Cleveland Browns are faced with the fact that they don’t have a first-round pick once again in the NFL Draft.
The pressure will be on for the Browns to make pick No. 54 could. Cleveland will have a chance to add a difference-maker with clear areas they could add to the roster.
Perhaps the Browns end up moving up, they could in a draft that is a bit weaker on the third day with so many prospects returning to college.
If the Browns do look to stay at pick No. 54, ESPN Analytics has these five players below as the most likely to be available, per their data.
Patrick Paul, OT, Houston
Cleveland could be looking to add depth at tackle with Jack Conklin aging and Jedrick Wills Jr. playing on his fifth-year option. Paul fits the Dawand Jones mold by being listed at 6-foot-8 and 338 pounds. He is a quick tackle who has a mean streak and plays through his strength. A player I could see being a starter sooner rather than later.
T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas
Sweat has off-the-field issues and character concerns that are a tough sell when you look at his athletic profile. He was a force at Texas and may be a player that is impactful on certain downs. For any team, it is going to be a risk to select Sweat, more so than other players that will be viable here.
Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU
As mentioned, the Browns could find themselves with a really good tackle here in the second round. Suamataia is another example of that. I can’t help but think that Suamataia is the kind of mover at offensive tackle that previous offensive line coach Bill Callahan would have wanted in Cleveland. Another big body at 6-foot-5 and 326 pounds, Suamataia would be a nice pick in the second round for the future of the offensive line.
Kris Jenkins, DT, Michigan
If the Browns want to go defensive tackle with their first pick I think three prospects fit the bill and Jenkins is one. The Michigan product was productive the last two seasons and had a solid role as a sophomore as well. With Cleveland having multiple players on one-year deals at defensive tackle, continuing to add at the position is a good idea and it needs to happen. Jenkins is a stout run defender who can continue to develop as a pass rusher.
Roger Rosengarten, OT, Washington
Washington has a couple of tackle prospects that are highly thought of and Rosengarten is the one that they may have a chance to land. Rosengarten offers the athletic profile of an elite tackle prospect. One place he raised eyebrows was the Senior Bowl. To be a starter in the NFL, Rosengarten is going to have to get built up to the strength. He isn’t ready for a top-flight pass rush artist to line up across from him but not many rookies are. Cleveland doesn’t need a rookie tackle to start in their first season so that’s a bonus.
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