APC Community Mock Draft - The Browns are ready to pick at 26

The Jaguars went with Trevon Moehrig at 25, suddenly turning their safety tandem into a dangerous part of their defense. He has the ability to play in the box or line up deep middle, making Jacksonville flexible as Rayshawn Jenkins is capable of lining up from the slot to the deep third. Jenkins has also shown good recovery speed that can complement Moehrig’s abilities and allow him to play to his strengths.

The Browns are now on the clock as they look to build upon last year’s 11-5 season. Moehrig was a popular pick here early in draft season, but the Browns can afford not to take a safety after signing John Johnson III in free agency. The Browns and Andrew Berry have made it a point to address needs before the draft, leaving them with the flexibility to draft multiple positions.

The most glaring need right now comes on the interior defensive line after Cleveland released Sheldon Richardson last week. He has started every game the past 2 seasons, so his absence will surely be felt. With one DT signed past this year, Christian Barmore would be a great fit. Cleveland has enough firepower rushing the QB that Barmore would not be asked to shoulder the load. Not many situations would benefit Barmore as much as Cleveland right now.

The Browns could also go for an edge rusher, as Jadeveon Clowney is only signed through this year. More depth is never a bad idea and the Browns could set themselves up for success in the future by picking an EDGE here. Jayson Oweh would be a perfect developmental piece to play behind Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney. Finally, the Browns need help at CB but with the way the draft has gone, it isn’t likely we see Berry reach for a player like Eric Stokes. This leaves Zaven Collins as an option being frequently mocked to the Browns. As we’ve mentioned over and over, versatility is the name of the game for Collins. He fills a need for the Browns at LB while also giving them another pass rushing option at 259 lbs. He has been in contact with the team, saying he loves the organization. The feeling could be mutual if Cleveland likes Collins’ coverage skills. We’ll run down the top 25 before analyzing the Browns’ prospects.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars - Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
2. New York Jets - Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
3. San Francisco 49ers - Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
4. Atlanta Falcons - Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
5. Cincinnati Bengals - Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
6. Miami Dolphins - Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
7. Detroit Lions - DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
8. Carolina Panthers - Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern
9. Denver Broncos - Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
10. Dallas Cowboys - Patrick Surtain, CB, Alabama
11. New York Giants - Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
12. Philadelphia Eagles - Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
13. Los Angeles Chargers - Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
14. Minnesota Vikings - Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC
15. New England Patriots - Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
16. Arizona Cardinals - Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
17. Las Vegas Raiders - Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
18. Miami Dolphins - Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan
19. Washington Football Team - Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
20. Chicago Bears - Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
21. Indianapolis Colts - Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami
22. Tennessee Titans - Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern
23. New York Jets - Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Florida State
24. Pittsburgh Steelers - Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
25. Jacksonville Jaguars - Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU

The Browns filled holes in free agency, expanding their options at 26.

Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama

Alabama simply never has a shortage of NFL defensive linemen prospects. Year after year, a new name explodes onto the scene. Barmore is the latest standout. After redshirting his freshman year and facing limited playing time in 2019, he broke into the starting lineup in 2020. After a knee injury slowed him down early, Barmore finished strong and dominated the College Football Playoff. He finished the year with 9.5 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles as a third-team All-American and a first-team All-SEC defender. Barmore is a boom or bust prospect with an explosive first step and the tools to be a three-down player if he adds moves to his pass rush repertoire.

Jayson Oweh, EDGE, Penn State

Of all the edge rushers in this draft, Oweh may be the most athletic. While he didn’t record a sack in 2020, Oweh finished with 6.5 tackles for loss and was voted first-team All-Big Ten. The tools are not all there yet, but Oweh only played 20 games in college and didn’t start playing football until his junior year of high school. At 6-foot-5, 257 pounds, he has the strength and speed to be a situational rusher from day 1. Oweh does not have many pass rush moves in his arsenal and will need to develop counters to what he’ll see in the league. He may be too raw to make a real, every-down impact in his first season, but teams will be salivating over the possibilities down the line.

Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa

As a junior in 2020, Collins burst onto the scene and into the minds of scouts and draftniks alike. In 8 games, Collins racked up two forced fumbles, four sacks, and four interceptions (two of which he returned for touchdowns). At 6-foot-5 and almost 260 pounds, he’s big enough to play on the edge but fast and explosive enough to play off the ball, with a similar skill set to Anthony Barr in Minnesota.

With the 26th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns select…

The Browns are in an enviable position at the back of the first round. Cleveland is set up for future success and can afford to draft depth with this pick as they attempt to win the AFC North. Tomorrow at 11 AM EST, we’ll examine the Ravens’ choices at pick 27, and at 4 PM EST, we’ll check out the Saints at 28 as they enter a post Drew Brees era. Don’t forget to vote here and on Twitter @acmepackingco.