This will be the fourth draft for Browns GM Andrew Berry. Cleveland currently have five picks, one in round two (54), one in round three (85), one in round five (156), one in round six (206) and one in round seven (243). In those previous drafts, Berry has only drafted for need once, in 2020 when the Browns drafted left tackle Jedrick Wills. Since then, Cleveland has drafted best player available. In his first three drafts, Berry has traded picks to move and only once did Cleveland trade up. In 2021, the team traded picks 59 and 89 for picks 52 and 113. At pick 52, they drafted linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and at pick 113 was converted along with pick 257 into picks 153 and a 2022 fourth. Linebacker Tony Fields was selected with pick 153. In his other drafts, Berry has traded down. In 2020, the Browns traded down twice, trading pick 41 for picks 44 (safety Grant Delpit) and pick 160 (center Nick Harris). Then the team traded picks 74 and 244 for pick 88 (defensive tackle Jordan Elliott) and a future third. In 2022, pick 44 was traded for three picks, pick 68 (cornerback Martin Emerson) pick 108 (defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey) and pick 124 (kicker Cade York). Then the Browns traded down again, turning pick 118 into pick 156 (running back Jerome Ford) and a future fourth.

This off-season, as with every off-season, the Browns were busy in free agency signing low cost free agents to allow the team to again draft for talent and not need. As of today, the only positions on the roster that need attention are a sixth wide receiver, a third tight end, a sixth linebacker, a fourth offensive tackle and possibly another defensive tackle for depth. If the Browns resign linebacker Matthew Adams, a key special teamer, they still might draft a player at that position. The two strongest positions in this year’s draft are wide receiver and offensive tackle, so many believe the Browns will draft a wide receiver at pick 54. I’m of the belief, that if one of the offensive tackles they desire is sitting at pick 54, they’ll draft them. It would have to be someone like Graham Barton, Duke, Amarius Mims, Georgia or Jordan Morgan, Arizonia. I do not expect any of them to fall to 54, so don’t be surprised if the Browns trade down to gather more picks for this draft and future drafts. If a trade down does occur, I can’t see the team dropping too far. Last year Detroit traded their 55th and 194th picks to Kansas City for their 63rd, 122nd and 249th and Jacksonville traded their 56th to Chicago for their 61st and 136th.

The Browns draft for depth and future starters and one of their core beliefs is never pay for depth. Expect the same this year.