CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Browns came away from the Combine with more information about the players they’ll consider in the draft next month. The event in Indianapolis is as much about getting to know prospects as it is about what happens during testing on the field.
With team visits beginning this week, it’s a good time to reset with a new Browns-only mock draft. This time, I’m making all of their picks — and trading a few of them.
Round 1, Pick 2: Cam Ward, QB, Miami
I was considering a trade up to No. 1, but the Titans decided to take Travis Hunter instead. That left me to choose between the top two quarterbacks, Ward or Shedeur Sanders, and edge rusher Abdul Carter.
Round 2, Pick 33: Trade with Colts
Two players I hoped would still be here, Boston College edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku and Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden, are gone. I want to target a pass rusher and there are enough left on the board to consider a move down. There are also opportunities to pick receivers and running backs later.
The simulator says the Colts want to move up from No. 45. That’s a big drop. Last year, the Cardinals dropped from No. 35 to No. 43 and received No. 79 for their troubles. They also gave up pick No. 186.
With that in mind, I’ll take No. 80 from the Colts and also give them No. 180.
Take a break and grab a coffee. The Browns are back on the clock again at No. 45.
Round 2, Pick 45: Landon Jackson, DE, Arkansas
That sound you here is the relieved sighs of a front office who gambled on a trade down combined with the excitement of getting a guy I wanted.
Jackson had the second-best Relative Athletic Score (RAS) among the defensive ends who tested at the Combine. At 6-foot-6 and 264 pounds, he ran a 4.68 40-yard dash — his 1.69 10-yard split was OK. He’s a relentless rusher who fits well on the defensive front.
Round 3, Pick 67: Cameron Williams, OT, Texas
Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson and both Ohio State running backs went off the board. So did Iowa State wide receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel.
The added pick at No. 80 means tight end and running back can play out more and lets me take a shot on a player in Williams who might need some work at the next level but has enticing physical traits.
Round 3, Pick 80 (from Indianapolis): Mason Taylor, TE, LSU
It’s tough to pass on reuniting Ward with his college teammate, Elijah Arroyo, but Taylor, with his NFL bloodlines and ability to impact the game in multiple ways, is the pick. I couldn’t have gone wrong with Taylor, Arroyo or Bowling Green’s Harold Fannin Jr. here.
Round 3, Pick 94: Jeffrey Bassa, LB, Oregon
The Browns’ refusal to offer any real update on Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah’s return from injury portends some kind of investment at linebacker. Bassa gives me someone I can throw into the mix at the position while I try to find the best combination of guys to attack behind the defensive line.
Round 4, Pick 103: Jonas Sanker, S, Virginia
The Browns needed help at safety even before they moved on from Juan Thornhill. The production from their two starters the last two seasons, Thornhill and Grant Delpit, has been subpar and they need to beef up the position. Delpit has a role as an in-the-box disruptor, but adding Sanker, who ran well at the Combine and was productive in 43 games at Virginia, is a good way to start Day 3.
Round 6, Pick 165: Jaylin Lane, WR, Virginia Tech
Lane is a tough slot receiver who makes the first guy miss and is a YAC machine. He returned punts, too, and his 4.34 40 only helped him at the Combine. This is my favorite pick if I get him here.
Round 6, Pick 180: Traded to Colts along with Pick No. 33 in exchange for Nos. 45 and 80
Round 6, Pick 193: Jordan James, RB, Oregon
His Combine was disappointing, but I watched him run against Ohio State’s defense the first time they played and against Michigan’s defense and I’ll take my chances throwing him into the running back room, especially this late in the draft.
Round 6, Pick 201: Kurtis Rourke, QB, Indiana
The options are dwindling if I want to take a second quarterback, so Rourke’s the guy here.
Round 6, Pick 216: Trade to Jacksonville along with No. 257 for picks next year
Buddy, if you think I’m about to make three more picks in this draft, you don’t know me very well.
Round 6, Pick 217: CJ Dippre, TE, Alabama
Sure, why not? He had the second-best RAS among tight ends who tested at the Combine. Let’s see what happens.
