Browns add deep threat at receiver in 7-round 2023 NFL Mock Draft

Round 5: Deuce Vaughn, RB, Kansas State

Cleveland has the best running back corps in the NFL. Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt alone could put them in contention for that title but when D’Ernest Johnson and Jerome Ford are added into the mix, there’s no team that can truly contend with their talent.

Having said that, two of their backs will be free agents in 2023 as Hunt and Johnson both have expiring contracts. Hunt has already asked to be traded since he doesn’t believe the front office will pay him. We don’t know what will happen with Johnson, but if he were to leave along with Hunt in 2023, it would make sense to use the draft to keep this room strong.

That’s why the first of two picks in Round 5 goes to Kansas State running back Deuce Vaughn. Listed at just 5-foot-6 and 172-pounds, Vaughn isn’t likely to be a workhorse in the NFL but he’s electric and often makes plays reminiscent of Darren Sproles.

Vaughn ran for 1,404 yards in 2021 with another 468 coming on 49 receptions. He scored a total of 22 touchdowns for the Wildcats and could be a game breaker in Cleveland — not only as a rotational back but in the return game as well.

Round 5: Austin Stogner, TE, South Carolina

The South Carolina Gamecocks could be a fun team to watch this season. Not only did they get Spencer Rattler to transfer from Oklahoma, but tight end Austin Stogner also joined his former quarterback in Columbia.

Stogner has shown he can get it done as a pass-catcher, pulling in 26 receptions for 422 yards in 2020. But what really makes him a fit in Cleveland is his blocking abilities. With David Njoku and Harrison Bryant under contract, Stogner would be the third guy and that means he would be asked to do a lot of blocking, which won’t be an issue for him.