Cleveland Browns address defense in 2020 NFL mock draft
By Clay Goodwin
The Browns use their other third-round pick from the Houston Texans on defensive end Alex Highsmith. Alex Highsmith is a small school player form Charlotte. He has been climbing draft boards this draft season.
At 6-3, 247-pounds, Highsmith is a bit undersized for an end and could stand to put on 20 pounds in the offseason programs. That shouldn’t be hard to do once he connects with NFL trainers and strength programs. He is agile and shifty at the line of scrimmage which is his strength. May not be much of a run-stopping end yet but can certainly get there.
He started as a walk-on at Charlotte and had very little playing time. He earned his way to becoming a starter and earned a scholarship as well. This past season he recorded an incredible 15 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss.
Highsmith’s last two seasons he set the school record for tackles for loss with 18.5 and the aforementioned 21.5. His progression as a player and statistically is astonishing. He has the work ethic and the skills to continue to get better at the next level.
He would be able to come to the Browns and learn behind one of the best defensive players in all of football, Myles Garrett as well as Pro Bowler Olivier Vernon. He can gain priceless tips from these two on how to grow as a player, as well as in the weight room.
Given his ability to rush the passer, he can come in on passing downs and be a rushing end and the Browns could move Vernon or Garrett to the inside as they have shown before. Having Garrett, Vernon, and Highsmith on the field for pass packages would be a deadly combination.
He’s not a perfect prospect but he could be a diamond in the rough. He has shown incredible production but also continues to get better every year and that is something scouts look at. He can provide a good depth piece and even quality insurance if an injury arises.