If the Browns are interested in picking an edge rusher with their first pick of the 2022 draft, they could have a few players with first-round grades waiting for them.
Several analysts have picked the edge rusher class to be the deepest group in the draft, and The Athletic's Dane Brugler is one of them. He ranked seven players with a first-round grade in his annual draft guide, “The Beast,” and predicted one of them to be drafted by the Browns with their first selection, the 44th overall pick, in his mock draft.
But even if the Browns wait for a future round to add DE talent, they'll still likely come away pleased with the potential of the player.
"I think this edge rusher group is the deepest position this year from top to bottom," Brugler said. "I think no matter the round, there's going to be somebody from the first round, second round, third round or even the end of Day 3 that you feel pretty good about."
Here's who could be available for the Browns on Day 2, where they hold the 44th, 78th and 99th overall picks of the draft.
Check out photos of possible Day 2 defensive ends the Browns might target in the 2022 NFL Draft
![South Carolina defensive end Kingsley Enagbare (1) celebrates a recovered punt during second half an NCAA college football game against Auburn Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Columbia, S.C. South Carolina won 21-17. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/x9lcmdjqufuzan1mf0tc.jpg)
South Carolina defensive end Kingsley Enagbare (1) celebrates a recovered punt during second half an NCAA college football game against Auburn Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Columbia, S.C. South Carolina won 21-17. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
![Michigan linebacker David Ojabo plays during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/lhrlefdlkwsqo2i1wn0f.jpg)
Michigan linebacker David Ojabo plays during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
![Penn State defensive end Arnold Ebiketie (17) celebrates after forcing Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara (12) to fumble during an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa.on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/pryoru7f4yssneljwcip.jpg)
Penn State defensive end Arnold Ebiketie (17) celebrates after forcing Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara (12) to fumble during an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa.on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
![Michigan defensive lineman David Ojabo (36) runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 5, 2022in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/mdwncvlsgmueorn3nlqg.jpg)
Michigan defensive lineman David Ojabo (36) runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 5, 2022in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
![Minnesota linebacker Boye Mafe (23) participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 5, 2022 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/l4lin3mdyd8ew6bbwpjl.jpg)
Minnesota linebacker Boye Mafe (23) participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 5, 2022 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
![Penn State defensive end Arnold Ebiketie is interviewed during Penn State's football pro day in State College, Pa., Thursday, March 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/x5hjgtwm1y7pr6p1rdmu.jpg)
Penn State defensive end Arnold Ebiketie is interviewed during Penn State's football pro day in State College, Pa., Thursday, March 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
![Defensive lineman Boye Mafe runs drills at Minnesota football Pro Day Wednesday, March 16, 2022, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/ngx5s5popjc7qenhvkjp.jpg)
Defensive lineman Boye Mafe runs drills at Minnesota football Pro Day Wednesday, March 16, 2022, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
![Penn State defensive end Arnold Ebiketie (17) runs a football drill during Penn State's football pro day in State College, Pa., Thursday, March 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/nxe7qs9woyqsqtsylhbs.jpg)
Penn State defensive end Arnold Ebiketie (17) runs a football drill during Penn State's football pro day in State College, Pa., Thursday, March 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
![Linebacker Drake Jackson runs during Southern California's football Pro Day, Wednesday, March 23, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/hi3efvm7dvexnvemngch.jpg)
Linebacker Drake Jackson runs during Southern California's football Pro Day, Wednesday, March 23, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)
![Oklahoma defensive lineman Nik Bonitto (01) on the field at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 5, 2022 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/rnvtdqlykkbpfqypcji5.jpg)
Oklahoma defensive lineman Nik Bonitto (01) on the field at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 5, 2022 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
![Oklahoma defensive lineman Nik Bonitto (01) stretches participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 5, 2022 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/jw0hax5g4hhckw2c8g2n.jpg)
Oklahoma defensive lineman Nik Bonitto (01) stretches participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 5, 2022 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
![USC linebacker Drake Jackson speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 4, 2022. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/urf3a43ackwtyv95defm.jpg)
USC linebacker Drake Jackson speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 4, 2022. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
![National Team defensive lineman Boye Mafe of Minnesota (34) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/vvxkg1aas7d2oozjgzz2.jpg)
National Team defensive lineman Boye Mafe of Minnesota (34) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
![Michigan linebacker David Ojabo watches during warm ups before the Orange Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game against Georgia, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/lt2aqv0y40vugt3nngw5.jpg)
Michigan linebacker David Ojabo watches during warm ups before the Orange Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game against Georgia, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
![Minnesota defensive lineman Boye Mafe (34) in action during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Minneapolis. Minnesota won 23-13. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/aqmsbrxqmeqyeozsgdr8.jpg)
Minnesota defensive lineman Boye Mafe (34) in action during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Minneapolis. Minnesota won 23-13. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
![Penn State defensive end Arnold Ebiketie lines up against Maryland during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/jambysrk6cqmhjp4yatx.jpg)
Penn State defensive end Arnold Ebiketie lines up against Maryland during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
![South Carolina defensive lineman Kingsley Enagbare (29) participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 5, 2022 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/jly5mb8rcrijhvrflurr.jpg)
South Carolina defensive lineman Kingsley Enagbare (29) participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 5, 2022 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
![Southern California linebacker Drake Jackson (99) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Arizona Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/brdahi4vkv2nigukfoxv.jpg)
Southern California linebacker Drake Jackson (99) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Arizona Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
![South Carolina defensive end Kingsley Enagbare pumps up the crowd during the second half an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Columbia, S.C. South Carolina won 21-20. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/sh9rqbn5hivgeyxkgdim.jpg)
South Carolina defensive end Kingsley Enagbare pumps up the crowd during the second half an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Columbia, S.C. South Carolina won 21-20. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
![Florida quarterback Kyle Trask (11) is taken down behind the line of scrimmage by Oklahoma linebacker Nik Bonitto (11) during the first half of the Cotton Bowl NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/hxsc9t5xhwjq6uegin7h.jpg)
Florida quarterback Kyle Trask (11) is taken down behind the line of scrimmage by Oklahoma linebacker Nik Bonitto (11) during the first half of the Cotton Bowl NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
![Oklahoma linebacker Nik Bonitto runs during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Lawrence, Kan. Oklahoma won 35-23. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/le30vt2cvvjzauxqjt0p.jpg)
Oklahoma linebacker Nik Bonitto runs during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Lawrence, Kan. Oklahoma won 35-23. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
![Southern California linebacker Drake Jackson (99) is blocked by Arizona offensive lineman Paiton Fears (74) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/gkipv75lxdzulj9khjsy.jpg)
Southern California linebacker Drake Jackson (99) is blocked by Arizona offensive lineman Paiton Fears (74) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
![South Carolina defensive end Kingsley Enagbare (1) plays against Tennessee during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/fof3c29zeidgulrkcuru.jpg)
South Carolina defensive end Kingsley Enagbare (1) plays against Tennessee during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Logan Hall, Houston
Hall was Brugler's pick to land in Cleveland, and it's easy to see why.
He's one of the more versatile players near the top of the DE class and is capable of playing both defensive tackle and on the edge. Both positions are needs for the Browns, and Brugler believes he'll fit best on the edge with his power and speed to work around blockers. Those traits stuck out last season when he totaled 6.5 sacks as an interior lineman and led Houston with 48 tackles.
"He played more of a three-technique role at Houston, primarily as an inside guy," Brugler said, "but I think he has the versatility where you line him up on the edge and give him more of a runway. Let him use that length, those 35-inch arms and go right through blockers. He has that ability. He's a young player, still just 21 years old, and I think he gives you flexibility not only as a rusher on the edge, but also on passing downs and what he can do on the inside."
David Ojabo, Michigan
Ojabo entered the pre-draft process as a player expected to be drafted in the first round, but an Achilles tear at his pro day took a major hit to his draft stock and will likely force him to miss his rookie season.
That doesn't mean a team will avoid picking him in the second round, though. Ojabo is an intriguing prospect because of how new he is to the position and how successful he became in his first full season, recording 11 sacks last year with the Wolverines.
He's only been playing football for five years, so there's certainly more room for Ojabo to grow even more when he's fully healthy.
"With Ojabo, you hate to see the injury at the Pro Day with his Achilles, which probably is going to mean a redshirt for him his rookie year," Brugler said. "There's a lot of upside there. Usually, we're talking about a guy that still needs things to click, but he had 11 sacks last year for Michigan. It's not like this guy wasn't productive at all. He knows how to get to the quarterback, and you see an understanding of rush moves."
Boye Mafe, Minnesota
Mafe has raw talent, too, and may need a year to fully harness it for consistent playing time in the NFL, but his potential was highlighted through a seven-sack season last year.
Brugler gave him a second-round grade and believes his explosion off the edge is what sets him apart as a prospect.
"It's a little bit of a long-term commitment because you don't know if he's going to give you anything as a rookie," Brugler said. "I'm not sure if that's ideal for a team like the Browns that really need help right away, but it's a name that needs to be on the radar … At 6-foot-4, 260 pounds, his testing numbers were off the charts. You love from an athletic standpoint what he brings to the field. You wish that maybe his production was a little bit better and you wish he was a better run defender as well, but guys that move like that at that type of size, you're going to bet on that natural explosion. There's a lot that Boye Mafe has going for him."
Drake Jackson, USC
Jackson's pre-draft process so far has been defined by his weight, which fluctuated during his time with the Trojans and has changed drastically in the last several months as he shapes himself toward the kind of prospect Brugler believes are what NFL scouts picture him as.
"He burst onto the scene as a freshman at USC, and it was interesting because he played at more toward a 280 range," Brugler said. "Then they made a coaching change, brought in a new defensive coordinator and moved him to more of a linebacker role. All of a sudden, he's down to 240. They've been moving him back and forth trying to find the best weight for him. At the combine, Drake Jackson was 254 pounds. At his Pro Day, he was 273 pounds — almost a 20-pound difference. That tells me that scouts are telling Drake Jackson, 'Hey, bulk up and regain that power you showed as a freshman.' There's a lot to like about him as a pass rusher."
Nik Bonitto, Oklahoma
Bonitto broke out his final two years with the Sooners with 15 combined sacks. His best trait is his speed, which might make him more ripe as a stand-up linebacker.
Brugler believes he'll need time to develop no matter where he's positioned, but his quickness — he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.54 seconds — gives him early Day 2 value.
"If you are looking for that speed demon off the edge and bring that burst, Nik Bonitto is going to be appealing for you," Brugler said. "His ability to skim the outside corner of tackles and win that corner, that's what he does best."