The Cleveland Browns perfect offseason checklist

5. Draft a pass rusher and a speed receiver

Picking as late as 26 isn’t something that the Browns are used to, but is something they’d like to get use to. There are challenges that come with that though. So many scenarios can happen before they pick and what players come off the board before their pick isn’t always predictable.

The good news is that there are a lot of quarterbacks, offensive tackles, and receivers that should go in the top-20 which will help push players that Cleveland would be interested in farther down the board. This is an edge defender-heavy draft so talent will almost certainly fall to Cleveland. The Browns should draft the best defensive end or outside linebacker that lands at 26.

If the Browns follow this plan they will have J.J. Watt on their roster for a few years but will need a replacement for him. The rookie can grow under Watt and also get plenty of reps right away. The Browns saw how difficult it was to generate pressure when Myles Garrett and Olivier Vernon weren’t on the field in 2020. As the old saying goes, you can never have enough pass rushers so having three studs will immensely improve the Browns Defense.

A few names that could be available at 26 are Jayson Oweh from Penn State, Zaven Collins from Tulsa, Gregory Rousseau from Miami, and Azeez Ojulari from Georgia. There are several others who could be available in the second round as well.

If a crazy fast receiver like Rondale Moore falls to 26, the Browns would have to consider him. If that isn’t on the table, speedsters like Tutu Atwell and D’Wayne Eskridge could be had in the later rounds. Either way, it’s imperative that the Browns add speed at the receiver position.