Cleveland Browns take a surprise pass catcher in Week 14 mock draft

Justyn Ross’s football future is still unknown, and if he is cleared to return to the sport, he may not even declare this season. But if he were to be here in the late fifth, he’s far too talented to pass up. It’s a risk, yes, but for a roster like Cleveland’s, a fifth-rounder is hardly guaranteed to make the team. The Browns need depth at wide receiver, and Ross has legitimate WR1 potential at the next level. A big-bodied X with the ability to make any catch is exactly what Mayfield could use in 2021.

Tyler Linderbaum has been the best interior offensive lineman in college football this season, and may very well be the best OL, period. The Browns may have the best interior offensive line in the NFL (and perhaps the best offensive line, period), but adding depth, especially at a position as important as iOL, is always a good idea. Linderbaum would also provide some more insurance in the event of a Joel Bitonio or J.C. Tretter departure at some point down the road.

Chris Rumph was a dominant pass-rusher in 2019, but hasn’t been quite as good this season. Still, he has six sacks, 11.5 tackles for loss, and a forced fumble. He needs to add weight to his 6-4 240-pound frame, but he has the kind of multi-year production that teams will be happy to bet on this late in the draft.

The Browns plan for the 2021 NFL Draft should be to go mostly defense, but if a uniquely elite talent like Pitts falls, you change the plan. The defense would still be far from “finished” with this class, but it’d be a lot closer than it is now. And that’s worth the sacrifice to add a potentially dominant pass-catcher.