Browns 2023 NFL Mock Draft: Wide receiver early, defense often

Browns Mock Draft Round 5: Ji’Ayir Brown, S, Penn State

As a versatile safety out of Penn State, I think Ji’Ayir Brown complements Grant Delpit well in Jim Schwartz’s defense as a guy that can play anywhere as a split safety, who is solid in the box but excels deep in coverage. Delpit seems to have flashed more around the line of scrimmage for the Browns, and the team may be looking for a long-term solution at free safety.

Showing his prowess in “centerfield” as a deep safety, Brown racked up 10 interceptions and eight passes broken up in two years as a starter for the Nittany Lions. Brown has great instincts and ball skills in coverage but isn’t afraid to come down and make a tackle on quick throws or in run support.

I believe that the value is great here for Brown, and could take over a starting role right away if the team decides to move on from John Johnson III this offseason. He’s a great prospect to pair with Grant Delpit moving forward and should help transform the young secondary.

Browns Mock Draft Round 5: Tucker Kraft, TE, South Dakota

I think that Cleveland moves more toward a three-wide receiver, spread-type under Deshaun Watson in 2023. But Kevin Stefanski loves his two (or even three) tight end sets, so I bet we still see a decent amount of 12 or 13 personnel next season. After David Njoku, the Browns lack a dominant second tight end. South Dakota State’s Tucker Kraft could be that guy.

Harrison Bryant has played fairly well for the Browns after being awarded the John Mackey Award for the best tight end in college football before being drafted, but he seems to fit in more as a big slot receiver for the Browns at the next level. Kraft can fit the true TE2 role in Stefanski’s offense at 6-foot-5 and 255 pounds and is a very effective blocker.

Kraft isn’t just a blocker, making plenty of plays down the field in the passing game on tape. But that aspect of his game cannot be overlooked. Even with the anticipated transformation to a more shotgun, spread, pass-first offense with Watson next season, Nick Chubb is still arguably the best player on the offense.

Stefanski would be silly to completely abandon the under-center, zone-run scheme that they have been successful with the past few years, and Kraft would find a role immediately in such an offense.