The 2022 NFL Draft has come to a close and now it is time to do a deeper dive on the nine players that the Cleveland Browns selected. Here are pro comparisons for every player that the Browns drafted.
The hay is in the barn and Elvis has left the building. With the 2022 NFL Draft officially in the books, now it is time to do a deeper dive on the Cleveland Browns draft class. After everything was said and done, Andrew Berry selected nine players to bring into the Browns’ fold.
Entering the draft, Berry and the Browns had seven selections, with the first not coming until pick 44. Berry decided to move back 24 spots in order to get better value and secure an additional two picks in the process. While some of the moves came off as puzzling at first glance, the Browns actually walked away with quite the haul.
If you followed along during the three-day odyssey, then you already know the names. Now it is time to get to know the newly drafted players’ games. Below are pro comparisons for each player in the 2022 Browns draft class.
Cleveland Browns Pick No. 68
Martin Emerson = Richard Sherman
On the surface, it might appear like a lofty comparison, but once you dive deeper, Martin Emerson and Richard Sherman are eerily similar players. When Emerson’s name was chosen as the Browns first draft selection early in the third round it caught many fans off guard. But this will be one of those hindsight is 20/20 draft picks by the end of the 2022 NFL season.
While Sherman is a household name now, that was not always the case. The Stanford product came into the league with little to no fanfare. After all, Sherman was not selected until the 5th round of his respective draft class. It was not until after his infamous ‘You mad bro’ moment with Tom Brady that Sherman arrived on the national radar.
We will start by comparing Sherman and Emerson’s frames. Sherman came into the league at 6-foot-3 and 195lbs. Emerson enters the NFL at 6-foot-2 and weighing 200lbs. Both are taller than average corners that use their length exceptionally well.
From a straight-line speed perspective, Emerson is slightly faster than Sherman but neither are considered burners by any stretch of the imagination. Sherman ran a 4.6 40-yard dash at the combine, while Emerson was clocked in at 4.55.
Both players excel in zone coverage schemes, and in Sherman’s case that allowed him to get on the field a ton as a rookie. It may be a little harder for Emerson to see the same kind of snaps early on due to the Browns depth at cornerback, but as the season progress so will his role in Joe Woods zone heavy scheme. They both are efficient movers, despite having tall hips, that are very effective at closing on underneath breaking routes that zone schemes allow for.
Their deficiencies are eerily similar as well. Both Emerson and Sherman can become a little handsy when beat by double moves. But as we saw with Sherman, if you are consistently aggressive, over time, the referees will gradually swallow their whistles. While both are willing participants in the run game, they each tend to not wrap up consistently and often go low on opposing ball carriers.
All in all, the Browns got themselves a big-bodied corner who fits their defensive scheme like a glove and should eventually be a starter. Considering that they traded back to land Emerson and scooped up two additional picks is just icing on the cake.
Cleveland Browns Pick No. 78
Alex Wright = Aldon Smith
When the Cleveland Browns made Alex Wright their second selection of the 2022 NFL draft, they made a large portion of draft Twitter extremely happy. Wright was a lowkey favorite for potential steal of the draft for the team that pulled the trigger on the University of Alabama at Birmingham product. The reason for Wright’s draft buzz was simple, the young man has undeniable high-ceiling traits.
It’s those traits that Wright possesses that draw comparisons to Aldon Smith. From a size perspective, Wright is slightly larger than Smith. Wright was measured at 6-foot-5 and weighed in at 271-pounds. Smith is just shy of 6-foot-5 but came into the league at 263-pounds. However, when you look at Wright’s frame, the pass rusher will probably put on another 5-10 pounds once entering an NFL strength and conditioning program.
While Wright didn’t test at the combine after injuring his pectoral muscle, this comparison is drawn from their playing styles. Both Smith and Wright have inside/outside versatility, and both can win pass-rushing reps from either pre-snap position. Primarily Wright was used on the outside, but often kicked inside and won with his strength.
The first step explosion of both players jumps off of the tape. Winning quickly, although sometimes not leading to sacks, speeds up a quarterback’s processes leading to mistakes. Both Smith and Wright are snap timers when lining up on the outside.
However Wright, because of his lightning-like first step, will get called for being offsides on occasion even when he is perfectly timing up the snap. Sound familiar Browns fans? Looking at you Myles Garrett. As with any rookie, the speed of the game is something that Wright will have to adjust to.
Because of their height, Smith and Wright can sometimes get caught being too upright coming off the edge. But their athleticism bails them out on a regular basis. One difference is that Wright can sometimes come in too hot allowing quarterbacks to avoid his rush by simply stepping up. Throttling down when approaching a sack will need to be an emphasis for the rookie.
Andrew Berry let the board fall to him and picked up an edge defender that should eventually be the complementary piece to Myles Garrett. Hopefully, they can bring back Jadeveon Clowney on a short deal and allow Wright time to grow into his game at the NFL level. If that happens, the league is in trouble.
Cleveland Browns Pick No. 99
David Bell = Jarvis Landry
Depending on where you land on the Jarvis Landry scale, will most likely dictate how excited you are for this comparison. But David Bell and Landry draw many parallels.
From a physical standpoint, Bell and Landry are slightly shorter physical receivers who win with technique and strong hands. Bell came into the combine and measured in at just over six feet tall and weighed 212lbs. Landry measured 5-foot-11 and weighed in at 205lbs. Both have 31-inch arms, although Landry’s hands are a full inch larger.
Athletically, Bell has a slight advantage over Landry. Bell ran a 4.68 40-yard dash and a vertical jump of 33-inches, while Landry ran a 4.77 at Indianapolis and recorded a 28.5-inch vertical jump.
When you look at their college production, Bell wins in a landslide. Even though Landry was a voluminous receiver at LSU, the presence of Odell Beckham Jr. put a ceiling on how many balls came Juice’s way. But in three seasons, Landry recorded 137 receptions, 1,809 receiving yards, and 15 touchdowns.
Bell was the only show in town for Purdue and his stats demonstrate that. The Boilermaker caught 232 passes for a staggering 2,946 yards and 21 touchdowns in his three years at West Lafayette. Many of his most productive games came against the better competition he faced, hauling in 11 receptions for 217 yards and a touchdown against Michigan State.
While Bell is slightly more versatile than Landry, both do their best work over the middle of the field. Bell has a good feel for finding soft spots in zone coverage and is excellent at boxing out defenders with his body in traffic. Both Landry and Bell are chain-moving receivers that are essential to third-down success.
Bell’s arrival more than likely spells an end to any hope Landry may have had with signing back with his former team. But from a skill-for-skill, as well as an age viewpoint, Bell should prove to be an upgrade over Landry within two seasons in the NFL. Bell’s development hinges on how quickly he can gain a rapport with Deshaun Watson.
Cleveland Browns Pick No. 108
Perrion Winfrey = Sheldon Richardson
When the Cleveland Browns made Perrion Winfrey the 108th selection of the 2022 NFL draft, they were not just selecting a player, they were selecting a vibe. While Winfrey might be slightly more outspoken, he draws several comparisons to former Browns defensive tackle, Sheldon Richardson.
Both Richardson and Winfrey spent two years playing Junior College Football before joining their eventual alma maters. Once reaching their division one programs, they both performed at a very high level over the course of two seasons. Richardson notched 18.5 sacks while at the University of Missouri, and Winfrey recorded 16.5 sacks at the University of Oklahoma.
The two natural three-tech defensive tackles come in at around the same size as well as measurables. Richardson entered the NFL at 6-foot-2 and change and weighed 294lbs. The slightly larger Winfrey measured in at 6-foot-3 and weighed 290lbs. One of the biggest physical differences is Winfrey’s enormous wingspan, measuring just over 7 feet.
Both have the ability to disrupt from the interior. Although in college Richardson played both inside and out, while Winfrey played inside and then further inside. At the next level, Winfrey will not spend much, if any, time playing the shade tech role. Winfrey is a prototypical three-tech defensive tackle in the NFL.
Winfrey gained notoriety during the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama by constantly causing havoc in the backfield and dominating the one-on-one sessions. It was a good showcase for the young man because he got to demonstrate his abilities when put in the correct position. Winfrey was voted MVP of the Senior Bowl for his outstanding play.
The Oklahoma product does need to work on anchoring against the run and use his long levers to his advantage. Richardson entered the league with an anchoring deficiency as well. Winfrey has zero issues that can not be fixed by polishing his technique. If his media introduction to Cleveland was any indication, the Browns should have nothing to worry about.
Cleveland Browns Pick No. 124
Cade York = Stephen Gostkowski
The Cleveland Browns addressed their place-kicking issues earlier in the draft than most had anticipated. With the 124th selection of the 2022 NFL draft, the Browns selected Cade York out of Louisiana State University. York was the first specialist to be selected in the draft.
York brings to mind another kicker that was taken in the fourth round of his respective draft class, Stephen Gostkowski. The second-best kicker in the history of the New England Patriots was selected with the 118th overall pick of the 2006 NFL draft.
Both kickers measure 6-foot-1, but Gostkowski outweighed York by 17lbs entering the league. Gostkowski’s stats in college were fairly insane, he made 96.4% of his extra-point attempts going a ridiculous 159 of 165. Gostkowski also made 76.1% of his field-goal attempts making 70 of 92 while at Memphis University.
However, Cade’s numbers are flat out better. Cade made an astonishing 97.6% of his extra-point attempts going an absurd 164 out of 168. He also bested Gostkowski’s field goal percentage by 5.7%. It should also be noted that York only played for three seasons at LSU.
Both kickers have absolute cannons attached to their hips. So far York’s longest field goal in a game was a 57-yard game-winner against the University of Florida in 2020. Gostkowski’s longest field goal came in the NFL when he booted a 62-yard kick through the uprights. However, Gostkowski made the field goal in Azteca Stadium in Mexico City which is 7,280 feet above sea level. Even with the elevation factor, it is still a very impressive feat.
If York can equal Gostkowski’s career and become the second-best kicker in Browns history, picking him up in the fourth round will be considered a steal.
Cleveland Browns Pick No. 156
Jerome Ford = Miles Sanders
The Cleveland Browns made a move to further bolster their running back room when they made Jerome Ford the 156th selection of the 2022 NFL draft. The University of Cincinnati product was coming off an amazing red-shirt junior season where he carried the ball 215 times for 1,319 and a jaw-dropping 19 touchdowns.
The pro comparison for Ford is Miles Sanders. Even though Ford easily outproduced Sanders during their collegiate careers, you should factor in that Sanders only played three seasons at Penn State and sat behind Saquon Barkley for two of those.
Both running backs measure in at 5-foot-11, and Ford only outweighs Sanders by four pounds. They are both three-down backs, who can either slam it up the middle or use patience to find alleys. Ford has slightly faster straight-line speed, his 40-yard dash time at the combine was 4.46. While Sanders was clocked at 4.49 when he ran at Indianapolis.
Although straight-line speed is not the end all be all for a running back. Both runners showcase upper-tier agility and balance. The main difference is Ford’s vision, and likely why the Browns brought him into the fold. The two backs trade deficiencies, with Sanders being the more complete pass-catcher out of the backfield, and Ford better at being willing to pick up blitzes.
Ford’s arrival in Cleveland most likely means the end for Demetric Felton or D’Ernest Johnson, or perhaps both, depending on how training camp shakes out.
Cleveland Browns Pick No. 202
Michael Woods II = Brian Robiskie
The Cleveland Browns made their first true reach of the 2022 NFL draft when they selected Michael Woods II with the 202nd pick. Woods does have some traits that could give the Browns an added dimension at the bottom of their wide receiver room. Woods draws parallels to former Ohio State Buckeye and Cleveland Browns receiver, Brian Robiskie.
Both receivers have a similar build, with Robiskie being two inches taller and weighing four pounds more than Woods. Although, Woods has slightly larger hands as well as longer arms by an inch and a half.
The speed advantage is on Woods’ side by a fraction. Woods ran a 4.55 40-yard dash, while Robiskie was clocked at 4.59 during his draft process. Even though Robiskie had a 37.5 vertical jump, he did not high point the ball as well as Woods does who jumped 34.5 inches at his vertical attempt.
While neither are slow, they both do not create notable separation and if they win it typically comes at the catch point. Sure hands and ball tracking are strong suits for the receivers, but Woods will occasionally let footballs come into his body in order to secure catches. But both are candidates to make chunk plays down the seams.
Similar to Robiskie, it’s going to be an uphill battle for Woods to latch on in Cleveland without a significant contribution to the special teams’ department. More than likely Woods will make his way onto the practice squad and attempt to refine his skill set.
Cleveland Browns Pick No. 223
Isaiah Thomas = Josh Sweat
Andrew Berry and the Cleveland Browns got tremendous value when they made Isaiah Thomas the 223rd pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. Thomas is a plus athlete that has the size that the Browns covet in their edge defenders. The pro comparison for Thomas is the Philadelphia Eagles, Josh Sweat.
The Browns certainly have a type when it comes to drafting defensive ends. The basic blueprint is 6-foot-5 and north of 260lbs. Thomas checks those boxes coming in at 6-foot-5 and 266lbs. Sweat is also 6-foot-5 and 265lbs.
The two edge defenders had similar production while in college. Sweat racked up 14.5 sacks during his three years at Florida State. Thomas was able to notch 16.5 sacks during his time at the University of Oklahoma. Thomas did not see much playing time until his junior year, so the vast majority of that production came during the past two seasons.
Thomas and Sweat both have decent bend and are able to convert to power mid-pass rush when necessary. Thomas does show a strength deficit in some areas of his game, particularly when setting the edge in the run game. If Thomas can sure up his ability to maintain his anchor on the edge, he could prove to be a long-term backup in Cleveland.
Depending on if the Browns are able to resign Jadeveon Clowney will determine what kind of role Thomas plays his rookie season.
Cleveland Browns Pick No. 246
Dawson Deaton = Ethan Pocic
The Cleveland Browns used their last selection in the 2022 NFL draft to insulate themselves at the center position. In fact, the Browns doubled down on their Ethan Pocic signing back in early April by drafting a player that mirrors his physicality and skillset in Texas Tech center, Dawson Deaton.
When you look at the measurables, it is almost akin to the Spider-Man meme pointing at himself. Both Pocic and Deaton are larger than average NFL centers. Pocic is 6-foot-6 and 310lbs, while Deaton is 6-foot-5 and change and weighs in at 306lbs. It is notable that the Browns presumed starter at the position, Nick Harris, is on the opposite end of the size spectrum.
Deaton and Pocic’s Combine measurables are also absurdly similar. Deaton ran a 5.12 40-yard dash, and performed 24 reps on the bench, as well as a 108-inch broad jump. Pocic timed in at 5.15 on his 40-yard dash, knocked out 26 reps on the bench, and leaped 107-inches in the broad jump.
Deaton is simply a draft and stash candidate. The Browns will get Deaton familiar with their offensive system and promptly place him on their practice squad in case of an emergency.
Based on how quickly Deaton acclimates to Bill Callahan’s coaching, he may be able to supplant Pocic as the team’s long-term backup