Gone are the days of the Browns owning the NFL draft. Cleveland, which has enjoyed multiple first-round picks the last few years, will be sitting out on Day 1, putting John Dorsey’s drafting chops to the test.
Dorsey has made his name by finding diamonds in the Day 2 rough, and he’ll have to do so in 2019 if he’s going to put the finishing touches on Cleveland’s rebuild. The Browns are stacked but still have a few holes to fill after swinging two big trades during the offseason.
So how will Dorsey and the Browns approach the 2019 NFL draft? Let’s put them on the clock…
Picks
Day 1: None
Day 2: 49th, 80th
Day 3: 144th, 155th, 170th, 189th, 221st
Dorsey has put the Browns’ vast collection of picks to good use in adding veterans to the roster, but the pipeline of young talent the front office could rely on these last few years has dried up as a result.
Primary needs
1. Safety
2. Offensive tackle
3. Cornerback
After trading away Jabrill Peppers, Cleveland could use another play-making safety in the box. Does that trump the need at tackle? Maybe not, but the front office is more likely to find a stud safety on Day 2.
Secondary needs
1. Defensive tackle
2. Edge rusher
The Browns could use more pass rushing on the defensive line but that is more of a depth thing than a pressing need after the trade for Olivier Vernon.
Names to watch
1. Amani Hooker, S Iowa
2. Amani Oruwariye, CB Penn State
3. Trayvon Mullen, CB Clemson
4. Zach Allen, Edge Boston College
5. Greg Little, OT Ole Miss
The top players at the Browns’ positions of need will be off the board when they make their first selection, but there is depth at those spots. Cleveland should have no problem finding a safety capable of starting in 2019, whether it’s Iowa’s Amani Hooker or Virginia’s Juan Thornhill. There will also be a plethora of athletic zone corners who fit defensive coordinator Steve Wilks’ scheme available.
