Browns mock draft: Son of Hall of Fame wide receiver lands in Cleveland

Andrew Berry and Kevin Stefanski joined the Cleveland Browns in 2020 and have done a remarkable job changing the culture. They not only put together an impressive collection of star players but they also built one of the deepest rosters in the NFL.

Berry, as the general manager, has been able to find depth both in free agency and the NFL Draft. Just this year, they had to rely heavily on players such as Jerome Ford — who was added in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft — and Dawand Jones — who was taken in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Building through the draft is the best way to put together a championship roster and it's why the Browns are a team to watch for years to come. With that being said, we look ahead to the 2024 offseason with our latest Browns mock draft.

Round 2: Brenden Rice, WR, USC

As good as the roster is in Cleveland, there's still one position that needs some help — wide receiver. Amari Cooper has continued to prove he's a legit No. 1 wideout and even became the first player in franchise history to record consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns. Elijah Moore did well overall as the WR2 and was improving once Joe Flacco took over.

However, when both were unavailable in Week 17 (Cooper sat out and Moore was hurt during the game) it became painfully obvious they needed more playmakers. Cedric Tillman was their top pick in 2023 and could still develop into a major weapon but they can't wait around. Instead, they go out and add someone who can beat man coverage in Brenden Rice from USC.

Rice, who is the son of Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, has progressed over the past two seasons he's been with the Trojans — he began his career at Colorado — and can still grow as a player. He finished 2023 with 791 yards on 45 receptions, proving to be a real deep threat with 17.6 yards per catch. He also scored 12 touchdowns, using his 6-foot-3 and 210-pound frame to his advantage.

Adding Rice to the roster not only gives them someone who can stretch the field now but he's also a player they can groom to take over when Cooper ends up having to leave. Hopefully, that won't be for several more years, but planning for the future is never a bad idea.

Round 3: Marist Liufau, LB, Notre Dame

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah had a breakout campaign for Cleveland but the linebackers around him couldn't stay healthy. That includes Anthony Walker, who is a veteran leader but will likely be gone due to the lack of durability. Instead of paying him in free agency, the Browns could look to the draft which is where they find Marist Liufau out of Notre Dame.

The last time they took a linebacker from the Irish was in 2021 when they landed JOK and while Liufau isn't expected to be the same caliber player Owusu-Koramoah is, he's still a well-rounded linebacker who is decent in run defense but strong in coverage.

Listed at 6-2 and 239 pounds, Liufau lined up all over the field for Notre Dame including on the defensive line and in the slot. He was also good at attacking the quarterback as he recorded three sacks this year. His arrival should help the Browns find some consistency in this position.

Round 5, Pick 1: Jase McClellan, RB, Alabama

At 5-11 and 212 pounds, Jase McClellan looks the part of a bell cow back. He's also coming into the NFL without a ton of wear since he never had more than 181 carries during his collegiate career. Despite splitting time, he proved he could run in a zone scheme as well as through the gap and had 3.21 yards after contact per attempt according to PFF.

Cleveland is expecting Nick Chubb back at some point in the 2024 season but there's a real chance that won't happen early in the year. They can continue to lean on Jerome Ford but he's had some games where he was unable to get rolling. Being able to alternate McClellan could be exactly what the offense needs.

Round 5, Pick 2: Nelson Ceaser, EDGE, Houston

Cleveland has to feel good about their depth at EDGE even if Za'Darius Smith were to leave in free agency. Ogbo Okoronkwo finished the year with 4.5 sacks and Alex Wright had 5.0 — with a sack in each of the final four games of the year. They even saw Isaiah McGuire start to turn it on late in the year.

Still, they're good about making sure there's always someone being groomed deep on the depth chart which is why they grab Nelson Ceaser from Houston in the fifth round. Ceaser stands 6-3 and 250 pounds and was solid against both the run and the pass. He had a pass-rush win rate of 13.2 last year, finishing with 9.5 sacks for the Cougars. Throughout the past three seasons, he was credited with 74 quarterback hurries.

Round 6, Pick 1: Trey Knox, TE, South Carolina

Harrison Bryant is a free agent and Jordan Akins could be a candidate to be released (especially if they re-sign Bryant). One way or another, it feels as though the Browns will be looking for someone to work behind David Njoku, who had a monstrous campaign. They add a developmental prospect with their first pick in Round 6, grabbing Trey Knox from South Carolina.

Knox spent time with Arkansas before heading to Columbia where he had 312 yards and two touchdowns in 2023. He needs work as a run blocker but he has excellent length at 6-5 and 237 pounds and is a solid route runner.

Round 6, Pick 2: Tim Smith, DT, Alabama

With their second pick in Round 6, the Browns add some beef to the middle of their defensive line with the selection of Tim Smith out of Alabama. Smith is a solid 6-4 and 320 pounds and gives Cleveland another powerful player who could develop into a threat on rushing downs.

They have three free agents at defensive tackle in Maurice Hurst, Shelby Harris, and Jordan Elliott. As long as they bring one of them back, they'll have their starters set with Dalvin Tomlinson still under contract. They could look for another veteran 3-tech as well who is willing to play on an affordable deal — as they did with Taven Bryan in 2022 and Harris this year.

Their main issue will still be finding a good backup nose tackle. Siaki Ika was taken in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft but has yet to prove he can give them meaningful snaps. Cleveland doesn't need to give up on him but Smith is a decent option to try and push him.

Round 7: Garrett Greenfield, OT, South Dakota State

For a while, it seemed as though the Browns would have to go with an offensive lineman early in this draft. But the truth is they're likely not doing that. They have their right tackle of the future in Dawand Jones and they're still going to start Jed Wills in 2024 since his contract is guaranteed. That does allow them to add more playmakers early but they should still look for some depth behind Wills.

That's why they use their final pick on Garrett Greenfield from South Dakota State. A 6-7, 320-pound tackle who played on the left and right side, Greenfield has a mean streak that Bill Callahan will love. He might not be ready for a major role as a rookie but he has the tools to develop down the road.

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