Post NFL Combine Browns Mock: Cleveland Adds Playmaker, Defensive Difference Makers

In this post NFL Combine mock draft, the Cleveland Browns select Josh Downs with the 42nd pick before addressing the defense.

Brandon Little | Mar 6, 2023

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Cleveland Browns

With the NFL Combine having concluded, it's time to jump into another mock draft for the Cleveland Browns. In this one specifically, I added a playmaker for Deshaun Watson with the team's first pick. After that, I focused on adding pieces to the defensive line.

With this draft, I am relying on the team to add more defensive line pieces in free agency. Doing such would allow a draft like this to take place, not having to grab a top defensive tackle early, a position that is tough to win at as a young player in the NFL.

Let's get straight to it. For this draft, I used the Pro Football Focus mock draft simulator.

Round 2, Pick 42: Josh Downs, WR North Carolina

Before the combine, I would have gone with a bigger need at this pick all day. Underestimating how well Downs would test, when you combine it with his fluidity it's a no-brainer for me. Downs produced well in college over the last two years with over 2,200 receiving yards and possesses a legit 4.4 speed. His 38-and-a-half-inch vertical and 11-foot-1-inch broad jump show an explosive athlete.

Throwing Downs in the slot with Amari Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones on the outside is dangerous on paper. Cleveland can then allow David Bell to be their fourth wideout, one that still gets on the field a ton.

Round 3, Pick 98: Nick Herbig, EDGE Wisconsin

Herbig had a combined 20 sacks and 30 tackles for a loss over the last two seasons at Wisconsin. To play off the edge, Herbig is going to have to add some weight at the pro level. But he has all of the tools and a great motor to be a very good pro.

Herbig brings active hands and physicalness off the edge. At the combine; Herbig ran a 4.60 40-yard dash with a 1.59 10-add split, which is terrific for the player he is.

In the pros, Herbig may begin as a situational pass-rusher off the edge. But he can drop in coverage if a team wants that, though it is not his strong suit.

Adding Herbig would give the Browns a pass rusher that projects as a starter in the NFL at some point. Opposite of Myles Garrett, Herbig would gain opportunity whether he has a hand in the dirt or not.

Round 4, Pick 111: Karl Brooks, DL Bowling Green

Brooks was a productive player across his five years in the MAC, productive enough to make it a surprise why he didn't transfer to a bigger school. Brooks had a monster senior year with 10 sacks and 18 tackles for a loss. Across his five seasons, he recorded 46 tackles for a loss.

Cleveland would get a player that wins with power during his pass rush, he's 6-foot-4 and 294 pounds approximately. The tackles for a loss number indicate that Brooks can be a player who gets in the backfield. While his run-stopping ability is flashy at times, I'd like to see him more so in Schwartz's defense.

A nice player that would be picked higher surely if he was invited to the NFL Combine.

Round 5, Pick 142: Moro Ojomo, DT Texas

Here we're grabbing our first defensive tackle of the draft, as I didn't like the value of previous picks with who was on the board. Ojomo projects to be a three-technique in the NFL. He has nice length and performs with a high motor which shows up on the tape.

The knock on Ojomo is his limited production, it's there just not a ton. His best season came this past year, he made five tackles for a loss and three sacks. Some project Ojomo to fit best in a 3-4 defense, I wouldn't mind seeing him in Cleveland in a 4-3.

Round 5, Pick 144: Deuce Vaughn, RB Kansas State

Vaughn is as productive a player as you can find in the run game and pass game. The Kansas State back ran for over 1,500 rushing yards and recorded nearly 400 rushing yards. With the role of replacing Kareem Hunt, I love this fit. Size is the only concern at 5-foot-6 and 172 pounds.

Round 6, Pick 190: Braeden Daniels, OT Utah

You can never have enough quality linemen on either side of the ball. On the offensive line, Daniels makes sense at tackle. While the Browns are expected to pick up Jedrick Wills' fifth-year option, question marks remain for his future.

Daniels has started at both tackle spots and left guard. His ability to move well at 6-foot-4 and 300 pounds would fit well with a mobile quarterback in today's NFL.

Round 7, Pick 231: Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB UCLA

The hit rate at this point of the draft is so low it's laughable. But I believe DTR is a talented athlete that can succeed in some way in the NFL. Putting him behind Watson with his similar style of being able to run the ball, would be intriguing as a backup.

While the Browns have kept Kellen Mond for a reason, perhaps you try to get DTR to the practice squad.

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