Cleveland Browns have team needs at wide receiver, defensive line in 2022 NFL Draft

The Browns stayed put Thursday night instead of jumping back into the first round of the NFL Draft, but there was still plenty for General Manager Andrew Berry and his top lieutenants to track, especially at positions of particular interest.

The Browns entered the draft without a first-round choice because they traded the 13th overall selection and five other picks to the Houston Texans on March 18 for Deshaun Watson, a three-time Pro Bowl quarterback who has arrived to Northeast Ohio amid controversy because he faces 22 active civil lawsuits from women accusing him of sexual misconduct or sexual assault during massage appointments.

The Watson deal leaves the Browns scheduled to go on the clock for the first time in the second round (No. 44 overall) on Friday night. Berry said last week it would be “unlikely” for him to trade up into the first round, so when no move occurred Thursday night, it came as no surprise.

Wide receiver, defensive end and defensive tackle are the most pressing needs for the Browns, who also have two third-round picks (Nos. 78 and 99 overall) on Friday night.

A historic run on receivers early in the draft wasn't a positive development from a Browns perspective, but there are still many appealing options for Berry and Co. to consider at wide receiver and on the defensive line as they reset their board heading into the second round.

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Skyy Moore, George Pickens among wide receivers Cleveland Browns could pick in second round of NFL Draft

The top receivers who remain available entering the second day of the draft are Western Michigan's Skyy Moore, Georgia's George Pickens, North Dakota State's Christian Watson and South Alabama's Jalen Tolbert.

Alabama's John Metchie III, Cincinnati's Alec Pierce, Purdue's David Bell, Kentucky's Wan'Dale Robinson, Memphis' Calvin Austin III, UCLA's Kyle Philips and Boise State's Khalil Shakir could be options in the third round.

Six receivers were selected in the top 20 for the first time in the common draft era (since 1967), according to ESPN. Fortunately for the Browns, the bleeding stopped at No. 18 overall, and most draft analysts expected at least six receivers to be taken in the first round anyway.

The run started at No. 8 overall, where the Atlanta Falcons made Southern California's Drake London the first receiver drafted this year. London being selection ahead of Ohio State's Garrett Wilson was considered an upset.

The top-ranked receiver in the eyes of many analysts, Wilson came off at board at No. 10 overall, joining the New York Jets and becoming the second player at his position drafted this year.

One slot after Wilson became the first Buckeyes wide receiver to be drafted in the opening round since 2007, fellow Ohio State receiver Chris Olave went to the New Orleans Saints, who traded up from No. 16 to No. 11 in a deal with the Washington Commanders.

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The Detroit Lions traded up from the last pick in the first round (No. 32 overall) in a deal with the Minnesota Vikings to draft Alabama's Jameson Williams at No. 12. Williams transferred to Alabama from Ohio State.

The Commanders took Penn State's Jahan Dotson at No. 16 after they moved down five spots in their deal with the Saints.

The Tennessee Titans made a blockbuster trade by sending receiver A.J. Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles. As part of the deal, the Titans got the No. 18 overall pick, which they used on Arkansas receiver Treylon Burks.

Edge defenders David Ojabo, Drake Jackson could fall to Cleveland Browns in Round 2 of NFL Draft

From a Browns view, edge defenders to watch in the second round are Michigan's David Ojabo and Southern California's Drake Jackson.

Others to monitor on Day 2 include Penn State's Arnold Ebiketie, Minnesota's Boye Mafe, Oklahoma's Nik Bonitto, South Carolina's Kingsley Enagbare, San Diego State's Cameron Thomas, Miami of Ohio's Dominique Robinson, Western Kentucky's DeAngelo Malone, Kentucky's Josh Paschal, Alabama at Birmingham's Alex Wright and Mississippi's Sam Williams.

Three edge defenders flew off the board in the first five picks

Georgia's Travon Walker went to the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 1 overall, Michigan's Aidan Hutchinson to the Lions at No. 2 and Oregon's Kayvon Thibodeaux to the New York Giants at No. 5.

Another one wasn't picked, though, until the Jets traded up from the second round (No. 35 overall) in a deal with the Titans to pick Florida State's Jermaine Johnson II at No. 26 overall.

The Kansas City Chiefs drafted Purdue's George Karlaftis 30th overall.

If Browns finally prioritize defensive tackle, options on Day 2 include Logan Hall, Perrion Winfrey, Travis Jones

Houston's Logan Hall can play defensive end, defensive tackle or both, and he's still on the board. The versatility could attract the Browns, who have holes at multiple spots on their four-man front.

Other defensive tackles worth tracking for the Browns in the second and third rounds are Oklahoma's Perrion Winfrey, Connecticut's Travis Jones, Texas A&M's DeMarvin Leal and Alabama's Phidarian Mathis.

Georgia's Jordan Davis is the first defensive tackle who came off the board, and there is a Browns connection.

The Eagles drafted Davis 13th overall. Remember, the Browns originally owned the selection but traded it last month to the Texans as part of the haul for Watson.

On Thursday night, the Texans traded the choice to the Eagles in a move down to No. 15, where Houston took Texas A&M guard Kenyon Green.

A teammate of Davis at Georgia became the only other defensive tackle to be taken in the first round when the Green Bay Packers drafted Devonte Wyatt at No. 28 overall.

What NFL Draft picks do the Cleveland Browns have?

After the blockbuster trade for Watson, the Browns have the following seven selections in the 2022 draft:

Second round, 44th overall

Third round, 78th overall

Third round, 99th overall

Fourth round,118th overall

Sixth round, 202nd overall from Dallas

Seventh round, 223rd overall from Detroit

Seventh round, 246th overall from Buffalo

Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns 2022 NFL Draft team needs for the 2nd round and beyond