The Beast, Dane Brugler’s expansive guide to the NFL Draft, is here.
The Cleveland Browns’ first selection will come in the second round at No. 54 when the 2024 NFL Draft begins April 25 in Detroit. They currently own just five picks in the seven-round draft.
Browns’ draft picks
| Round | Pick | Overall | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
2 |
22 |
54 |
|
|
3 |
21 |
85 |
|
|
5 |
21 |
156 |
From Eagles, via Cardinals |
|
6 |
30 |
206 |
From Ravens |
|
7 |
7 |
227 |
From Titans |
|
7 |
23 |
243 |
Full draft order
Every pick in the seven-round NFL Draft.
NFL Draft details
• Round 1: April 25, 8 p.m. ET
• Rounds 2-3: April 26, 7 p.m. ET
• Rounds 4-7: April 27, noon ET
All rounds will be televised on ESPN/ABC and NFL Network and in Spanish on ESPN Deportes.
About the Browns
• Head coach: Kevin Stefanski (fifth season with team)
• Last year’s record: 11-6, eliminated in AFC wild-card round
The Browns had a wild but successful 2023 season as they became the first team since 2015 to win a game with four different starting quarterbacks and make the playoffs along the ride. They entered March with few glaring roster needs and focused on keeping the core of last year’s team together. The defense was fixed last offseason and thrived under the pressure-first scheme implemented by defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. The offense needs to be fixed now, as Deshaun Watson works his way back from major shoulder surgery, Nick Chubb works his way from two major knee surgeries and new receiver Jerry Jeudy aims to give the Browns speed they didn’t have last season. The Browns rushed into an extension for Jeudy, continuing a line of big bets on the offensive side that have produced mixed results thus far.
Will Watson finally deliver? Was the defensive nightmare in the playoffs just one bad day? The Browns think they have the manpower to keep up in the loaded AFC, but Watson has much to prove.
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Browns free-agency tracker: Rodney McLeod returns, D’Onta Foreman adds backfield depth
Browns’ key position needs
Defensive line: Last year, this was the clear top offseason priority. But most of the group returns, and the Browns have gotten older across the defensive front. There’s risk in that, but reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett headlines a group that will look to add some youth in the draft.
Wide receiver: Amari Cooper remains the clear-cut No. 1 wideout. But he’ll be 30 during the final year of his current contract, and the Browns have question marks behind him. With Elijah Moore also entering the final year of his current deal, look for Cleveland to try to add a developmental-type prospect even after the addition of Jeudy.
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The state of Browns’ receiving corps following Jerry Jeudy’s extension
Round it out: Mostly, the Browns are drafting for depth and for the future. All 11 opening-day offensive starters are on track to be back, and the defense returns its top rushers, top four cornerbacks and top five safeties. In many ways, Pro Bowl tight end David Njoku is a turbo-charged wide receiver, so look for the Browns at some point to add another traditional tight end.
Future flexibility: The Browns don’t consider linebacker a premium position, but they do consider offensive tackle one. With some uncertainty surrounding the futures of Jedrick Wills Jr. and Jack Conklin, the Browns could draft a developmental tackle. Though they’ll likely draft a linebacker, too, their recent track record says they won’t prioritize that position.
Browns draft analysis
Examining Browns’ picks in Dane Brugler’s 7-round mock draft
Browns and ‘The Beast’: NFL Draft guide takeaways on potential targets in Rounds 2 and 3
Browns seven-round mock draft: Defensive line, WR help on the way
Cleveland Browns big board: Defensive line help among biggest priorities
Browns at NFL combine: How will salary-cap changes affect the roster and draft plans?
Exploring Browns 2024 draft needs: Finding wide receiver help is a must
The Athletic’s latest mock drafts
April 17: Dane Brugler’s seven-round mock draft
Brugler has Cleveland getting help on both lines of scrimmage with its first two picks in the second and third rounds.
April 8: Nick Baumgardner’s three-round NFL mock draft
Baumgardner has the Browns adding receiver and O-line help with their first two selections.
April 4: Bruce Feldman’s NFL mock draft
Feldman has Cleveland selecting Georgia wideout Ladd McConkey with its first pick in the second round.
March 25: Ben Standig’s NFL mock draft
Standig has the Browns selecting Iowa State cornerback T.J. Tampa with their first pick in Round 2.
March 21: Beat writer mock draft 2.0
Jackson has Cleveland taking defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. out of Ohio State with its first selection at No. 54.
March 5: Dane Brugler’s post-combine mock draft
Brugler has the Browns adding to their receiving corps by selecting Florida wideout Ricky Pearsall.
Feb. 22: Beat writer mock draft 1.0
Jackson has the Browns going with Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley with their first selection.
Browns’ last five top picks
2023: Cedric Tillman, WR, No. 74 — He’s a big target, and the team is optimistic he’ll take a leap after a quiet rookie season. General manager Andrew Berry has made several good decisions in rebuilding the Browns, but the next wide receiver draft pick who becomes a hit will be the first.
2022: Martin Emerson Jr., CB, No. 68 — He’s at least a keeper and appears to have some star qualities. Though he struggled in January’s playoff loss, Emerson is fearless, savvy and allows the Browns to play man-to-man at a higher rate than the league average. He could be a year away from a big-money extension.
2021: Greg Newsome II, CB, No. 26 — Newsome had an up-and-down 2023, but he returned his first career interception for a touchdown in a November win at Baltimore and remains an important player. The Browns face a May decision on his 2025 option of more than $15 million, and his future is uncertain because he’s currently the team’s No. 3 cornerback. A big season lies ahead.
2020: Jedrick Wills Jr., OT, No. 10 — A college right tackle for the left-handed Tua Tagovailoa, Wills immediately transitioned to the left side with the Browns. He’s been mostly solid when healthy, but his long-term future is uncertain. He’s playing 2024 on a twice-reworked fifth-year option of his rookie deal, and he’ll need a strong year to put himself in the team’s long-term plans.
2019: Greedy Williams, CB, No. 46 — Williams struggled to stay healthy and never played much past his rookie season. The Browns’ current regime drafted over him twice, and Williams left after the 2022 season to be a backup with the Philadelphia Eagles.
(Photo of Devontez Walker: Brett Davis / USA Today)
