3 Players Cleveland Browns should draft after free agency

The Cleveland Browns are well on their way in shaping this 2023 roster. After the first wave of free agency, which saw them adress the defensive line and saftey positions, the Browns are still in need of fixing some more holes.

And while free agency isn't over yet as there are still bargins to be had, the Browns must turn their attention to the NFL draft and be able to select a few impact players for the 2023 season. While it might be hard for them to find an instant starter, seeing that they don't select until pick No. 42, Cleveland can and has found some instant value in the later rounds.

Last season, third-round draft pick Martin Emerson Jr. played a key role in the secondary for the Browns. He outplayed former first-round pick Greg Newsome and should be in line to start next season with Denzel Ward. But where can Cleveland turn in this draft following some free-agent moves? Here are three players to keep an eye on.

Adetomiwa Adebawore, DE, Northwestern

While the Browns did sign two potential starting defensive linemen in free agency with Dalvin Tomilson and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, the need is still there to draft a player or two. The Browns have recently swung and missed a few times on defensive linemen in the draft, so the need for them to get good, young players along the line is imperative.

Adetomiwa Adebawore would be a steal if Cleveland could get their hands on him. He ran an excellent 40-yard dash at the combine and was a very productive player at Northwestern where he not only had 13 career sacks but was often praised for his run game defense. Last season he had 38 tackles and five sacks while also forcing two fumbles.

Adebawore can also play multiple positions for the defense as well as he is most suited to play end but has kicked inside to play tackle while at Northwestern and has also stood up as an edge linebacker. His versatility is definitely something news defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz can take advantage of.

Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee

The Browns are in desperate need of another weapon for Deshaun Watson. Clevland can't enter the season with only Amari Cooper as its only established NFL receiver. And while Donovan Peoples-Jones has shown promise, he has been far too inconsistent. There are free agents still out there but if Cleveland wanted to use the No. 42 pick on a receiver, Jalin Hyatt of Tennessee has to be the guy.

Hyatt has an opportunity to become a special player in the NFL. He has electric speed and very good hands. The one knock on him might be his weight as he came in under 180 lbs. at the combine. But he tested excellent in Indy in other areas, so the Browns may have to trade up a bit if they want to get their hands on him.

Hyatt would be exactly the type of receiver Watson needs to stretch the field and let Amari Cooper and David Njoku eat in the middle. But Hyatt is not just a one trick pony as he demonstrated the abilty to run excellent routes while in Knoxville. Hyatt had 67 receptions for 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2022. That kind of production warrants strong consideration from the Browns.

Andrew Vorhees, G, USC

Andrew Vorhees is someone Cleveland should look at in the middle of this draft. The Browns are paying a ton of money to its starting guards Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller.

That won't stay like that for long as Cleveland's front office will have to make difficult contract and salary cap decisions in the next few seasons. So drafttin a young interior lineman to sit and develop behind these two might be a wise course of action.

Vorhees as a mammoth human being standing at over 6"6' and weighing 320 pounds. He also played a ton of football for USC having over 3,000 snaps recorded to his name. And while he played tackle last season for the Trojans, he's more suited to play guard in the NFL. Here is what Lance Zierlein has to say on Vorhees:

"Vorhees is a technically sound run blocker with a repeatable process. His range laterally and to the second level will be a little limited, but he’s an even-paced drive blocker, using excellent positioning, leveraged hands and churning legs."

Lance Zierlein, NFL Network

A player like Vorhees is exactly what the Browns need to do later in the draft. Get solid players who can sit and learn behind established starters. While doing so, hopefully they can earn some playing time on special teams.