Cleveland Browns: 3 players to trade up for in 2022 NFL Draft
Cleveland Browns trade-up target No. 1: Whichever WR they covet most
It’s well known and has been discussed ad nauseam that the Browns need to heavily invest in upgrades and improvements at the wide receiver position. Until it actually happens, presumably first being via free agency, there will be a ton of speculation.
The Browns will likely look to add some explosive, veteran free agent receivers, but will also turn to the draft in order to find someone who will instantly upgrade this offense, no matter who is under center come September.
It is not guaranteed that the 12 picks ahead of the Browns will not go wide receiver, but it’s also not out of the realm of possibility that no receivers are drafted before Cleveland picks at 13.
This year’s wide receiver draft class is loaded with talent and the Browns will have plenty of options no matter if they stay put or decide to move up. Even if one or two get drafted in the first 12 picks, there will still be a number of good options, however, that might alter draft plans.
Guys like Drake London out of USC, Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave out of Ohio State, Treylon Burks out of Arkansas, and Jameson Williams out of Alabama are all fantastic options for the Browns to improve the wide receiver room. Williams suffered a torn ACL in the National Championship game, but he should be good to go to start the season.
Ideally, whoever the Browns decide to take, they will hope he can replicate rookie season like what Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson provided over the past two years. That isn’t saying anyone in this class will have rookie seasons quite like that, but either of them will make the wide receiver room even better.
If the Browns really want one of those receivers and think a team ahead of them will take their top choice, it might not be a bad idea to trade up and get the exact guy they want. Free agency will be key to bolstering the receiving room, but the draft will be pivotal to adding depth and landing a player they could potentially have for five seasons on a rookie deal.
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The next couple of months will be fun with the combine, free agency, and the Draft upcoming on the NFL docket. This is the time of the year that championship teams are built and the Browns finally have a competent front office capable of really building the foundation well.