Cleveland Browns Mock Draft: Fixing the D-Line, Adding a Surprise Playmaker

In this Cleveland Browns mock draft through four rounds, the defensive line is a point of emphasis.

Brandon Little | Feb 20, 2023

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Cleveland Browns

Myles Garrett was the lone impact player for the Cleveland Browns on the defensive line in 2022. If the defense wants to improve under Jim Schwartz, they'll have to supply him with some upgrades on the defensive line.

In my four-round NFL mock draft, the Browns select three defensive linemen, as well as an interesting running back. When the board falls a certain way, there are just some players you can not pass on.

Cleveland hits the ground running at pick No. 42 with an impact edge player.

The mock draft was run on the PFF simulator.

Round 2, Pick 42: Tuli Tuipulotu (DE, USC)

Plug and play here. Cleveland gets a player that broke out in his junior season with a monster campaign. Tuipulotu had 13.5 sacks and 22 tackles for a loss in 14 games played this past season. In his freshman and sophomore seasons, he brought the quarterback down 10 times combined.

Tuipulotu does a great job of turning speed to power with his initial punch off the edge. He finds creative ways to win such as his top-notch spin move. At 6-foot-4 and 290 pounds, Tuipulotu will be playing early on in his NFL career.

With Jadeveon Clowney on his way out, the Browns need help off the edge. Isaiah Thomas and Alex Wright are developing, Tuipulotu could give the Browns an intriguing trio of youth.

Round 3, Pick 98: Gervon Dexter Sr. (DT, Florida)

The biggest hole on the defensive line is at defensive tackle. With Tuipulotu being the top player on my board at pick No. 42 there was no way I was passing on him. I felt a few interior guys would be there in the third that I'm comfortable with taking, Dexter is one.

Dexter is a giant at 6-foot-6 and 312 pounds. The Florida product is as strong as it gets with a bench press of over 420 pounds recorded. Dexter gets off the line well to fill gaps with his quick burst to action. Cleveland badly needs run-stoppers, and Dexter can do just that. When Dexter is in the play he normally finishes it.

As a junior, Dexter had two sacks and 55 tackles. He's a very athletic player despite his size, he had two interceptions in his college career. Simply put, Dexter can move.

Cleveland had the worst defensive tackle group in the NFL last season. Dexter could compete for playing time right away.

Round 4, Pick 111: Tyjae Spears (HB, Tulane)

There were bigger needs/wants at this pick including the safety position. I believe Spears is a top 80 player in this draft at least, so I stuck to my board. Kareem Hunt is all but gone and the Browns will need more depth at running back. Jerome Ford showed promise as a rookie returning kicks but did little with little opportunity in the offense.

Nick Chubb is the workhorse of this running back room, but Spears would give Cleveland their best multi-dimensional back. Spears ran for nearly 1,600 yards this past season at Tulane and added another 256 on the receiving end. Spears runs a legit 4.40-yard dash that gives him good acceleration after the catch and when he's in the open.

Spears is a good route runner that can be a consistent pass catcher. He does a great job of getting open and even showed some of those things at the Senior Bowl. I'm a fan of Spears between the tackles as well. He is a shifty runner that runs with force and keeps tacklers off him. A player like this gives the Browns another playmaker in more than one way.

Round 4, Pick 126: Byron Young (DT, Alabama)

This player fell here and I'm not sure how. Young is physically ready for the NFL right now with his strong build and large hands that deliver a mean inside punch. Young doesn't often get knocked off his mark by offensive linemen and stays involved in the play.

As a senior, Young had his best season getting after the quarterback with four sacks. He totaled 7.5 total while with the Crimson Tide. Young made 5.5 tackles for a loss and a forced fumble this past season.

Young fills holes, takes up space, and finds the ball carrier in close space. Cleveland needs players like that to stop the run, and allow their linebackers to work. Young provides the Browns with another solid defensive tackle to work into the mix.

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