[2024] Cleveland Browns Draft Recap

[Piercewise1]

1.15 – OT (Pass Blocking) Mike Penny, TEX: 58 / A+

Penny drew the Browns attention after an excellent combine (41 bench reps, 7.58 Pass Block grade), and quickly vaulted up their board once they realized his brain was every bit a match for his muscles. Tackle was one of the team’s biggest identified needs (along with DE) after letting 11-year veteran Lucas Whitman depart for free agency. When their top-ranked target Vince Gresham came off the board at #5, Penny was the next logical pick – the perfect intersection of need, talent, and potential.

 

2.47 – CB (Man Coverage) Isaiah Williams, NIU: 58 / A

Despite what some mocks predicted, cornerback was not high on the Browns list of needs going into the draft. The team has a deep group of young players progressing well, including 2022 1^st round selection Kolton Hayes (68/3). But Williams’ Man Cover drill outperformed the likes of bigger names like Voth, Hilliard, and Parks, and that (along with his top-5 dash and bench performances) got the team to take a closer look. When he was still available in the middle of the 2^nd round, the value was too good to pass on.

 

3.69 – ILB (Run Stopper) Carlos Blacknall, UNC: 56 / B

A 3-4 team can never have too many linebackers, especially when they fit your scheme. Blacknall was second among all LBs in the Run Stop drill (to Kenny Daniel) and had straight As in Tackle, Pass Rush, and Run Defense. He was a tackling machine at UNC, accounting for 106 in his senior season (and 21 TFL). While his true overall wasn’t quite as advertised, his high grades and B potential made for an excellent selection at the top of the 3^rd round.

 

4.112 – WR (Possession) Tim McRae, OKLA: 57 / C

McRae had the highest Catching drill performance at the combine (8.84), and this sure-handedness caught the attention of the Browns scouting department. At 57 overall he was a steal in the 4^th round, although the team will need to figure out a way to get him on the field if they want him to develop. His agility scores aren’t the greatest so punt returning might not be the answer there, but there’s always preseason, where he’ll be competing with depth players Marcus Ekstrom and Andre Wood for snaps.

 

4.119 – FS (Zone Coverage) Mychal Mercedes, MRSH: 54 / B-

The Browns already have one of the best free safeties in the league in Robert Davis (84/7), but Mercedes’ 74 Zone Cover score could get him on the field when the team needs to play both safeties deep in pass protection. Look for the team to find creative ways to play to his strengths and let those cover skills develop.

 

6.164 – DE (Run Stopper) Ronald McKinnon, MEMP: 54 / C-

While McKinnon probably won’t be the gamechanger that the team was hoping to draft at this major position of need, in time he could be a useful depth option. He tallied 22 TFL and 4.5 sacks in his final season at Memphis and had straight A+s in Tackle and Run Defense on his initial scouting report.

 

6.178 – WR (Route Runner) Nick Breslow, ULM: B- / D+

Even with McRae already added, the Browns took a blind leap on Breslow based on his impressive Route Running drill (9.08) and B+ overall grade. He’ll have a tough road ahead starting 7^th on the depth chart with low potential, but he should at least get some snaps in preseason to show the staff what he can do.

 

6.188 – DE (Run Stopper) Brandon Rasmussen, ASPT: B- / D+

Like McKinnon, Rasmussen is good at one very specific thing – stopping the run. The former 5-star recruit out of App State was drafted based on his combine-best 8.22 Run Stop drill and surprising (for his archetype) 8.5 sacks in 2023. The potential score is a disappointment, but with some luck and development he might be a depth piece for the team.  

 

6.195 – C (Run Blocking) Skai Esch, AKRN: B / C-

Akron finally got something to cheer for as the Browns drafted the hometown boy near the bottom of the sixth round. “Esch-a-Sketch” is a mauler in the run game and has great technique, which compensates somewhat for his abysmal speed.

 

7.202 – RB (Receiving) Mickey Tulowitzki, NMSU: B- / C-

Tulowitzki was out of place at New Mexico State, a receiving back in a ground-and-pound offense. But he managed 1,157 rushing yards and then posted dual 7.7+ grades at his Pro Day, so the Browns took a flyer on him in the final round. With RB2 Joshua Mower leaving via trade, the door is wide open to earn carries backing up Juan Mora, especially in 3^rd and long situations.