KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 05: Andrew Thomas #71 of the Georgia Bulldogs warms up on the field before the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)
The Cleveland Browns have several offseason holes, but only seven draft picks to fill them. Here is their latest 2020 NFL mock draft. Who are they taking?
It’s a new decade of Cleveland Browns football.
Hopefully, it will be better than the last two. Since coming back into the league as an expansion team in 1999, Cleveland has made the NFL playoffs one time. The last time they won a playoff game Bill Belichick was their head coach and the Baltimore Ravens weren’t even a thing yet. So what does Cleveland have to do to fix finally itself?
The Browns hired a promising head coach in former Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski. They brought in former Philadelphia Eagles front office executive Andrew Berry to be their new general manager. Together, they must figure out the best plan of action to make this laughingstock of a franchise relevant again. One way they can do that is through the NFL Draft.
Their main needs are at offensive tackle, out one the edge and at safety. Secondary needs include linebacker, guard and wide receiver. Tertiary needs are at cornerback, tight end, quarterback and along the defensive line. Here is the latest 2020 NFL mock draft for the Browns.
First Round
10
Andrew Thomas
OT Georgia Bulldogs
The Browns’ biggest need in the draft is at offensive tackle. Replacing a certain Pro Football Hall of Famer in Joe Thomas was never going to be easy, but Cleveland can’t have a turnstile at left tackle going forward. Fortunately for the Browns, this is a strong offensive tackle class in the first round. Cleveland should be able to get arguably the best left tackle prospect with their No. 10 overall pick.
Andrew Thomas starred at Georgia for three years before going pro. Thomas was a two-time First-Team All-American with the Dawgs and a unanimous selection during his junior year. Georgia won the SEC East all three years he was in school, taking home the Jacobs Blocking Trophy last fall. At 6-foot-5 and 320 pounds, this guy will not bust and projects as the next Tyron Smith.
Thomas is proficient in both pass protection and in run blocking. He has the length to keep the best edge rushers at bay, as well as a bit of a nasty streak that will help a team in the ground game. A smart and instinctive player, Thomas can absolutely be the next great Browns offensive lineman. Players like Baker Mayfield and Nick Chubb will get immediately better upon his arrival.
There are a few other offensive tackles to watch in the early part of the NFL Draft if you’re Cleveland. Thomas, Jedrick Wills Jr. of the Alabama Crimson Tide and Tristan Wirfs of the Iowa Hawkeyes all project as top-10 picks. Cleveland can hope teams will go on a run for quarterbacks, but they need a left tackle desperately. If that means trading up a few spots, then go get your guy.