Cleveland Browns NFL Draft Recap – NFL Preview & Prediction
The Browns are one team that did have quite a few needs to help the team improve this year. However, one thing that the Browns did was address some of their needs and that will definitely help the Browns to a point. However, one major issue that the Browns have is the lack of addressing of the interior offensive line needs, but also the fact that the defensive backfield issues were not really addressed either.
Round 1 (10) Jedrick Wills Jr., T, 6’4” 312 pounds
The Browns are looking to Wills to add either a strong starter or some additional depth to the tackle position. The Browns managed to sign Jack Conklin in the off season, but also have been looking to get a potential offensive starter here. Wills has great skill at the position and should be able to maul his opponents, but the best part is he versatile to play the guard position as well. Look for Wills to make a tremendous impact for the Browns this year along the line.
Round 2 (12) Grant Delpit, S, 6’3” 213 pounds
Delpit is one player that could help shore up the defensive backfield, but the Browns were looking more for a cornerback that was needed. Now, the Browns will be looking to get the right feel for the safety to see how well he is able to do after his production slipped quite a bit last year. The ankle sprain that Delpit had to fight in last year was an issue, but still he is a strong run stopper. The downside is Delpit is not able to really do much in the way of coverage.
Round 3 (24) Jordan Elliott, DT, 6’4” 302 pounds
Elliott is coming out of Missouri which is an SEC school and did play well in the games last year for the Tigers in the SEC. However, Elliott will most likely join in a defensive line rotation or be used mainly on the passing downs as Elliott does have very strong hands and quick movement that makes it quite a bit easier for him to fight through the blocks that are being put in place.
Round 3 (33) Jacob Phillips, ILD, 6’3” 229 pounds
Phillips is coming out of LSU and he is one player that could be a little bit overrated on what the team is looking for. Phillips can get driven off the ball by the larger linemen, who are able to reach him. One plus that he does have going for him is the fact that he is able to play good in the zone coverage, but if it comes to man to man coverage he starts to fail.
Round 4 (9) Harrison Bryant, TE, 6’5” 243 pounds
The tight end position is one that the Browns did not really need to address. However, it is a position the Browns ended up filling with Bryant. Now, the only real reason that we can fathom as to why the Browns would have picked up Bryant is the fact that he does have good speed and typically does not go down for the first contact. The downside is his hands are not the best and that can lead to him dropping the ball quite a bit.
Round 5 (15) Nick Harris, C, 6’1” 302 pounds
Nick Harris is coming out of Washington and he is one player that is going to be more of a development type of player for the Browns, if he makes it that far. Nick Harris does have good hands and nice power. The downside is he is not really getting the good pop that he needs to drive the defensive linemen off the ball. What else is Harris does not have the speed to get into the second level to cut off the linebackers.
Round 6 (8) Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR, 6’2” 212 pounds
Coming out of Michigan can really help Peoples-Jones out. However, one thing that the wide out is going to do is really help the Browns with his potential. Granted, Peoples-Jones has been a standout for Michigan for quite some time and will really help in the passing game for Cleveland, but only if he is able to play at the same level that he did in some of his college games.
