't have Nico Collins in the final version of my mock draft, though I definitely considered him in the late rounds. Still, I guess it would make sense for the Texans to trade up for a pedestrian receiver to catch passes from their pedestrian quarterback.
D Grade
I liked Cleveland's draft up until this point. Anthony Schwartz isn't a football player. He's a track athlete trying to play football. Perhaps he'll develop into a football player, but he's a huge project. I thought he would go in the fifth or sixth round.
A Grade
The Browns' great draft continues. I consistently mocked James Hudson in the second or third round, so this is incredible value. It doesn't fill a major need at all, but the Browns are getting one of the top players available to fill depth on the offensive line. Just ask the Chiefs how important offensive line depth can be!
B+ Grade
The Browns lost Sheldon Richardson, so it makes sense that they would address the trenches with this selection. I've had Tommy Togiai slotted in this range, so this is a solid choice for the Browns, who are having a great draft.
C Grade
Richard LeCounte was a productive player in Georgia as a tackling machine. The problem is that he's small and very unathletic, so he may not translate into the pros, unfortunately. He may have to be relegated to special teams.
B- Grade
Demetric Felton is versatile threat who is moving from running back to receiver. There's some questions about whether he can do that, and his upside is questioned, but Felton could end up being the Browns' third running back. This is an OK pick, but Felton could have trouble making the roster.
B Grade
It's going to be difficult for Jermar Jefferson to make the roster, given that the Lions have D'Andre Swift, Jamaal Williams and Kerryon Johnson. I imagine this is just injury insurance, which is fine, given that Jefferson was pegged as a seventh-round prospect.