It's the first Friday of February, meaning we're officially less than three months away from the 2022 NFL Draft.
Yes, that's the main focus once again in our batch of questions in this week's Browns Mailbag. We're tackling four of them to carry you into the weekend.
Do you think it would be more optimum to go DT or WR with the No. 13 pick? — Gary R., Dayton
That's not a decision for me to make, of course. What I can provide, though, is some analysis of where the experts think the strength of this draft class lies, and whether "best player available" and one of these positions is more or less likely to intersect at No. 13.
As it stands today — with a LOT of time left in the draft process — most draft experts believe WRs are more likely than DTs to be picked in the top half of the first round. A number of different WRs — Treylon Burks (Arkansas), Garrett Wilson (Ohio State), Jameson Williams (Alabama), Chris Olave (Ohio State) and Drake London (USC) — have all been pegged by mock drafters to the Browns or other teams in their tier of the draft. DTs, meanwhile, have mostly been projected toward the bottom half of the first round. Some mock drafts don't include any in the entire first round.
Still, there are a couple of names to keep in mind. Two of them — Travon Walker and Jordan Davis — both played at Georgia and couldn't possibly be any different. Walker, per CBSSports.com, is considered a "tweener" who can play on the inside or outside depending on the scheme. Davis, at 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds, is an old-school nose who can swallow up multiple blockers. A couple other names of note are Logan Hall (Houston) and Cameron Thomas (San Diego State). Both are versatile defensive linemen who have the potential to play on the inside in certain schemes.
Something to remember, and we'll probably include this disclaimer in most of our mailbags until the draft. Just because the Browns appear to have needs at certain positions, it doesn't mean they'll feel the need to address them in the early portions of the draft.
"Certainly, need or position of value, all of that can play a role in it, but by no means is it the primary goal and not even close to the primary weighting in terms of the draft decisions," Browns EVP of Football Operations and GM Andrew Berry said last year. "Honestly, that is how teams make mistakes."
Which position groups seem to have the most top-tier player depth in this upcoming draft class? I would expect the Browns to be especially interested in the defensive ends, defensive tackles, wide receivers, offensive tackles, linebackers, kickers and punters this class has to offer. — Nick D., Glendale, Arizona
As mentioned in our first answer, the wide receiver position appears to be once again chock full of talented players. In a recent interview on NFL Network, draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said he had first-round grades on seven wide receivers, including, of course, all of the players who have been linked to the Browns at No. 13. There's enough depth, in Jeremiah's opinion, to where a first-round quality receiver could become available in the second round or even later.
Another position loaded with talent is edge rusher, and that's a big change from last year. And it goes beyond Michigan's Aidan Hutchinson and Oregon's Kayvon Thibodeaux, both of whom are expected to be top-five selections. A number of talented pass rushers are coming off great weeks in Mobile, where they starred for scouts during Senior Bowl practices. Florida State's Jermaine Johnson, Cincinnati's Myjai Sanders and South Carolina's Kingsley Enagbare are just some of the talented edge rushers who could provide great value, whether it be at No. 13 or later in the draft.
Check out photos of current Browns players who participated in previous Senior Bowls as the 2022 Senior Bowl gets underway in Mobile, Alabama
North Squad quarterback Baker Mayfield of Oklahoma (6) throws a pass during the North's team college football practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North Squad offensive guard Wyatt Teller of Virginia Tech (57) during the first half of the Senior Bowl college football game in Mobile, Ala.,Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
South offensive guard Joel Bitonio (71) of Nevada runs on to the field before the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/G.M. Andrews)
Punter Dustin Colquitt of Tennessee answers a question from the media during a news conference at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2005. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Texas A&M's Josh Reynolds high fives North Carolina's Ryan Switzer after Reynolds scores a touchdown during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game in Mobile, Ala., Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
National Team offensive lineman James Hudson III of Cincinnati (55) prepares to block American Team Janarius Robinson of Florida State (96) during the second half of the NCAA college football Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Rusty Costanza)
National Team defensive back Damar Hamlin of Pittsburgh (33), National Team wide receiver D'Wayne Eskridge of Western Michigan (1), and National Team linebacker Tony Fields II of West Virginia (30) walk the sideline during the NCAA Senior Bowl college football game in Mobile, Ala., Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
National Team running back Demetric Felton of UCLA (10) is tackled during the second half of the NCAA college football Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Rusty Costanza)
North squad running back Kareem Hunt of Toledo (33) carries the ball during the second half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017, at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North Squad quarterbacks Baker Mayfield (6) of Oklahoma, Tanner Lee (13) of Nebraska and Josh Allen (17) of Wyoming during the North team's practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game in Mobile, Ala.,Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National Team linebacker Tony Fields II of West Virginia and Arizona (30) celebrates during the NCAA Senior Bowl college football game in Mobile, Ala., Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
Notre Dame defensive end Sheldon Day in an NCAA college football game against North Carolina Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Joe Raymond)
National Team offensive lineman Jaylon Moore of Western Michigan (74), left, and offensive lineman James Hudson III of Cincinnati (55) run a blocking drill during the National team practice for the NCAA college Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Rusty Costanza)
National Team running back Demetric Felton of UCLA (10) catches a pass during the National team practice for the NCAA college Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Rusty Costanza)
North Squad quarterback Baker Mayfield of Oklahoma (6) passes during the North teams practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game in Mobile, Ala.,Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National Team running back Demetric Felton of UCLA (10) runs for a touchdown against American Team defensive back DJ Daniel of Georgia (14) during the first half of the NCAA Senior Bowl college football game in Mobile, Ala., Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
This is a 2013 photo of JC Tretter of the Green Bay Packers NFL football team. This image reflects the Green Bay Packers active roster as of Monday, June 3, 2013 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
South Squad cornerback M.J. Stewart of North Carolina (26) runs the ball during the first half of the Senior Bowl college football game in Mobile, Ala.,Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
National Team offensive lineman James Hudson III of Cincinnati (55) walks off the field after the NCAA college football Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Rusty Costanza)
University of Tennessee defensive lineman Malik Jackson poses for a headshot during the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
South Carolina St. tackle Alex Taylor runs a drill during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
South tight end Harrison Bryant of Florida Atlantic (40) during the first half of the Senior Bowl college football game Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North squad safety John Johnson of Boston College (9) runs on the field during player introductions of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017, at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Washington offensive lineman Nick Harris answers questions during the Pac-12 Conference NCAA college football Media Day Wednesday, July 24, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Notre Dame defensive lineman Sheldon Day looks on prior to an NCAA college football game against Southern California, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014, in Los Angeles. Southern California won 49-14. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
South Squad cornerback M.J. Stewart of North Carolina (26) runs the ball during the first half of the Senior Bowl college football game in Mobile, Ala.,Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
North Squad quarterback Baker Mayfield of Oklahoma (6) during the first half of the Senior Bowl college football game in Mobile, Ala.,Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
BYU defensive lineman Sione Takitaki poses for photographs during team photo day Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2017, in Provo, Utah. Takitaki hasn't played in a game since October 2015 due to off-field issues, but the junior is back with the Cougars and eager to make up for lost time. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Oklahoma State cornerback A.J. Green speaks to the media on the first day of Big 12 NCAA college football media days Monday, July 15, 2019, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David Kent)
North Squad quarterback Baker Mayfield of Oklahoma (6) throws a pass during the North's team college football practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Boston College safety John Johnson (9) lines up for a play during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
North squad running back Kareem Hunt of Toledo (33) practices for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game in Mobile, Ala., Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
South Squad offensive guard Joel Bitonio of Nevada (71) listens to a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars coaching staff during Senior Bowl practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2014, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/G.M. Andrews)
North squad running back Kareem Hunt of Toledo (33) runs on the field during the player introductions of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017, at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Who are the top three kickers coming out of the draft that the Browns may consider? Do you see them going after a much promising kicker? — Jeffrey S., Lake Mary
There doesn't appear to be a consensus top kicker in this year's class, but there are a handful of names to monitor. Here are a few to know.
Oklahoma's Gabe Brkic had the chance to go back to school in 2022 but opted to enter the draft. It's hard to blame him. He was 57-of-69 for his career on field goals, including a 10-of-14 mark from 50+ yards. Brkic, it should be noted, hails from nearby Chardon.
Texas' Cameron Dicker is currently participating in the Senior Bowl after going 13-for-15 on field goals as a senior. He made a kick of 50+ yards in each of his four seasons with the Longhorns.
Michigan's Jake Moody won the Lou Groza Award after knocking through 22 of his 24 field-goal attempts during the Wolverines' march to the College Football Playoff. This was Moody's first season as Michigan's full-time placekicker, and he certainly made the most of it.
As for whether the Browns would use a draft pick on a kicker, Berry said the team was open to all options at all positions. It also should be noted the Browns have used draft picks on kickers twice since 2017.
When do your podcasts start again? — Stephen N., Westlake
Ah, yes, a Best Podcast Available fan!
I'm very excited to share our first episode of 2022 will debut Thursday at ClevelandBrowns.com, YouTube.com/Browns or wherever else you get your podcasts. Jason Gibbs and I will tackle the latest draft news every week and bring on a slew of awesome guests. We'll have you covered each Thursday all the way through the end of the offseason workout program in June. Can't wait to get back behind the mic!
