Cleveland Browns add secondary stars in 7-round 2020 NFL mock draft
By Nick Pedone
Round No. 3, Pick No. 97: Alex Highsmith, DE Charlotte
At this point in the draft, most players selected are mostly project players with a lot of upside. Alex Highsmith definitely fits that mold.
Highsmith had 14 sacks last season for Charlotte, the best season of his four-year career with the 49ers. He was not highly recruited out of high school and walked onto Charlotte’s football team where he eventually became a disruptive playmaker.
During his senior campaign, Highsmith finished among the top five nationally ranked edge rushers with 21.5 tackles for loss and 14 sacks in 13 starts.
When watching Charolette’s defensive line, the 6-foot-3 Highsmith certainly jumps off the screen. He’s constantly storming off the line of scrimmage and causing disruption in the backfield. His best trait his first-step explosiveness and how quickly he gets around offensive lineman once the ball is snapped.
As far as a potential fit on the Browns, he would not be ready to start his rookie season, especially since it seems like Olivier Vernon will be back.
However, if the Browns decide to move on from Vernon in 2021, a likely possibility, Highsmith could be ready to start opposite Myles Garrett as a much more affordable option, especially after sitting back and learning for a year.
Believe it or not, defensive end depth is desperately needed for the Browns. Besides Garrett and Vernon, Chad Thomas, Porter Gustin, and Robert McCray are the only edges on the roster. Highsmith would be an upgrade.