Cleveland Browns: 3 biggest needs remaining after 2022 NFL Draft

Cleveland Browns Position to upgrade via Free Agency No. 1 – Defensive Line

Perhaps the biggest hole to fill on the 2022 roster for the Cleveland Browns is the defensive line. While they drafted two nice pieces in Alex Wright (defensive end, UAB) and Perrion Winfrey (defensive tackle, Oklahoma) there are still some question marks.

Wright has a ton of upside as a speed rusher off the edge, but he is still very raw. There’s hope he will be ready for passing situations in 2022, but it’s highly unlikely that he will be ready to be on the field for three downs.

I’ll continue to say that I believe Berry is extremely confident in Jadeveon Clowney returning. There was enough talent in this draft worth moving up to get if he felt otherwise. The edge group is weak now but becomes elite once Clowney is officially re-signed.

Winfrey was a great add in round four of the draft, but he doesn’t fill the biggest hole of the interior line. Winfrey is a guy that can collapse a pocket and create a huge pass-rush from the nose position. While that is great and needed on every team, the Browns bigger need was a five-tech guy who can plug a hole.

I still look for Berry to add a veteran defensive tackle whose specialty is stopping the run. I know the analytics don’t point to the defensive line being overly important, but after giving up so many gashing runs up the middle last year, I hope to see a bit of a mindset change.