CLEVELAND, Ohio — We are through the NFL Combine and the first wave of free agency, a couple of major NFL draft milestones.
So how has that impacted the landscape for the Cleveland Browns?
There has been one major move by Cleveland so far, locking up Myles Garrett with a historic extension following the 2023 NFL defensive player of the year’s trade request.
Another significant development is the lack of movement at quarterback. While the Browns acquired Kenny Pickett from the Eagles, trading away Dorian Thompson-Robinson, they still need to add another veteran in that room and so far have been patient about doing so.
For me, both moves signaled that I should make different decisions in a Browns-only mock draft than I did a month ago.
Here is another crack at a three-round mock draft which looks at the possibilities for Cleveland’s first two days' worth of picks.
I used Pro Football Focus’ mock draft simulator as my guide to get a feel for where players may be available, and let the simulator draft for the other 31 teams.
Shedeur Sanders
Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders could be a good fit for the Browns offense.Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Round 1, Pick No. 2: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Last mock: Abdul Carter, ED, Penn State
This is one of the biggest changes for me.
I’ve come around to the idea of taking the quarterback you feel most strongly about at 2, and since the Browns haven’t jumped the gun in free agency, my guess right now is they are expecting their rookie to at least be able to feasibly compete for the starting job, if not start a large chunk of games. Connecting the dots, I think that means they are solving the QB problem early.
Sanders' dad and coach — Hall of Famer Deion Sanders — has repeatedly pointed out that no rookie QB is more ready for all that comes with being an NFL starter than his son, and there’s a good chance he’s right, considering the attention that has been around him the last few years.
Cam Ward is likely going to be gone by the time the Browns pick (either Tennessee is taking him or the Giants or another team are trading up to get him), and I don’t think Cleveland is trading up. In this simulated mock draft, he was selected No. 1 overall by Tennessee.
Ward may have a higher ceiling, but Sanders would be a good fit in Cleveland: He’s good in the pocket, with drop-backs, and can thrive in a balanced offense that relies on a strong run game and play-action passing.
Despite being sacked 52 times in 2024 due in large part to a weak O-line, Sanders never wavered in technique or fundamentals, maybe the strongest aspect of his game considering he is undersized (6-foot-1.5, 215 pounds). He’s also great at producing within an offensive system, rather than improvising.
Nic Scourton
Texas A&M defensive lineman Nic Scourton could be available at 33, which would give the Browns first-round talent to open the second round. AP
Round 2, Pick No. 33: Nic Scourton, ED, Texas A&M
Last mock: Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
This is a deep edge rusher class, and while no one seems overly concerned about the stress fracture in Abdul Carter’s foot, it gives me enough pause in a hypothetical mock draft to re-think my strategy.
There’s a good chance Scourton goes in the first round. But if he falls to the second, the Browns could scoop first-round talent easily here.
His size (6-foot-4, 280 pounds) gives him the ability to line up anywhere from a 4i defensive end to a 7-tech OLB. He would be able to slide in to either a 4-3 or 3-4 defense.
He’s combined for 12 sacks and 10 QB hits in the last two seasons.
Elijah Arroyo
Elijah Arroyo (80), of Miami, would love getting the chance to be paired with a fellow 'Cane in David Njoku in Cleveland.AP
Round 3, Pick No. 67: Elijah Arroyo, TE, Miami
Last mock: TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
Arroyo is an intriguing prospect for me, and would love getting the chance to play with another Miami guy in David Njoku.
The Browns need to get younger at tight end, and with a deep running back class, they will be able to get good production later.
A second-team All-ACC selection this past season, Arroyo ended the year with 590 yards and seven TDs on 35 catches, all career-bests. He’s tough nosed, and his favorite play of his college career is actually a game-saving tackle that followed a Cam Ward interception against Virginia Tech last season.
If his injury history (his sophomore and junior seasons he played in just 11 combined games due to a torn ACL) drops him this low, it could be a bargain price.
Jalen Royals
Wide receiver Jalen Royals of Utah State (right) has experience playing in the slot or outside.Mike Kittrell/AL.com
Round 3, Pick No. 94: Jalen Royals, WR, Utah State
Last mock: Terrance Ferguson, TE, Oregon
The Browns have a No. 1 receiver in Jerry Jeudy and seem ready to give more opportunities to Cedric Tillman, but Royals could fill out this room nicely.
He’s more compact at 6-foot, 205 pounds, but has experience playing in the slot and outside. More importantly, he’s great at picking up yards after the catch, something the Browns love. He averaged 7.9 yards after the catch per reception last year, which had him tied for 29th in college football, according to PFF.
He’s also got reliable hands both getting open and making contested catches, and has caught 21 touchdowns combined over the last two seasons.
Conclusions
PFF’s simulator gave me a B- draft grade. My first mock received a C+.
Drafting Sanders at 2 was worthy of an F to the analytics site, but I justify it by trying to solve the Browns' biggest need and getting great value elsewhere. Plus, if Sanders works out? There’s no way this pick is worthy of that grade.
Scourton (B), Arroyo (B+) and Royals (A) all earned high grades and helped even everything out.
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