Day 2 draft picks used on defense? Why not EVERY pick?

Can the Browns repair their protection in only one draft? In fact not.

On the opposite aspect of the ball, the Cleveland offense seems set. What would occur if the protection was simply pretty much as good?

Free company could be the catalyst that Cleveland GM Andrew Berry will use to fill most positions of want. However the NFL draft is actually the proper software to make sure that younger guys fill holes vacated by ageing or under-productive veterans.

And the Browns actually have loads of wants on protection. Some positions can be instantaneous starters whereas many draft picks are primarily for depth or the eventuality of changing into a beginning participant.

The excellent news in regards to the draft is that it’s the final domino in filling drawback areas. Free company happens first within the NFL calendar which then provides every franchise an thought of the place their holes stay. For the Browns, that implementation is the place the holes stay on protection.

The most important query for Cleveland this yr is: what are they going to do in regards to the huge receiver place?

Rashard Higgins had an honest season, however solely signed a one-year deal and now’s set to check the free agent waters. KhaDarel Hodge is productive when wholesome, however the harm issue is the massive minus. Can he stay on the sphere? Will the Browns maintain OBJ? If that’s the case, what sort of participant will he be when he’s totally wholesome?

It’s laborious to think about Cleveland will go into subsequent season with Jarvis Landry and Donovan Peoples-Jones as their starters.

A have a look at the highest free brokers obtainable at huge receiver present Allen Robinson (Bears), Corey Davis (Titans), Will Fuller (Texans), Kenny Golladay (Lions), Chris Godwin (Buccaneers), T.Y. Hilton (Colts), Antonio Brown (Buccaneers), Chris Samuel (Panthers) and JuJu Smith-Schuster (Steelers).

Hilton is a four-time Professional Bowler however has seen his greatest soccer behind him at age 31. Samuel has under-performed since being taken within the second-round. Fuller has by no means been that productive. Golladay has already expressed his want to stay in Detroit. Tennessee handed on Davis’ fifth-year possibility. Brown has an abundance of expertise however is an emotional curler coaster.

Godwin is simply 25 and has good manufacturing in a superb receiver room. He’s ranked because the Quantity 2 free agent this yr. Smith-Schuster could discover the door due to the play of rookie Chase Claypool plus Diontae Johnson. Robinson had 1,250 yards final yr. All three would grow to be a plus for the Browns’ offense.

And if the receiver place is solved, would Cleveland spend their complete draft going defense-heavy?

Defensive position

At the moment on the defensive position, it’s fairly doable that two of the 4 starters can have totally different nameplates subsequent season. That may be a scary thought.

The Browns have 5 defensive linemen who’re free brokers this yr: unrestricted free brokers (UFA) DE Olivier Vernon, DT Vincent Taylor and DT Larry Ogunjobi. The exclusive-rights free brokers (ERFA) are DE Porter Gustin and DE George Obinna.

Obinna and Taylor are younger guys who noticed the follow squad or minimal enjoying time.

Photograph by Jamie Squire/Getty Photographs

At defensive finish, Adrian Clayborn noticed fairly a little bit of motion when Vernon was harm and had respectable numbers with 12 tackles, seven QB hits, three tackles-for-loss and three.5 sacks. Backup Joe Jackson solely performed in three video games. Vernon has an enormous contract and is usually injured. Gustin had starter written throughout him popping out of coaching camp, however didn’t lead to a lot manufacturing with 30 tackles, two tackles-for-loss, two QB hits, zero sacks to which Clayborn principally took his spot as the primary man off the bench.

For the defensive deal with place, Andrew Billings was seen as a key free agent signing final low season however was a COVID opt-out. Third-round draft decide Jordan Elliott noticed restricted snaps in his rookie yr however performed in each sport with one begin and confirmed promise. Ogunjobi had a curler coaster season with 15 begins, 46 complete tackles, six QB hits, 5 tackles-for-loss and a pair of.5 sacks. Taylor performed in 15 video games with one begin and had simply 12 tackles. Sheldon Richardson had a strong season with 64 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 5 tackles-for-loss, 10 QB hits and three batted balls.

If Ogunjobi indicators with one other membership, can Billings and/or Elliott fill that place?

Different groups have discovered the dependence of the Browns’ protection on Myles Garrett. There must be another choice for an outdoor go rush. One can solely think about the strain if Cleveland may discover a younger stud go rusher to pair with Garrett.

Linebacker

Wouldn’t be nice for the Browns to search out their very own Joe Schmidt, Dick Butkus or Ray Lewis to play the center linebacker place? Somebody who’s a tricky SOB, certain tackler and revered for his reliable roughneck play?

Largely, Cleveland performs linebackers who come on a budget and the place isn’t a precedence. This finally frees up funds to spend on cornerbacks and the defensive position.

The Browns have 4 linebackers who’re set to hit free company this yr: UFA’s B.J. Goodson, Malcolm Smith and Elijah Lee. The restricted free agent (RFA) is Tae Davis.

Goodson began 14 video games and led the membership in tackles with 91. He additionally had two tackles-for-loss, three QB hits, .5 sacks and 6 go defenses. He graded out on Professional Soccer Focus at 65.4. On the High 100 free brokers for 2021 listing, Goodson is absent.

Photograph by Jamie Sabau/Getty Photographs

Smith is a participant the Browns may convincingly re-sign. His manufacturing elevated because the season unfolded. In the long run, he had 72 tackles with simply 4 begins, however performed in 15 video games. Smith additionally had three tackles-for-loss, one sack and one interception.

Nonetheless on the roster are Sione Takitaki, Jacob Phillips and Mack Wilson. The Browns could be in hassle if this was their beginning lineup in 2021. Takitaki and Wilson don’t look like starter caliber. Maybe any person make a name and see if Clay Matthews remains to be in game-shape?

Defensive backfield

That is an space that has had probably the most plug-and-play items this yr. Accidents and the pandemic introduced forth a revolving door of gamers into numerous roles.

The Browns have seven defensive backs who’re set to hit free company this yr: UFA’s CB Terrance Mitchell, CB Kevin Johnson, S Andrew Sendejo and S Karl Joseph. The one RFA is CB Tavierre Thomas. The ERFA listing can also be quick with simply CB Brian Allen.

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At cornerback, Denzel Ward is a wonderful athlete and has Professional Bowl {hardware} however has but to finish a whole season. In his rookie yr he suffered two concussions and missed three video games. The next season he had a thigh hamstring pressure Grade 2. This yr, he pulled a groin rated as Grade 1. Ward began 12 video games to which opposing quarterbacks tried to throw in a unique course.

The opposite cornerback was presupposed to be manned by former second-round decide Grasping Williams, however he didn’t play a single snap this yr. When he did play it was a combined bag of outcomes, one being zero interceptions. Mitchell was his veteran substitute and had 16 begins with 65 tackles, two tackles-for-loss, three compelled fumbles, zero interceptions or sacks.

Thomas is a particular groups ace. Johnson had six begins and got here with points. Allen frolicked with 5 totally different golf equipment in 2020 and was signed when heat our bodies had been a premium. With DC Joe Woods enjoying extra 4-2-5 alignments, the Browns will want a devoted slot nook plus depth.

With the security place, Sendejo was signed as a veteran presence and most Browns followers puzzled why he was signed in any respect. One factor he was: sturdy. Joseph is a former first-round decide and is an excellent hitter however lacks pace and is restricted in restoration.

Ronnie Harrison was a superb commerce for the Browns and appears to have discovered a house. Hopefully, he can be paired with final yr’s second-round decide Grant Delpit to lastly solidify this place. The unknown right here is Delpit’s residual results from getting back from an Achilles tendon tear. As backup, Sheldrick Redwine has protection expertise however is a poor tackler.

What is out there in every spherical defensively?

Editor’s word: rounds 4-7 haven’t been confirmed and are projections

Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports activities

Spherical 1: decide #26

High 3

CB Jaycee Horn – South Carolina

EDGE Jayson Oweh – Penn State

LB Zaven Collins – Tulsa

Others

EDGE Joseph Ossai – Texas

DT Christian Barmore – Alabama

LB Nick Bolton – Missouri

Photograph by Jesse Beals/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photographs

Spherical 2: decide #59

High 3

DT Levi Onwuzurike – Washington

CB Elijah Molden – Washington

LB Charzz Surrant – North Carolina

Others

S Talanoa Hufanga – USC

EDGE Joe Tryon – Washington

EDGE Quincy Roche – Miami

John Reed-USA TODAY Sports activities

Spherical 3: picks #89 & #91

High 3

EDGE Carlos Basham – Duke

LB Jabril Cox – LSU

S Andre Cisco – Syracuse

Others

CB Shaun Wade – Ohio State

EDGE Ronnie Perkins – Oklahoma

LB Baron Brownings – Ohio State

Photograph by John Rivera/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photographs

Spherical 4: picks #107 & #129

High 3

EDGE Payton Turner – Houston

CB Israel Mukuamu – South Carolina

EDGE Janarius Robinson – Florida State

Others

DT Darius Stills – West Virginia

EDGE Daelin Hayes – Notre Dame

CB Rodarius Williams – Oklahoma State

USA TODAY NETWORK

Spherical 5: decide #166

CB Thomas Graham, Jr. – Oregon

EDGE Joshua Kaindoh – Florida State

DT Khyiris Tonga – BYU

Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports activities

Spherical 6: decide #205

LB Ventrell Miller – Florida

DT Mustafa Johnson – Colorado

EDGE Wyatt Hubert – Kansas State

Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports activities

Spherical 7: decide #251

LB Derrick Barnes – Purdue

LB Jamin Davis – Kentucky

CB Mike Hampton – South Florida

Can the Browns repair their protection in only one draft? In the event that they dedicate their picks on a slot nook plus an outdoor man, two linebackers, a security and 4 defensive linemen – in fact they will.