2023 NFL Mock Draft: Browns bring in Keeanu Benton, Tyjae Spears

It's time again for another Cleveland Browns 2023 NFL Mock Draft. Armed with eight picks, Cleveland can still find talent to add to their roster, even without a selection until No. 74 overall in Round 3.

The good news is, they can also make sure to target the best player available in each round since they did such a good job setting their roster up with free agency as well as the trade for Elijah Moore.

Let's dive right in and see who could be available with this 2023 NFL Mock, courtesy of the Pro Football Network Mock Draft Simulator.

Browns Round 3, Pick 74: Keeanu Benton, DT, Wisconsin

With their first pick, Cleveland addresses one of the few unsettled spots on the roster. They might feel comfortable with their defensive tackles should they have to start the season with them but there's no denying that adding another big body with a lot of talent next to Dalvin Tomlinson would help the entire defense.

That's why they jump at the chance to add Keeanu Benton from Wisconsin. Benton came into the Scouting Combine at 6-foot-4 and 309 pounds. He has four years of experience as a starter for the Badgers and while he won't offer much in terms of a pass rush, he can help shut down the run game.

Benton also has a non-stop motor and has been known to bully linemen. He's nearly impossible to move off of his spot and would take on blockers to free up the explosive playmakers on defense to do what they do best.

Browns Round 3, Pick 98: Parker Washington, WR, Penn State

Cleveland has done a great job fixing their receiving corps but it's not time to stand pat. They feel good about Amari Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones, and Elijah Moore but just lost Michael Woods II to a torn Achilles.

That was a reminder of how quickly they can lose players on the depth chart, so adding another wideout in the draft would be added insurance. That leads to the selection of Parker Washington from Penn State, who is a perfect fit for the slot.

Washington came into the Combine at 5-foot-10 and 204 pounds and isn't built like a normal wideout, nor does he play like one after he catches the ball. Instead, he turns into a running back and has no problem breaking tackles and turning short gains into long ones.

Throw in the fact that he's Josh Dobbs cousin and this move makes too much sense. It also protects Cleveland down the line with DPJ and Marquise Goodwin both scheduled for free agency in 2024 and Elijah Moore following in 2025.

Browns Round 4, Pick 111: Jammie Robinson, S, Florida State

With Ronnie Harrison out, the Browns will need a new hybrid safety that can move all over the field. That's exactly what they get with this selection, bringing in Jammie Robinson from Florida State.

Robinson can play in the nickel as well as either safety position. He needs to work on his angles and technique but he has the tools to be a playmaker — especially in a defense where he's not pigeon-holed to one spot.

Browns Round 4, Pick 126: Zack Kuntz, TE, Old Dominion

This class is loaded at tight end and the Browns are likely going to try and find a replacement for Harrison Bryant who has fallen to No. 3 on the depth chart behind David Njoku and Jordan Akins. With an extra pick in Round 4, they feel comfortable grabbing a player who has tremendous potential but might not see the field a lot as a rookie since he didn't play against elite competition in the NCAA.

Zack Kuntz was one of the stars of the Combine, coming in second in the 40-yard dash with a time of 4.55. He also displayed an insane 40-inch vertical jump considering the fact that he's 6-foot-7 and 255 pounds. That landed him first for tight ends in the drill.

From there, he was first in the broad jump, first in the 3-cone drill, tied for first in the bench press, was second in the 20-yard shuttle, and tied for second in the 10-yard split.

Kuntz is simply an athletic freak and by 2024, he could be one of the more dynamic pass-catching tight ends in the league.

Browns Round 5, Pick 140: Tyjae Spears, RB, Tulane

Right now, the Browns could use some more running back depth behind Nick Chubb. They have Jerome Ford, who was excellent at Cincinnati but spent his rookie season returning kicks while getting just eight rushing attempts.

He could wind up being the No. 2 back but they would be wise to add some depth/competiton. Enter Tyjae Spears from Tulane.

He's not a typical back at 201 pounds and therefore might not carry the ball 20 times a game at any point in his NFL career but he's smart, finds the holes, and is a monster when it comes to running routes in the passing game.

This class is an excellent one for tight ends and running backs and Cleveland lands two studs back-to-back in this mock.

Browns Round 5, Pick 142: DJ Johnson, EDGE, Oregon

Back on the clock for their second pick in Round 5, the Browns add DJ Johnson from Oregon. They need more defensive end depth with just Alex Wright and Isaiah Thomas backing up Myles Garrett and Ogbo Okoronkwo.

However, with the way this board fell, they wait until late but do still land a player who recorded six sacks in his senior season and ran a 4.49 in the 40-yard dash. A former tight end, Johnson is still raw but has incredible athleticism that can be molded by defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.

Browns Round 6, Pick 190: Jalen Graham, LB, Purdue

Another position that needs depth is linebacker but this is more due to issues with durability. Cleveland has talent with Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Sione Takitaki, and Anthony Walker but they struggle with injuries.

That's why Jalen Graham makes sense in Round 6. He's more of a coverage linebacker and is on the smaller side at 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds. But much like Tony Fields, they can bring him along slowly and help him become a contributor whenever called upon.

Browns Round 7, Pick 229: Jovaughn Gwyn, IOL, South Carolina

With their final pick in this mock, Cleveland adds Jovaughn Gwyn from South Carolina. Gwyn played guard for the Gamecocks but at 297 pounds, he's likely going to need to prove he can play center to have a long career in the NFL.

For the Browns, he can serve as a reserve at both positions. He has the tools to succeed and Bill Callahan can get the most out of him.