:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63077242/usa_today_12001306.0.jpg)
The Cleveland Browns had arguably one of the best draft classes as evidenced by NFL.com’s recent A- ranking for the league’s 2018 draft class. The franchise also was successful with numerous free-agent signings and now have positioned themselves to make a run at the AFC Central Division title and a return to the playoff field.
What will help them is to hit on the upcoming draft slated for April 25h beginning at 9:00pm (EST). This year the draft will be held in Nashville, Tennessee.
The Browns do have some specific needs, the most glaring are on both the offensive and defensive lines. With the 17th choice in the first round, they are guaranteed that one or the other will be available. Another contention will be at the cornerback position. In today’s pass-happy NFL, you cannot have too many capable pass defenders.
Here at DBN, we have taken one draft site for every NFL club – 32 in all – and tabulated which player these draft experts have decided would be best for the Browns.
2019 Browns Draftland Expert Predictions
2019 Browns Draftland Expert Predictions
| Mock Site | Player | Position | School | Expert |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mock Site | Player | Position | School | Expert |
| Sporting News | D. K. Metcalf | WR | Ole Miss | Vinnie Iyer |
| CBS Sports | Hakeem Butler | WR | Iowa State | Chris Trapasso |
| NFL.com | Andre Dillard | OT | Washington State | Daniel Jeremiah |
| Draft Countdown | Andre Dillard | OT | Washington State | Scott Wright |
| 247 Sports | Jeffrey Simmons | DT | Miss. State | Josh Edwards |
| Sports Illustrated | Cody Ford | OT | Oklahoma | Kalyn Kahler |
| ESPN | Christian Wilkins | DT | Clemson | Todd McShay |
| NFL.com | Devin White | LB | LSU | Lance Zierlein |
| DraftTek | Dexter Lawrence | DT | Clemson | Warren Hauck |
| Mock Out | Byron Murphy | CB | Washington | Micky McKeon |
| NFL Network | Jonah Williams | OT | Alabama | Bucky Brooks |
| USA Today | Jeffrey Simmons | DT | Miss. State | Nate Davis |
| Draft Wire | Rashan Gary | DE | Michigan | Luke Easterling |
| Mocking the Draft: SB Nation | Montez Sweat | DE | Miss. State | Dan Kadar |
| NBC Sports | Deandre Baker | CB | Georgia | Ben Standig |
| Newsday | D. K. Metcalf | WR | Ole Miss | Nick Klopsis |
| Draft Blaster | Greg Little | OT | Ole Miss | Dr. Dave |
| NFL Draft Geek | Yodny Cajuste | OT | West Virginia | Logan Fredrickson |
| Draft Network | Christian Wilkins | DT | Clemson | Joe Marino |
| The Sports Bank | Dre�Mont Jones | DT | Ohio State | Paul Banks |
| NFL Draft Scout | Rashan Gary | DE | Michigan | Rob Rang |
| ESPN | Jeffrey Simmons | DT | Miss. State | Mel Kiper |
| Football Fan Spot | Jeffrey Simmons | DT | Miss. State | Steven Lourie |
| Walter Football | Dre�Mont Jones | DT | Ohio State | Walt Cherepinsky |
| Draftplex | Ed Oliver | DE | Houston | Jason Pruett |
| Deep Fried Draft | Greedy Williams | CB | LSU | Brian Bosarge |
| Bleacher Report | Yodny Cajuste | OT | West Virginia | Matt Miller |
| Pro Football Focus | Deandre Baker | CB | Georgia | Michael Renner |
| Draft Utopia | Dexter Lawrence | DT | Clemson | Chris Ransom |
| NFL Draft Days | Christian Wilkins | DT | Clemson | Frank Williams |
| Pro Football Weekly | Byron Murphy | CB | Washington | Eric Edholm |
| NFL Rough Draft | Andre Dillard | OT | Washington State | Mike Luchene |
Brian Bosarge of DeepFriedDraft.com explains his selection of CB Greedy Williams of LSU, considered the best cover corner in the draft. “I believe the Browns’ biggest needs are an interior pass rusher and a true number-one corner,” he said. “With edge rushers, interior rushers, and quarterbacks all going high, I believe corner presents the best value for Cleveland at 17. If Washington CB Byron Murphy is off the board, Greedy Williams is a no-brainer. Williams has the size, ball skills, and scheme versatility to be one of the best young corners in the NFL from Day One.”
Going along with the idea that the Browns’ defensive backfield needs some help, Micky McKeon of MockOut.com gave his take on why Washington CB Byron Murphy was his choice: “I try to explore a range of possibilities for player-team matches and prospect values. As for why he fits well in Cleveland, there are a lot of great reasons” he explained. “Firstly, he is an incredible, fluid CB and think he is a Top-10 overall prospect. Additionally, the Browns have a huge need across from Denzel Ward. But the real reason why I think Cleveland is his floor is because of his perfect scheme fit there. New DC Steve Wilks focuses on the secondary, and ran a ton of zone coverage schemes when he was in Carolina and last year in Arizona. This is where Byron has experience and where he excels. Talent + scheme fit + positional scarcity + team need makes me think he won’t fall any further than 17 to the Browns.”