Who the Browns Could Have Picked at No. 42 had They not Traded it to Jets

Cleveland Browns traded for Elijah Moore and maybe he adds another element to the offense. But there were plenty of interesting names on the board at pick No. 42.

Author:
Brandon Little
Publish date:
Apr 28, 2023 8:04 PM EDT

In this story:

Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns made a splash move of sorts in late March when they acquired WR Elijah Moore from the New York Jets in exchange for a third-round pick to go along with Moore. Moore’s future in Cleveland could be bright but it is still interesting to think about who the Browns could have selected had they kept their second-round pick.

In free agency, Browns hit the defensive line pretty hard. The team signed DT’s Dalvin Tomlinson, Maurice Hurst, and Trysten Hill, to go along with DE Ogbonnia Okoronkwo. Still, the Browns could use more of both positions to fill out their roster.

Had the Browns had their second-round pick at No. 42, it’s totally ideal to had pictured them taking one of the following players:

Keeanu Benton, DT, Wisconsin

Benton is the top defensive tackle on the board and one that stands out in the run, as well as a nice pass rush that he showed off this past season. A player that can be a starter from the first day, he has that potential.

Brian Branch, S, Alabama

Branch is a nice cover safety that should have gone in the first round of the draft. A player that Alabama’s Nick Saban raves about. Branch has good ball skills and should have a long NFL career.

Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson

Simpson is a good coverage linebacker that has the versatility to stay with linebackers and running backs. Simpson needs to put together the mental part of the game better, but he’s a linebacker with Range that moves around.

Adetomiwa Adebawore, DT, Northwestern

Adebawore was an oversized edge rusher at times in college but did his best work on the inside. Too quick for guards, he can hit them with a bull rush right off the snap because he’s that strong. A player that was able to rise up boards after a good combine.

Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia

Washington is a freak of nature at his size. He has big hands, is a great blocker, and has the ability to be a good pass catcher. Brock Bowers was the point of focus in terms of tight end at Georgia, so Washington was not the primary target and the production lacked.

Others to note:

Tucker Kraft, TE, South Dakota State

Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State

Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina

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