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Mock draft: Cleveland Browns make the best with what they have
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Pretty soon none of these mock drafts will matter and the real NFL Draft will be here.

With the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft set to begin on Thursday, there is no better time to look at a full 7-round mock draft for the Cleveland Browns.

This will be the final first-round draft pick that the Browns owe to the Houston Texans for the Deshaun Watson trade. Cleveland will have six picks following the first round of the draft. So that I could not have a free-for-all, I used the ESPN Mock Draft Simulator to have some sort of guideline. 

Round 2, Pick 54: DT Michael Hall Jr., Ohio State

Nov 25, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. (51) celebrates in the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium.Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

I’ve been stuck on this pick for a few months now and many others have jumped on board since then. Hall fits the pass rushing needed that the Browns have on the interior of the interior of the defensive line and he has the athletic profile that they covet.

I believe that Hall is a top-50 player in this draft and that he makes almost too much sense for the Browns. Going for an offensive tackle at this position was an option but I couldn’t pass on Hall being here. A player who is from the Cleveland area coming back to the area to play for the Browns is what childhood dreams are made of.

Round 3, Pick 85: WR Roman Wilson, Michigan

Roman Wilson Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The expectation for me at least is that Wilson would be gone by this pick, so it was another one that I had to jump on. The Michigan product produced the last three seasons for the Wolverines but had his best season as a senior with 789 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Wilson is a speedster with a 4.39 40-yard dash to prove it. A smooth route runner who has very good hands to reel the ball in. He was not in a high passing offense in college, so I project he’s a much better pro than college ge player for obvious reasons.

Round 5, Pick 156: OT Caedan Wallace, Penn State

Caedan Wallace Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Browns land their offensive tackle and while I think they would like one earlier, I’m happy with who is here. Wallace is an athletic offensive tackle that the Browns have coveted in the past. A player that moves really well but needs to refine his technique including using his footwork.

Having played right tackle at Penn State, Wallace can come in and work behind Jack Conklin. Perhaps the Browns find out that Dawand Jones can be the future at left tackle. Don’t rule it out.

Round 6, Pick 206: TE Jared Wiley, TCU

TCU Horned Frogs tight end Jared Wiley (19) celebrates during the game between the TCU Horned Frogs and the Brigham Young Cougars© Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Wiley would be another offensive threat to pair alongside David Njoku. He is a quick tight end that brings a big vertical and the ability to be a high-point target in the red zone at 6-foot-6. The Browns watched Harrison Bryant leave in free agency and did not really replace him. Wiley gives them a player with upside despite being 23 years old

Round 7, Pick 227: RB Rasheen Ali, Marshall

Rasheen AliReinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Ali is from Cleveland and had a productive college career with the Thundering Herd before embarking on the draft. A quick back that is elusive and makes a guy miss more often than not. Ali’s willingness to be a guy in pass protection is both noticeable and needed from a back this late. One of my favorite late-round players in the draft.

Round 7, Pick 243: CB Ryan Watts, Texas

Ryan WattsMatthew Hinton-USA TODAY Spor

Free not having much of a role at Ohio State for his first two seasons, Watts transferred to Texas where he became a starter. At 6-foot-3 with 34.5-inch arms and a 40.5-inch vertical, Watts has some nice traits to work with. He is an aggressive corner that while sometimes it works out for him, other times it comes back to bite him. 

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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