The ink is dry. The Browns' 2019 draft class is officially signed.
Sione Takitaki's Friday signing completed the class of seven selections made in the 2019 NFL Draft. Headed by cornerback Greedy Williams, a second-round pick (No. 46), the class also featured the additions of Takitaki (who followed Williams in the Browns' class at No. 80), Sports Illustrated's "Prospect X" Drew Forbes and even a kicker in Oklahoma's Austin Seibert, among others.
Takitaki was a player of whom Browns assistant general manager Eliot Wolf was a staunch supporter entering the draft, having seen him play both on tape and in person.
"I start watching the film and I think it was the Wisconsin game, the second game of the year, and this guy is just out there destroying people," he said just days after selecting Takitaki.
The defense-heavy draft class wasn't picked entirely with purpose. The Browns didn't enter the draft focusing strictly on defenders. It just happened to pan out as such, which happens when a team sticks to its board and its convictions.
A result of the defender-laden class, though, is a unit that has plenty of depth in the linebacking corps and secondary. Cleveland already owned a pretty strong secondary, and Williams stands to potentially make an early impact. The additions of Takitaki and Mack Wilson shore up a linebacking corps that was fairly thin beforehand, while safety Sheldrick Redwine and cornerback Donnie Lewis can serve as rotational players and key special teamers.
Check out photos from the sixth day of OTA practices
Quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
Offensive tackle Brad Seaton (60) and Guard Eric Kush (72) during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
Running Back Nick Chubb (24) during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
Offensive tackle Chris Hubbard (74) during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
Wide receiver Rashard Higgins (81) during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
Safety Damarious Randall (23) during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
Cornerback Lenzy Pipkins (41) during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
Cornerback T.J. Carrie (38) during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
The defense during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
Wide receiver D.J. Montgomery (83) during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
Tight end Demetrius Harris (88) during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
Head Coach Freddie Kitchens and Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
Wide receiver Jaelen Strong (10) during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
Defensive tackle Daniel Ekuale (96) during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
Wide receiver Jaelen Strong (10) during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
Wide receiver Dorian Baker (19) during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
Safety Damarious Randall (23) during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
Tight end Seth DeValve (87) during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
Running Back Kareem Hunt (27) during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
Cornerback Greedy Williams (26) during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
Linebacker Joe Schobert (53) during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
Linebacker Mack Wilson (51) during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
Offensive tackle Brad Seaton (60) during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
Cornerback Greedy Williams (26) during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
Defensive end Chris Smith (50) during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
Guard Austin Cobertt (63) during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
Linebacker Genard Avery (55) during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
Linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong (52) during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
Linebacker Sione Takitaki (44) during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
Offensive tackle Chris Hubbard (74) and Offensive tackle Brad Seaton (60) during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
A helmet during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
Defensive end Anthony Zettel (97)during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
Defensive tackle Carl Davis (94) during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
Cornerback Jhavonte Dean (36) during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
Kicker Greg Joseph (17) during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
Linebacker Sione Takitaki (44) during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
Safety Damarious Randall (23) during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
Cornerback Greedy Williams (26) and Cornerback Donnie Lewis Jr. (37) during the sixth practice of OTAs on May 23, 2019.
Special teams coordinator Mike Priefer emphasized Wednesday the importance of having impactful players on special teams; the Browns appear to have set themselves up to make that a reality thanks in part to this class.
Forbes is finding his fit on the offensive line, which is tackle for now but is more likely to end up being guard. That will work for Forbes, who has good lateral agility, blocks with violence and has an evident desire to improve as a football player.
Finally, there's the kicking battle created by the selection of Seibert, who will face off with Greg Joseph this summer. It's one of the strongest examples of what general manager John Dorsey and his staff have emphasized throughout this offseason: adding competitive depth. They'll get plenty of chances to sort that out once training camp arrives.
