How fitting is it that my third mock draft now has the Cleveland Browns selecting with the third overall pick?

Last week due to the holidays, I wasn’t able to do a full write up but you can find that mock right here.

The Browns now sit in the top three of the draft order and with how next week’s games shake out, they could end up with the first overall selection which would be something considering the heavy expectations for the franchise heading into 2024 but it’s also a sign of how bad 2024 has been with the injuries, and the inconsistency at quarterback among other positions.

I’m using Mock Draft Database’s simulator for this scenario so let’s cut the rambling and get started.

First Round

Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State: So in this scenario both quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward were both available but I’m not completely sold on either prospect and their pro potential at this point. I also tried trading down with teams below that needed quarterbacks but my asking price couldn’t get a deal completed.

I’m a huge proponent of the team addressing offensive tackle long-term but Cleveland is in a position to get one of the best players in the draft and adding even more talent to what is a strong defensive front for Cleveland would be a home run. Carter is a very disruptive pass rusher and pairing him with Myles Garrett or making him the star pass rusher should Garrett ask for a trade makes complete sense for Cleveland in this spot.

Second Round

Josh Conerly Jr., Offensive Tackle, Oregon: The Browns have to address offensive tackle this offseason both in the short and long term of the franchise with Jedrick Wills entering free agency, Jack Conklin potentially being a cap casualty, and Dawand Jones will be coming off yet another season-ending injury.

Conerly Jr. took a step forward in 2024 minimizing pressures allowed and has only allowed two sacks in the last two seasons combined. He’s also been a strong run blocker which could come into play should the Browns make offensive scheme changes once the 2024 season ends and revert back to the wide-zone blocking scheme that made Kevin Stefanski’s offense successful during his first several seasons as head coach.

Third Round

Harold Fannin Jr., Tight End, Bowling Green: One of the most intriguing prospects in this class is Fannin Jr. who arguably just had the greatest college football season by a tight end with 117 catches for 1,550 yards and ten touchdowns. For those that will say he did it against inferior competition, in the two games he played against Top-25 opponents, Fannin Jr. had two 100-yard games and averaged 9.5 receptions per game and 14.8 yards per reception.

Fannin Jr. has great hands and already makes a great effort as a blocker. Pairing him up with David Njoku in the tight end room and giving the Browns offense another weapon would be an intriguing option in the third round should he make it to that point after the pre-draft process.

TreVeyon Henderson, Running Back, Ohio State: Running back is a position that must be addressed regardless of the future of Nick Chubb although Jerome Ford has shown signs of at least being part of a committee heading into 2025 but D’Onta Foreman and Pierre Strong have shown no real signs of having a future on the roster.

Henderson has had four solid years as a Buckeye and should become a contributing running back at the next level and his speed and elusiveness will help with that.

Fourth Round

Barrett Carter, Linebacker, Clemson: Barrett was a prospect I liked during last year’s process before he opted to stay for another season in Clemson. His tackling improved from last season but he became more of a liability in coverage from the previous seasons. His athletic testing during the combine and pro days will play a factor in which way his draft stock will swing but the Browns could use some linebacker depth which all could hinge on the future of Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, who is recovering from a neck injury.

Fifth Round

Ty Robinson, Defensive Tackle, Nebraska: The Browns could use another defensive tackle should they move on from Shelby Harris or Dalvin Tomlinson while also adding in the fact that Maurice Hurst is heading towards free agency. Robinson is an older prospect but was very disruptive as a pass rusher with 38 pressures and six sacks this season for the Cornhuskers.

Sixth Round

Jaylin Noel, Wide Receiver, Iowa State: Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman are locks in the wide receiver room but other than that the rest of the room is a mystery. They could conceivably add a wide receiver earlier or sign someone in free agency but I’d imagine they’ll add another young body at some point in the draft. Noel was a playmaker with the Cyclones averaging 13.8 yards per catch and 15 touchdowns over the last two seasons. He’s small in stature but has shown to be able to take the hits in tight coverage and contested catches. Worth the lottery ticket this late in the draft.

Dillon Gabriel, Quarterback, Oregon: I’ve always been a proponent of taking a flyer on a quarterback in each draft and with the Browns needing to find one, Gabriel is one of the few prospects this late in the draft worth taking that flyer on. He has a chance to make some money here in the College Football Playoff starting this Wednesday against Ohio State but the sixth-year quarterback has been very productive throughout his collegiate career between Oregon, Oklahoma, and UCF. He’s always been a quick-decision maker, has a solid arm and the mobility to get out of pressure but is undersized at 6’0, 200 lbs.

Justin Walley, Cornerback, Minnesota: The Browns always take a cornerback when Andrew Berry has been the general manager and this will be no exception. Walley isn’t the best tackler but has been solid in coverage for the Gophers with quarterbacks averaging a 63.2 QB rating when targeting receivers covered by Walley.

Seventh Round

Miles Frazier, Guard, LSU: The Browns have Zak Zinter behind Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller but interior depth could be a major need pending on Bitonio’s future which he said he will sit down and address following the season. Frazier has been solid for the Tigers after transferring from FIU following his sophomore season. Frazier isn’t the best run blocker but has only allowed four sacks over the last three seasons.

Jaylen Reed, Safety, Penn State: Safety is another position group that could use some depth as Juan Thornhill is a potential cap casualty this offseason. Reed is more of a safety that would be behind Grant Delpit in terms of a box-type. He’s a solid tackler and run-stopper and Penn State also used him on blitz packages this season with nine pressures and two sacks. He’s another who could also boost his draft stock with solid performances down the stretch in the playoffs.