The Cleveland Browns 2023 draft includes a total of eight selections, none of them coming within the first two rounds. As you likely already know, the trade for star quarterback Deshaun Watson last offseason subtracted a ton of draft capital from the Browns’ war chest.
Even then, general manager Andrew Berry needs to plug some holes and find more depth on a roster that won just seven games a season ago.
Below, we provide you with our final Browns mock draft for 2023 with an explanation about the top picks. But before that, let’s look at needs for Cleveland while laying out the selections they boast in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Related: Updated 2023 NFL Draft order
Cleveland Browns draft needs 2023
Here is a list of the Cleveland Browns draft needs heading into the 2023 draft.
- Defensive end
- Defensive tackle
- Wide receiver
- Linebacker
- Safety
2023 Cleveland Browns draft picks
- Round 3 – 74th overall
- Round 3 – 98th overall
- Round 4 – 111th overall
- Round 4 (via MIN) – 126th overall
- Round 5 (via LAR) – 140th overall
- Round 5 – 142nd overall
- Round 6 – 190th overall
- Round 7 – 231st overall
Related: Sportsnaut’s 3-round 2023 NFL mock draft
Cleveland Browns mock draft: Filling holes and adding depth
Sportsnaut used Pro Football Focus’ NFL Draft simulator, which provides the flexibility to trade and work through a variety of scenarios. Let’s dive into our Browns mock draft.
Round 3, 74th overall: Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
This would be an ideal scenario for Cleveland given that Simpson is largely projected to be a second-round pick heading into the 2023 NFL Draft. The former Clemson star has an ability to play in the box, cover tight ends from the slot and put pressure on the quarterback out on the edge. Last season with the Tigers, Simpson displayed his versatility in a big way.
Linebacker is also a major need for the Browns. A second-round pick back in 2021, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah has not panned out as a starter (132.1 QB rating allowed last season). Veteran Anthony Walker also returns as a starter after missing all but three games a season ago to a quad injury.
Related: Cleveland Browns owner addresses coach Kevin Stefanski’s future, 2023 season
Round 3, 98th overall: Keeanu Benton, DT, Wisconsin
As any football fan knows, building up the trenches is key to success in today’s NFL. Cleveland yielded an average of 4.7 yards per rush while boasting one of the worst run defenses in the league a season ago. Signing Dalvin Tomlinson in free agency helps. But there’s more of a need here.
That’s where the 309-pound Benton comes into play. He profiles as a B-gap defensive tackle and could be a long-term option next to Tomlinson in Cleveland. A four-year starter at Wisconsin, Benton recorded 10 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks last season.
Round 4, 111th overall: Nathaniel Dell, WR, Houston
Even after adding Elijah Moore in a trade with the New York Jets earlier this offseason, picking up another weapon for Watson makes a ton of sense. The idea would be to create an elite-level receiving core to go with starters Amari Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones.
- Nathaniel Dell stats (2022): 109 receptions, 1,398 yards, 17 TD
As you can see, the 5-foot-8 Dell was extremely productive catching passes from Clayton Tune for Houston last season. While he joins Moore in pretty much being limited to the slot, Dell can be used as an offensive weapon given his explosiveness.
Round 4, 126th overall: Ronnie Hickman, S, Ohio State
We’re not sure that replacing John Johnson with Juan Thornhill in free agency moves the needle for the Cleveland Browns too much. Thornhill has yielded a triple-digit QB rating when targeted each of the past three seasons. Finding a potential long-term replacement to pair up with Grant Delpit should be in the cards.
In an NFL Draft that is seen as weak at safety, there’s also some depth in the mid rounds. Hickman could very well be an example of this. He’s more of a big slot or in-the-box guy who boasts functional strengh to make plays. Given Delpit’s ability in coverage, this would be an ideal fit.
Full 7-round Cleveland Browns mock draft
- Round 3 – 74th overall: Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
- Round 3 – 98th overall: Keeanu Benton, DT, Wisconsin
- Round 4 – 111th overall: Nathaniel Dell, WR, Houston
- Round 4 — 126th overall: Ronnie Hickman, S, Ohio State
- Round 5 – 140th overall: Isaiah McGuire, EDGE, Missouri
- Round 5 – 142nd overall: Roschon Johnson, RB, Texas
- Round 6 – 190th overall: Juice Scruggs, C, Penn State
- Round 7 – 231st overall: Josh Whyle, TE, Cincinnati
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