Cleveland Browns: 3 ideal NFL Draft picks in first two rounds

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Jan 10, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver George Pickens (right) catches a 52 yard pass against Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry (left) during the first quarter of the 2022 CFP college football national championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Cleveland Browns Ideal NFL Draft Pick at No. 44

George Pickens, Wide Receiver, Georgia

Moving from one George to another, the ideal pick for the Browns at 44 is Georgia wide receiver, George Pickens.

It was said recently that Andrew Berry might be willing to take a risk on a player coming off of an injury, and Pickens could be one of those players available. He tore his ACL in Georgia’s spring game in 2021 but was able to return to play in four games for the Bulldogs. So, I guess technically, this is a player that would fit into that risk factor or players coming off an injury.

Pickens is 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds and has plenty of speed to go with his big frame, running a 4.47 40-yard dash. He will be 21-years old by Week 1, which fits into the Browns age guardrails they use when drafting and acquiring players.

He will need to put on some muscle in the NFL, but that shouldn’t be too hard for him. Returning early from an ACL tear showed how hard of a worker he is. There have been “red flags” that have risen over the past week or so regarding Pickens. That isn’t uncommon this time of year, so whichever team does draft him will have to feel comfortable with what they have seen and evaluated.

Heath Cummings of CBS Sports made the pro-comparison to Robby Anderson. That wouldn’t be a bad option for the Browns to have, especially with Watson under center. Pickens size and speed give him the tools to become a valuable piece to this Browns puzzle.

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