PITTSBURGH, PA – JANUARY 03: Baker Mayfield #6 talks with head coach Kevin Stefanski of the Cleveland Browns during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on January 3, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
Things didn’t go according to plan for Baker Mayfield and the Browns last season. Here’s how they’ll try to fix the roster via the 2022 NFL Draft.
The Browns entered last season with a firm belief that they were the Ohio-based franchise ready to make an improbable Super Bowl run. Instead, Baker Mayfield faltered and now Cleveland heads into the offseason with a real need to revamp their roster.
Dumping Mayfield isn’t a practical consideration at the moment so it’s imperative that Kevin Stefanski and the team’s front office work together to build a more comfortable offensive ecosystem for their franchise quarterback. It’s a make-or-break season for Mayfield and he needs better pass-catchers to be accurately evaluated.
That’s why the Browns are a good bet to spend a premium draft pick on a new wide receiver. In this mock draft, they don’t have to leave the state to find a new starter.
Round 1: Chris Olave
Olave didn’t put up video game numbers at Ohio State last season, but he’s one of the best deep threats in this year’s draft class. His ability to run quality routes on the outside and from the slot should appeal strongly to Stefanski and his offensive staff.
Cleveland’s offense can really benefit from a wide receiver who can strike legitimate fear in the hearts of opposing secondaries. They can use Olave as a deep threat to open up space for Austin Hooper and Jarvis Landry on intermediate throws. Olave can help the Browns offense as a decoy even if he doesn’t put up huge numbers as a rookie.