2023 NFL Mock Draft: Browns make surprise move for left tackle

The Cleveland Browns do need a lot of help on the defensive line but they can’t pass on an offensive lineman and a new safety in this 2023 mock draft

The Cleveland Browns have a foundation of players leading the way to a bright future and one that hopefully leads to a Super Bowl. That group led by quarterback Deshaun Watson, running back Nick Chubb, and defensive lineman Myles Garrett have a lot to do with that future, but the team still needs to build on its weaknesses and strengthen what they are already doing well.

In this upcoming draft, Cleveland needs to address multiple positions including at defensive tackle and wide receiver but also build up the offensive line more. In this new mock draft, we’ll start with the offense first. While some might think the Browns will address the defensive tackle position with their pick at No. 42, there may be some talent in the early rounds too good to pass on.

7 Round 2023 Browns Mock Draft

Round 2, Pick No. 42: Anton Harrison, OL, Oklahoma

Cleveland currently has left tackle Jedrick Wills entering year No. 4 after he was their first-round selection back in 2019. Despite the potential and the hope that he’d be the long-term solution to protect the quarterback’s “blind side” it hasn’t gone as planned and the Browns need to make a change. In this mock, that change is going to be Anton Harrison from Oklahoma.

Harrison just completed his third season as a Sooner and is projected on most draft boards to be taken anywhere from the late first round through the second round. He’s considered one of the best in this year’s group of left tackles. If the Browns want to protect their $230 million investment better than they have so far, then taking Harrison makes a lot of sense.

Wills has had his opportunities over the past three years and has struggled. He doesn’t seem to stay engaged in plays and oftentimes appears to quit after the initial pressure from his opponent.

While the Browns’ offensive line in general has been considered a strength of the team, Wills seems to be damaging that image. A change in the line personnel could be a breath of fresh air to the team trying to regain its competitive edge.

Round 3, Pick No. 98: Brodric Martin, DL, Western Kentucky

There’s no bigger need on the entire Cleveland Browns roster than at defensive tackle and in this mock draft, they take Brodric Martin out of Western Kentucky to fill this hole. He’s an imposing 6-foot-5 and 330 pounds and has the ability to get after the running back as well as generate pressure in the passing game. He’s still a work in progress but Jim Schwartz could be the right coach to get him to reach his potential.

Martin played his last two seasons with Western Kentucky after spending two years with North Alabama. He recorded 31 tackles in each of the last two campaigns while also recording four sacks and a forced fumble.

This selection isn’t made with the intention of Martin starting in Week 1, but he has the talent to be a very good player in the long run. Cleveland may target a few defensive linemen as free agency opens in March so the idea of drafting a player at this position and inserting them into the starting unit is highly unlikely.

Cleveland has brought in players such as Jordan Elliott and Tommy Togiai in recent drafts and Elliott improved this past season but they still need more players to develop, which is why Martin is the choice here.

Round 4, Pick No.111: Brandon Joseph, S, Notre Dame

Brandon Joseph started his career at Northwestern before spending one year at Notre Dame and while he had a decent season, there has been some concern about his fit at the next level. He was thought to be a lock as a first or second-round pick early in his career but his less-than-spectacular season with the Irish has made him a more of the middle-of-the-road draft pick.

Joseph had a great junior campaign with the Wildcats as he recorded 79 tackles, had three interceptions, four pass deflections, and one fumble recovery.

With Notre Dame, his production slipped down to 30 tackles and one interception, though he did run that one back to the house in a game against Syracuse.

Joseph has also been a kick and punt returner in his collegiate years. This past season he ran back 18 punts for the Fighting Irish and that could be a position the Browns may look at as a need though the team has other options there already.

Round 4, Pick No. 126: Trey Palmer, WR, Nebraska

Last season, Cleveland drafted David Bell out of Purdue to help round their offense out. While there is still time for that to happen, they go back to the Big Ten and draft Trey Palmer, who just completed one of the best seasons ever in Cornhusker history. He finished with 1,043 yards on 71 receptions and nine touchdowns. His yards gained set a new Nebraska record which is somewhat surprising considering the success of the program over the years.

Palmer came to Nebraska this season after spending three years with the LSU Tigers. In his last campaign with the Tigers, he had 30 receptions for 344 yards, so he certainly had a far more active season with the Cornhuskers this year.

He’s not a big wide receiver standing at 5-foot-9 but he has the quickness and the ability to play in the slot or be used in the gadget plays that Anthony Schwartz has done over the past couple of seasons. If Cleveland were to part ways with Schwartz, then Palmer would be a nice replacement.

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.

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.

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.

6 Cleveland Browns benchwarmers who may emerge in 2023

There are at least six Cleveland Browns players who sat on the bench in 2022 and may start or play major roles in 2023. Here's why they are a threat.