The Cleveland Browns’ roster needs some help. Part of the solution came with free agency as GM Andrew Berry inked 20 players. The remainder should be accomplished in April’s NFL draft.
Which players the franchise goes after will be determined by who they have signed already and what holes remain. Having hired an offensive guy like Todd Monken as the new head coach may sway Berry when he selects his new draftees to bolster that side of the ball, as he would prefer a piece here and there for the offense
to improve.
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An early mock draft seems to be in order. The Browns have some glaring needs that will be easy to address and predict, and then again, a surprise here and there may be in order. Cleveland has the #6 and #24 picks in the first round, then selects high in each round.
Oregon QB Dante Moore staying in school probably threw the entire first round out of whack. What looked like the top two teams, the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Jets, were locks to grab the best two young quarterbacks in the draft. Then, after the next three picks are taken off the board, that would have left the Browns the entire draft class to themselves.
Now, keep in mind, this is simply an early look at this year’s draft and what the Browns still need.
In Round 1, let’s do a scenario first. It appears that Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza will go first overall to the Raiders, followed by Ohio State LB Arvell Reese to the Jets. Up next, the Arizona Cardinals should take OT Francis Mauigoa out of Miami, followed by the Tennessee Titans. Let’s just say they select RB Jeremiyah Love of Notre Dame. At pick #5, the New York Football Giants choose Ohio State LB Sonny Styles.
All of this sets up who the Browns have left on the board and what positions of need they still have, or just choose the best player available instead. Remaining: WR Carnell Tate (Ohio State), S Caleb Downs (Ohio State), EDGE David Bailey (Texas Tech), EDGE Reuben Bain (Miami), OT Spencer Fano (Utah), and WR Makai Lemon (USC).
Let’s draft!
Round 1: pick #6
EDGE David Bailey (6’-4”, 251 pounds)
Texas Tech
40 time: 4.5
Bailey is a pass-rushing demon. Was named the “Big-12 Defensive Lineman of the Year” in 2025, a Unanimous All-American, First Team All-Big 12, a Lombardi Award finalist, and an All-ACC Academic Team selection.
While receiver and perhaps offensive line might be a bigger demand, the choice here is not what Cleveland needs, but the best player available and a larger value. Take the most talented players when the time arrives, and the athletic aspect of the franchise will always improve.
Bailey is an amazing specimen of a football player. He is relentless and can show legitimate three-down potential. He demonstrates very good ball disruption skills and has a relentless motor. Excellent backside pursuit abilities and will build speed through his rush.
He led the nation in sacks with 14.5 and led the Big-12 Conference in tackles for loss with an amazing 19.5. Has tallied 163 total tackles during his college career, along with 10 forced fumbles.
Is a very physical player and will work well in the offensive backfield opposite Myles Garrett. Is a good run stopper as well.
Think about this defensive line lineup for a second: Myles Garrett, Mason Graham, Maliek Collins, and David Bailey. Great googly moogly.
Round 1: pick #24
OT Monroe Freeling (6’-7”, 315 pounds)
Georgia
40 time: 5.1
Won the 2A state championship in high school back in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Four-star prospect who played in 56 games over his career and is very durable.
Freeling combines rare length, flexibility, and movement skills that allow him to reach and corral faster edge rushers down deep past the pocket. Quick hands, explosive first step, and has a basketball background. Finishes blocks with a nasty demeanor. Consistently wins the leverage battle against his defensive opponents. Can handle blitz packages without abandoning footwork fundamentals.
Freeling has the most upside of any tackle in this year’s draft.
Berry has done a good job giving the Browns’ offensive line a transformation. After the free agency period’s first wave, the lineup is now: RT – Tytus Howard, RG – Teven Jenkins, C – Elgton Jenkins or Luke Wypler, LG – Zion Johnson, and LT – Dawand Jones.
OT Dawand Jones is a good player when he suits up. The issue is that he has played three years and has been placed on IR three times. Freeling will be consistent on the left side of the offensive line for Cleveland and finish out the offensive line and become a Day 1 starter. This would free Jones up as a swing tackle.
(Editor’s Note: We hear your “he won’t be there” comments, but you never know.)
Round 2: pick #39
CB Chris Johnson (6’-0”, 195 pounds)
San Diego State
40 time: 4.4
Johnson is able to read route concepts and is a dependable tackler. He is able to mirror receivers through their breaks without being grabby or losing ground, a trait that translates to any coverage scheme. College QBs last year had a 20.6 rating throwing toward his coverage area.
A true ballhawk with top-shelf explosiveness and speed.
The Browns’ defensive backfield last year ranked #3 in the league. Johnson will add to that ranking as he can play the slot while Denzel Ward and Tyson Campbell take on the outside positions. This gives Cleveland three superior cornerbacks and brings in a young buck to take over for Ward once he eventually departs.
Round 3: pick #70
WR Malachi Fields (6’-4”, 218 pounds)
Notre Dame
40 time: 4.61
Huge target that wowed everyone at the Senior Bowl. Reliable hands that work outside his frame with really good grip strength. Is able to peak his jump at the high point and will fight viciously for contested passes. Was a former QB in high school, so he is able to read and react to defensive leverage.
Instantly a mismatch for smaller defensive backs and is a very good downfield blocker. Physical and is a natural leader, being named captain last season. Fields will fight for extra yards and is ultra-competitive.
Round 4: pick #107
WR Brenen Thompson (5’-9”, 170 pounds)
Mississippi State
40 time: 4.26
Thompson’s speed listed was the official time posted at the Combine. He can maintain that speed through the route without drifting off his line. Had 1,054 yards last year with an 18.5 yards per catch average with six touchdowns. Will run every route in the route tree and is very shifty. Quick feet and active hands.
His superpower is his ability to decelerate during a route, which gives him the ability to double-move or shift back into another gear instantly. His deep ball threat is real, and his ball tracking looks natural. Does not offer much in terms of yards-after-contact, but defenders must catch him first. His route running does need a bit more polish beyond vertical concepts. Does not offer much as a return man, as he has only returned one kick in his four years in college.
This gives the Browns a new-look receiver room of Jerry Jeudy and Malachi Fields on the outside, Brenen Thompson for the slot, and Isaiah Bond as WR4.
Round 5: pick #117
S Bud Clark (6’-1”, 188 pounds)
TCU
40 time: 4.41
There is a need for another good safety, even if Ronnie Hickman returns. If he doesn’t, then the problem is solved. Great Senior Bowl week and one of its defensive stars. Was a captain for three seasons at TCU, so he is a leader.
Clark is a ballhawk. He had 15 interceptions during his college days, with two being a pick-six. Elite straight-line speed, which allows him ample recovery time and range. He is able to play any safety spot with a strong closing burst.
This dude is nasty. Very good run support and wants to hit. 214 career tackles. Consistent and is a sturdy natural tackler with a physical edge. Clark is a good finisher. The knock on him is his frame, which may be difficult to fend off larger tight ends, and on occasion will be a bit overaggressive on his reads.
Round 5: pick #146
TE Tanner Koziol (6’-7”, 250 pounds)
Houston
40 time: 4.7
Koziol gives this new Cleveland offense an instant Red Zone target. Outstanding length and wingspan. He tested well at the Combine on lower-body explosiveness. Dependable target and will dominate on intermediate routes. A very durable player.
He does lack short-area quickness and needs work on his run blocking, but is a willing blockfield blocker. But Koziol runs a full route tree and came from a pass-happy system in college.
Round 7: pick #248
LB Red Murdock (6’-3”, 240 pounds)
Buffalo
40 time: 4.77
Murdock is a tackling machine. He was ranked #2 in the nation in total tackles with 142. The season before, he had 156 total tackles. Two-time First Team All-MAC and set a college football record of 17 forced fumbles. Won a high school state championship.
He will attack downhill with conviction and on running plays, make up his mind, find a hole, and go after the ball carrier. Reliable tackler. Legitimate skill and will play through contact at the point of attack.
Murdock reads his keys quickly and can position himself where the ball is going rather than chasing ballcarriers. Functions effectively as a blitzer and is a very good run stopper. Pair him with Carson Schwesinger and watch the fireworks. This guy is the draft’s best-kept secret.
How do you feel about this Browns mock draft? Would adding Bailey take the Cleveland defense up a notch to help the offense have to do less, or is that a poor use of the top pick?
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