We're roughly one month from the start of the 2024 NFL Draft. From April 25 through April 27th, the entire league will be in Detroit as the new class of rookies find out where their professional careers will begin. For the Cleveland Browns, they'll once again be absent on Thursday night — barring a trade — with their first selection coming in Round 2.
For the past two seasons, the Browns haven't made a pick until Round 3. The Deshaun Watson trade sent their first round selections from 2022 through 2024 to the Houston Texans and they traded their second pick in each of the last two drafts as well. Hopefully, we will finally see them make a pick in Round 2 this season and then in 2025, they'll again take part in Day 1.
Here, we dive into our latest mock draft, and there will be no trading down. Instead, Cleveland stays put and lands a potential starter at No. 54.
Round 2, Pick 54: Kiran Amegadjie, OT, Yale
Jedrick Wills hasn't done enough to keep the left tackle job beyond this season. He's not going anywhere due to his contract and right now, he's the best option they have. Looking beyond 2024, however, it's hard to see Wills being the starter unless he has a breakout campaign.
Fortunately for the Browns, this is the year to land a replacement. This class is loaded with offensive line talent and at No. 54, they land Kiran Amegadjie from Yale. A 6-foot-5, 318-pound prospect, Amegadjie has surrendered just one sack over the past three seasons and nine hurries over the past two.
As good as he's been in pass protection, he's been even better against the run. The only concern with Amegadjie is the level of talent he faced, which is why it's ideal for him to be a backup in 2024. He can play if needed, making him an ideal No. 2 behind Wills, but the focus should be on him taking over full-time in 2025.
Round 3, Pick 85: Jeremiah Trotter, Jr., LB, Clemson
Cleveland did an excellent job filling out their depth chart in free agency including the work they did at linebacker. Jordan Hicks and Devin Bush will join Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. Hicks is an excellent starter whereas Bush is a former first-round pick who has yet to live up to his draft status. Even with the concerns surrounding Bush, Cleveland has three players who can start.
What they don't have is much depth — or a younger option to pair with JOK for the long haul. That's where Jeremiah Trotter, Jr. comes in.
The Clemson product is the son of a former Eagles Pro Bowl linebacker and is praised for his high football IQ. As much credit as he gets there, he does get questioned about his size and athleticism. At 6-foot-0 and 228 pounds, Trotter doesn't boast ideal size. His speed is also a concern but he should have enough to play alongside JOK. He's also a solid value selection at this point.
Cleveland doesn't need Trotter to be an All-Pro linebacker. They have someone who is capable of reaching that status already. What they need is someone who understands his assignments, can hold up in coverage as well as run defense, and doesn't miss tackles. Trotter could provide all of that.
Round 5, Pick 156: Dallin Holker, TE, Colorado State
After sitting out Round 4, the Browns are back on the clock at No. 156 overall. They use that pick on Colorado State tight end, Dallin Holker. Cleveland has been deep at the position for the past few years thanks to the presence of Harrison Bryant, who left in free agency. With Bryant joining the Las Vegas Raiders, the Browns now have Jordan Akins and recently signed Giovanni Ricci behind David Njoku.
Adding Holker gives them another player who can deliver as a receiver. Listed at 6-foot-5 and 241 pounds, he's similar in stature to Bryant. Holker isn't likely to develop into a starter but he's a sure-handed receiver who is better at blocking than he gets credit for.
Round 6, Pick 206: Kitan Oladapo, S, Oregon State
In the sixth round, the Browns add Kitan Oladapo from Oregon State. The redshirt senior has excellent size for the position at 6-foot-1 and 217 pounds. He was also capable in both run defense as well as coverage.
Cleveland feels good about their depth chart with Juan Thornhill, Grant Delpit, and Rodney McLeod all returning. They also saw D'Anthony Bell and Ronnie Hickman rise to the challenge when they took the field. Oladapo adds one more developmental piece capable of turning into a contributor.
Round 7, Pick 243: Evan Anderson, DT, FAU
With their final pick in this mock, Cleveland adds Evan Anderson from Florida Atlantic. Sikai Ika was one of two players selected in the third round last season but struggled to see the field. Anderson offers another massive nose tackle, who can push him to improve.
Anderson is listed at 6-foot-3 and 356 pounds but wasn't at the NFL Combine. He was an excellent run defender in college, however, he needs to prove he can play against elite competition. Still, he has the size and strength making it worth a pick near the end of the draft.