Cleveland Browns: New favorite could emerge as draft possibility

With Amari Cooper now joining the Cleveland Browns, they could look to go a different direction at No. 13 in the draft with Jermaine Johnson being a good fit

Before Saturday, it felt like a foregone conclusion that the Cleveland Browns were going to take a wide receiver at No. 13 in the 2022 NFL Draft. But after adding Amari Cooper in a trade with the Dallas Cowboys, that might not be the case anymore.

While it’s true that Cleveland could still use another receiver, especially if they move on from Jarvis Landry, it’s no longer the most pressing need. Instead, that distinction could belong to the defensive end spot as the Browns might not be able to bring back Jadeveon Clowney due to his ability to draw a massive contract in free agency.

Should Clowney leave, Cleveland will be hurting for depth outside of Myles Garrett — but thankfully, they could alleviate that concern with the selection of Jermaine Johnson from Florida State who very well could be on the board when the Browns pick at No. 13 overall.

Johnson was originally a member of the Georgia Bulldogs defense but transferred to FSU where he went off in 2021 with 70 tackles and 11.5 sacks. He also impressed at the combine with a 4.58 in the 40-yard dash.

Pairing him with Myles Garrett could keep the Browns passing attack elite, and Johnson could learn from a mentor he already looks up to. When asked at the combine about players in the NFL he models his game after, he mentioned some of the best in the business, but Garrett’s name was first.

"“Myles Garrett, Khalil Mack, I like Aaron Donald, obviously,” Johnson at the NFL Combine according to Anthony Poisal of the Browns official website. “People fear them, and that’s what I want to be at the next level. I want to be feared.”"

With the Browns making the move for Cooper, the cap space isn’t as flexible as it once was — which makes keeping Clowney even more difficult than it was before. Adding Jermaine Johnson could be a great fallback option that settles the position for the next four or five seasons without costing them nearly $20 million per season, which Clowney could be after.

Would Cleveland Browns sacrifice their passing game with this move?

Of course, the one remaining question would be whether or not the passing game would suffer if Johnson is the pick. They do need another receiver other than Amari Cooper but thankfully, this draft is absolutely loaded with wideouts.

Cleveland could easily take Johnson in Round 1 and still find someone capable of being a starter opposite Cooper in Round 2. Some names that could work include John Metchie and Skyy Moore — both of who would be great fits in this system.

What really matters is, general manager Andrew Berry addressed the team’s biggest need before free agency even began, which means they have options. And one of those options includes bringing in Jermaine Johnson.