NFL Mock Draft: Browns pull off shocking trade for offensive play-maker

In each of the past two seasons, the Cleveland Browns have swung trades that brought in veteran players to round out their roster. They added Deshaun Watson and Amari Cooper in 2022 and then in 2023, it was Elijah Moore and Za'Darius Smith. General manager Andrew Berry showed no hesitation when making these moves, which left them without a pick in Round 1 or Round 2 for the past two years.

Heading into the 2024 NFL Draft, they're still without a pick on day one thanks to the Watson trade but do still have their top pick in Round 2, which is No. 55 overall. In this mock, however, they get aggressive and send that pick along with their third-rounder to the New England Patriots for the 34th overall selection. New England, who is about to rebuild, can use the extra picks while the Browns can land a potential game-changer on offense.

Round 2, Pick 34: Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon

Trading down is never fun for fans but Cleveland has been able to land talented players despite dropping down. Now ready to take their next step, they decide it's worth skipping out on a Round 3 pick this year to ensure they get a player capable of developing into the WR1 of the future.

Troy Franklin was a star for the Oregon Ducks, going off in 2023 with 1,383 yards and 14 touchdowns. He has excellent height at 6-foot-3 and averaged more than 17 yards per reception during his final season in Eugene. During that campaign, he made huge strides as a route-runner but it still known for taking the top off a defense. He's also incredibly dangerous after the catch.

Cleveland saw how explosive Deshaun Watson can be when taking deep shots and adding another player capable of scoring from anywhere on the field could be the missing piece for this offense. It will be tough to sit around without a pick for the next couple of rounds but at least they landed a first-round talent with this bold move.

Round 5, Pick 138: Cody Schrader, HB, Missouri

A former Division II standout, Cody Schrader transferred to Missouri for his final two seasons in the NCAA and made the most of his chance with the program. After a strong campaign in 2022, he exploded in 2023 with 1,627 yards and 14 touchdowns. He added 22 receptions for 191 yards while proving to be a true three-down back.

Schrader, who doesn't have elite speed, is solid in pass protection and plays with a bit of a mean streak. He won't avoid contact and could take over some of the short-yardage duties Kareem Hunt held in 2023. In Cleveland, he would be able to help them keep the running game on task if Nick Chubb isn't ready by Week 1 and would be a great complement to the star running back once he is healthy.

Round 5, Pick 159: Michael Barrett, LB, Michigan

With their second pick in the fifth round, the Browns add their first defensive player with Michael Barrett from Michigan getting the call. A sixth-year senior, Barrett's age will work against him but he's an experienced linebacker who is strong against the run and can hold his own in coverage.

Cleveland has both Anthony Walker and Sione Takitaki set for free agency and while they'll likely try and retain one of them, they might not be willing to pay both veterans. Adding Barrett gives them the depth they need alongside Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, who had a phenomenal season in 2023.

Round 6, Pick 208: Myles Murphy, DT, North Carolina

The Browns had a few interior defensive tackles step up their game this season following the addition of Dalvin Tomlinson. The massive nose tackle helped draw blockers which allowed Jordan Elliott to take a step forward in his production. They also had Maurice Hurst and Shelby Harris sign in the offseason and they were solid additions.

Heading into the offseason, Elliott, Hurst, and Harris are all free agents. Cleveland will hopefully retain at least one of them but they'll need to replenish their depth. That's why they take Myles Murphy from North Carolina here.

Murphy stands 6-foot-4 and 310 pounds and is known for his ability to stop the run. He needs refinement as a pass rusher but can give quality snaps in a rotation.

Round 7, Pick 231: Kitan Oladapo, S, Oregon State

With their final pick in this mock, Cleveland adds Oregon State safety Kitan Oladapo. He has the ideal size for the position at 6-foot-1 and 218 pounds and has a lot of experiense. He played all over the secondary making him rather versatile and also showed steady progress throughout his career. This past season, he was an excellent run defender but will still need to make his way to the roster via special teams.

More Browns coverage