
After not having a first-round pick in last year’s draft — it was traded to the Giants as part of the Odell Beckham Jr. deal — the Browns are back where they’ve been for much of the last 20 years … in the top 10. How Andrew Berry will handle his first draft as a general manager is unknown, but he can go a long way to fortifying the roster with four picks among the first 97.
Here goes my first crack at deciphering what he and the rest of the league’s decision-makers will do when the draft begins April 23.
1. Cincinnati | Joe Burrow | QB | LSU | This seems like a sure thing and a perfect match. |
2. Washington | Chase Young | DE | Ohio State | Washington may get trade offers from teams looking for a quarterback, but it would take a whopper to pass on the elite pass rusher. |
3. Miami (from Detroit) | Tua Tagovailoa | QB | Alabama | Trades will be tougher to execute in these unusual times, but the Dolphins make sure they get Tagovailoa by moving up two spots. |
4. N.Y. Giants | Mekhi Becton | LT | Louisville | Giants can’t pass on the mountain of a man. |
5. Detroit (from Miami) | Jeff Okudah | CB | Ohio State | Lions get their man and pick up a second-round pick in the trade. |
6. L.A. Chargers | Justin Herbert | QB | Oregon | Tyrod Taylor isn’t the long-term answer, so the Chargers need a replacement for the departed Philip Rivers. |
7. Carolina | Isaiah Simmons | LB | Clemson | Rebuilding Panthers pick the do-it-all physical freak. |
8. Arizona | Tristan Wirfs | OT | Iowa | The trade for All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins cleared the way for a tackle in the draft. |
9. Jacksonville | Derrick Brown | DT | Auburn | The draft’s best interior lineman is a good get at the bottom of the top 10. |
10. Cleveland | Andrew Thomas | LT | Georgia | The other considerations are Alabama’s Jedrick Wills or a trade down, but Thomas has the desired experience at left tackle. |
11. N.Y. Jets | Jerry Jeudy | WR | Alabama | With three offensive tackles gone, the Jets address their other huge need. |
12. Las Vegas | CeeDee Lamb | WR | Oklahoma | In a draft loaded with receivers, Lamb may be the best. And he’ll always be the first pick in Las Vegas history. |
13. San Francisco | Henry Ruggs III | WR | Alabama | Make it three straight wideouts, as Kyle Shanahan gets an outside playmaker for his already deadly system. |
14. Tampa Bay | Jedrick Wills | OT | Alabama | A pass protector for Tom Brady. |
15. Denver | Justin Jefferson | WR | LSU | Broncos go with the top remaining wideout. |
16. Atlanta | Javon Kinlaw | DT | South Carolina | Falcons always need help on defense. |
17. Dallas | C.J. Henderson | CB | Florida | Cowboys need a corner and get the second one off the board. |
18. Miami | Ross Blacklock | DT | TCU | Dolphins choose defensive line over defensive back. |
19. Las Vegas | Xavier McKinney | S | Alabama | Raiders turn to defense with their second pick of the first round. |
20. Jacksonville | Jordan Love | QB | Utah State | I could easily see the Jaguars taking him at No. 9, but in this scenario they can afford to wait. |
21. Philadelphia | Patrick Queen | LB | LSU | Eagles can get a much needed receiver later, so they address the middle of the defense. |
22. Minnesota | Jaylon Johnson | CB | Utah | Vikings need help outside. |
23. New England | A.J. Epenesa | DE | Iowa | Bill Belichick could go a number of ways after the departure of Brady, but Epenesa is a quality player who fits in New England. |
24. New Orleans | Kenneth Murray | LB | Oklahoma | Not only does he play sideline to sideline, he has spotless character off the field. |
25. Minnesota | Tee Higgins | WR | Clemson | Vikings get a replacement for Stefon Diggs. |
26. Miami | Austin Jackson | LT | USC | His potential makes him a steal this late in the first round. |
27. Seattle | K’Lavon Chaisson | DE | LSU | Seahawks add athleticism to the defense. |
28. Baltimore | Yetur Gross-Matos | DE/OLB | Penn State | With Lamar Jackson leading the offense, the Ravens focus on defense. |
29. Tennessee | A.J. Terrell | CB | Clemson | A corner makes sense at this spot. |
30. Green Bay | Brandon Aiyuk | WR | Arizona State | Good value this late and another target for Aaron Rodgers. |
31. San Francisco | Damon Arnette | CB | Ohio State | 49ers struggled last year with the corner opposite Richard Sherman. |
32. Kansas City | Grant Delpit | S | LSU | Chiefs are loaded on offense, so they take best player available on defense. |
Browns’ pick at No. 41: Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota
REST OF BROWNS’ PICKS
Second round: No. 41
Third round: No. 74, No. 97 (from Houston)
Fourth round: No. 115
Sixth round: No. 187
Seventh round: No. 244
