The Cleveland Browns‘ season came to an ignominious end on Sunday. They finished with a 6-10 record after suffering an embarrassing loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, leading to the firing of head coach Freddie Kitchens after the game. All the hype surrounding their trade for wide receiver Odell Beckham is long gone. The media don’t know who to blame for Baker Mayfield‘s sophomore struggles. Some blame rests on Mayfield’s shoulders, but Kitchens’ playbook has been uninspiring at best this year. As another disastrous season winds down, it’s time for an annual Browns activity: checking out some draft prospects. Here are three 2020 draft prospects the Browns should take a long look at.
These are first-round prospects, and they are based on where the Browns currently stand in the draft.
Three 2020 NFL Draft Prospects for the Cleveland Browns
1. Grant Delpit, Safety, LSU
The Browns’ secondary has been leaky, especially the last couple weeks. Their two young corners, Greedy Williams and Denzel Ward, have shown flashes but have yet to put together a complete game together. Safety Damarious Randall is likely gone next season. The Browns need secondary help, and what better place to look than “DBU.”
Delpit could fit right in and start in Cleveland. He has good size, at 6’3″, a high I.Q. and the ability to do a number of things on the field. In 2018, he enjoyed a standout season with five sacks and five interceptions. He lines up as a box linebacker at times, and even as an outside pass rusher. His versatility would do wonders for Steve Wilks (if he’s still around) and the Browns’ defense. They should take a long look at the LSU junior.
2. Mekhi Becton, Offensive Tackle, Louisville
Cleveland’s offensive line has enjoyed an up-and-down season, though a heavy emphasis on the downside. Mayfield has been running for his life all season. The Browns employ a deep-pass heavy playbook, but the offensive line’s struggles don’t allow Mayfield any time to read the field.
Becton was recently named to the 2019 Jacobs Blocking Trophy, awarded to the ACC’s best offensive lineman. He is massive, at 6’7″ and over 360 lbs, and can play a little of both tackle and guard. He could immediately start at four different positions for the Browns, and could allow them to successfully run the playbook they want to run.
3. Austin Jackson, Offensive Tackle, USC
The offensive line is undeniably Cleveland’s biggest need. While the aforementioned Becton’s strength is his massive frame, Austin Jackson’s is his elite athleticism. He has great footwork and uses his hands well at the line of scrimmage. He’s a bit smaller, at around 310 pounds, but his tape pops and his athleticism is obvious.
His tape on passing downs is far more impressive than his rush blocking skill, which plays directly into what the Browns need. Second-year back Nick Chubb has shown he can be effective even behind poor offensive play, whereas the Browns’ passing offense has suffered tremendously behind a porous group of blockers. Jackson would more than likely slot in as the Browns’ right tackle of the future and would be a nice addition to a unit that desperately needs help.
