Chad Reuter's Initial Projection for Cleveland Browns Misses Mark
Without anymore games to play and free agency still a month away, the focus for many Cleveland Browns fans is the NFL Draft. Fans start to want to know who they should be paying attention to and there are plenty of projections as how the NFL Draft will play out.
Chad Reuter of NFL.com released a three-round mock draft. The Browns, without a first round pick, have their pick in the second round, 42nd overall, and the 98th pick, the second compensatory pick they received for the hiring of Kwesi Adolfo-Mensah to be general manager of the Minnesota Vikings.
Reuter's picks for the Browns hit the mark in terms of addressing perceived needs, but leave plenty to be desired in terms of value.
42. Mazi Smith, DT Michigan
This pick is fine, albeit underwhelming. Smith is more famous for being on Bruce Feldman's freak list than for his play on the field. He has remarkable strength and good movement skills for someone his size even if it hasn't translated to a ton of production.
However, with the NFL seeing far more gap scheme runs, players like Smith are in demand. Not only can Smith take on a double team, but he's nimble enough to make a tackle in space when necessary. For a Browns defense that was so bad on run defense, Smith should certainly improve it. From that perspective, the folks in the draft room could high five and call it a successful pick.
Based on what's available on Reuter's board when the Browns take Smith, there are three edge rushers that jump out as potentially better options. B.J. Ojulari out of LSU, Derick Hall from Auburn and Notre Dame's Isaiah Foskey. There is no question the Browns need to improve their run defense, but they also need to dramatically improve their pass rush and those players could all fit the bill. Even at defensive tackle, I suspect the Browns will like Keeanu Benton of Wisconsin more than they will like Smith.
98. Michael Wilson, WR Stanford
Wilson is coming off an outstanding performance at the Senior Bowl and putting him here appears to be an effort to acknowledge his dominance rather than anything to do with the Browns. Yes, the Browns could be on the look out for more receiver help, but Wilson would be a surprising choice.
Wilson does have the size and strength the Browns seem to like in their receivers. He's 6'1 5/8" 216 pounds and takes full advantage of it. He's got pretty good speed and he had no trouble separating in Mobile.
Wilson will celebrate his 23rd birthday this month. The Browns have yet to take a player that old that early. Additionally, Michael Wilson's last full season in college was in 2019. He did lead Stanford in receiving yards that season with 629.
In the 29 games the Cardinal have played the last three seasons, Wilson has only played in just 14 of them. The Browns have often avoided players with extensive injury histories.
Stranger things have happened and Wilson does have real talent, but another team is likely to take Wilson ahead of where the Browns would have interest.
Another receiver that was at the Senior Bowl and might be more up the Browns alley is Virginia wide out Dontayvion Wicks. Wicks has similar size, is younger and has been a downfield threat for the Cavaliers. The hitch is with Wicks is he had a down senior year and has had issue with drops.
