Selection for Browns in RealGM's Mock Keeps Popping Up

Would the Cleveland Browns go against their draft orthodoxy for a particular prospect? One name keeps popping up that would mark a sea change in their evaluation process.

In a two-round mock draft courtesy of Jeff Risdon at RealGM addresses a position that makes sense for the Cleveland Browns, but did so in a way that is head scratching. 

Given how Andrew Berry has guided the team in the draft, both as general manager and as an advisor to Sashi Brown, the Browns have put a premium on age, opting for younger players early in the draft. They often take 21 and 22 year old prospects on the first day of the draft.

Here, the Browns end up with Will McDonald IV, a defensive end from Iowa State. The Browns need pass rush help and McDonald has led the Cyclones in three straight seasons. The problem is he was second on the season in sacks the previous season and he played four games before redshirting the season before that.

McDonald is already 23 years old and will turn 24 on June 4th according to multiple sources including his bio at Iowa State. Listed 6'3" 236 pounds, McDonald would be the oldest player the Browns have drafted in Berry's tenure. 

Now, one might consider this a microaggression from Risdon to tweak people like me. That should not be ruled out. However, this is not the first time I've seen McDonald's name mentioned with the Browns. Zac Jackson of the Athletic also included McDonald in a recent article of potential Browns targets.

Perhaps this is simply a coincidence as McDonald is ranked around the range of where the Browns are slated to pick in the second round. It does beg the question if Risdon or Jackson are hearing this from someone that gives them reason to make this link. However, most of those things tend to happen at the NFL Scouting Combine, which will not begin until the 28th of February.

There are those who think the Browns might be less inclined to concern themselves with age, seeking more impact early given the fact they believe they can contend and might want more impact earlier. However, the Browns arguably need less impact from rookie in this upcoming class than any they've had in arguably decades because of the overall talent on the team. It's an argument to stick to their guns with age, prioritizing talent above all else, which has been Berry's stated goal in the NFL Draft.

Adding to that, the Browns have gotten the most impact early from their youngest players. Undoubtedly, some of that is due to the fact they draft young players earlier in the draft and they are the most likely to see the field early. 

Donovan Peoples-Jones was a sixth-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. He contributed as a rookie and he is only a few months older than McDonald. In fact, DPJ, who is preparing to play in his fourth NFL season, will celebrate his 24th birthday on the 19th of this month. 

Martin Emerson Jr., a third round pick this season, was 21 when the Browns drafted him and he was one of the most impactful rookies this season.

The idea that picking someone who is older will automatically make them more equipped to play early doesn't hold water. So while the Browns could target older players in this class, it should be based on talent. The Browns address needs in free agency and trades, making the draft entirely focused on adding talent and attempting to address issues before they become problems.

As a result, if the draft plays out the way Risdon lays out, the Browns might be happy to select Anton Harrison, the left tackle out of Oklahoma. Harrison is just turned 22 earlier this month and has the athleticism the Browns might want in the position. If the Browns don't want to extend Jedrick Wills, they may want to get the next guy prepared to take over the job.

The Browns have three premium offensive linemen under contract and Wills would be a fourth. Even on his fifth-year option, that expense would be hefty and Harrison could avoid that cost.

The selection of McDonald would be such a radical change of approach from the Cleveland Browns it doesn't seem realistic, but nevertheless, it has popped up multiple times so it was worth discussing.