Browns All-Senior Bowl Draft: Round-by-round

Now that the dust has settled at the annual Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., and all the coaches and scouts have tabulated their notes on the top-level talent that participated there last week, there are questions of which players improved their draft stock and which ones lost yardage.

The Senior Bowl is literally an NFL convention. Except for the head coaches whose teams are in the Super Bowl, all coaches show up during the week along with their scouts and player personnel staff. GM’s, such as San Francisco 49ers boss John Lynch and John Elway of the Denver Broncos, were here to watch practices. Unemployed coaches are also in attendance as they are being interviewed between practice sessions for a possible job. If you read about any coach who has hired as an assistant to fill in his staff recently, the hiring process took place at the Senior Bowl.

Even college coaches show up to honor their players participating. Dabo Swinney of Clemson was at Tuesday’s practices whereas Alabama’s Nick Saban was present on Wednesday. Even University of Dayton head coach Rick Chamberlin made the trek to this All-Star game to represent his talented tight end Adam Trautman, the first player from their school to be invited to this prestigious game since 1977.

Scores of players which had a good week against stellar competition helped themselves. Oregon QB Justin Herbert was projected as a first-round pick, but more so in the upper 20s. Now, he is being linked to the Los Angeles Chargers at pick number 6. DT Neville Gallimore of Oklahoma was slotted in the bottom of the the second-round and is now a legitimate late first-round choice. Offensive guard Ben Bartch from D-III St. John’s jumped up a full two rounds with his domination of bigger and more well-known defensive linemen.

With the Senior Bowl in mind, below is a Browns All-Senior Bowl Draft. This selection process is only players who participated in this game with the needs of the Browns in mind for either starting positions or added depth.

A quick glance over this list will reveal something very important: most of the problem areas that will propel this club towards the next level are here: right guard, backup tackle, starting safety, a backup corner, another wide receiver compliment, an explosive defensive end and a hard-hitting coverage linebacker.

Here is a list round-by-round. Keep in mind Rounds 4-7 will change once the NFL compensatory picks are added later.

Round 1 - pick number 10:

None. There are many players in this All-Star game that will hear their name called in the first-round. But only one is deserving of the 10th overall slot and that is Oregon QB Justin Herbert. This guy is the real deal and could start his rookie campaign. At the moment, the job of starting quarterback with the Browns is taken. A dependable backup may be selected, retained from the current roster, or a free agent signed, but for the moment, Herbert would be a waste of pick.

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Round 2 - pick number 41: OLB Josh Uche of Michigan

Before Senior Bowl week, this could easily have been Gallimore who most likely is now a lower first-round pick. Now my pick is Uche. He is excellent in dropping back into coverage and quick on a stunt when called upon to blitz. Uche was impressive in Mobile. While he did play some defensive end in college, he is just 6’,1” and 250 pounds which places him squarely on the outside as a backer. And he performed well. He recognized run situations immediately and has the speed to get after the ballcarrier.

Round 3 - pick number 74: EDGE Jonathan Greenard of Florida

In reality, the Browns will probably need to address the safety or guard position with this pick, but in the Senior Bowl world we take the best player available and that player is Greenard. Explosive all week long with power. Could well be a second-rounder if the right club wants him earlier. Long arms and great never-quit motor. Would fit in well with the Browns’ defensive end rotation and would eventually take over Olivier Vernon’s spot.

Round 3 - pick number 91: S Kyle Dugger from Lenoir-Rhyne

This is an easy one. At 6’,2” 220 pounds this guy is a solid hitter who should give any team high expectations of becoming a valuable asset in centerfield. Solid leader, captain and defensive play caller. Senior Bowl or not, the Browns should nab this guy. And get this: 4.46 speed.

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Round 4 - pick number 105: WR Collin Johnson of Texas

Not only a good route runner, but this is a big man with long-ass arms. Standing 6’, 6” and a meaty 220 pounds with exceptional leaping ability, Johnson would provide the Browns with yet another weapon to add to their offensive arsenal if they can get some solid blocking going. Has decent 4.58 speed and is not a great downfield blocker as he does not keep himself engaged, but a definite Red Zone target.

Round 5 – no pick

Round 6 - pick number 167: OG Ben Bartch, Saint John’s

There is offensive line value in the later rounds, and Bartch is one of those guys. He could actually come in right away and compete for the starting right guard spot or provide needed depth. When engaged one-on-one with a defender, he has the ability to contain his man. Is strong but could get a tad stronger. Small school competition may be a concern, but was consistent against tougher challengers.

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Round 7 - pick number 201: CB Troy Pride from Notre Dame

Was the best pure corner all week despite bigger names and pedigrees. Is a good player in man coverage with very good speed, especially in recovery mode. Is physical as well even with engaged with larger receivers. Is a sure tackler and not afraid to hit nor come down to support the run. A top cornerback in this draft that may not start right away but could come in and play nickel and dime and supply immediate depth.

Round 7 - pick number 213: OT Tremayne Anchrum, Jr. - Clemson

Of all the tackles at this year’s Senior Bowl, Anchrum is one of the most versatile enough to play either side. He is raw and would need some seasoning, but has upside and is a terrific run blocker. He looks like the most comfortable in-line player. He was able to finish plays with powerful hands, but needs to get off that first step quicker on passing downs. This 2020 tackle class is very strong and deep, but if you’re looking for a late-round player at this position to fall in love with and develop, Anchrum can certainly be that guy.