Daniel Jeremiah eyes 2 defensive ends for the Browns in 2023 NFL Draft

While many draft pundits are paying attention to defensive tackles, Daniel Jeremiah has a couple of defensive ends in mind for the Cleveland Browns

With no clear-cut starters at defensive tackle, this spot has been the major focus for any draft pundit discussing the Cleveland Browns options in the 2023 NFL Draft. Without a pick in Round 1, they'll make their first selection at No. 42 overall and while there should be some interior linemen to choose from, Daniel Jeremiah of the NFL Network is looking at a different position.

Jeremiah believes this would be a good spot to grab a defensive end, which is also a major need. It might not seem to be as dire since Myles Garrett is on the roster — and is one of the best in the entire NFL. But the problem is, outside of Garrett, they're very thin with Alex Wright and Isaiah Thomas as their primary options.

This is why Jeremiah believes they could go after either Will McDonald IV from Iowa State or Felix Anudike-Uzomah of Kansas State. He had high praise for each player but what he said about McDonald's upside is very intriguing.

"You think about the players they've had there in (QB) Brock Purdy and RB (Breece Hall), and (Campbell) said Will McDonald has the most upside of anybody they've ever had come through there."

- Daniel Jeremiah

Brock Purdy, who was the final pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, ended up filling in for the San Francisco 49ers when Jimmy Garoppolo was lost for the season — and Garoppolo had replaced Trey Lance who was hurt in Week 1. Purdy wound up leading the Niners to the NFC Championship Game after going 5-0 in the regular season and had he not been injured in that game, they might have been in the Super Bowl.

As for Breece Hall, he was a second-round pick for the New York Jets and had 681 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns in his first seven games before he was injured. Hall was averaging 5.8 yards per rushing attempt and 11.5 for each reception. With as well as they each played, it's high praise to say McDonald could have more upside.

Jeremiah was also complimentary of Anudike-Uzomah who had 19.5 sacks and eight forced fumbles in his final two seasons. According to Jeremiah, those numbers might have been even better had Anudike-Uzomah played on the edge more, since K-State moved him inside often.

Either player would be well-worth the selection at No. 42 and they would fill a need. The only reason not to do this would be if they believed Alex Wright was ready to start right now, but that's not liklely the case. Instead, they could be looking to continue to build a deep stable on the edge.