Kevin Stefanski’s club has failed to return to the postseason after reaching the playoffs in 2020. Who are the Cleveland Browns looking at in the draft?
It was once a team with promise but has dropped to the bottom of the AFC North once again. The Cleveland Browns were the only team in the division to finish with a losing record in 2022.
Last offseason, general manager Andrew Berry orchestrated a trade to obtain troubled quarterback Deshaun Watson. After serving an 11-game suspension, there was still plenty of rust on the talented signal-caller.
All told, Kevin Stefanski’s club finished 7-10 regardless of who was pulling the trigger. One issue was a sporadic defense that now has a new coordinator in Jim Schwartz.
Browns draft picks 2023
- Round 1: None
- Round 2: None
- Round 3: 74th overall
- Round 3: 98th overall
- Round 4: 111th overall
- Round 4: 126th overall
- Round 5: 140th overall
- Round 5: 142nd overall
- Round 6: 190th overall
- Round 7: 229th overall
Despite the fact that the franchise doesn’t have a selection in either the first or second round, the Browns still have eight selections come late April. That includes multiple picks in the third, fourth and fifth rounds.
Cleveland’s first- and third-round picks belong to the Houston Texans as part of the Deshaun Watson trade (more to come in 2024). The Browns’ second-round pick recently went to the New York Jets, but Stefanski’s squad obtained wide receiver Elijah Moore and the Jets’ third-round choice. The other third rounder is a compensatory pick.
Berry orchestrated a trade with the Vikings that saw them trade down in 2022 and pick up an additional choice (fourth round) in 2023. And the team obtained an extra fifth-round pick this year when they sent former free-agent pickup/cornerback Tory Hill back to the Rams in April of 2022.
Browns draft needs 2023
It’s been a busy free-agency period for Berry. The Browns’ needs are courtesy of Pro Football Focus (subscription required)
1. Wide receiver
2. Interior defensive line
3. Safety
Moore is a talented player but still has some question marks. Despite the free-agent additions of defensive tackles Dalvin Tomlinson (Vikings), Trysten Hill (Cardinals) and Maurice Hurst (49ers), the Browns could opt for some younger prospects. Safety Juan Thornhill comes over from the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs.