Drafting Jeffery Simmons could be at top of Cleveland Browns priority list

The Cleveland Browns could go a variety of directions in the 2019 NFL Draft, but Jeffery Simmons may be the player they are focusing on.

The Cleveland Browns will be an interesting team to watch during the 2019 NFL Draft. Even though they currently do not have a first round selection, general manager John Dorsey will not be afraid to make a big move to get back into the first 32 selections.

One of those big moves could be to trade back into the first round of the draft. With eight total picks in the 2019 NFL Draft, Dorsey will have the assets if he wanted to make a trade into the first round.

If the Browns decide to move into the first round, one of the players they could be targeting is Mississippi State defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. During a press conference Thursday, Dorsey spoke highly of the defensive tackle – via Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot.

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"“He’s a phenomenal football player,” Dorsey said Thursday during his pre-draft press conference. “Unfortunately, he had an ACL injury recently in January. If he was there at 49, you may think about it, but you have to see what is best for the organization moving forward.”"

The Browns were connected to Simmons before the ACL injury, and it seemed like he was going to be the team’s selection at 17 overall before the pick was moved to the New York Giants. But after Simmons’ injury and Cleveland trading out of the first round, Simmons no longer seemed to be destined to be a Brown.

But if Simmons’ injury forces a long slide for the defensive tackle on draft night, there’s a chance he could fall right into the Browns’ lap. Especially if Dorsey wants to continue to build the defensive front this offseason and is willing to move into the later portion of the first round.

At the beginning of the league year, the Browns added defensive end Olivier Vernon and defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson. For Dorsey, adding talent to the defensive line was his biggest priority this offseason. And by adding two starters in Richardson and Vernon, he’s done just that.

The Browns may not need to add another starting defensive lineman this offseason, but Simmons creates a different scenario. Because of his injury, he will likely have to miss a large chunk of the 2019 season, if not all of the season. Most likely, Simmons will be using 2019 as a “redshirt” season while rehabbing his injury and getting adjusted to life in the NFL.

When healthy, Simmons was showing the potential of being a top-15 player in the upcoming draft class. Some draft analysts even viewed the defensive tackle as one of the best players in the entire class. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein says Simmons “has All-Pro potential and should become an early starter and star.”

Because of his talent, there are several teams who will be willing to take a chance on drafting an injured Simmons. Of all the teams in the NFL, the Browns are one of the few who can draft him and not have to worry about missing out on finding a needed starter at another position.

Dorsey has spoken highly of Simmons and mentioned that his visit to Cleveland went well. If Dorsey and the rest of the Browns front office want to add the best player available when they are selecting, then Simmons may be the player they have their eyes on.