2023 NFL Mock Draft: Browns make surprise move for left tackle
By John Suchan
![Sep 3, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Brandon Joseph (16) reacts to the missed field goal during the second quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports Sep 3, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Brandon Joseph (16) reacts to the missed field goal during the second quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fdawgpounddaily-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2018-2F08-2F18984301-850x560-663cd71d877c2350a5d7aafa2a9b5da6c315bfebe178dbd1e352baa7be1db2fc.jpg)
Round 6 Pick No. 190: Will Mallory, TE, Miami
Cleveland needs to bolster their tight end room as well and drafting Will Mallory out of Miami might be a good selection. While they have an established No. 1 tight end in David Njoku, there are questions behind him as Harrison Bryant enters his fourth season.
With Miami, Mallory had a steady and growing role in the offense. For his career, he caught 115 passes for 1,544 yards and 14 touchdowns. This past season, he went over the 100-yard mark twice. He had an eight catch and 115 yards gained game against North Carolina. In his last game, he caught nine passes for 103 yards and a touchdown in a game against Pittsburgh.
With his 14th career receiving touchdown, @WillMallory_25 is tied for the most touchdowns by a Miami tight end in program history. pic.twitter.com/7CDUKMpiyk
— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) November 27, 2022
If Mallory were to join the roster that may also put a lot more pressure on Bryant. While Bryant has been productive for the most part, he went in the wrong direction in 2022 and can use a spark.
Round 7 Pick No. 231 Deuce Vaughn, RB, Kansas State
The Browns running back situation is likely going to change a bit and taking a veteran collegiate player like Deuce Vaughn with this late pick might be too good to pass on if he were still there. Vaughn had a fantastic career at Kansas State but his short size at 5-6 might scare away some NFL teams.
In his three-year career, he tallied 3,604 yards on 651 carries and scored 34 touchdowns. He also caught 116 passes for 1,280 yards and added nine more scores. He went over 100 yards rushing 21 times in his time there. He was “Mr. Everything” for a pretty good Kansas State team.
With current Browns free agent running backs Kareem Hunt and D’Ernest Johnson likely moving on, taking Vaughn in this draft would be a great pickup. Cleveland could use him in a variety of ways early in his career, by way of gadget plays and in the screen game, and give a change of pace in games, after seeing Nick Chubb and probably Jerome Ford take the majority of the carries.