Cleveland Browns mock draft at Week 12: Defensive tackle priority No. 1
By Randy Gurzi
The Cleveland Browns are once again looking ahead to next year, and so are we as our latest 2023 NFL Mock Draft addresses a glaring need
It’s always hard to admit when it’s time to look ahead but that’s where we are with the Cleveland Browns. The good news is that there’s much more hope in 2023 since they’re about to get Deshaun Watson on the field for the final six games.
Watson will be able to knock the rust off while the front office watches for which holes need to be filled the most. As far as those weaknesses go, we try and address them in this 2023 Browns mock draft at Week 12.
Cleveland Browns mock draft at Week 12
Round 2: Siaki Ika, DT, Baylor
There’s no debate about it. The Browns biggest weakness is right in the middle of their defense.
Week after week, they’ve been gashed for huge chinks of yardage on the ground and if they want to win going forward, they have to be able to stop the opponent’s ground game. That’s why they don’t mess around and use their first pick on Siaki Ika from Baylor.
A mammoth of a man at 6-foot-4 and 354-pounds, Ika can single-handily shut down the run. He’s also extremely athletic for someone so large, which is why he’s worthy of a Round 2 selection.
#Baylor DT Siaki Ika (6-4, 354, SR) LSU transfer. He’s an athletic and ridiculously strong 0-tech NT that’s very light on his feet for his size. Already an A+ run defender and also shows flashes of having passing down value to melt the pocket. Will receive lots of Vita Vea comps. pic.twitter.com/zg3fJXYoU9
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) July 5, 2022
There will still be more holes to fill but adding Ika addresses the largest. It will also make life easier for everyone else on that defense.
Round 3: Akeem Dent, S, Florida State
Another major hole is filled in Round 3 as Cleveland adds Akeem Dent from Florida State with their second pick. The current safeties aren’t getting the job done for the browns and it’s time to consider an overhaul.
Dent has 138 career tackles with 15 pass breakups. He needs to work on his ball skills but has experience as a corner so he should vastly improve the coverage on the back end.