After a disappointing season under head coach Kevin Stefanski, with quarterback Deshaun Watson and hiring a new DC in Jim Schwartz, the Cleveland Browns go wide receiver early and defense often in this 2023 NFL Mock Draft.
For Cleveland Browns fans, unfortunately, the team did not make the playoffs. So what does that mean for a football-focused city? It means shifting the focus to the 2023 NFL Draft. Despite not having a first-round pick following the Deshaun Watson trade last offseason, Cleveland still must capitalize on the eight picks that they currently have.
The Browns roster has some clear holes on both sides of the ball when looking ahead to the 2023 NFL season. Especially after hiring a new defensive coordinator already this offseason in Jim Schwartz, the defense will need to be revamped going forward.
Browns Mock Draft Round 2: Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
Jalin Hyatt is the perfect weapon to add to this Cleveland Browns offense. Both Amari Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones had great years in 2022 with Jacoby Brissett and Deshaun Watson at the helm. Adding Hyatt could round out an optimal wide receiving corps for what head coach and play-caller, Kevin Stefanski, could look for next season.
Cooper is a route technician who can get open at any level of the field. Peoples-Jones is a physical, big-body target with impressive hands to make tough catches and win jump balls. What the Browns potential spread-type offense could be missing is a true deep threat that can take the top off of the defense, and also be a threat to take any short throw to the house. They get that with Jalin Hyatt.
Hailing from the Tennessee Volunteers, Cleveland fans already know that owner Jimmy Haslam will be petitioning for Hyatt. Not only is he from Haslam’s alma mater, but he is truly a dynamic playmaker who can elevate a Cleveland Browns offense led by Deshaun Watson.
Not only does Hyatt have the speed to blow by the secondary, but he has the ball skills, body control, hands, and athleticism to be a well-rounded receiver at the next level. Hyatt may be my favorite player that I’ve scouted to this point, and I am confident that he’s what the Browns thought Anthony Schwartz would be, and will round out a very impressive offense going forward.
Browns Mock Draft Round 3: Jaquelin Roy, DT, LSU
Another favorite fixture of a 2023 NFL Mock Draft for me lands with the Cleveland Browns in Jaquelin Roy from LSU. I have watched quite a bit of film of Roy and broke down a few plays on Twitter here:
A 2023 NFL Draft target that I LOVE for the #Browns is LSU DT Jacquelin Roy. He may not be a huge 330+lb nose tackle, but he is very effective against the run and should fit perfectly in Jim Schwartz’s system. If he’s still there in the third round it’s a no-brainer for me! pic.twitter.com/En2201Fd9B
— A.J. Fagerlin (@ajf3524) January 22, 2023
As you can see, a lot of the nuances of Roy’s game are incredibly effective against the run and the screen game. He is a great block shedder, penetrator, and tackler and should start right away for the Cleveland Browns on the interior of their defensive line.
Roy is very effective at pushing the pocket in a one-on-one situation against a blocker and possesses the size and strength to two-gap in the run game, eating up blockers and letting his linebackers make plays, which is exactly what the Cleveland defense need.
The Browns selected one of my favorite prospects last year in Perrion Winfrey, and in this mock, they double down and go with Roy. The duo would give Cleveland a bright future on the defensive line and with the guidance of defensive tackle guru, Jim Schwartz, should terrorize opposing quarterbacks and running backs alike for years to come.
Browns Mock Draft Round 4: Zach Harrison, EDGE, Ohio State
With the inevitable departure of Jadeveon Clowney this offseason, the Cleveland Browns will need to find another defensive end in this 2023 NFL Mock Draft to complement Myles Garrett and play significant snaps in 2023.
At Ohio State, Zach Harrison often lined up on the defensive left side, against the right tackle, opposite of where Garrett typically aligns for Cleveland. Harrison had a career-high eight sacks this season for the Buckeyes playing across from an elite pass-rusher in J.T. Tuimoloau. I think he can build on that production at the next level across from the league’s best in Garrett.
Why I really think Harrison is a great fit for the Browns is his prowess against the run. He’s explosive and quick enough to make a play as the backside defender pursuing the ballcarrier from the weak side and strong and powerful enough to stack blocks and set the edge on the play side. I really love the fit of Harrison as an immediate starter alongside Garrett next year for Cleveland and is a steal at this spot in the draft.
Browns Mock Draft Round 4: Demarvion Overshown, LB, Texas
Now DeMarvion Overshown isn’t the biggest linebacker in the world and may not fit the mold of a good, old-fashioned backer that many Cleveland fans may be looking for, but he has enough size and plays with enough physicality to complement Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah perfectly.
Where “JOK” excels in coverage and roaming sideline-to-sideline, Overshown can lay the boom across the middle and make physical plays in the thick of things in the run game. He has great instincts in the run game with the physical ability to stack blocks, find the ball carrier and shed, and make a tackle in the run game at the next level.
Even if Cleveland brings back a player like Anthony Walker or Reggie Ragland, they could truly find their future MIKE linebacker in Overshown in this 2023 NFL Draft.
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.
Browns Mock Draft Round 6: Karl Brooks, DT, Bowling Green
Even after selecting Jaquelin Roy early in this 2023 NFL Mock Draft, Cleveland cannot pass up the value of a versatile defensive lineman like Karl Brooks this late.
Brooks played a lot of five-technique, right on the end of the line for the Falcons, but can certainly bump inside after bulking up a bit at the next level.
Idk if he’ll go before the third round, but one player that I’ve enjoyed watching the most on film this year is Bowling Green DL Karl Brooks. At 6-4, 300 he played out of position at 5-tech. The definition of a natural pressure generator.
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) January 18, 2023
Excited to see him at the Senior Bowl.
Draft expert, Jordan Reid, clearly sees the same with Brooks. Where Roy excels against the run, Brooks is versatile and effective as a penetrator as a pass rusher. He has a strong core, powerful hands, and a relentless motor to win matchups all across the line. Jim Schwartz should love this guy.
Browns Mock Draft Round 7: Kendre Miller, RB, TCU
On YouTube, Kendre Miller is dubbed the “Scariest RB in College Football.” Miller has home run capability on any run and is super shifty in the open field, making him a great complement to Nick Chubb.
Miller was hurt for TCU during the College Football Playoff, which could cause him to fall to this point in this 2023 NFL Mock Draft. On tape, Miller exhibits impressive burst through the hole, great vision in the open field, and the ability to finish runs either with speed for a touchdown or with physicality to fight for extra yards.
Miller wasn’t overly effective as a pass catcher at TCU, which may cause some concern for Browns fans, but he excelled running out of the shotgun, is a willing and able pass protector, and showed flashes, especially in the screen game, as an effective receiver out of the backfield on tape. I think he would really be a great complement and finishes off this mock nicely.
Browns tell two embattled coaches their jobs are safe
Mike Priefer and Jeff Howard both have had their issues with the Cleveland Browns but are apparently safe for the 2023 season