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

Day three of the draft begins and the Browns are back on the wagon and getting quality players at a value pick. There was heavy thought in trading back a few spots from the No. 97 pick and No. 115 pick, but the right value wasn’t offered and there were players available that carried high enough values to pull the trigger.

The Browns start the day adding to the tackle depth with the USC junior lineman Austin Jackson. There’s a lot to like about Jackson on and off the field. On the field, Jackson, after playing in all 14 games as a backup and special teams player his freshman season, started every game of his sophomore and junior seasons. He was named first-team All-Pac-12 his junior year.

What is more impressive about his junior season was the unique offseason before the year started. His younger sister Autumn suffers from Diamond Blackfan Anemia (DBA), a quite rare inherited disorder that prevents bone marrow from producing red blood cells.

Last summer, her condition became dire and required a bone marrow transplant. When Jackson was tested and confirmed to be a perfect 12 for 12 match in all required parameters, he donated without hesitation. There were a lot of risks involved on a personal and professional level. The procedure required the removal of three portions from his lower back.

It’s a bit of a shock for him to fall this far from his projections, but that’s the 2020 draft. Jackson will add incredible depth to Cleveland’s line, as he can be shifted inside if needed.

Javaris Davis is a pretty simple pick at No. 115. The Browns need depth in the defensive backfield and he was the best available player on the board. While some have him projected in the fifth round, it’s well worth the reach based on potential.

Davis’ biggest flaw is his height. At only 5-foot-8, he will likely struggle against bigger receivers even when covering perfectly. He can also get caught on the high side of routes when he should hedge his position better. This is especially true due to his incredible speed.

At the NFL Combine, Davis ran a lightning-quick 4.39 seconds in the 40-yard dash. He also had a respectable 35.5-inch vertical jump and a 124-inch broad jump. Davis received freshman All-SEC honors and captured two interceptions in each of his four years with Auburn. While his size does create match-up, issues his speed makes taking a chance at No. 115 worth it.