Mel Kiper’s 2020 NFL Mock Draft 3.0: After free agency, who is Cleveland taking?

Mel Kiper of ESPN released his third mock draft of the year this past Tuesday. To compare, here is who he had the Cleveland Browns taking in his first two mock drafts:

Kiper 1.0: OT Mekhi Becton
Kiper 2.0: OT Mekhi Becton

This was Kiper’s first mock draft since the bulk of free agency ended. Cleveland went nuts in signing a lot of new players, highlighted by their new starting right tackle, Jack Conklin. A void still remains at left tackle, though, and that has Kiper leaning toward sticking with filling that position at No. 10 overall for the Browns:

No. 10: Cleveland Browns - OT Mekhi Becton, Louisville - “I really liked Cleveland paying up in free agency for Jack Conklin, who will upgrade the right tackle spot. But this team could still use a new starter at left tackle, which is why I like Becton here. A mountain of a man at 6-foot-7, 364 pounds, Becton also has excellent feet and agility — he is the heaviest player to run a sub-5.2 40-yard dash at the combine since 2006. Chris Hubbard, signed in 2018 to replace Joe Thomas, hasn’t worked out; it’s time to get Baker Mayfield better protection.”

In this draft, the only offensive tackle off the board when Cleveland is on the clock would be Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs for the Arizona Cardinals at No. 8. I have backed Becton the whole time, and nothing has changed my opinion on that thus far.