Cleveland Browns Week 12 mock draft all about protecting Baker Mayfield

Round 3, Pick 2 (via Texans): Jonathan Greenard, DE, Florida

Cleveland is in a world of hurt at defensive end right now. Not only is Myles Garrett suspended indefinitely, but they haven’t had Olivier Vernon on the field in recent weeks either. They’ve been fortunate to get more production out of Chad Thomas than expected but if they need to start him and Chris Smith going forward, they’re going to be incredibly thin.

More from Browns Draft

• Browns mock draft: Mazi Smith headlines 2023 class
• One and Done: First year Browns players that didn’t earn a second season
• 3 Michigan Wolverines Cleveland Browns could draft
• 3 positions the Cleveland Browns must draft in 2023
• 2023 draft class suits Browns needs at wide receiver

It’s times like this where John Dorsey could be criticized for moving on from Emmanuel Ogbah and Carl Nassib over the past two seasons. While neither is threatening to make a Pro Bowl, both have played well with their new teams and had a lot of starting experience that Cleveland could have leaned on right now.

We can’t go back though, so instead, we add some more talent in the draft. This pick here recently moved from a fourth-round selection to a third-round pick as Duke Johnson played enough games for the Texans to increase the compensation. That allows Cleveland to add a better prospect here than originally expected.

The pick ends up being Jonathan Greenard of Florida, a transfer who spent his first three seasons with Louisville. Now in the SEC, Greenard has continued to play well, recording 46 tackles and six sacks for the Gators.

In his three seasons, he now has 15.5 sacks, 34.5 tackles for a loss and two interceptions. He won’t start over Garrett or Vernon but does give them some youth behind them to develop.