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Plenty of talent remains for the Cleveland Browns in Round 2

By Greg Newland

BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - AUGUST 31: Safety Grant Delpit #7 of the LSU Tigers reacts during the game against Georgia Southern Eagles at Tiger Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Marianna Massey/Getty Images)
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - AUGUST 31: Safety Grant Delpit #7 of the LSU Tigers reacts during the game against Georgia Southern Eagles at Tiger Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Marianna Massey/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OHIO – JANUARY 14: Jimmy and Dee Haslam owners of the Cleveland Browns pose for a photo with Kevin Stefanski after introducing Stefanski as the Browns new head coach on January 14, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO – JANUARY 14: Jimmy and Dee Haslam owners of the Cleveland Browns pose for a photo with Kevin Stefanski after introducing Stefanski as the Browns new head coach on January 14, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

The 2020 NFL Draft went as expected for the first 15 picks, but then a run on receivers and corners could leave the door open for the Cleveland Browns in Round 2.

While everyone was nervous Andrew Berry would play the analytics card and trade out of pick No. 10, he did what most Cleveland Browns fans wanted him to do and stayed put.

Not only did he not get greedy for additional assets, Berry drafted the most pro-ready tackle in Jedrick Wills Jr. from Alabama. Many coveted Andrew Thomas from Georgia as the top prospect, but so did the New York Giants, who drafted him No. 4 overall.

While the Browns have now solidified the offensive line, there aren’t any true starting positions that need to be filled. There is, however, a tremendous lack of depth at safety and linebacker. After losing Christian Kirksey, Joe Schobert, Damarious Randall, and Morgan Burnett from last year, the focus will be at those two positions to start Round 2.

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Many have bashed the Browns linebacking core, which includes Mack Wilson, who had a breakout year as a rookie and should be even better in year two. However, Sione Takitaki and free-agent signing B.J. Goodson are not flashy on paper and it remains to be seen how they hold up next season, especially against the pass.

With Joe Woods’ 4-2-5 defensive scheme, the lack of depth at linebacker is an issue, but finding an additional safety is even more important. Karl Joseph and Andrew Sendejo will work well as a tandem next season, but after behind those two, Sheldrick Redwine is the only depth on the roster. Redwine is not a fit as the third safety and is more fit to backup Joseph or Sendejo in case of injury.

There is a tremendous amount of talent on the board with first-round grades, including Alabama safety Xavier McKinney and Iowa defensive end A.J. Epenesa. While there is little chance these names remain on the board when Cleveland is on the clock at No. 41, they do help a few names slide right into Cleveland’s grasps.

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