As the Cleveland Browns prepare for the 2023 draft, Andrew Berry should be doing extra film study on these three positions.
As we are now just days away from the Super Bowl, the Cleveland Browns are in full offseason mode after a disappointing 2022 campaign. Even though things didn’t go as planned, there’s no doubt that the future is bright with Deshaun Watson as the quarterback.
We only got to see the star quarterback for six games in 2022, but there were flashes of the 2020 Watson that was one of the league’s best. Another offseason of this team meshing will make a huge difference.
2023 will bring new challenges to the Browns. Not only do they have to consider the cap for the first time in two decades as they’ve signed multiple guys to long-term extensions worth big money, but they’ll also have to improve this roster without a first-round pick (next year as well).
Andrew Berry should be up to the challenge, and here are three positions he must cover in the 2023 draft.
Browns Position to Target No. 3: Running Back
The Cleveland Browns will still have Kareem Hunton the books, but it’s very likely they will no longer have Kareem Hunt on the roster. He’s a local guy who appears happy, but he can get more money and a bigger role elsewhere which many expect him to pursue.
With D’Ernest Johnson likely not back as well, that leaves Nick Chubb and Jerome Ford. And while I think the roster will be fine with them as a one-two punch, Berry will certainly look to add depth at the position in the later rounds of the draft.
Demetric Felton may be back on the roster, but he has struggled to find his identity as a running back or wide receiver in the NFL which has limited his time on the field. If Berry can find a speedster in the later rounds who can catch the ball and can return kicks, that could be a huge benefit to the Browns in 2023.
Browns Position to Target No. 2: Offensive Line
I know I’m starting to beat a dead horse with this, but the Cleveland Browns must improve their offensive line play if they want to be successful in 2023. Deshaun Watson is athletic and the run game is strong which will help, but when someone is in your face instantly I don’t care how good you are, it’s tough to be an NFL quarterback.
The starting five from 2022 (with Nick Harris at center) will likely be the same unit in 2023. While I highly doubt the team will pick up the fifth-year option on Jedrick Wills, it’s also too early to move on from the former No. 10 overall pick.
There’s hope that Jack Conklin will also have a better 2023 with a full offseason of training instead of rehabbing a serious kneecap injury that occurred at the end of the 2021 season. The interior line with Joel Bitonio, Wyatt Teller, and Harris is solid on paper, but they must be better in pass protection.
Berry won’t be looking to add a starter in this year’s draft but will be looking for a guy like James Hudson who can be a solid backup in 2023 if injuries happened, and eventually turn into an NFL starter. With Hudson as the swingman on the outside, look for Berry to take an interior lineman maybe as early as round three to bolster this roster for 2023 and down the road.
The athletic guys that can get outside and run block are great, but I think it’s time to bring in a guy who is as strong as a bull and can deliver a hard punch at the point of contact to slow down an aggressive bullrush.
Browns Position to Target No. 1: Defensive Tackle
As much as I would love for Berry and the Cleveland Browns to sign a running back and offensive lineman in free agency, I just don’t think it will happen. However, at defensive tackle not only do I see the Browns signing a bigger-name free agent, but I think you will also see them draft a player at the position.
In 2022 we saw Jordan Elliott, Taven Bryan, Tommy Togiai, and Perrion Winfrey, with none of them being consistently good. With all but Bryan (likely not resigned) returning, this is also a position where you will likely see a guy who has played a lot of snaps on this defense get cut.
The current roster is full of guys who have the ability to rush the passer, but not one guy who is above average at plugging up a run gap. The Browns need to draft a defensive tackle who not only has size, but the discipline to not get upfield and open even bigger holes in the interior of the line.
This roster has plenty of holes on it currently, but don’t be shocked to see the Browns draft a defensive tackle with their first pick in the 2023 draft (Round 2). Berry has refused to address this issue for the last three years, and I think the time is finally here.
The newly acquired defensive coordinator, Jim Schwartz, is known for having an elite defensive tackle in his defense, so I’m sure he’ll be in his ear barking just as much as fans.
3 free agent tight ends the Cleveland Browns could affordably add
David Njoku will be the No. 1 tight end for the Cleveland Browns in 2023 but they need another capable player and these free agents fit the bill