In the 2018 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns held three second-round pick; 33, 35, and 64, which turned into offensive lineman Austin Corbett, runningback Nick Chubb, and defensive lineman Chad Thomas.
This year, Cleveland has just a single second-rounder. That pick could soon be gone if the Odell Beckham Jr. trade rumors are to be believed, but for now, the Browns need to determine which players would be the best fit on Day 2.
Here are five targets for Cleveland at pick No. 49.
5. Joejuan Williams, CB, Vanderbilt
2018 fourth overall pick Denzel Ward is coming off an excellent rookie season. Terrance Mitchell and T.J. Carrie were solid as Ward's compliment, but neither should be viewed as the long-term answer opposite of Ward.
What the Browns really need in their secondary is size; no CB who has seen real playing time for Cleveland stands over 5'11”. Especially with how many tall receivers are in this draft class, Cleveland has to add some bigger defensive backs.
Williams stands 6'4″ 211lbs, and while he doesn't have the greatest long speed (as evidenced by his 4.64-second 40-yard dash), that shouldn't hinder his effectiveness too much, as new defensive coordinator Steve Wilks likes to employ zone coverage.
He is a raw player, but his size and potential would be good value in the second round.
4. Mack Wilson, LB, Alabama
With the release of Jamie Collins, the Browns have a big hole to fill at linebacker. There is a good free agent class at the position, but if general manager John Dorsey decides to pursue a pass rusher instead, it may be better to turn to the draft to replace Collins.
LSU's Devin White and Michigan's Devin Bush Jr. are both excellent players who will be long gone by the time Cleveland picks for a second time, but Alabama's Mack Wilson could be available.
He has every skill needed to play LB at a high level in today's NFL, along with excellent size for the position. His biggest issue is his lack of blitzing prowess, as he had just seven tackles for loss in 2017 and 2018, but as a 4-3 LB, that wouldn't be his primary responsibility.
Mack could replace Collins at SAM or he could slot in at MIKE and allow Joe Schobert to move to WILL where he would likely play better.
Linebacker must be addressed this offseason, and Wilson could provide the best value of any option for the Browns.
3. J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, WR, Stanford
Just like their CB group, the Browns lack size at WR. Finding a boundary receiver and dependable red zone target should be a priority.
JJAW is not a fast or quick player, but his basketball background allows him to dominate smaller defenders.
His elite body control and strength helped him to score a touchdown on over 22% of his grabs in 2018.
Baker Mayfield was one of the NFL's best red zone quarterbacks last season, and adding another top-tier weapon on the outside would make the Browns' offense even better.
2, Hakeem Butler, WR, Iowa State
Like Arcega-Whiteside, Butler is an elite red zone threat. However, he has much more potential, at the cost of dependability.
Butler suffers from concentration drops, but he is a hands-catcher, and will hopefully improve as he refines his technique. At nearly 6'6″ and 227lbs, Butler is a matchup nightmare for the vast majority of NFL DBs. His 4.48-second 40-yard dash and 36-inch vertical jump prove his explosiveness does not suffer because of his size.
Butler's tape shows him imposing his wall on smaller defenders, leading to circus catches and plenty of yards after the catch.
Because of his rare physical traits, Butler may not be available at 49, but if he is, the Browns would do well to give Mayfield a weapon with All-Pro potential.
1. Dre'Mont Jones, DT, Ohio State
Defensive tackle is the weakest position on the Browns' roster, but also arguably the strongest in this draft class. There will likely be 10 or more taken in the first two rounds, and Cleveland must end up with at least one of them, if not two.
Regardless of the direction they go with the 17th pick, the Browns should be thrilled if Jones is available at 49. Beyond the fact that he grew up in Cleveland, attended Ohio State, and is still a die-hard Browns fan, Jones is a perfect fit for Cleveland's defensive line.
His tape shows a disruptive pass rusher who excels at penetrating into the backfield. He finished 2018 with 8.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss. His combine performance was not ideal, as his athleticism was subpar and he weighed in at 281lbs, which would make him one of, if not the lightest DT in the league.
That could drop him from a first-round talent to the middle of the second, where the Browns would be getting an absolute steal.
Whether Jones is starting alongside Larry Ogunjobi or rotating in and out with him and the 17th overall pick, Jones would make a major impact on Cleveland's pass rush.
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