Round One
Let's take a look at Round 1 of the 2021 NFL Draft. It's possible that my top choice will be off the board when we pick, so alternate choices need to be named, in case of that eventuality.
1) LB Zaven Collins, Tulsa 6'5" 259 lbs 4.67/40 This guy is an athletic freak. Great size, speed and instincts. He is a playmaker, and would add elite talent to our Linebacker corps. Is he a finished product? No, none of these guys are. Zaven represents the highest ceiling among players likely to be on the board when the Browns pick at 26. He's a 3 down player, being excellent in coverage. He also can put pressure on the QB, takes good angles on running backs, and has enough speed to make up for mistakes. He's the kind of player that an OC has to scheme for, and can disrupt an offense like few others in this draft. I think that he will turn out to be a Top 10 player from this draft, looking back, and will be a perennial Pro Bowl selection, giving us elite talent at all 3 levels of our defense. He's been comped to Brian Urlacher, but I think he's more fluid. Definitely my choice in the first round for the Browns, and I expect him to be available at 26.
2) LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame 6'1 1/2" 221 lbs He's undersized, but fast, smart, and fierce. This guy is a heat seeking missile. His speed allows him to cover a lot of area, and he also excels at several phases of the game. He's a quality coverage guy, good against the run, and can get to the quarterback. If the Browns end up taking him, I'll still be thrilled. I do not think that he will be on the board at 26.
3) LB Jamin Davis, Kentucky 6'3 1/2" 234 lbs 4.47/40 Another very athletic guy, he's a bit more raw than the above 2, but like them, has a very high ceiling. Potential to be a big-time disruptor in the middle of the Browns defense. I think picking Jamin carries a little more risk than some of the others, but the upside makes it a risk worth taking. I won't be disappointed if he is our pick. I expect him to be available at 26.
4) DT Christian Barmore, Alabama 6'4 1/8" 310 lbs 4.93/40 This guy destroyed my Buckeyes in the NC title game, and was initially my choice at 26, after I decided that the defensive ends all carried flaws that were a bigger risk than I would want to take at 26. Barmore is a man. Way faster than anyone his size has a right to be, with good technique to be an excellent penetrator and pressure the QB from the middle of the line. Not consistent, and not always motivated, but he's someone I expect to be a force at the next level. I won't be disappointed if he is our pick. 50-50 that he'll be available at 26.
5) LB Azeez Ojulari, Georgia 6'2" 249 lbs 4.60/40 Can set the edge well, and is strong against the run. Has the speed to develop into an excellent pass rusher. I see him more as an OLB in a 3-4 though, and so not an ideal fit for the Browns. Can become a star in the right system. 50-50 that he'll be available at 26.
6) CB Greg Newsome, Northwestern 6'0" 192 lbs 4.37/40 Doesn't jump off the screen at you, but when the game's over, you notice that he didn't give up catches or yardage. I don't think that Greedy Williams can be counted on as the answer at CB opposite Ward, who himself has durability issues. Newsome would be a nice pick, but I don't think he'll be on the board at 26.
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7) S Trevon Moehrig, TCU 6'1" 202 lbs 4.50/40 Excellent safety prospect, reminds me a lot of Earl Thomas, and having had an Achilles injury, there's no guarantee that Grant Delpit will ever be as good as he might have been had that injury never happened. Still, I'm planning on safety depth down draft, and would prefer not to use my first pick on that position. I do think Moehrig will be available at 26.
8) DE Jaelan Phillips, Miami (FL) 6'5 1/2" 260 lbs 4.58/40 Solid pass rusher in college, and a good football player period. Is a risk due to concussion history, and may have a shorter career than the other guys in this list. Also, he plays a premium position as a Defensive End, but like the other edge rushers in this draft, he's slotted towards the back half of the first round. Elite talents at that position go Top 5. There's a reason that none of the Edge rushers in this draft are expected to go that high. All have flaws, and many have relatively high floors but relatively low ceilings. I don't expect any of the DEs from this draft to become dominant at their position, and that is why, despite it being the Browns number 1 need, I'm not using a first round pick on any of these guys. I do think Jaelan Phillips will be on the board at 26, and I predict that he will be the first round pick of the Cleveland Browns. I will be mildly disappointed.
9) LB Nick Bolton, Missouri 5'11 1/8" 237 lbs 4.59/40 A tackling machine, but not a big-time playmaker. We've had guys like that before. We need a disruptor. Will likely be on the board at 26.
My top 3 picks are Linebackers, but I didn't approach this draft targeting Linebacker as the top position I'd want to address. My first choice would have been to draft a Defensive End. The crop of DEs in this draft are probably serviceable, but not elite. I think we have a chance to get an elite, Pro Bowl level talent at 26, and you win with elite talent. Food for thought: What if Caleb Farley's back surgeries cause him to tumble all the way down to him still being on the board at 26? I would really have to consider it if he checks out well with our medical staff. He's the best CB in the draft at playing the ball in the air. Elite talent. He would be excellent value at a needed position, and for me, it would come down to Farley or Collins. I would probably still go Collins, but oh that would be an interesting situation to have to consider. (I don't think Farley will drop that far.)
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