2023 NFL Mock Draft: Browns make surprise move for left tackle
By John Suchan
Round 5, Pick No. 142: Zach Pickens, DL, South Carolina
As was discussed earlier, defensive tackle is the area that needs the most help which is why Cleveland goes back to the position to pick up Zach Pickens from South Carolina in Round 5. Pickens had a good career with the Gamecocks as he played all four seasons in Columbia and finished with 131 tackles, 11.5 of those for losses, and 7. 5 sacks.
He had a monster game earlier in the season against Arkansas where he recorded 12 tackles so he can be helpful in stopping the run and creating issues for his opponent in the backfield. He’s a big kid standing at 6-foot-4 and 310 pounds. He’d do well with a Browns team needing to stop the run while playing in the gaps in their zone defenses.
Round 5, Pick No. 144: DJ Turner, CB, Michigan
DJ Turner has been projected to be drafted as high as the second round, so if he’s still on the board, then the Browns would be finding themselves a great cornerback. Cleveland took Martin Emerson Jr. in last year’s draft and taking Turner in this one would be another positive move.
Turner has battled some of the best wide receivers in the Big Ten including Marvin Harrison Jr. of Ohio State. He’s been a steady contributor to the Wolverines over the past couple of seasons as a regular starter.
He finished with 69 tackles and three interceptions in those two seasons. He took one of those interceptions back for a touchdown. He also recorded 17 pass deflections over that time. He’s got excellent instincts and would continue to help the Browns secondary if he managed to fall to them in this late-round pick.