Breaking down Browns' haul in Dane Brugler's new 7-round mock draft (2024)

Oct 14, 2023; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers defensive tackle Maason Smith (0) pressures Auburn Tigers quarterback Payton Thorne (1) during the second quarter at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports

This is about two rounds too early for Smith.

While the LSU defensive tackle looks the part, there is nothing about his game that stands out on tape. He has one of the worst pressure rates among defensive tackles in this year’s draft class, and does not give you much to hang your hat on as a pass rusher.

If the Browns wanted to go defensive tackle with this pick, their options are limited in this mock draft, however. Ohio State’s Michael Hall Jr. is already off the board, but Clemson’s Ruke Orhorhoro is still hanging around. This would be a preferable pick to Smith.

However, looking at some of the wide receivers on the board, Washington’s Ja’Lynn Polk does not get selected until early in the third round. This would be a trade-down candidate for the Browns. Or even looking at how fast wide receivers have flown off the board in Brugler’s mock, he would even be a decent selection if they stuck around at pick No. 54.

Preferred pick: WR Ja’Lynn Polk, Washington

Mar 2, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Yale offensive lineman Kiran Amegadjie (OL03) talks to the media during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Browns are going to select an offensive tackle in the 2024 NFL draft. It’s just a matter of when. In this case, they land the Yale extraordinary talent Kiran Amegadjie with the 85th overall pick.

And there are no complaints on my end here.

A fluid mover with big-time length and athleticism, Amegadjie has starter potential as soon as Year 2 written all over him. He did, however, suffer a lower-body injury that prohibited him from participating in the Reese’s Senior Bowl or from doing any athletic testing at the NFL Scouting Combine and at his pro day. He did do positional drills at his pro day to at least be able to show NFL scout a bit of his movement skills.

The big-brained Ivy Leaguers get their Ivy Leaguer here. There is zero concern with this selection outside of the lower body injury that has cause Amegadjie to fall to pick No. 85 anyway.

Preferred Pick: OT Kiran Amegadjie, Yale

Nov 4, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC cheerleaders and fans react as USC Trojans wide receiver Tahj Washington (16) carries the ball for a touchdown against the Washington Huskies during the second quarter at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-USA TODAY Sports

USC’s Tahj Washington is the superior wide receiver in this year’s draft class to Brendan Rice, but he doesn’t have a Hall of Fame dad.

Some team is going to get a bargain in Washington as he can eat up massive yards after the catch. This seems to be the mold of wide receiver the Browns have been bringing in and meeting with over big-bodied guys.

Given how the wide receivers fell in Brugler’s mock, Washington is the best one on the board. And if the Browns wait until the fifth round to take a wideout, then there are no complaints about adding the explosive Washington. However, in my preferred outcome I nabbed Polk in the second round so we turn to Florida State tight end Jaheim Bell here instead.

Preferred Pick: TE Jaheim Bell, Florida State

Oct 7, 2023; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker JD Bertrand (27) sacks Louisville Cardinals quarterback Jack Plummer (13) during the first half at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

At this point, entering Day 3 of Brugler’s mock, we are splitting hairs.

With their sixth round pick, Brugler has the Browns taking JD Bertrand out of Notre Dame. The only big difference in the direction I would take here is to select the more athletic linebacker who went one pick later in Curtis Jacobs out of Penn State instead. If you are throwing Day 3 darts, then throw them at the more accomplished athletes.

Preferred Pick: LB Curtis Jacobs, Penn State

SDSU’s running back Isaiah Davis (22) gets tackled by Villanova players on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023 at Dana J. Dykhouse in Brookings.

Could the Browns really add a second South Dakota State running back after trading for Pierre Strong Jr. a year ago?

There is a ton to love about Davis’ game. He is not a huge receiving threat out of the backfield, but his ability to churn out yards in a crowded box makes him a player worth adding to a running back room.

As the Browns continue to deal with the recovery of Nick Chubb, they will turn to a committee. And one of the biggest complaints about Jerome Ford a year ago was his ability to just put his foot in the ground and get upfield. While Davis may not find carries in 2024 with D’Onta Foreman on the roster, he possesses contact balance and strength through the trenches to make a great addition to a committee of running backs.

Preferred Pick: RB Isaiah Davis, South Dakota State

Sep 23, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Javion Cohen (70) celebrates a touchdown in the third quarter against the Temple Owls at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Andy Lewis-USA TODAY Sports

The Browns will continue to add young depth to their offensive line room. They did it last year with Dawand Jones and Luke Wypler, and adding Amegadjie and now Javion Cohen in Brugler’s mock follows that trend in 2024.

Starting for both Alabama and Miami over his collegiate career, Cohen provides at the very minimum a decent floor as a depth guard. He’s not a great athlete, but we are talking about a seventh round pick here. Looking at Brugler’s mock, there are not a ton of players left to choose from anyway.

Why not take the baseline floor as a depth piece in Cohen here?

Preferred Pick: G Javion Cohen, Miami