Mock Draft Roundup: Surveying new predictions for Browns at No. 44

A lot has changed since we ran our last Mock Draft Roundup on March 4. Where do we start? The Browns added two players, DE Chase Winovich and DT Taven Bryan, to bolster their defensive line and traded for WR Amari Cooper to add a Pro Bowl talent to the offense, which will now be led by QB Deshaun Watson after the Browns shipped their 2022 first-round pick in a big trade package to Houston. WR Jakeem Grant, P Corey Bojorquez, QB Jacoby Brissett and C Ethan Pocic are also new additions. The Browns are set to make their first pick of the draft in the second round at No. 44 overall. With no first-round pick, our Mock Draft Roundups will now feature picks from analysts brave enough to predict selections into the second round and beyond. And despite the wave of additions to the roster, the list of positional needs the Browns could address first in the draft remains largely unchanged. So who’s being mocked to Cleveland now? Let’s find out. Todd McShay, ESPN The pick: DT Travis Jones, UConn The analysis: McShay says Jones “can occupy double-teams against the run up the middle.” He’s also the third defensive tackle to be picked in his mock draft. Vinnie Iyer, The Sporting News The pick: DT Perrion Winfrey, Oklahoma The analysis: Iyer says Winfrey has a “powerful presence” that could also help All-Pro DE Myles Garrett. Josh Edwards, CBS Sports The pick: DT Travis Jones, UConn The analysis: Edwards said Jones would likely be a first-round prospect if his college tape was more consistent, but he “was one of the best performers, pound for pound” at the NFL Combine.Anthony Treash, Pro Football Focus The pick: EDGE Nik Bonitto, Oklahoma The analysis: Bonitto had 19.5 sacks across four seasons with the Sooners, including seven in 2021. Zac Jackson, The Athletic The pick: WR George Pickens, Georgia The analysis: Jackson also highlighted DE David Ojabo and DTs Logan Hall and Travis Jones as options. WalterFootball.com The pick:_ WR George Pickens, Georgia The analysis: Pickens caught 14 touchdowns from 2019-2020 with the Bulldogs. He played in four games last season because of an injury and didn’t have a touchdown, but most analysts believe he’s still primed for an early Day 2 pick. BR NFL Scouting Department The pick: DT Travis Jones, UConn The analysis: Jones had 8.5 sacks across three full seasons with the Huskies, including 4.5 in 2021. Ian Cummings, Pro Football Network The pick: EDGE Drake Jackson, USC The analysis: Jackson had 25 sacks across three seasons with the Trojans and “could eventually become a dangerous pass rusher.”

Mock Draft Roundup

Mock Draft Roundup: Surveying new predictions for Browns at No. 44

The Browns no longer have a first-round pick, but the positions still linked to Cleveland’s first pick of the draft haven’t changed much