The Cleveland Browns, the hype champions of the 2019/20 season had a pretty disappointing one in the end, they went 6-10 and finished 3rd in the AFC North. Going into the draft the Browns needed to add an OL, going into the season the Browns had the No2 ranked O-Line per PFF. However, the decision to trade Zeitler to the Giants and with no other plan to replace Zeitler at RG and other problems along the line saw them end the 2019/20 ranked as PFF’s No22 O-Line. Wyatt Teller and Eric Kush, had a very low passing grade and match that with the fact that the whole O-Line had a bottom 10 run blocking grade, which was also top 10 the year before. It has moved them down the list significantly and highlighted the need to improve at the position. They upgraded and signed T Jack Conklin in FA but there was still a need on the OL, they also signed TE Austin Hooper to partner up with David Njoki in HC Stefanski’s 2 TE sets. You look on the defence and you look at the run defence, i felt they lacked beef up the middle and could do with adding some help here. Then you look at S, losing Randall to FA means they have to address that, as well as losing LB Joe Schobert.
With the #10th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft the Browns selected Jedrick Wills – OT – Alabama. This pick is exactly what the Browns needed, he can partner up with Jack Conklin and play LT while Conklin plays RT, a stellar start to upgrading an OL that definitely needed it. He has started everygame for the last 2 seasons and his growth as a Tackle has just got better and the stats back up that theory, he only allowed 1 sack in 13 games last year. I’m sure Baker Mayfield was happy with this pick.
With the #44th pick the Browns selected Grant Delpit – S – LSU. Delpit fills a big need at S for the Browns after losing Randall to FA. Delpit earned First-Team ALL SEC recognition in consecutive seasons, Delpit is incredibly versatile and joins the likes of Denzel Ward and Myles Garrett on the Browns defence. His tackling was a concern in the 2018 season but after watching his tape of the 2019 season it’s clear he became a more consistent tackler. There were several mock drafts that thought he might slip into the first round. He can play anywhere in the back seven and does not just play S, he has quick feet and he is very athletic for his size and build!
With the #88th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft the Browns selected Jordan Elliot – DL – Missouri – Elliot was best known for stopping the run at Missouri, he was known to anchor at the point of attack and to fight straight through his gap. This is his best asset as he is labelled a ‘slow burner’ when going after the QB. This is an excellent selection by the Browns as they had lots of problems stopping the run last year, this should help there cause!
With the #97th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft the Browns selected Jacob Phillips – LB – LSU – When preparing this article i watched film on all the players selected and Phillips was the one who was least effective, his speed is quick and he has great competitive toughness, however after watching film and reading some reviews on him it seems he struggles in coverage (man or zone) and will need a lot of work before becoming a starter in the NFL. Obviously you can’t judge a book by it’s cover, but its a good bit of depth after losing star LB Joe Schobert through FA.
With the #115th pick the Browns selected Harrison Bryant – TE – Florida Atlantic – Bryant’s hands were some of the best among TE’s in draft, he’s at his best when he’s making catches up the seam. His route running gets him free, the question is can he do it at the highest level, the talent is definitely there. The more intriguing thing is this now gets the browns 3 good TE’s, they have Njoki and Hooper and now have Bryant, we know how much Stefanski loves his TE’s so it’s no surprise they have 3 good TE’s on the roster, what’s surprising is that Bryant is not the best In-line blocker so he maybe used for primarily pass catching situations.
With the #160th pick in the NFL Draft the Browns select Nick Harris – C – Washington – Harris was a 3 year starter at Washington and is a good all round blocker. When it comes to the run he widens gaps and opens lanes, which is great news for Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, he can move into space and has good feet to slide up on the line to help others block. Good bit of depth for the Browns in a massive position of need.
With the #187th pick in the NFL Draft the Browns select Donovan Peoples-Jones – WR – Michigan – this is an exceptional pick in round 2, the Browns have got a steal this late in the draft. Many experts expected him to go late 4th but for him to slide into the 6th was good news for the Browns. Peoples-Jones is tall, has great hands and is exceptionally athletic, when you watch his tape in college the way he makes adjustments to the ball when it’s in the air is brilliant. He just lacks the quickness and separation skills. But with time to develop around some of the best in the game, he has got time to learn!
That concludes all of the Browns selections in the 2020 NFL Draft, they addressed key needs on the OL and added some good talent at WR and on the DL as well as drafting a great Safety in Delpit. Looking ahead to the 2020 season the Browns once again look a great team on paper, and with a new HC it will be interesting to see how they get on which leads me to my first bet I am putting up in these Articles. If i see a bet I like I will put it in this column at the bottom. – Baker Mayfield to have over 23.5 passing TD’s at 888/Unibet/PP @ 10/11 – he had 27 in his Rookie year when his O-Line was good, the slip in O-Line ability was a contributing factor in why Mayfield struggled so much last year. He was sacked 40 times T-7th league most and yet he still threw 22 TD’s. I believe he can get over this target now that his O-Line LOOKS good again. If you back with 888/unibet and the season gets withdrawn or we lose games (for example if we go to a 16 game season to a 14 game season due to COVID-19) the bet will be void. If you want to take a go at his passing yards line, that is currently at 3787.5 at 888/Unibet with the same rules re the season.
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Article By Jack Wilson – @BeefyLayd17
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