The draft the Cleveland Browns should have, but probably won’t

The Cleveland Browns are on the clock at No. 10. Free agency has been very helpful, as general manager Andrew Berry filled some needs at right tackle, safety, and depth at defensive end. However, the Browns have major needs at left tackle and linebacker, as well as depth needs in the defensive backfield, wide receiver, and defensive line. Berry would likely be best off taking the best available player at the tenth pick and move on.

However, this is not Berry’s draft pick. Instead, the No. 10 pick will be traded to the Green Bay Packers. In exchange for the No. 10 pick, the Packers send No. 30 (Round 1), No. 62 (Round 2), and No. 175 (Round 5). While there’s great value in picking a tackle at No. 10, the picks will be more valuable and a top tackle will likely still fall into the team’s lap.

Now the Browns have No. 30 in the draft, and despite what some would think, some of the top prospects on this draft board are still around. The thought may even cross Cleveland’s mind to again trade back, but then they’d risk losing the top guy left on the board.

Mekhi Becton is possibly the best left tackle in the draft, at worst he’s second best. He has elite footwork and technique. He’s also incredibly well versed, finding success in both run and pass blocking. He will find immediate success in Kevin Stefanski’s system and he is a downright steal at No. 30. His flagged drug test at the combine likely factors into his fall, but the Browns can’t pass him up if he falls this far.