In one week, it is go-time. The 2019 NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday, April 25 in Nashville, Tennessee.
The Cleveland Browns will be set to make eight picks, despite trading their first-round pick for Odell Beckham, Jr. That number is likely to change, though, as general manager John Dorsey and his team look to add more talent for new head coach Freddie Kitchens.
As part of this series, I will be assessing the Browns’ current roster position-by-position and making a prediction on if the team will look to address each during the draft and where. I will also be including a few potential options for each position.
Today, I focused on the offense. The defense will be addressed in a second piece soon.
QUARTERBACK (3)
Starter: Baker Mayfield
Reserves: Drew Stanton, Garrett Gilbert
ROSTER ANALYSIS: From the moment Baker Mayfield stepped on the field in Week 3 against the New York Jets, the Browns knew they had something special. There is no longer a revolving door at the quarterback position. Drew Stanton returns as a mentor for the young stud, but both Dorsey and Kitchens spoke with confidence in him as their primary backup. The now-defunct AAF MVP Garrett Gilbert has attempted just three passes in his NFL career. It is hard to imagine the Browns have big plans for him, though he could make the roster.
DRAFT ANALYSIS: Thankfully, the Browns will not be drafting a quarterback in the first round. Quite honestly, they may not draft one at all. Mayfield and Stanton are going to be active on gamedays, and the Browns may choose to roster just two quarterbacks next season. Gilbert should factor into a decision, but do not expect the Browns to target this position before the sixth or seventh round, if at all. Guys like Trace McSorely or Jake Browning could be brought in as UDFAs.
RUNNING BACK (5)
Starter: Nick Chubb
Reserves: Kareem Hunt, Duke Johnson, Dontrell Hilliard, Devante Mays
ROSTER ANALYSIS: After finishing just four yards short of 1,000 yards on the ground last year, Nick Chubb is poised to build on a sensational rookie season. As long as Kareem Hunt continues to follow the plans put in place by the NFL and the Browns, he should make an impact at the end of next season (and hopefully the playoffs). Duke Johnson is the wild card in the group, as he has requested a trade from the stacked position. The Browns very well may grant his request during the draft. While he was not overly impressive, Dontrell Hilliard did some nice things last year, including taking over as the primary kick returner. Devante Mays is likely just a camp body.
DRAFT ANALYSIS: The Browns are going to take a running back at some point. It seems more and more likely the team is going to move Johnson for a mid-round pick, opening up a big role as the third-down and change-of-pace back behind Chubb (until Hunt returns). Day Three seems like the place for the Browns to dip into the running back pool. Two names that stick out as possibilities are James Williams and Myles Gaskin. Williams caught 202 passes in three years at Washington State and could step into Johnson’s role immediately. Gaskins was not as adept as a pass catcher but still possesses the skills to make an impact on third downs. He also has experience as a kick returner.
WIDE RECEIVER (9)
Starters: Odell Beckham, Jr., Jarvis Landry, Antonio Callaway/Rashard Higgins
Reserves: Damion Ratley, Derrick Willies, Jaelen Strong, Blake Jackson, Damon Sheehy-Guiseppi
ROSTER ANALYSIS: Writing Odell Beckham, Jr.’s name over and over again as a Brown is pretty cool. Same with Jarvis Landry. Those two should be a ton of fun to watch this year. Antonio Callaway made major strides as last season went along. Rashard Higgins enjoyed a mini-breakout, becoming one of Mayfield’s favorite targets.
Damion Ratley had a big Week 6 against the Los Angeles Chargers and Derrick Willies was one of the heroes in the Week 5 win over the Baltimore Ravens. Neither are sure things to make next year’s team, but both have displayed roster-worthy talent. Jaelen Strong was signed earlier this offseason, but like Blake Jackson and Damon Sheehy-Guiseppi, he faces an uphill battle to make the roster.
DRAFT ANALYSIS: Like with the running back position, the Browns are going to take a receiver, or two, at some point. The top four are locked in, but they are the only sure things. Day 3 seems like the sweet spot here as well, with the upside being key.
Jalen Hurd is an intriguing prospect after playing just one season as a receiver, but he has great size and natural hands for the position. Preston Williams had a rocky start off the field at Tennessee but rebounded to put up gaudy stats at Colorado State. He tested poorly at his Pro Day, however. The Browns also have had private workouts with Jon’Vea Johnson and Penny Hart, both of whom should be available on the draft’s third day.
TIGHT END (5)
Starter: David Njoku, Orson Charles (fullback)
Reserves: Demetrius Harris, Seth DeValve, Pharaoh Brown
ROSTER ANALYSIS: David Njoku had some big moments in his sophomore season but needs to become more consistent as a pass catcher and blocker to take the next step. Though listed as a tight end, Orson Charles is likely to play fullback for the Browns, as he did in 2018.
Demetrius Harris was signed earlier this offseason and could surprise as he steps out of Travis Kelce’s shadow. The pressure is on for Seth DeValve to stay healthy and perform in training camp and the preseason. A Cleveland native, Pharaoh Brown is likely another camp body.
DRAFT ANALYSIS: The tight end position is one of the most talented in this year’s draft, with two or three players capable of coming off the board in the first round. As much as Dorsey loves competition, it makes sense that the Browns will add a tight end at some point to challenge DeValve. Foster Moreau is both a solid blocker and pass catcher and could replace Harris after next season, but he is likely to go off the board early on Day Three. Later picks on the draft’s final day could include Tommy Sweeney, Drew Sample or Donald Parham, of which the first two are more “do it all but nothing great” prospects and Parham as a raw, developmental player.
OFFENSIVE LINE (13)
Starters: Greg Robinson, Joel Bitonio, J.C. Tretter, Austin Corbett, Chris Hubbard
Reserves: Desmond Harrison, Kendall Lamm, Eric Kush, Bryan Witzmann, Kyle Kalis, David Bright, Kyle Friend, Brad Seaton
ROSTER ANALYSIS: Four of last year’s starters return after Greg Robinson was signed to a one-year deal early in the offseason. Austin Corbett is expected to step in to the spot vacated by Kevin Zeitler’s inclusion in the OBJ trade. Desmond Harrison was benched after a few rough weeks to start the season, but the team may still view him as the developmental option at left tackle.
Kendall Lamm, Eric Kush and Bryan Witzmann were all signed earlier this offseason, with Lamm earning a two-year, $7 million contract to ensure a roster spot. Kush is versatile enough to make the team, but Witzmann’s status could depend on the draft. Kyle Kalis, David Bright, Kyle Friend and Brad Seaton all are on the outside looking in for a roster spot.
DRAFT ANALYSIS: It is a weaker tackle class this year, so the Browns will likely move forward with what they have and Harrison as the developmental guy. However, they could use some interior depth, especially with the injuries Tretter has had to play through the last two years. Late Day Two or anywhere on Day Three seem like realistic points for the Browns to target this position group. They could look to reunite Mayfield with either of his former teammates in Ben Powers or Dru Samia. Another option that could slide due to medicals is Alex Bars, who is recovering from a torn ACL.
KICKER (1)
Starter: Greg Joseph
ROSTER ANALYSIS: The Browns have yet to bring in competition yet for Greg Joseph, who replaced Zane Gonzalez after two weeks last year. He missed three field goals and four extra points in 14 games.
DRAFT ANALYSIS: There are not many kickers in this class and none of them have exciting resumes. Cole Tracy, Matt Gay and John Baron II all have a chance of being drafted, but the Browns are unlikely to add competition for Joseph in the draft.
