2024 NFL mock draft: Stud playmaker falls to Browns in Round 2

With the Cleveland Browns clinching a playoff spot on Thursday night, they now find themselves enjoying a stress-free New Year's weekend. They'll be able to watch the rest of the AFC fight it out for positioning and while they could still move up the ranks, they know the toughest task is behind them.

They also get 10 days to prepare for their Week 18 finale against the Cincinnati Bengals, which is very important since they suffered even more injuries in the win over the New York Jets. That time should allow Amari Cooper to get his heel right and even if Elijah Moore doesn't clear concussion protocol, he still gets extra time to recover before the playoffs.

With all that being the case, this felt like a good time to look ahead and see how things could shake out for them in the 2024 NFL Mock Draft. In this simulation, courtesy of Pro Football Network, the Browns find themselves landing a stud with their top pick in Round 2.

Round 2: Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina

This will be the third, and thankfully, final draft where Cleveland sits out Round 1 due to the Deshaun Watson trade. They've done well with their selections despite not having a pick on Day 1, and they've even dropped out of the second round in both 2022 and 2023. That's not the case in this mock since a potential game-changer slides to them.

Xavier Legette from South Carolina doesn't get the national attention he deserves, thanks in large part to where he plays. That could change when he gets to Indianapolis and proves to be an athletic freak but for now, Cleveland benefits from him going under the radar.

A redshirt senior, Legette also didn't break out until 2023. He never had more than 167 yards receiving until this year, which saw him gain 1,255 yards on 71 receptions with seven touchdowns. The Browns need someone other than Cooper and Moore in their receiving corps and Legette is a player who could develop into a star — and he can also return kicks, which is another major need.

Round 3: Kiran Amegadjie, OT, Yale

Heading into 2024, the Browns are set with their starting left tackle. Jedrick Wills is going to be lined up next to Joel Bitonio, to the dismay of many fans. Despite his struggles, Wills has a guaranteed contract so releasing him makes no sense. The good news is that he was starting to play better before suffering a season-ending knee injury.

Having said that, Wills isn't guaranteed to be on the team beyond 2024. He's also struggled to stay healthy throughout his career. That's why it would make sense to bring in someone to groom behind him — while also serving as an upgrade over the current backup, James Hudson. That brings us to Kiran Amegadjie from Yale in Round 3.

Amegadjie is a massive player at 6-foot-5 and 326 pounds. He's displayed excellent athleticism and power throughout his career. Originally a right guard, Amegadjie moved to left tackle to finish his career and continued to shine. Despite playing outside of the FBS, he has long-term starter written all over him.

Round 5, Pick 1: Junior Colson, LB, Michigan

Linebacker health has been an issue for a couple of years as well for the Browns and they have several free agents at the position as well. They'll still have their top player in Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and will likely try and retain either Anthony Walker or Sione Takitaki.

What they'll need is more depth which is where Junior Colson comes in. The Michigan linebacker has 240 tackles in three seasons and is solid in pass coverage. His path to the roster will be special teams early on but he fits the mold of a Jim Schwartz defender.

Round 5, Pick 2: Theo Johnson, TE, Penn State

Harrison Bryant is another free agent this offseason and re-signing him could be an option. They could also decide to let him walk depending on what he's expected to make outside of his rookie deal. There's also a chance they decide to keep him and part with Jordan Akins who hasn't lived up to expectations in his first season with the Browns.

Whatever they decide to do, there's a high probability that a new tight end will be on the roster next year and that's why Theo Johnson from Penn State is the selection here. Listed at 6-foot-6 and 250 pounds, Johnson shared the field with Tyler Warren, who decided to return to school.

Johnson recorded 922 yards and 11 touchdowns on 75 receptions in his career. He wasn't utilized as much as he should have been during his career but always delivered when given the chance.

Round 6, Pick 1: Ricky Barber, DT, UCF

Jordan Elliott, Shelby Harris, and Maurice Hurst have all been vital to the defensive success this season and all three will be free agents. They will surely try and bring at least one of them back — if not more. But they need to bring in more talent to continue to develop.

They land a solid prospect with their first of two picks in Round 6, bringing in Ricky Barber from UCF. A Western Kentucky transfer, Barber is able to win with his low pad level and racked up 154 tackles with 23.5 for a loss in his career.

Round 6, Pick 2: Isaiah Davis, RB, South Dakota State

With Nick Chubb out for the season, the Browns have continued to put up decent yardage but there are games when they get shut down. Jerome Ford has been feast or famine and Kareem Hunt has lost more than just a step. They might not need to make a huge move but getting more talent is a must. Here, they add Isaiah Davis from South Dakota State.

In Cleveland, Davis would compete with his former teammate, Pierre Strong, who has 226 yards and a touchdown as the No. 3 back. Davis is well-built at 6-1 and 220-pounds and went for more than 1,450 yards in each of his past two seasons. Chubb might not be ready to start in Week 1, which is why having another back capable of carrying the load early on will be so important.

Round 7: Javon Solomon, EDGE, Troy

With their final pick in this mock draft, the Browns add more firepower to their front seven with Javon Solomon from Troy. Another small-school prospect, Solomon is undersized at 6-foot-2 and 246 pounds but he's explosive. He had 11 sacks in 2021 and 16 this year while finishing with 33 for his career.

He lines up as a pass-rushing linebacker which is similar to the role both Ogbo Okoronkwo and Za'Darius Smith played throughout their careers. Once they joined the Browns, Jim Schwartz was able to find roles for them, and they've excelled. Solomon gives him one more versatile weapon who could develop into a pass rushing specialist.

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