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The Cleveland Browns enter the 2020 NFL Draft with a new head coach in Kevin Stefanski. Can he add the pieces for Cleveland to rebound from its disappointing 2019 season?
Despite sky-high expectations from many Cleveland Browns fans heading into last season, the team ended 2019 in monumental disappointment, leading to the eventual dismissal of head coach Freddie Kitchens and general manager John Dorsey.
A new regime now enters the fold, led by GM Andrew Berry and new head coach Kevin Stefanski. Both have a great deal of talent on both sides of the ball to work with, but capitalizing on that talent will be the key in determining whether or not they can deliver on those previous expectations.
Free agent additions Austin Hooper and Jack Conklin were already two of the biggest splashes of the offseason, but where does Cleveland go on draft day? Here’s a look with this completely accurate seven-round mock draft.
Round 1
Tristan Wirfs
OT, Hawkeyes
The Browns have met with every offensive lineman under the sun during the pre-draft process, but the best fit for Kevin Stefanski’s scheme could be Combine superstar and former Iowa Hawkeye, Tristan Wirfs.
Wirfs put up mind-boggling numbers at this year’s Combine, including a 4.85 40-yard dash, which all but assured him as a lock to be picked inside the top 10. The athleticism he showed in February certainly shows up on tape, as Wirfs can move better than just about any offensive lineman in the open field and seems ideal for a zone-blocking scheme.
Cleveland shored up the right side of their line by bringing in Jack Conklin from the Titans, but there is still a huge hole to be filled at left tackle. If the Browns feel Wirfs is capable of filling that spot, he could very well be their guy with the 10th overall pick. If not, and their preferred tackles are off the board, look for them to trade down and target Boise State’s Ezra Cleveland or TCU’s Lucas Niang near the top of the second.