Tight end Harrison Bryant comes to the Cleveland Browns months removed from winning the John Mackey Award among multiple honors from Florida Atlantic along with two other quality role players on the 2020 NFL Draft’s final day. The Browns also selected center, Nick Harris, out of the University of Washington in the fifth round and Michigan receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones in the sixth to complete what was already a solid NFL Draft.
After years of reaching and “what was (insert general manager name here) thinking?” type of picks, Andrew Berry receives full marks following his first draft with the Browns… at least in the weeks following the draft. It takes up to three years to predict a draft, but in the short-run, Berry receives credit.
Take a closer look at each of the Browns’ final three draft picks and how they figure to contribute during their first year with the team.
Browns Land Mackey Award Winner Harrison Bryant, Two Others
Harrison Bryant, TE/Florida Atlantic
Harrison Bryant became the first tight end from a Group of Five conference to win the John Mackey Award, awarded to the best tight end in college football. In route to his award, he amassed 65 receptions for 1,004 yards, averaging over 15 yards per catch.
In 2019, he also earned a place on the All-American Team. He ended his college career as a three-time All-C-USA player, earning first-team All-C-USA honors twice.
Per NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, Bryant compares to George Kittle, one of the best tight ends in the NFL.
Bryant figures to become an immediate contributor to the Browns whose receiver and tight end room already loaded with Odell Beckham, Jarvis Landry, Austin Hooper, and David Njoku. Bryant’s speed, productivity, and athleticism will force coaches to carve a role for the tight end early.
Bryant comes with a few flaws. He will see ghosts, which leads to easy drops. He’s also yet to establish himself as a legitimate red-zone target. He’s also known to drift and needs to improve his route-running ability.
Overall, the Browns made a fantastic value pick which gives the already talented offense yet another high-quality skill position player on offense.
Nick Harris, C/Washington
In the fifth round, the Browns drafted another great value pick with center Nick Harris. Harris comes to the Browns after earning two All-Pac-12 First-Team honors and grades as a solid backup who could eventually develop into a starter.
With JC Tretter already holding down the starting center job, Harris figures to be the primary backup and he could be the heir apparent to Tretter down the line.
Reports describe Harrison as a consistent player who produces well in both pass and run-blocking situations. If his consistency translates to the NFL, there’s a spot for him in the league.
While Harris is consistent with his play, he’s an undersized lineman at just 6’1, 302lbs, meaning he’s not a candidate to play anywhere on the line other than center. He’s a developmental prospect but his consistency rings.
If he can pack on another 15 pounds of muscle and build the strength required for an NFL player, he will play in this league for years to come.
Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR/Michigan
With an unsettled receiver room behind Beckham and Landry, the Browns were sure to hit on a receiver in the later rounds. Peoples-Jones brings outstanding size to the Browns with a 212lb frame.
He had 14 touchdown receptions during his final two seasons at Michigan on 81 catches, giving him one touchdown per every six catches. A great statistic to bring into the NFL and it shows the Michigan product can become a legitimate red-zone threat at the next level.
He had marginal production, however, with only 103 career receptions at Michigan. He’s slow off his routes and appears sluggish with scouts figuring him serving best as a slot receiver at the next level.
Peoples-Jones isn’t a starter. Most sixth-round picks aren’t. But he has the potential to be a red-zone threat and a solid role player. Something the Browns lacked in 2019, which led to a lot of forced passes from quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
