CLEVELAND — This isn't your typical NFL Draft for the Cleveland Browns.
Normally, all eyes are on Berea heading into the draft, with the seemingly eternally-doomed franchise holding one of the top picks in the first round. Not this year. This year, the Browns don't have a first-round pick, having packaged it in a trade for Odell Beckham Jr. But, with general manager John Dorsey running the front office, the one thing you can expect is the unexpected, so no one will be surprised to see the Browns do some wheeling and dealing over the course of the next three days.
When is the Browns first pick?
Right now the Browns hold the 49th pick, which is midway through the second round.
Will they trade into the first round?
If Dorsey feels there’s a player he can’t live without, you can bet he will try.
“If I deem it will help the Cleveland Browns, surely I will do that if it helps the organization moving forward, but the compensation on the back end cannot be outrageous,” Dorsey said. “It has to work on both sides.”
Which other picks do they hold?
3rd round
No. 80
4th round
No. 119
5th round
No. 144 (via Jaguars)
No. 155
No. 170 (via Patriots)
6th round
No. 189
7th round
No. 221 (via Jaguars)
Who will the Browns draft?
That remains to be seen. It looks as if the team's 22 starters are set, but the team definitely has needs at the linebacker and safety positions. That said, don't be surprised if they go after a defensive lineman.
“In this draft, everybody knows (the strongest position) is going to be the defensive line," Dorsey said. "That is what everybody has been talking about. It is true. There is some depth there. If you look at the wide receiver position, I think there is depth on all fronts at the wide receiver position. I think there is depth at the running back position. I think there is depth at the quarterback position, as well.”
There is some speculation the Browns may take a quarterback to back up Baker Mayfield.
“I think you look at all positions in the draft, and then when you look at the quarterback position, if you think that player can contribute, that can compete within his position and help the organization moving forward, you know what? We will have a discussion and we will talk about it if we think it is a possibility, and then we will go acquire that player,” Dorsey said.
In other words ... maybe.
Which players are most likely to be traded?
The most likely is running back Duke Johnson, who stopped reporting to team activities following the controversial signing of Kareem Hunt.
What channel is the NFL Draft on?
The first round starts at 8 p.m. on News 5 (ABC), and our sports team will have a pre-draft special tonight from 7-8.
The draft will be hosted by Robin Roberts, the former ESPN reporter now with Good Morning America.
We'll also be airing the draft:
- Friday, April 26 (Rounds 2-3): 7 p.m.
- Saturday, April 27 (Rounds 4-7): 12 p.m.
Will Cleveland ever host an NFL Draft?
Cleveland is believed to be a contender for the 2021 draft, reports News 5's John Kosich.
