The Cleveland Browns own the No. 13 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Here are the three most likely scenarios with that selection.
The annual NFL Draft is only a few short months away and that has always been a big event for Cleveland Browns fans over the years. The “why” to that is because this team has traditionally been lousy over the last 20 years, so fans have put a lot of “hope” into the draft wishing for that player that will turn the franchise around.
That started to change a couple of years back and now the team has a core group of talented players and is inching toward respectability in the league. The team made it to the playoffs a year ago and even won a playoff game. This season though has been a year of regression, especially by its offensive and their head coach Kevin Stefanski, who experienced that sophomore slump in his second season of head coaching.
The Cleveland Browns hold the No. 13 pick in this year’s upcoming NFL Draft slated to take place April 28th-30th. What the Browns do with that pick is up for a discussion. There is the belief out there that the Browns will target drafting a wide receiver in an attempt to strengthen the offense that seemed to be stuck in the mud much of the season.
With that being said, the team also will need help on the defensive line as well. They may lose defensive end, Jadeveon Clowney, in free agency that starts soon. If that were to happen the team has options at that No. 13 pick.
They may also consider a defensive lineman that can help clog up the middle especially against the run. That scenario may not the popular view of the situation at the current time, but it could become more of a possibility as the draft nears in late April.
Let’s dive a bit deeper and look at each of these options including the idea of moving out of the No. 13 spot altogether and potentially picking up more picks.
Cleveland Browns Pick No. 13 First scenario: Take a wide receiver
The Browns wide receivers’ room will likely be under construction this offseason regardless of if the team takes a wide receiver at the No. 13 pick. The team could be looking to pick up a couple of free agents.
There are plenty of free agents from Chris Godwin, of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to Mike Wiliams of the Los Angeles Chargers available. But the most likely way the team builds this part of the team will be through the draft.
There are many good wide receivers from the college ranks that will likely be drafted in the first round. Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, both of the Ohio State University will be available. Other first-round talents could be there as well including Landon Drake from USC and Treylon Burks of Arkansas.
The wide receiver class this season is deep, and the Browns could wait and not draft a receiver at No. 13. However, the popular opinion is that Cleveland takes the wide receiver.
The only two wide receivers that are more than likely to return to Cleveland next season are Donovan Peoples-Jones and Anthony Schwartz. Current Cleveland wideout Rashard Higgins is likely to test the market again as he’s a free agent.
Their current No. 1 receiver, Jarvis Landry, is under contract but his high price tag of $15 million a season might force them to consider releasing him to save some money.
Cleveland Browns Pick No. 13 Second scenario: Draft a Defensive End or Defensive Tackle
It wouldn’t be a complete surprise if the Browns drafted a new player for the defense first, especially a defensive lineman or an edge rusher. If Jadeveon Clowney departs, then Cleveland will either need to sign a free agent or go to their draft board and find one there.
The Browns have only drafted two wide receivers in recent times during the first round which included Braylon Edwards, out of Michigan back in 2005 and, Corey Coleman in 2016. So, chances are stronger than one might think that it’s a done deal that the team selects wide receiver with that first pick.
There are many defensive linemen this front office would have an opportunity at drafting. If they were looking for an edge rusher, who could pressure the quarterback, then they might target George Karlaftis out of Purdue who is ranked third on most draft boards as the best at his position.
If they want to take a player on the line that would be better at taking away the run, they might consider Jordan Davis out of Georgia or his teammate Devonte Wyatt.
This part of the team will need some upgrades and that may start with that No. 13 spot in the first round.
Cleveland Browns Pick No. 13 Third Scenario: Trade out of the pick
This would be a very unpopular decision by the Cleveland Browns if they were to move back in the 2022 NFL Draft to gain more picks. Cleveland currently has eight picks in this year’s draft, so stockpiling more picks for future trades and various transactions wouldn’t be that alarming.
The quality wide receivers available this year is deep, and Cleveland could likely find a few players in the later rounds without having to use the No. 13 pick.
There is also the free-agent market opening soon. If the team were to sign a free agent that could help this team immediately like a Chris Godwin or Mike Williams, then the need to go after that younger and less experienced player coming out of college in the draft, especially the early rounds wouldn’t be necessary.
The Browns have traded out of their draft positions before, and this scenario wouldn’t be that surprising. But considering the wide receiver free agents out there are a bit expensive and that the Browns will likely have the option at No. 13 to grab one of the best wide receivers coming out of college, I’d say chances are that the Browns select a wide receiver with this pick.