Cleveland Browns fix defense in bye week 7-round 2021 NFL mock draft

Olivier Vernon has been a fine complement to Myles Garrett when he’s been on the field, but his availability has always been an issue, and he’ll be a free agent after the season. The Browns need a long-term pass-rushing Robin to Garrett’s Batman, and they find him here.

Kwity Paye has been a solid player for the Wolverines over the past two years, but the elite production just wasn’t there. That looks to be changing this season, as he’s already totaled two sacks and three tackles for loss through two games, in addition to 16 quarterback pressures, which represents 43 percent of Michigan’s pressures thus far. He also earned the highest Pro Football Focus pass-rushing grade of his career against Minnesota.

Paye is listed at 6-4 270 pounds, and moves like a man 50 pounds lighter. Technique is what he needed to show improvement with in 2020, and if he does that, the Browns would be fortunate to end up with him. With a strong senior year, he’d easily challenge Miami’s Greg Rousseau for the title of No. 1 EDGE in the class. Paye’s run defense is also strong, which will be very important in nickel and dime.

Pairing Paye with Garrett would give the Browns a duo of young and athletic pass-rushers for the next five years. If Paye can continue to improve, that combo could be on the level of T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree with the Pittsburgh Steelers, or perhaps even better. It seems all but guaranteed that the Browns will take a defender in the first round this year, and historically cornerbacks and edge rushers are the best investment. If Paye is on the board when Cleveland picks, they’d likely send in their selection immediately, like they did in 2020 with Jedrick Wills Jr.