Browns: 2023 NFL Draft Picks Recap, Analysis & Team Grades

And just like that, the 2023 NFL Draft is in the books. Per usual, it was a wild and unexpected ride, starting with all the Round 1 action. Day 2 and Day 3 delivered surprises of their own. Some teams capitalized on the opportunity, while others came up short. Let’s take a look at the 2023 NFL Draft recap, analysis, and grades for the Cleveland Browns. NFL Draft analysts Andrew Erickson and Thor Nystrom combine to provide their thoughts below.

NFL Draft Grades for Every Team
Thor’s Draft Grades (AFC | NFC)
NFL Draft Day 1 Winners & Losers (Day 2 | Day 3)
Fitz’s Round 1 NFL Draft Picks: Dynasty Rookie Draft Outlook (Day 2 | Day 3)
Latest Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft

2023 NFL Draft Recap, Analysis & Grades: Cleveland Browns

NFL Draft analysts Andrew Erickson and Thor Nystrom combine to provide their thoughts below.

Thor Nystrom’s Overview & Grades

Cleveland Browns | Draft Grade: A-

Pick	Team	Position	Rank	Name	School	Comp
74	Browns	WR6	56	Cedric Tillman	Tennessee	Courtland Sutton
98*	Browns	DL7	69	Siaki Ika	Baylor	Damon Harrison
111	Browns	OT5	46	Dawand Jones	Ohio State	Orlando Brown Jr.
126	Browns	ED11	61	Isaiah McGuire	Missouri	Chris Kelsay
140	Browns	QB9	163	Dorian Thompson-Robinson	UCLA	Tyler Huntley
142	Browns	CB22	154	Cameron Mitchell	Northwestern	Kristian Fulton
190	Browns	OL10	109	Luke Wypler	Ohio State	Dominic Raiola

Due to the Deshaun Watson and Elijah Moore trades, Cleveland entered Draft Weekend with the second-least draft equity in the NFL. They didn’t come on the clock until the No. 74 pick and had only four picks in the top-130. The Browns walked away from those selections with four prospects I ranked in the top-70.

The slick bargain shopping began with WR Cedric Tillman. Over the last seven games of 2021 and the first two of 2022 – nine games total – Tillman averaged seven catches for 122 yards and a touchdown-plus per game. Had he not suffered a high-ankle sprain at that point, he would have gone in Round 2, and Jalin Hyatt would still be living in a Knoxville dorm room.

With the second third-round pick, Cleveland stopped the fall of NT Siaki Ika, who was a first-rounder in every too-early-mock-draft a year ago. Ika had a down season in 2022, but he’s a premium block-eating prospect in a class bereft of them.

The Browns weren’t done adding behemoths, taking OT Dawand Jones from nearby Ohio State next. Jones was a lock to be a second-rounder three months ago. But some in the NFL soured on him after he opted-out of the Senior Bowl after one day, weighed in at 374 (up 15 pounds from his listing) at the NFL Combine, and opted-out of Ohio State’s pro day. I don’t care. He’s going to be a plus starting RT in the NFL for a long time.

EDGE Isaiah McGuire was a steal at No. 126. He’s a powerful edge-setter who tested better than expected, posting a 95th-percentile size-adjusted athletic composite. It was almost as though the rest of the NFL didn’t upgrade him whatsoever for that.

Later on, I loved the value Cleveland got on Jones’ linemate at Ohio State, C Luke Wypler. Wypler is confined to center, but he has a decent shot to develop into a quality starter there.

Andrew Erickson’s Overview & Grades

Cleveland didn’t have a ton of high-end draft capital to work with, but I liked what they did with their limited picks. WR Cedric Tillman (a draft crush of mine) gives Deshaun Watson another big-bodied target on the perimeter. Nose tackle Siaki Ika helps address a major need for the Browns defense that was gashed versus the run last season.

Starting in Round 4, the Browns took the ginormous OT Dawand Jones. The former Buckeye boasts mammoth-sized arms and wingspan in the 98th percentile measuring in at 6-foot-8 and a whopping 374 pounds. Per Sports Info Solutions, Jones tied for first in the class in the lowest blown block percentage (0.8%). He’s a bit of a project, so I like the fit with Cleveland.

DT Isaiah McGuire was another nice find late. The Missouri Tiger edge rusher saved his best for last during his senior year, posting a career-high PFF pash rush grade (82.0). He also finished 4th in Sports Info Solutions’ adjusted tackle depth plus, which showcases his ability to blow up plays in the offensive backfield. McGuire has explosiveness traits with an 82nd percentile broad jump and 83rd percentile vertical jump at 6-foot-4 and 268 pounds.

I’m also a big fan of QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson and love the value of him as a Day 3 pick. He can slide in as Watson’s backup with a ton of experience to offer.

Luke Wypler in Round 6 was another nice addition to the Browns offensive line. The former Buckeye finished as PFF’s 9th-graded guard in 2022 with top-30 grades in both pass/run blocking. Solid depth for the Brownies.

FINAL DRAFT GRADE: A-