Browns Draft: What I got Right, What I got Wrong, What Comes Next
In many ways, the Cleveland Browns are predictable in how they approach the NFL Draft, but there were more surprises in Andrew Berry's fourth draft than his previous three. So while some themes held true, Berry did have a few surprises up his sleeve and it's notable what the Browns didn't draft and what they could mean heading into minicamps.
Going into the draft, I expected the Browns to grab a running back. The class was talented and offered tremendous depth. Plus with Nick Chubb's contract, this could potentially be his final season with the Browns. Even if the Browns think there's a way to keep Chubb for the next two seasons, taking a swing at his heir and simply adding another weapon to the offense seemed prudent.
Berry didn't pick one. Maybe that's an indication of just how good they feel about last year's fifth-round pick Jerome Ford. If so, it's strange he only had eight carries last year with how ineffective Kareem Hunt was. They might have a free agent veteran like Jerick McKinnon on their radar. The Browns did agree to a deal with Georgia Tech running back Hassan Hall after the draft, reportedly guaranteeing him $150,000.
This could work out for the Browns. They still have options, but it's a little surprising they weren't more aggressive addressing the position.
I also didn't think the Browns would pick a quarterback. They met with several in the pre-draft process, but that's smart even when a team has no intention to pick one. Intel is useful and they could be options to acquire later in the process like when the Browns claimed Kellen Mond from waivers last year.
In Robinson, they have what they hope is a long term backup for Deshaun Watson. The team still has Joshua Dobbs who has more value than simply what he can do on the field. He's a sounding board and an extra set of eyes for Watson. Now, he's also a mentor for Robinson. Robinson could theoretically surpass him even as early as this year, but having Dobbs will be valuable for the rookie.
Kellen Mond is likely the odd man out, but if no one else claims him, the Browns might end up with him on the practice squad.
Meanwhile, I, like many others, was underwhelmed by the linebacker and safety classes this year and didn't think the Browns should draft either position. Yes, there were some talented options at both positions and there will undoubtedly be a number of players who have successful careers. The Browns have less space on their roster for linebackers than some would assume. Anthony Walker Jr., Sione Takitaki, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and Tony Fields II are all goin to make the final roster. The team also has Jordan Kunazsyk to play special teams. Matthew Adams was signed for the same reason, but might be more vulnerable to a worthy challenger. Jacob Phillips is still here trying to battle for a spot.
The Browns have been using the practice squad as an extension of their linebacker rotation the last few seasons and position Jason Tarver has gotten plenty of production out of this group. Efforts to improve the defensive line will show up with better play from the linebackers.
It's easier said than done to guarantee a roster spot to a draft pick, let alone a contributing role. Instead, grab an undrafted free agent or two to compete and see if they surprise. Utah outside linebacker Mohamoud Diabate gets that opportunity. The difference between Diabate and a number of players who were drafted is marginal. It just wasn't a great class, especially for what the Browns would want.
Safety, the Browns have roster space, but the class was made up of polished safeties that were slow and super athletic prospects with potentially fatal flaws. There are a number of veteran safeties the Browns can sign in free agency to provide quality depth. Duron Harmon and Rodney McLeod are two examples and neither should cost much.
The Browns also agreed to undrafted deals with Ronnie Hickman and Tanner McCalister from Ohio State, plus they bring in a wildcard in Charlie Thomas out of Georgia Tech.
Though Thomas was labeled a linebacker at Georgia Tech, he's 216 pounds. The Browns could ask him to gain weight and maybe he will naturally grow into an NFL linebacker, but it's probably more realistic to play safety now. Safety also has a clearer path to making the 53-man roster. The money backer role Thomas played for the Yellow Jackets allowed to do little bit of everything, including work in the slot. He's athletic enough to play defensive back and has been effective in coverage, made a ton of plays behind the line of scrimmage and has a knack for creating turnovers. Should Browns want him to try to be a slot option or a box safety, he has the tools to make the transition.
Ronnie Hickman put together an excellent production profile at Ohio State. He has been effective in the box and working inside out to chase down plays. Hickman is better playing forward when he can play the ball in front of him than when he has to turn his back to the quarterback. In addition to his viability as a deep safety, there are speed questions with Hickman.
Tanner McCalister straddles the line between safety and corner. Corner athleticism and has gotten some safety experience as of late. He's an interesting option because he has experience playing free safety, slot and corner. The Browns may use minicamps to figure out a home for him, but versatility can be valuable for a player trying to earn a roster spot.
Getting these players as undrafted free agents allows the Browns to play around, move guys around and see what they can do. That freedom is valuable and had they drafted a player in the fourth or fifth round, that type of thought process would immediately raise eyebrows and have critics complaining they don't have a plan. All three of these guys have special teams experience and a big element of minicamp is going to be Bubba Ventrone determining who he believes can contribute on those units.
I was happy the Browns leaned into the strength of this corner class and selected Cameron Mitchell out of Northwestern. The sheer number of corners was going to see some guys slip allowing the Browns to let a good fit fall to them. Jim Schwartz wants to play a ton of man coverage and Mitchell has plenty of experience. He's confident, bordering on cocky and puts guys on the ground, two things I love with defensive backs.
With both the Cedric Tillman selection and the Mitchell pick, the Browns focused on talent. That's how they should operate. The next time the Browns simply have too many good players on their football team will be the first. Plus, these are both players who will see time on special teams, so even if they get buried on the depth chart initially, they can make early contributions for the Browns.
The Browns drafted Siaki Ika out of Baylor to bolster the team's nose tackle position. And yes, in short yardage situations, Ika and Dalvin Tomlinson could play together to try to control the line of scrimmage. The Browns did not draft another defensive tackle and still don't have a starting three-tech unless they put Tomlinson there, which is not where he's most effective. To this point, none of their undrafted free agents are defensive tackles either.
It's not realistic think the Browns are done there. Contrast that with their approach to the edge. The Browns have Myles Garrett, Alex Wright and Isaiah Thomas. They sign Ogbonnia Okoronkwo in free agency to start across from Garrett.
In the draft, they select Isaiah McGuire in the fourth round. After the draft, the Browns agree to rookie free agent deals with Lonnie Phelps out of Kansas and Jeremiah Martin out of Washington. The Browns went from four edge options to seven over the weekend and could look to add another veteran before July. I'll get back to Phelps in a minute.
It stands to reason that Jordan Elliott will get a chance to contribute at the three, but hasn't looked like an NFL player and he's entering year four. The Browns also have Maurice Hurst, Trysten Hill, Perrion Winfrey and Michael Dwumfour. Hurst is a lottery ticket due to his health, Trysten Hill hasn't done much in stops with the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals and the only thing Winfrey has proven is he's completely unreliable. I only know Dwumfour is on the roster because I double checked to make sure I didn't miss anyone, but couldn't tell you a thing about him.
Thinking back to last year's draft, Jadeveon Clowney wasn't signed, but Berry didn't press in the draft. The Browns selected Alex Wright from UAB in the third round, later drafting Isaiah Thomas in the seventh, but both were expected to be depth with an eye towards the future rather than the present.
Berry knows what the free agent landscape is. He also knows the team is going to be getting additional cap space in June when John Johnson III's money clears. Had the right opportunity come in the draft, Berry certainly would've pulled the trigger, but Berry likely entered the draft with the confidence he could sign a starting caliber three-tech before the team opens training camp. There are multiple options including Matt Ioanniddis, Shelby Harris and Poona Ford. After the last two seasons when the Browns were terrible on the defensive interior, it would be negligent to go into camp without a proven starter, hoping someone can figure it out.
Getting back to Lonnie Phelps, this could prove to be a great signing by the Browns. Had the team drafted him late, no one would've blinked. The Cincinnati native started his career at Miami(OH) before transferring to Kansas for his final season. In his last two seasons, Phelps combined for 16.5 sacks and 25 tackles for loss.
He's undersized at 6'2 3/8" 244lbs, but he has noticeable strong. Phelps put up 31 reps of 225 on the bench press at the combine, only 19 pounds lighter than he is. Phelps has speed as well, running a 4.55 with a 1.57 10-yard split.
He fires off the ball as fast as possible, creating momentum and trying to get the opponent off balance before violently converting speed to power. With proper leverage, Phelps can drive the tackle into the quarterback's lap. He doesn't offer much hip flexibility and his change of direction skills aren't great, so he's not a fit for every defense.
However, that skill could be a great fit for what Jim Schwartz wants to do defensively. Line him out wide and let him fly off the ball. He can determine if he can simply run by the blocker or try to go through him.
If that's not enough, Phelps has experience playing on kickoff coverage and punt return. Imagine being the guy tasked with having to try to block this cannonball going full speed.
There's plenty to keep an eye on with this draft class, but the Browns have several undrafted free agents with a chance to push for roster spots. Andrew Berry has stressed competition and there will be plenty of it starting with rookie minicamp starting on May 12th.
