The Cleveland Browns will be looking for some hidden gems in the 2023 NFL draft. The Michigan Wolverines might have a few players the Browns could take.
The Cleveland Browns and GM Andrew Berry are pretty familiar with drafting Michigan Wolverine players. Berry helped draft former Wolverine Jabril Peppers in the first round back in 2017 and also drafted receiver Donavan Peoples-Jones in the sixth round during to 2020 Draft. Could the Browns look at drafting a Wolverine in this upcoming draft?
Michigan does have a number of players at positions of need that could be available to them. Say what you want about Jim Harbaugh, but the man does know how to develop talent. Here are three Michigan players who the Browns could select in the 2023 NFL Draft.
3 Michigan Wolverines the Cleveland Browns could draft
No. 3: Mazi Smith, DT
Mazi Smith is an intriguing prospect for Cleveland. He certainly is a talented player and fits a huge position of need for the Browns. Smith has excellent size and strength for a defensive tackle, standing at 6’3, 330 pounds and while watching his tape he’s constantly knocking his opponent back off the line of scrimmage.
But aside from his strength, it’s his freakish athleticism that sets him apart from other defensive linemen in this draft class. He has a great ability to move laterally and often is able to beat his blocker with quickness and technique. Smith completely dominated Ohio State in Columbus and was a major factor in why the Buckeyes couldn’t get anything going offensively that day.
Now the big concern with Smith comes off the field as he was charged with having a concealed weapon in his truck during the 2023 football season while not having a concealed-carry permit. He was later put on probation for this charge. The first-team All-Big Ten member also didn’t get home to the quarterback much as he only had one career sack.
But Smith is a very disruptive player, and his skill set is exactly what the Cleveland Browns need on defense. He could be an option for them in either the second or third rounds of the draft.
No 2: Mike Morris, DE
Mike Morris fits another positional need for the Cleveland Browns and was another force on that excellent Michigan defensive line. Morris finished last season with 23 tackles and seven sacks with a forced fumble. He too possesses the size that NFL teams are looking for in edge rushers standing at 6’6 and 290 pounds.
The former four-star recruit from Delray, Florida should be a day two pick as his production on the field matches a very good work ethic and character off of it. Morris excelled at stetting the edge on defense and played the run extremely well. This from Pro Football Network:
"“Morris’ raw strength allows him to slab and stonewall moving blockers, maintaining the line. Beyond that, he’s able to set a strong edge, hold positioning, and then timely deconstruct and wrap up ball carriers who enter his reach.”"
Morris could be an excellent rotational piece to add to the Browns defensive line with Alex Wright and Myles Garrett while contributing early in his career. GM Andrew Berry has to improve the talent on the defensive line and players like Morris and Smith will surely get looks from Browns personnel.
No. 1: Ronnie Bell, WR
If the Browns want to try and replicate the success of Donavan Peoples-Jones then Ronnie Bell might be the answer. Expected to be a late-round pick, Bell had a very good season for Michigan last year registering 62 catches for 889 yards and four touchdowns. Bell also had a monster Fiesta Bowl performance where he recorded six catches for 135 yards and a score.
Bell is going to need to put up a big performance at the combine if he wants to improve his stock as he’s battled injury concerns during his Michigan career. But when on the field, Bell is as productive of a receiver as the Wolverines have seen since Peoples-Jones was wearing the maize and blue.
Bell has excellent hands and one of his strengths is being able to make tough catches in traffic. He has no problem going over the middle and holding on to balls knowing full well that he going to get popped. And while he won’t run the fastest time at the combine, Bell shows some very good quickness to separate from defenders.
If the Browns haven’t drafted a receiver by the time the sixth or seventh rounds have come then Bell is definitely someone worth considering.