Now that the NFL draft is over, let’s take a look at what they did. First remember when reading draft grades, which I don’t, the Browns draft strategy was to draft depth and future contributors. Of the six picks, I project four will make the 53-man roster. Michael Hall, Zak Zinter, Jamari Thrash and Nathaniel Watson. Myles Harden and Jowon Biggs can make the practice squad. Hall is actually the type of player DC Jim Schwartz wants, an interior pass rusher. He’s not excellent against the run, but he can hold his own. There is speculation for Hall to make the roster, Siaki Ika would be cut to make room. They aren’t the same player. Ika is a run stopper. The player that would be cut would be Maurice Hurst. Hall is younger and Hurst is always an injury risk. Bring everyone to training camp and let them fight it out.
Zak Zinter could be the Browns fourth guard, if they keep four. I think they will and keep two tight ends. More on that later. Jamari Thrash will probably push James Proche off the roster, unless Andrew Berry can trade him prior to the season started. It wouldn’t surprise me. As for Nathaniel Watson, he’s your substitute for Takitaki, but better. The roster players in jeopardy here are Tony Fields or Mohamoud Diabate. If Watson can play special teams at a high level, he’s making the team. Like I said, Harden & Biggs are practice squad players.
Looking at the undrafted free agents, G Javion Cohen, RB Aiden Robbins, CB Dyshawn Gales, TE Treyton Welch and C/OT Jalen Sundell are good players to place on the practice squad and develop. The others are camp bodies.
This draft and the previous moves made earlier this year, give you a hint on what the Browns are thinking on offense. Thrash and Jerry Jeudy are excellent at yards after the catch (YAC). The Browns were 26th in YAC in 2023. This means getting the ball out of Deshaun Watson’s hand quickly with short to intermediate passing. Thus, the Browns will probably only keep two tight ends. They might sign another veteran tight end for training camp to compete with Jordan Akins.
On defense, it looks like Jim Schwartz wants to more pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Drafting Hall, signing Quinton Jefferson, and resigning Shelby Harris, Mo Hurst and Za’Darius Smith points to that conclusion. Hopefully they can find a way to keep Hurst on the roster. To help with pressure, the Browns picked up Greg Newsome’s fifth-year option. Pressure requires corners who can play press coverage. Ward, Emerson and Newsome are three of the best.
Other things I can conclude from the draft. No running back selected tells me the team is satisfied with Nick Chubb’s rehab. No tight end drafted tells me about the change in the offense. No left tackle drafted tells me they’ll either resign Wills or draft a tackle next year with their first pick. Next year is another good year for tackles. No safety drafted tells me they are satisfied with D’Anthony Bell and Ronnie Hickman.
Other news and notes. As I write this the Browns signed veteran center Brian Allen. He’s a six-year veteran who last played for the Rams where he started 32 games in four seasons. In 2021 he started sixteen games. This brings the Browns roster to 90 players. It appears the schedule will be released on May 9 and the rookie training camp is May 10-12. Stay safe and Go Browns.