Browns 2023 Draft Grades

It’s time for the Browns’ 2023 draft grades now that we’ve made it through another NFL Draft. Who cares if none of the draftees have even attended rookie minicamp? The Cleveland Browns entered the 2023 NFL Draft with a total of eight draft picks. However, they wouldn’t pick until the 74th selection (3rd round). They traded away their first-round pick for Deshaun Watson and then traded their second-rounder for Elijah Moore. Eventually, they would also trade away their final pick for a 2024 6th rounder. So, let’s see how the Browns did on their seven total picks.

74th Overall Selection (Rd 3) – Cedric Tillman, WR, Tennessee

This pick was a little confusing for me. Cedric himself is a solid pick, especially in the third round. He’s a big body that the Browns have typically lacked from the WR room in the past. But considering they traded for Moore, signed free agent Marquise Goodwin, and have 12 other WR’s on under contract (including 2022 draft picks David Bell and Mike Woods), it just didn’t seem like the biggest need.

Some talented linebackers and safeties were taken between the Browns’ two third round picks. Two positions of need, and two positions that the Browns ignored the entire draft.

Grade: B-

98th Overall Selection (Rd 3) – Siaki Ika, DT, Baylor

There was a theme for the first few Browns picks, and that was SIZE. Tillman stands 6’3″, and they followed it up with Ika who’s not only 6’3″, but also weighs in at 335 pounds! The Browns have been awful at stopping the run for a while now. But the addition of Ika to a revamped interior of the defensive line should give Browns fans some hope for the future.

Grade: A

111th Overall Selection (Rd 4) – Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State

Didn’t I just mention size? Yeah, Jones fits that bill. Browns GM Andrew Berry himself described Jones as “human orca”. Standing 6’8″ and weighing 374 pounds, I think that description fits well. There were many “experts” that thought that Jones could be a late day 1, early day 2 pick. So, much like the Tillman pick, his value at this position was great. But, also like the Tillman pick, I personally thought that there were more pressing needs at the time. But once considered the recent injury history of Jack Conklin at right tackle, and the uncertain future of left tackle Jedrick Wills, Jones is a nice security blanket.

Grade: B+

126th Overall Selection (Rd 4) – Isaiah McGuire, DE, Missouri

The Browns have struggled to get consistent help opposite of Myles Garrett for a while. They looked to help remedy that this offseason by signing Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, but after that the depth at the position falls off a cliff. McGuire looks to get an early chance to see if he can use that long, powerful frame of his to work himself into the rotation as the #3 defensive end.

Grade: B

140th Overall Selection (Rd 5) – Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB, UCLA

There’s no question that the Browns are set at quarterback. They even brought Josh Dobbs back, to serve as QB2. DTR looks to compete with Kellen Mond (I believe that he’ll beat him out easily) for the QB3, before assuming QB2 duties in the near future. He has a similar skill set to Watson, with excellent mobility and a strong arm. He will need to work on his accuracy a little bit though.

Grade: B-

142nd Overall Selection (Rd 5) – Cameron Mitchell, CB, Northwestern

This might have been the pick I disagreed with the most. While it did feel a need, and Mitchell has shown to be a solid press-coverage corner, I was hoping that the Browns would select Jammie Robinson here. Robinson had the ability to play either safety or slot corner (where Mitchell will most likely be).

Grade: C+

190th Overall Selection (Rd 6) – Luke Wypler, C, Ohio State

This was a pick with an eye toward the future. The Browns ran into issues last year at the center position. Eventually Ethan Pocic game in and played well, and was eventually resigned this offseason. While he looks to start the season as the starter, Wypler, who is quick, instinctive, and looks to fit the offensive scheme well, will look to compete with 2020 draftee Nick Harris and 2022 pick Dawson Deaton for the backup role.

Grade: B

Browns 2023 NFL Draft Final Thoughts

In Andrew Berry’s first couple of draft, he managed to come away with some steals as players dropped. This year, while there might be some players that could’ve been taken higher, there’s not really the same buzz generated. Overall, it was a solid draft and you can see where all the picks fit into building the roster in some form or another. My biggest complaint is that once again the linebacker position was completely overlooked.

Overall Grade: B