Notable Draft Expert Names 2 Potential Second Round Targets For Browns

NFL Draft Analyst Daniel Jeremiah talked potential second round targets for the Browns ahead of the NFL Combine.

For the third straight year the Cleveland Browns won't be making a draft pick in the first round. 

Currently, Cleveland is slated to make its first selection in the second round with the 54th overall pick. That mean's general manager Andrew Berry and his staff will really have to do their homework in an effort to find talent outside of the opening round.

On Thursday the NFL Network's draft expert, Daniel Jeremiah, pinpointed several players that the Browns could target in round two, honing in on several key defensive positions as needs.

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"If we're looking at the Cleveland Browns, you're looking at some D-tackles and maybe some linebackers, Jeremiah said via his annual Pre-NFL Combine conference call with the media. "So if I look in that range, second round defensive tackle, Braden Fiske is one that I really, really like from Florida State who transferred out of the MAC. He is a really, really good player. He is going to test like a freak too. He will test well at the combine. Real quick, shoots gap, efforts, chase. He can play every position. He finds the ball. He has really good instincts. Not real long, but a good player and a great week at the Senior Bowl, so he is one in that mix."

Fiske spent the first four years of his career at Western Michigan before joining the Seminoles this past season. His most productive year came in 2022, where he racked up 59 total tackles, including 12 for a loss and six sacks. He also had three pass breakups and forced three fumbles that year. In his one year at Florida state, he matched his career high sack total with six, while snaring nine total tackles for loss.

Jeremiah didn't stop there, though in assessing potential defensive line targets for Cleveland.

Dec 2, 2023; Charlotte, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive lineman Braden Fiske (55) reacts after a tackle on Louisville Cardinals running back Jawhar Jordan (25) in the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium / Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

"An intriguing guy with Mason Smith from LSU who doesn't have a
ton of production, but he is 6'6", 310 pounds," he said. "Really good as a freshman. Coming off an ACL last year and didn't quite see the same player, but has some quickness, has some traits. Just get him fully healthy. I think there's kind of an up side play there with a guy like that."

As Jeremiah cited, Smith had four sacks as part of 19 total tackles his first year in college in 2021. Coming off that aforementioned ACL injury he had more total tackles this season (27) and added 2.5 sacks and two passes defensed. For what it's worth, Berry has drafted a defensive lineman in all but one of his drafts since joining the franchise in 2020.

Jeremiah didn't stop there though as he turned his attention towards a couple potential linebacker targets for Cleveland as well.

The linebackers in that second round range, I think [Junior] Colson from Michigan probably in there, who is just real instinctive, plays downhill, can cover tight ends," Jeremiah explained. "He was hurt and beat up a lot this year and played through it at Michigan. Kind of show you the toughness and the leadership that you want there from that position.

"And Payton Wilson from NC State kind of reminded me of Kiko Alonso coming out of college. Wrestling background. Has had some injuries, but really, really instinctive. A ton of speed, a ton of range. Just a really good player."

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Colson has a productive season as part of the Wolverines run to a National Championship. In 15 games he racked up 95 tackles, including two for a loss, while breaking up two passes as well. One of the key skills that makes Colson an intriguing prospect, as Jeremiah noted, is his ability to cover multiple positions, tight ends most notably.

As for Wilson, he's finished top 10 in all of college football with 138 tackles in 2023. He also snared three interceptions, six passes defensed, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.