Cleveland Browns post first wave of free agency mock draft

It's been a wild first week of free agency in the NFL. While tons of players have gotten their proverbial bag, the Cleveland Browns have taken a different approach to free agency. Browns general manager Andrew Berry used the first wave of free agency to re-sign the players he felt to be a priority and shore up a few question marks on the roster.

Before free agency even kicked off, Berry traded for Jerry Jeudy to add a dynamic talent to the wide receiver corps. Then Berry attacked the defensive line by re-signing Za’Darius Smith, Shelby Harris, and Maurice Hurst. Next was the addition of Jameis Winston to be the backup quarterback.

Several more deals have trickled in, like the additions of Nyheim Hines, Jordan Hicks, Devin Bush, and Quentin Jefferson to finish out the Browns first wave of free agency. What these additions to the roster have done is created a situation where the Browns will not be forced to draft for need and can instead Berry can simply select the best player available. With that in mind, lets take a look at how the NFL draft could play out for the Browns.

Cleveland Browns post first wave of free agency mock draft

Pick No. 54: Edgerrin Cooper, LB (Texas A&M)

No player in this mock draft will exemplify the best player available more than Edgerrin Cooper. If the Browns had more glaring holes on their roster, they wouldn't be in a position to draft a linebacker with their first selection. But in Cooper, the Browns wouldn't just be getting a standard linebacker.

At 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds, Edgerrin Cooper is a weaponizable playmaker who just happens to play linebacker. Cooper models his game after Fred Warner and that shows up on film early and often for the Texas A&M product. As a senior, Cooper racked up 84 tackles, including 17 tackles for loss as well as eight sacks.

With the new additions of Hicks and Bush to play alongside Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Cooper would not be forced into duty out of necessity. Instead, Jim Schwartz would be able to bring Cooper along slowly and allow him to acclimate to the league at a reasonable pace. But as the great philosopher Randy ‘Macho Man’ Savage said the cream always rises to the top, oh yeah!

Pick No. 85: Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE (Texas)

The Browns go back down to the Lonestar state to double-dip for their third-round selection, Ja’Tavion Sanders. In a class headlined by Brock Bowers, every other tight end has taken a back seat during this draft cycle. But make no mistake, Sanders would be an absolute steal at pick No. 85.

At 6-foot-4 and 245 pounds, Sanders would give the Browns another large frame tight end to pair with David Njoku in 12 personnel. Sanders would give the Browns an immediate vertical threat as well as another tight end who excels at manufacturing tough yards after the catch. Sanders’ ability to thrive in traffic would provide the Browns with yet another red zone weapon as well.

Like most highly skilled receiving tight ends that come out of college, Sanders will need to work extensively on his blocking ability early in his career. However, with Njoku and the newly acquired Giovanni Ricci, the Browns would already have two tight ends who are sufficient run blockers. Bottom line, the Browns needs another tight end behind Njoku that can threaten defenses in the pass game, and Sanders would check that box emphatically.

Pick No. 156: Renardo Green, CB (Florida State)

This is what the Andrew Berry and the Browns do. They identify cornerbacks that fit their scheme and identity and they pounce on them. This year’s corner of choice is Florida State’s Renardo Green.

Green somehow managed to stay out of this cornerback class draft conversation until the combine, but then his on-field drill work displayed his pedigree. However, it's when you put on the tape that Green truly shows up.

While playing some of the best receivers in the nation, in Malik Nabers, Brian Thomas Jr., Ricky Pearsall, and Jamari Thrash, Green more than handled his own. Green would give the Browns yet another feisty corner that excels in press-man coverage…yes, please.

Pick 206: Garret Greenfield, OT (South Dakota State)

Could I interest you in an ultra-explosive offensive tackle with an ideal frame for the position? That is exactly what you get in South Dakota State’s Garret Greenfield. At 6-foot-6 and 311 pounds, Greenfield is an ideal candidate to be a late-round flyer for the Browns.

His explosivity was on full display at the NFL Combine two weeks ago. Greenfield broke the combine record for offensive lineman when he recorded a 38.5-inch vertical leap. He followed that up with a 9-foot-5-inch broad jump and a 5.22 forty-yard dash.

Greenfield’s calling card is his movement skills in pass protection. He will need time to develop as a run blocker at the next level but given the Browns offensive tackle situation as it currently stands, Greenfield could be afforded that time. But in today’s NFL if you can find an offensive tackle in the sixth round that can effectively keep quarterbacks clean, that is worth the price every time.

Pick No. 230: Isaac Guerendo, RB (Louisville)

This is a player that the Browns should definitely be in on. Isaac Guerendo is an explosive running back with minimal tread taken off of his tires. Guerendo started his college career at Wisconsin, where his playing time was scarce backing up the likes of Jonathan Taylor and Braelon Allen. Then he transferred to Louisville where he split time with Jawhar Jordan in his super senior season.

In his final campaign, his lone season at Louisville, Guerendo carried the ball 132 for 810 yards and 11 touchdowns. Guerendo had 22 runs for 15 yards or more, displaying his ability to be a home run hitter. Then at the combine, Guerendo put on a show running a 4.36-second forty-yard dash and a 41.5-inch vertical leap.

The Browns definitely have a type at running back, and Guerendo checks all of the boxes. At 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds, and possessing insane speed and explosivity, Guerendo would be a homerun pick in the seventh round. If everything breaks right for the Browns, the well-traveled running back could find himself a home on the shores of Lake Erie.

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