2020 NFL Draft 15-pick mock: Cleveland Browns TRADE ALERT
By Greg Newland
As free agency comes to an end, all eyes will move to the NFL Draft that is just under a month away. Will the Cleveland Browns look to move up from No. 10?
New general manager Andrew Berry has set the tone quickly that he will be aggressive even though the title “analytics” follows him everywhere. Berry has told Cleveland Browns fans from the beginning that following analytics doesn’t necessarily mean not willing to pay top dollar to players. Boy has Berry held up to that statement thus far.
Berry has shelled out over $100 million in the last few weeks, signing three big-name players in areas of weakness. The Browns signed the top tight end, as Austin Hooper inked a four-year, $44 million deal, while the top available tackle Jack Conklin signed a three-year, $42 million deal. Berry was also able to sign the best available backup quarterback, Case Keenum, to a three-year, $18 million deal to help mentor Baker Mayfield in the upcoming crucial years of development.
I originally anticipated the Browns staying put at No. 10, but now see them exploring a move up or a trade back given the right opportunity. The Browns certainly have a gaping hole at left tackle that must be addressed in the draft or free agency. With free agency coming to an end, there are limited options available for a starting-caliber tackle.
The prized possession for Browns fans continues to be Isaiah Simmons. The Browns could be aggressive in trading up for Simmons but would likely have to give up multiple second round-picks to do so. This would limit the Browns ability to draft a starting-caliber tackle and force them into the Trent Williams market.
A more likely scenario may be the Browns trading back and getting the last pick of the top four tackles, or the first pick of the next three mid-tier tackles. Let’s look at the first 15 picks of the NFL draft to see what the Browns could end up with.