Cleveland Browns 2020 NFL Draft Thread
After months of waiting, the last few of which did not include live sports, the 2020 NFL Draft is finally here to provide a sports adjacent event that people can enjoy live. The Cleveland Browns, after having a pretty productive free agency period, take the next step in building their team both for the 2020 season and beyond.
New general manager, Andrew Berry, is the youngest general manager in the league at just 33 years old. The free agency helped him show that he looked ready to handle the job, breeding confidence that young, smart and incorporating additional ways of thinking could be a massive benefit to the team. The NFL Draft is a different test, incorporating a new set of variables including time that could offer hurdles, especially in this unique format.
Nevertheless, Berry and the team as a whole, including head coach Kevin Stefanski, has had a thought process that has been thoroughly prepared, understanding their collective goal. And unlike past regimes, they really seem to be on the same page, which to this point, has been beneficial. Obviously, with a clock running and multiple opinions on what should happen, that could change, but having the organizational alignment they sought has certainly looked promising.
Whatever happens, through all the twists and turns, trade and picks, and however the Browns decide to operate on the first day of the draft, as well as the rest of the AFC North division, there will be plenty to discuss throughout the evening.
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7:50pm: We are 10 minutes away from the start of the 2020 NFL Draft. Who do you think will make the first trade tonight?
8:00pm: The 2020 NFL Draft has begun. The Cincinnati Bengals are officially on the clock!
8:15pm: The Browns are scheduled to select at the #10 pick. The obvious need is an offensive tackle. Teams ahead of them looking for tackle help include the New York Giants, Arizona Cardinals and Jacksonville Jaguars.
8:26pm: The Bengals pick is in and Joe Burrow is returning home to Ohio! Athens rejoice.
8:36pm: The Redskins bring home the DMV native Chase Young. Back-to-back selections returning to their hometown.
8:38pm: The Lions pick is in and Ohio State has two players go in the top 3, as Jeff Okudah heads to Detroit.
8:40pm: Ohio State is a true factory of NFL level talent. It is amazing that the top three picks in the draft played at Ohio State at some point in time.
8:42pm: The Giants are a big X-Factor for what the Browns do at #10. If they draft a tackle it could impact the draft board big time. Hopefully Isaiah Simmons or Mehki Becton is their selection.
8:47pm: The pick is in...Gettleman selects Andrew Thomas.
8:50pm: Thomas should've been high on the Browns big board. Tristan Wirfs is still on the board. One of the top four tackles are off the board.
8:55pm: The Dolphins have the pressure on them and they can't afford to not take a quarterback at 5. Tua should be the pick.
8:56pm: Tua Tagovailoa is an injury risk but the talent is undeniable. They passed on Drew Brees and now they find a new franchise quarterback. Two more picks to find him some help.
8:58pm: Chargers are in the driver seat on effecting the Browns ability to select their offensive tackle. If they select Justin Herbert, it helps Andrew Berry in selecting a tackle.
9:03pm: Herbert is heading to LA and becomes the face of the franchise. New stadium. New uniforms. New QB!
9:05pm: Isaiah Simmons and Derrick Brown are both on the board for Carolina. The Panthers don't effect the Browns much but their selection could impact Arizona's draft choice. Important to monitor!
9:15pm: Derrick Brown to the Carolina gives the Panthers much needed talent on the interior.
9:16pm: The Arizona Cardinals get an ideal slide for both their organization and the Browns. Isaiah Simmons is the pick and there are still three tackles on the board.
9:17pm: Andrew Berry should temper excitement until the Jaguars pick is in. If they trade back and someone moves up for a tackle it could be worrisome.
9:18pm: The Browns are in an ideal position to draft either Tristan Wirfs or Jedrick Wills. If the 49ers want to move up from 13 to draft a WR, should Andrew Berry trade back?
9:23pm: The Jaguars pick is in and they select...CJ Henderson.
9:25pm: C.J. Henderson is another player that gets to play near home. He is a Miami native and gets to play in Jacksonville, Florida.
9:27pm: The Browns sprinted to the podium to turn their pick in. Well I guess they dialed the number really quickly lol.
9:28pm: Andrew Berry drafts Jedrick Wills Jr from Alabama.
9:30pm: The Browns were in an ideal situation to have three tackles on the board. Wills Jr is a technically sound tackle with great feet. He had a very strong combine and his athleticism is great for playing left tackle.
9:34pm: Last season in 929 pass block snaps, Wills allowed only one sack and 3.5 pressures. (per PFF)
9:36pm: Mehki Becton goes to Jets at 11. The Sam Darnold vs Baker Mayfield debate from Colin Cowherd won't end soon. Both QB's got some LT help.
9:41pm: In 2019, Wills graded out with 90.1 run blocking grade which was only second to Andrew Thomas in the SEC.
9:42pm: Henry Ruggs III heads to Las Vegas and adds much needed speed to the Raiders WR group.
9:49pm: Buccaneers trade up with the Niners. They are in position to draft Wirfs and a number one wideout.
9:55pm: The Bucs and Niners swap picks and the 49ers also add #117 (third round).
9:58pm: 49ers are finally selecting and it is likely they grab a WR. CeeDee Lamb and Jerry Jeudy are their top options.
10:01pm: 49ers are in love with first round defensive tackles and they draft Javon Kinlaw.
10:04pm: Arik Armstead, DeForest Buckner, Solomon Thomas, and Nick Bosa.
10:07pm: The Denver Broncos select Jerry Jeudy and get a bonafide number one alongside Cortland Sutton.
10:09pm: The Browns have already made their selection and now we must see what safeties come off the board.
10:13pm: The Falcons were rumored to move up the draft board to select CJ Henderson. He goes at #9 and they grab the best corner available in AJ Terrell.
10:24pm: Jerry Jones goes defacto Jerry Jones and drafts another WR in CeeDee Lamb from Oklahoma.
10:28pm: The Dolphins went out and got their quarterback at 5, now they get him some offensive line help with Austin Jackson.
10:34 pm: Mike Mayock pulls the biggest surprise of the draft aby grabbing Ohio State corner Damon Arnette.
10:45pm: K'Lavon Chaisson joins Josh Allen in Jacksonville and should create an interesting edge rushing duo.
10:49pm: Jalen Reagor is off the board and he climbed quickly as the draft got closer and closer. Surprising for some over Justin Jefferson.
11:00pm: The Vikings finally replace Stefon Diggs with Justin Jefferson. Bill Belichick trades out of the first round again and has THIRTEEN picks.
11:03pm: Kenneth Murray is the first linebacker drafted. If there is a run linebackers that could impact the Browns at 41. Depends how their big board is setup.
11:05pm: The Dolphins are close to their third pick of the first round and they could take the first running back in this draft. Deandre Swift and JK Dobbins could be the selections.
11:14pm: Cesar Ruiz heads to the Saints to protect the interior for Drew Brees. Its Super Bowl or bust for the Saints.
11:19pm: The Niners traded back into the first round and grab the last first round grade WR in Brandon Aiyuk.
11:27pm: Jordan Love gets to sit behind Aaron Rodgers that's great for his development.
11:35pm: Jordyn Brooks gets drafted by the Seahawks and takes a potential linebacker for the Browns off the board.
11:45pm: The Baltimore Ravens added more defensive talent in Patrick Queen. Hopefully this doesn't continue a run on linebackers. On the more optimistic side of things the number one safety Xavier McKinney is still on the board.
11:53pm: Isaiah Wilson going to Tennessee is another plus as safeties continue their slide.
12:02am: Noah Igbinoghene is another cornerback coming off the board.
12:04am: There have been countless corners going in the first round and another heads to Minnesota in Jeff Gladney.
12:06am: The first round is ending soon and the Browns are setup well to get a safety at the top of the second round. Safety prospects Xavier McKinney, Antoine Winfield, Grant Delpit and Ashtyn Davis are all on the board.
12:07am: Trade rumors in the beginning of the day Friday, are important to listen to as it could impact the safety board.
12:15am: The first round concludes with the Kansas City Chiefs selecting Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
12:16am: The Browns will likely go safety at 41!
