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The 2021 NFL Draft officially begins for the Cleveland Browns and the rest of the teams in the NFL tonight at 8:00 PM ET. The mock drafts that are staff completed for the first round (and a few more of the Browns’ picks) can be found here.
We will have all of your Browns-related coverage on the draft here at Dawgs By Nature throughout the weekend. This thread will act as a “live blog,” with updates about the latest small rumors, picks, or trades involving Cleveland or other NFL teams. You should also use the comments section as your NFL Draft open thread! (Newest updates will be at the top of the live blog below)
Browns NFL Draft Live Blog
12:25 AM: Well done, Cleveland. Although I didn't get close to the action, I enjoyed my view and will be closer up on Saturday. Stay tuned for our live blogs on Days 2 & 3 of the draft, and go Browns!
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12:21 AM: I always love seeing what Draw Play Dave comes up with for the Browns' pick:
Browns get 2 for the price of one! pic.twitter.com/o3Lwi0CSPy
— Dave Rappoccio (@DrawPlayDave) April 30, 2021
12:10 AM: Here was my instant reaction to the pick:
Instant reaction for the #Browns pick on CB Greg Newsome at No. 26 in the #NFLDraft2021. Forgive those ugly colors in the background on our stadium pic.twitter.com/DdZuMWfpl0
— Dawgs By Nature (@DawgsByNature) April 30, 2021
11:24 PM: The Cleveland Browns select cornerback Greg Newsome II from Northwestern. Our write-up on the pick is here.
Welcome to Cleveland, Greg Newsome II❗️#BrownsDraft | #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/wlCHYvTypK
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) April 30, 2021
11:20 PM: The Jacksonville Jaguars select running back Travis Etienne from Clemson.
The #Jaguars, despite having a top young RB in James Robinson, take #Clemson RB Travis Etienne at No. 25. Urban Meyer told me he’d take best player available no matter what. He does and reunites Trevor Lawrence with his college teammate.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 30, 2021
11:10 PM: The Pittsburgh Steelers select running back Najee Harris from Alabama.
#Steelers select @AlabamaFTBL RB Najee Harris with the 24th overall pick! #NFLDrafthttps://t.co/368b0iun8q pic.twitter.com/QWDUTl4CI0
— NFL Draft (@NFLDraft) April 30, 2021
11:07 PM: The Minnesota Vikings select offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw from Virginia Tech.
With the No. 23 pick, the Vikings selected offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw, per a source.
— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) April 30, 2021
Solid night for Minnesota considering many thought Darrisaw was worth the No. 14 pick and instead the Vikings added an early third while still getting Darrisaw.
11 PM: The run on defense continues as the Tennessee Titans select cornerback Caleb Farley from Virginia Tech.
New talent in Nashville! #TitansDraft @IamCalebFarley pic.twitter.com/nFRlG97qM2
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) April 30, 2021
10:53 PM: Another defensive player comes off the board as the Indianapolis Colts select defensive end Kwity Paye from Michigan.
The #Colts take at No. 20 #Michigan pass-rusher Kwity Paye, the best available pass-rusher.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 30, 2021
10:45 PM: New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman is trying to make something out of quarterback Daniel Jones by selecting some help in wide receiver Kadarius Toney from Florida.
Endless Kadarius Toney highlights
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) April 30, 2021
pic.twitter.com/og0TRioNGe
10:40 PM: Strike another player that had been mocked at times to the Browns, as Washington selects linebacker Jamin Davis from Kentucky.
With the 19th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Washington Football Team selects LB Jamin Davis, Kentucky#NFLDraft2021 pic.twitter.com/zzmQLUGsVe
— PFF (@PFF) April 30, 2021
10:34 PM: The Miami Dolphins keep it close to home by selecting defensive end Jaelan Phillips from Miami. Phillips was another player that some had mocked to the Browns, but there are still several defensive players on the board.
JAELAN PHILLIPS is *staying* in MIAMI! @JJPhillips15 pic.twitter.com/iewsdilEak
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) April 30, 2021
10:27 PM: The Las Vegas Raiders select offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood from Alabama.
Muscle up front
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) April 30, 2021
Welcome to the Silver and Black, Alex Leatherwood!#RaiderNation | @AlabamaFTBL pic.twitter.com/h5jsdVs5tR
10:20 PM: The Arizona Cardinals select linebacker Zaven Collins from Tulsa, a player that was often mocked to the Browns.
With the 16th pick in the NFL Draft, we select LB Zaven Collins.#RedSea x #CardsDraft pic.twitter.com/Dw2sgZvvaV
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) April 30, 2021
10:15 PM: Bill Belichick sits back and lets the draft come to him by selecting National quarterback Mac Jones from Alabama.
Of course: The #Patriots take #Bama QB Mac Jones without trading up. It’s Mac at No. 15. Now, it’s Auburn vs. #Bama in New England at QB.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 30, 2021
10:08 PM: The New York Jets have swung a deal to move up to No. 14 and have selected offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker from USC.
The Jets gave up picks No. 23, No. 66, No. 86 to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for picks No. 14 and no. 143.
Pick in: With pick 14 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, the #Jets are selecting OL Alijah Vera-Tucker,
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) April 30, 2021
Jets traded up from pick 23 to pick 14 with the #Vikings. Gave up 23, 66, 86 for 14 and 143.
The #Patriots are now on the clock to take QB Mac Jones if they want... pic.twitter.com/6aHxDpg8hY
10:05 PM: The Los Angeles Chargers bring in some protection for quarterback Justin Herbert by selecting offensive guard Rashawn Slater from Northwestern.
Now blocking for Justin Herbert: Rashawn Slater.@rdsl8r | @Chargers pic.twitter.com/gxUr5UCq5F
— NFL (@NFL) April 30, 2021
9:55 PM: The Dallas Cowboys go defense by selecting linebacker Micah Parsons from Penn State.
MICAH PARSONS
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) April 30, 2021
Welcome to #CowboysNation, @MicahhParsons11!!!!!! #DallasCowboys | #ItsMillerTime pic.twitter.com/riyE8V8npO
9:45 PM: The Bears made the move for a quarterback as they selected Justin Fields from Ohio State.
: Chicago Bears pick QB Justin Fields No. 11 overall in 2021 draft
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) April 30, 2021
9:40 PM: That did not take long! The Chicago Bears are trading up from No. 20 to No. 11, which had been held by the New York Giants. The Giants switch picks with the Bears and also receive Chicago’s first-round and fourth-round pick next year, and their fifth-round pick this year.
Chicago is trading up from No. 20 to the Giants’ turn at No. 11. QB time....
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 30, 2021
9:32 PM: We have our first trade of the night as the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles have completed a trade with the Eagles moving up to No. 10 and the Cowboys dropping back to No. 12 and pick up an additional third-round selection.
TRADE ALERT:
— NFL (@NFL) April 30, 2021
The Eagles are trading up to the No. 10 overall pick.
The Cowboys trade back to No. 12. #NFLDraft (via @Rapsheet)
And with that pick, the Eagles select wide receiver DeVonta Smith from Alabama.
: Philadelphia Eagles pick WR Devonta Smith No. 10 overall in 2021 draft
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) April 30, 2021
9:25 PM: The Denver Broncos, who would appear to need a quarterback, instead select cornerback Patrick Surtain II from Alabama.
At No. 9, the #Broncos select… CB Patrick Surtain from Alabama. They loaded up in free agency on corner and now grab another.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 30, 2021
9:18 PM: The Carolina Panthers end the run on offensive players by selecting cornerback Jaycee Horn from South Carolina.
Got 'em‼️@jayceehorn_10 pic.twitter.com/xCUU18DAQn
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) April 30, 2021
9:15 PM: This is the first time that the first seven players selected in the NFL Draft have been on the offensive side of the ball, according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
A new @NFL record! 7 straight offensive players selected to start the #NFLDraft. pic.twitter.com/nckKDfyg4z
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) April 30, 2021
9:11 PM: The first offensive lineman comes off the board as the Detroit Lions selective offensive tackle Penei Sewell out of Oregon.
Welcome, Penei Sewell‼️#NFLDraft | #OnePride pic.twitter.com/IIKtNTTf95
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) April 30, 2021
9:06 PM: The Miami Dolphins give quarterback Tua Tagovailoa a weapon by selecting wide receiver Jaylen Waddle from Alabama.
FINS UP!
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) April 30, 2021
Congratulations @D1__JW on being selected 6th in the #NFLDraft to the @MiamiDolphins #FirstRoundU | #RollTide pic.twitter.com/H9x6nB6hss
9 PM: The Cincinnati Bengals add a weapon for quarterback Joe Burrow by selecting wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase out of LSU. Too bad for Burrow that the Bengals still do not have anyone who can block defensive end Myles Garrett.
GOT OUR GUY pic.twitter.com/7tFdHME9up
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) April 30, 2021
8:51 PM: This is interesting. San Francisco general manager John Lynch reportedly kept the plan to select quarterback Trey Lance a secret from the team’s coaches and scouts, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Wonder if head coach Kyle Shanahan is currently working on one of his PowerPoint presentations?
49ers did not tell their coaches or scouts their pick. They didn’t know the team was selecting Trey Lance until the pick was announced.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 30, 2021
8:49 PM: The Atlanta Falcons bring some normalcy back to the draft by selecting tight end Kyle Pitts out of Florida.
#Falcons select @GatorsFB TE Kyle Pitts with the fourth overall pick! #NFLDrafthttps://t.co/Oz3lgTkCNh pic.twitter.com/tXZcsyp8oq
— NFL Draft (@NFLDraft) April 30, 2021
8:42 PM: Holy smokes! The San Francisco 49ers actually selected quarterback Trey Lance out of North Dakota State with the No. 3 overall selection.
TREY TO THE BAY!@treylance09 | #49ersDraft pic.twitter.com/Y6Uu37Vdt9
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) April 30, 2021
8:35 PM: The New York Jets select quarterback Zach Wilson from BYU with the No. 2 overall selection.
.
— New York Jets (@nyjets) April 30, 2021
Welcome to New York, @zachkapono1!! ✈️ pic.twitter.com/q9dWCaHcdd
8:15 PM: The Jacksonville Jaguars open the 2021 NFL Draft by selecting quarterback Trevor Lawrence from Clemson.
The @Jaguars have their quarterback of the future.
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) April 30, 2021
Welcome to Jacksonville, @Trevorlawrencee. pic.twitter.com/EsoIrFWHUP
7:50 PM: The night just might be getting even more interesting as the Denver Broncos might be in the running to acquire quarterback Aaron Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers, according to media reports:
Mark Schlereth just reported on @1043TheFan that a deal for the Broncos to land Aaron Rodgers is “as close to a done deal as it can get”
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) April 29, 2021
6:15 PM: A few items that could potentially be of interest to the Browns. Teams are reportedly looking to trade up not only for quarterbacks, but also for offensive lineman, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport:
From our NFL Draft Preview Show: Trade calls are being made, and the #Patriots, #Bears and #Saints are among those making them. QBs are always trade-up targets. This year, O-linemen could be, as well. pic.twitter.com/3gNwHsA11h
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 29, 2021
If there is a run on those two positions, that would push some talented defensive players closer to the Browns and could entice general manager Andrew Berry to move up a few spots.
Teams reportedly willing to move down are the Detroit Lions (No. 7 overall), Carolina Panthers (No. 8) and Denver Broncos (No. 9), according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Berry will not move up that far, but trade activity near the top of the draft could benefit the Browns later in the evening.
The 7-8-9 spots shaping up to be pivot points of the draft. Lions (7) weighing options but could move back, Panthers (8) definitely want to move back and Denver (9) has given impression to some that it wants more picks. Teams looking to move up will be combing this range.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) April 29, 2021
4:35 PM: The Browns should still be in the market for a defensive end, so it might be worth keeping an eye on Houston’s Payton Turner, who is reportedly an attractive option, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter:
In a draft light on defensive linemen, here’s a name that could be called tonight: Houston DE Payton Turner could go in the first round due to his character, medicals and length, some NFL execs believe.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 29, 2021
3:50 PM: Here are some more pictures from down at the scene from ShockerBrown, showing the TV network crews, and the draft stage visibility from the parking garage.
More pics from ShockerBrown, including one of seeing the first offensive lineman in history, former #Browns LT @joethomas73. pic.twitter.com/eoY89D9Gvl
— Dawgs By Nature (@DawgsByNature) April 29, 2021
3:40 PM: The final piece of rufio’s Browns Big Board is now complete! Go check it out.
3:30 PM: Wow, two draft-day blockbuster headlines out of nowhere! First, Tim Tebow is trying to return to the NFL as a tight end, and then the bigger one involving Packers QB Aaron Rodgers:
Reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers is so disgruntled with the Green Bay Packers that he has told some within the organization that he does not want to return to the team, league and team sources told ESPN on Thursday.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 29, 2021
More on NFL Live now....
2:50 PM: There’s a gleam, folks! We appear to be getting a little bit of clearing in the forecast. It’ll still be cloudy, but the rain chances are diminishing. I am aiming to head Downtown this evening.
There's a gleam! pic.twitter.com/rpRz4QKh77
— Dawgs By Nature (@DawgsByNature) April 29, 2021
2:40 PM: We have another update from Albert Breer of the NFL Network, who says that the Browns and Ravens could be looking to move further up into the 20s:
There are rumblings that Baltimore and Cleveland could move up in the 20s, too—and my sense is that there’s going to be a premium on corners in that range. By then, Horn and Surtain will be long gone. There’s a drop off to the next group. And then, there’s a second tier and another drop-off. So Northwestern’s Greg Newsome, Georgia’s Tyson Campbell and Eric Stokes, and Kentucky’s Kelvin Joseph could be the objects of some shorter moves up either within or into the 20s, with Joseph joining Virginia Tech’s Caleb Farley as a bit of a wild card (Joseph’s issue is off-field, Farley’s relates to injury).
2:10 PM: Is it a spoiler alert? Jonathan Jones says the top 3 picks at quarterback are already set:
NFL wants to preserve intrigue but the top 3 is all but set: Lawrence, Wilson and Jones.
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) April 29, 2021
1:58 PM: One of the other exhibits is getting your picture taken inside an NFL uniform. That exhibit is just outside the NFL Locker Room exhibit.
Only one Jersey display is exposed to the elements right now... it’s the one that’s used to it #NFLdraft pic.twitter.com/0Agg5Yqxc0
— Clay LePard (@ClayLePard) April 29, 2021
1:35 PM: Terminal Tower will be lit up with every team’s colors, and their team logo will be projected on to the tower, for nights one and two of the NFL Draft. Yesterday, Erik Drost captured a preview of the Browns featured beautifully:
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Unfortunately, from the NFL Draft Experience itself, fog has currently taken out the Cleveland skyline from the equation.
Terminal tower update: it’s gone pic.twitter.com/4Wpj5yyC0s
— Clay LePard (@ClayLePard) April 29, 2021
1:18 PM: Speaking of ShockerBrown, he and his family showed us where the Browns helmet (previously in Mall C) has been re-located to. It’s still rainy and foggy, but at least momentarily, the rain is a light and manageable rain.
Here is DBN member ShockerBrown and his family in front of the re-located #Browns helmet to the NFL Fan Experience. Still raining and foggy in Downtown Cleveland, but the spirit is still alive and well down there! pic.twitter.com/QrNqUGzbSa
— Dawgs By Nature (@DawgsByNature) April 29, 2021
1:10 PM: Good afternoon! We are less than seven hours away from the first round kicking off. It is still raining Downtown, but Jared Mueller of The OBR has a few clips from inside the stadium of fans taking their shot at kicking a field goal or throwing a pass. ShockerBrown also sent me a picture from the outside area, and the ground is definitely wet.
Kicking struggles pic.twitter.com/kPOi3WfbVi
— Jared Mueller (@JaredKMueller) April 29, 2021
11:55 AM: Late last night, Albert Breer of the MMQB reported that the Browns were among the teams “diving deep on CB Caleb Farley.”
I don’t know what the Cardinals’ medicals are on Farley. I don’t know what the Raiders’ medicals are on Farley. I do know that other teams are hearing that those two—Arizona and Vegas—have done a lot of work on the ex-Virginia Tech star. So if he slides past those teams at 16 and 17? He could be waiting a while. (Cleveland’s another team that I’ve heard is diving deep on Farley; the Browns pick 26th.)
11:30 AM: Ugh, part of me hates seeing this because I want to experience and report on it first-hand! But I’ll get my chance this weekend at some point. Here is some draft-day swag from the Draft Experience:
Some of the swag you can buy at the draft experience: pic.twitter.com/UhNZmUPh0s
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) April 29, 2021
11:17 AM: We may not have a ton of draft rumors about the Browns today, especially since (congrats!) Andrew Berry and his wife just had a baby! In the mean time, Jake Trotter is trying to brave out the weather elements near the ESPN set, as he checks out some of the food stand options. This gives you a glimpse of the prices and options too if you’re headed down.
Sample of the food options at the draft experience: pic.twitter.com/IJ0vgz8kMq
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) April 29, 2021
11:11 AM: Here is the rainy sight from Downtown Cleveland. It figures — we’ve had beautiful weather leading up to it, and now, we have dreary rain. Fingers crossed that we get some lighter rain or clearing up for nighttime, but the forecast still calls for showers all day and night.
Not gonna lie, the weather in Cleveland today is less than ideal ☔️ ☁️ pic.twitter.com/dNDvPAwXn8
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) April 29, 2021
10:10 AM: In Mel Kiper’s final mock draft, he has the Browns drafting LB Jamin Davis out of Kentucky:
The Browns are another team that could look for a Round 1 slot receiver, but they need front-seven help, too. Davis could be a Day 1 starter at inside linebacker. Zaven Collins and edge rusher Gregory Rousseau are also possibilities with this pick.
In Todd McShay’s final mock draft, he has the Browns taking DT Christian Barmore out of Alabama:
The Browns just parted ways with defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson two weeks ago, and Barmore is highly disruptive. An edge rusher could also be in play here.
10:00 AM: We did our annual SB Nation Writer’s Mock Draft. For the Browns’ pick, I selected OLB Azeez Ojulari to wreak havoc with Jadeveon Clowney and Myles Garrett. You can read my pick explanation here.
9:57 AM: Here is a stillshot picture of what each of the 12 player pods will look like, next to the draft stage. Yes, we are down from 13 to just 12 prospects attending now, because CB Caleb Farley tested positive for COVID-19.
Each of the 12 prospects here in Cleveland for #NFLDraft will have their own family pod backstage. Here’s Mac Jones’. pic.twitter.com/cQRla2xPAU
— Brian McCarthy (@NFLprguy) April 29, 2021
9:46 AM: I caught some extra sleep this morning, to make sure I’m fully energized for today. Here is a full list of the Browns’ round-by-round picks. Weather-permitting, I am hoping to go downtown for the night session tonight to absorb the atmosphere a bit.
Here are the picks we're working with ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/noz7dZwt5q
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) April 29, 2021
7:00 AM: Great job by Aditi Kinkhabwala of the NFL Network, who gave us a great tour of the inside of the draft stage, the player’s tent, and how things will work. It was great to also see a glimpse of the fan pods inside the draft stage, the custom team album covers on the side walls, and the rock-and-roll tunnel that the attending 13 players will be walking through. Seeing the setup, it really is a shame that more players aren’t attending!
Want a first look into the #NFLDraft?! @AKinkhabwala’s got us covered this morning on @gmfb! pic.twitter.com/7gUNlbCZDS
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) April 28, 2021
6:30 AM: Here is your final DBN Big Board (45 players) for the Cleveland Browns, as voted on by the community! Quarterbacks were excluded from this year’s big board.
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6:00 AM: Good morning, Browns fans, and welcome to Day 1 of the 2021 NFL Draft in CLEVELAND, OH! Today is a historic day for the city to be able to host the draft, but also a bit of a day where you let out an “ugh.”
My plans were to spend all day in Downtown Cleveland, covering both the NFL Draft Experience, and soaking up the draft itself from a distance at night time. However, rain is in the forecast for much of the day, so right now, I’m not sure what I’ll be doing. If I do head Downtown, rest assured that you’ll still be in great hands with the live blog, as Thomas Moore will be manning the ship. -Chris Pokorny
Hat tip to @Lintendo_64, who waited on a roof a couple of nights ago to score this great “nice weather” picture of the Browns being “on the clock.”
Hey Cleveland .... pic.twitter.com/sjzCzSHi2D
— LB© (@Lintendo_64) April 27, 2021
If you’re looking for time to kill and haven’t seen my coverage of the city’s NFL Draft preparations throughout the month of April, you can watch some of my videos to catch up. On April 3, I went to see the 32 team helmets that were located at Mall C. On April 14, I looked at the construction that had started on the draft stage, as well as the surrounding areas.
On April 24, I looked at a few banner and artwork-related installations in Downtown Cleveland. On April 25, I took you on a bike ride between some of the “Cleveland” script signs that now feature the NFL Draft logo. And then lastly, on April 27, I showed off the completed draft stage, part of my tour of FirstEnergy Stadium, and the scene at the lakefront.