Cleveland Browns post Super Bowl mock draft adds explosive EDGE

It is officially the offseason for all 32 NFL franchises, including the Cleveland Browns. Up next is draft season. How will Andrew Berry approach the upcoming 2024 NFL draft?

Heading into the 2024 draft cycle with a solid roster, the Browns need to bolster a few position rooms while at the same time finding some cost-effective depth at marquee positions. For this particular mock draft exercise, we used Pro Football Network’s mock draft simulator and ignored trade possibilities. Let the mock begin.

Cleveland Browns post Super Bowl mock draft

Selection No. 54: Bralen Trice (Edge, University of Washington)

The Browns certainly have a type when it comes to their defensive ends. Listed at 6-foot-5 and 274 pounds, Washington’s Bralen Tice would be a perfect fit in Cleveland’s edge rusher room. While edge is not a pressing need for the Browns, a prospect of Trice’s caliber is just too promising to pass up on.

The addition of Trice to already promising young edge room, could lessen the need for the Browns to continue renting expensive defensive ends to pair up with Myles Garrett. With the emergence of Alex Wright and the rotational pass rushing ability of Ogbo Okoronkwo, adding Trice to this positional group solidifies the room as Cleveland’s biggest strength. Also, giving Jim Schwartz another chess piece to make opposing quarterbacks uneasy should never be viewed as a bad thing.

Selection No. 85: Johnny Wilson (WR, Florida State)

One positional room that needs an influx of talent and different body types is the wide receiver room. With the 85th pick, the Browns address both needs by selecting Johnny Wilson. The Florida State prospect measured in at just over 6-foot-6 and 237 pounds at the Senior Bowl earlier this month. For a team stockpiling weapons in the passing game for Deshaun Watson, selecting Wilson could go a long way.

Because of his size, projections for Wilson all are over the map, with many believing he will wind up as a tight end. However, his tape at Florida State, along with his performance at the Senior Bowl, tell a different tale. Wilson could thrive in the NFL as a power slot, but also possesses the required skill set to play the X role as well. Bottom line, selecting Wilson gives the Browns a unique weapon that can create mismatches and alter the way defenses are forced to approach Cleveland receiving corps.

Selection No. 135: DeWayne Carter (DT, Duke)

This selection is a combination of need intersecting with identity. Duke’s DeWayne Carter is a high-motor defensive tackle that would quickly become one of Jim Schwartz’ favorite rookies. Ideally Carter would be brought in to be a three-tech depth piece as a rookie that possesses starting caliber upside.

Carter has the potential to be a three-down starter down the road but could contribute immediately as a run defender. The three-time team Captain at Duke measured in at 6-foot-2 and 308 pounds at the Senior Bowl. While Carter does not possess overwhelming size for the position, his lower body explosivity allows him to hold his ground at the point of attack. However, it is Carter’s motor that will immediately endear him to Browns’ fans.

Selection No. 155: Javon Foster (OT, Missouri)

One thing the Browns must address this offseason is a contingency plan at left tackle. While it may be a dual-pronged approach through free agency and the draft, the selection of Javon Foster will give the Browns a developmental candidate at the position. With the offensive line coaching staff transitioning from Bill Callahan to Andy Dickerson, providing the incoming coach with a high tool prospect to develop should be a priority.

Foster has every trait that evaluators look for in starting caliber left tackles. Foster has an ideal frame for the position at 6-foot-5 and 309 pounds with 35-inch arms. From a technical standpoint, Foster will need time to develop but given the number of tools he possesses, with proper guidance the Browns could have their starting left tackle in waiting.

Selection No. 205: Theo Johnson (TE, Penn State)

The Browns are facing uncertainty in their tight end room. Of course, David Njoku is the centerpiece of the room, but he could possibly be the only tight end returning for the Browns in 2024. Enter Penn State’s Theo Johnson.

Johnson would immediately give the Browns an upgrade as an end-line blocker for the backup tight end position. At 6-foot-5 and 257 pounds, Johnson is a physical presence on the line of scrimmage, but the tight end product also possesses solid route running and surprising run after the catch ability. If Johnson slides to the sixth round, it would be organizational malpractice for the Browns to pass him up.

Selection No. 208: Kitan Oladapo (S, Oregon State)

This is a luxury pick for the Browns. While the safety position is not the glaring need that it was last offseason, selecting Kitan Oladapo with their second sixth-round pick would be a slam dunk. Oladapo size, 6-foot-1 and 217 pounds, and skill set would provide the Browns a perfect backup option behind Grant Delpit.

Much like Delpit, Oladapo can seamlessly occupy a spot as an extra box defender or walk up and put the clamps on slot receivers and tight ends. The ability to have a depth defender that can spell Delpit in spot situations and still give similar positional flexibility is invaluable. Oladapo would also give the Browns another gunner candidate for Bubba Ventrone’s kick coverage units.

Selection No. 241: Renardo Green (CB, Florida State)

I know what you are saying right now, ‘cornerback is not a need for Cleveland’, and you would be correct. Cornerback is not a need, and it appears that it will never be a need during Andrew Berry’s tenure, because he takes one every year. This year’s cornerback selection for the Browns: Florida State’s Renardo Green.

Green’s calling card is his ability to play press sticky press-man coverage. The Florida State corner played press man on 75% of his snaps against some of the very best receivers that college football had to offer over the last two seasons and did not blink. Green possesses elite-level short-area quickness to go along with true 4.3 40-yard dash speed, making him an ideal candidate to play mirror technique and slot in as Denzel Ward’s backup.

Full disclaimer: I do not expect Green to be available this deep in the draft, but since he is available, we are not passing on him, and neither would Andrew Berry.

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