2023 Post-Combine Mock Draft: Browns Add Offensive Weapons, Defensive Game Changers
The 2023 NFL Combine just concluded, and the overall athleticism of this year's draft class was put on full display. Per usual, there were definitely some surprises, both good and bad in terms of some prospects on the Cleveland Browns radar.
The next stage in the offseason process is free agency. Draft targets will undoubtedly fluctuate based on what positional needs are addressed in this time period. Every team definitely has certain things that they prioritize in the NFL draft, and the Browns aren't any different.
General Manager Andrew Berry definitely has a specific way that he likes to attack the draft process. We've seen time and time again that his main priority on draft day is youth. It's almost a guarantee that Berry will not select a player that's over the age of 22 within the first three rounds. He ultimately believes in improving and sustaining the success of a football team over a long period of time. This has been Cleveland's draft model and history since he became General Manager in 2020.
The main goal is to find players at each position that fulfill a perfect mix of youth and talent. It's going to be interesting to see if he bends this rule a bit for the 2023 draft due to the fact that this team is fully in its Super Bowl window. He might find that the need for players who can help the team win immediately, potentially outweighs his age philosophy. The team not having a first-round pick could also work in favor of the talent-over-age side of the equation.
For this mock, I used PFF's consensus player rankings as my player pool, as well as their mock draft simulator because I believe that it presently has the most realistic and accurate selection algorithm.
42. Felix Anudike-Uzomah, DE Kansas State
Age: 21
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 255 Lbs.
Arm Length: 33.5"
2022 Stats: 46 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles.
Explanation:
The Browns are without a first round pick in this year's draft, so maximizing the value of pick 42 is imperative. There wasn't really a need to trade up because there is an abundance of excellent pass rushers that should be available within this range. Luckily, Felix Anudike-Uzomah fell right into our lap at this pick.
Anudike-Uzomah is exactly the type of player that Cleveland could be looking for with their first selection. He's a super-flexible, explosive, and energetic edge rusher with a refined pass-rushing repertoire. He plays with a high motor in both the pass and run game, which is precisely the kind of player that Jim Schwartz wants lined up outside in a wide-9 scheme.
There's no doubt that Cleveland is going to address this position in free agency, but Anudike-Uzomah is too good of a talent to pass up here. With the amount of focus and responsibility that is going to be shifting onto the defensive line in 2023, it's imperative to have excellent depth at the position. Pairing someone like Anudike-Uzomah with Myles Garrett would provide the Browns with a deadly pass-rushing duo for the foreseeable future.
98. Christopher Smith, S Georgia
Age: 22
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 192 Lbs.
Arm Length: 31.25"
40-Yard Dash: 4.62 secs.
Vertical Jump: 33"
Broad Jump: 9'8"
2022 Stats: 61 total tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 3 interceptions, 1 forced fumble.
Explanation:
Cleveland already needed to add a playmaker at the safety position before it was announced that they plan on releasing John Johnson III in June. This news just prioritizes the need of finding a free safety this offseason even more dire. They have to find a player who can effectively and consistently patrol the deep portion of the field. Smith is one of the best, true free safety prospects in this year's draft class so I had to select him here.
He displays above average instincts and football IQ on every snap. He's extremely rangy and provides enough coverage ability to play both over the top and underneath. Smith possesses great closing speed and takes great angles when triggering downhill to jump underneath routes in the passing game and against the run.
Being able to select a player with the type of instincts and overall skillset that Smith possesses at pick 98 is a no-brainer.
111. Parker Washington, WR Penn State
Age: 20
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 212 Lbs.
Arm Length: 29"
Hand Size: 10.25"
Bench Press: 19 reps
2022 Stats: 46 recs., 611 yards, 2 touchdowns.
Explanation:
Cleveland has a couple of reliable weapons on the outside in Amari Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones, but they need more firepower. David Bell showed a lot of great things last season when he was on the field, particularly his ability to separate in man coverage. Bell should be able to handle a bigger load in 2023, but the Browns still need to add more playmakers at the position.
Washington is a stocky, densely built receiver that's made a living in the slot at Penn State. He is excellent with the ball in his hands and is well-known for creating extra yards after the catch. He has unprecedented contact balance and strength compared to most guys in this year's position group. Washington is the type of slot receiver that can easily take a 5-yard slant or shallow crossing route and turn it into a 20-yard gain.
Though his lack of explosive statistical production in college could raise some questions, the traits and potential are what you're chasing with Washington. It also doesn't help that he didn't have the best quarterback(s) throwing him the football throughout his collegiate career.
Washington would give Cleveland a young, reliable weapon with the potential to contribute right away in the slot alongside David Bell.
126. Moro Ojomo, DT Texas
Age: 21
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 292 Lbs.
Arm Length: 34.5"
40-Yard Dash: 5.04 secs.
Vertical Jump: 33"
Broad Jump: 9'4"
Bench Press: 29 reps
2022 Stats: 32 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks.
Explanation:
Ojomo might be the most consistent and technically sound run-stopper in this year's defensive tackle class, especially amongst the 3-techniques. He has a lightning fast first step which allows him to explode out of his stance and effectively shoot gaps. He is also well built with a thick lower body, long arms, and good functional strength which allows him to anchor at the point of attack in the run game.
His athleticism and incessant hand usage also make him a compelling pass rusher. He would provide Cleveland with a quality rotational interior defensive lineman who could force his way into a decent amount of playing time early on.
Moro Ojomo was the best interior defensive lineman on the board at 126. When you have a player available at this point who can potentially find consistent snaps as a rookie, you sprint to the podium with that draft card.
142. Tank Bigsby, RB Auburn
Age: 21
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 210 Lbs.
40-Yard Dash: 4.56 secs.
10-Yard Split: 1.54 secs.
Vertical Jump: 32.5"
Broad Jump: 9'11"
2022 Stats: 179 atts., 970 yards, 10 touchdowns, 30 recs., 180 yards.
Explanation:
Kareem Hunt and D'Ernest Johnson are both currently free agents. Hunt was an excellent weapon out of the backfield as a pass catcher over the past four seasons in Cleveland. Jerome Ford has shown a lot of potential in college and throughout the preseason to be a similar type of player, but they still need to add another playmaker to the room.
Bigsby is an agile, compact runner with great size and speed. He does a good job of keeping his legs moving at the point of contact and displays a good amount of patience as a runner, which is an underrated trait at the position.
He is also a competent pass catcher as well as an undervalued pass blocker. Bigsby has the size and strength to "stone" blitzing linebackers and chip edge rushers.
Bigsby would be a perfect addition to an already solid running back room.
144. Jakorian Bennett, CB Maryland
Age: 22
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 188 Lbs.
Arm Length: 31.75"
40-Yard Dash: 4.3 secs.
Vertical Jump: 40.5"
Broad Jump: 11'1"
2022 Stats: 39 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 11 pass deflections.
Explanation:
Bennett was exceptional on the outside at Maryland, specifically as a field corner. He plays with great foot speed, motor, and overall technique. He has been most effective in space when he's able to mirror receivers in off-coverage. He additionally does a great job of anticipating the receiver's movement when using the "bail" technique.
He has played in the slot and even free safety during his college career, especially in 2021 and 2022. Bennett also shows a willingness to fight through blocks and be physical against the run as well, which might be why his coaches lined him up all over the field.
You can never have enough good corners on a football team, and Bennett was the best player available at this spot. His positional versatility is really intriguing.
190. Juice Scruggs, C Penn State
Age: 22
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 301 Lbs.
Arm Length: 33.25"
Vertical Jump: 32"
Broad Jump: 8'6"
2022 Stats: Started all 12 games at Center, only allowed 1 sack, PFF season grade: 71.5.
Explanation:
Ethan Pocic played extremely well for Cleveland in 2022, but it doesn't seem likely that he'll be able to return simply based on the contract size that he might desire. Nick Harris has shown a lot of potential when given the opportunity, but he's going to be a free agent after the 2023 season. If he doesn't show the potential to be a long-term option in the upcoming season, then Cleveland will undoubtedly let him walk.
It might benefit the Browns to add another promising positional option in this year's draft. Juice Scruggs has the versatility to play either guard or center at the next level, and is known for his incredible pass blocking. In 2021, he actually owned a streak for the most snaps played without allowing a sack among interior offensive lineman. He carries his weight extremely well and is ridiculously powerful. His ability to anchor against bullrushers is second to none in this year's draft.
In the run game, he does an adequate job of maintaining a low pad level and using his strength to drive defenders off the line of scrimmage.
Scruggs has the potential to be an important depth option on the interior for Cleveland, with the possibility of even more than that. Anything is possible with Bill Callahan.
231. Zack Kuntz. TE Old Dominion
Age: 23
Height: 6'7"
Weight: 255 Lbs.
Arm Length: 34"
Hand size: 10.25"
40-Yard Dash: 4.55 secs.
Vertical Jump: 40"
Broad Jump: 10'8"
3-Cone: 6.87 secs.
20-Yard Shuttle: 4.12 secs.
Bench Press: 23 reps
2022 Stats: 12 recs., 144 yards, 2 touchdowns. (Injured for the final 7 games of the season)
Explanation:
David Njoku is certainly the king of the tight end room, but Kevin Stefanski loves this position. Each player in the position group seemingly has their own specific play style or specialty.
Njoku is a more traditional "Y" tight end with elite athleticism. Harrison Bryant has been utilized there as well, but he's also been operating as sort of an H-back and lining up all over the place for the Browns.
Kuntz has the ability to be a traditional in-line player, as well as in the slot to create instant mismatches with his length and surprising speed. He also has above average ball tracking, body control, and route running for his size. His only real downfalls are his age and inconsistent pad level when blocking, which is natural for somebody at his height.
Kuntz is a towering, incredibly athletic human being that would be an unfair weapon in the redzone. Cleveland is most likely looking for a third tight end to round out the position group, so I decided to take a flyer on a 6'8" pass catcher with a wingspan similar to some prominent NBA players.
