The Cleveland Browns are going back to the playoffs for the second time in the past four years under head coach Kevin Stefanski. Joe Flacco has the offense humming but with the return of Deshaun Watson next year the team could use some more speed at wide receiver. Could Texas speedster Xavier Worthy be the answer?
Hopefully, Amari Cooper is back in Cleveland and with Marquise Goodwin not working out adding speed in the second round makes the most sense to me. This is the draft to add talent to the wide receiver room as it is one of the deepest classes in recent memory.
There is some decent depth along the offensive line and the Browns could look to add there as well as injuries and age are adding up on the line. There are a ton of things that can change between now and the draft including free agency but here’s how I think the 2024 draft could go for Cleveland.
Round 2, Pick 59: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
Simply put wide receiver Xavier Worthy can fly with the elite speed he uses to take the top off of defenses. We will see what the athletic testing says but Worthy is a great athlete that will likely run somewhere in the 4.2s.
Worthy has solid body control and knows how to use his speed with the ability to throttle up and down with ease. He may be a smaller player but he is a quality route runner with elite speed that you just can’t teach.
Round 3, Pick 90: McKinnley Jackson, DT, Texas A&M
The Browns defensive tackle room has been significantly upgraded this year but with Shelby Harris and Maurice Hurst on one-year deals, they may look to replace one or both in the draft. At 6-foot-2 and 325 pounds Jackson is a unit that excels at doing the dirty work eating blocks and shutting down rushing lanes routinely.
He has a good motor and decent burst off the line of scrimmage and he could develop into a decent pass rusher from the interior. Either way, if you take Jackson you feel good about his ability to stop the run on early downs and short-yardage situations.
Round 5, Pick 129: Sataoa Laumea, OT, Utah
Andrew Berry struck gold last year in the fourth round with right tackle Dawand Jones who looks like the future at the position. Sataoa Laumea is an interesting prospect who needs work as a pass protector but has all the physical tools and traits to be a solid player in this league. He is however a solid run blocker that shows nice lateral agility to move out in space.
Round 5, Pick 156: Tykee Smith, Safety, Georgia
Tykee Smith is a versatile safety who lines up all over the field including in the nickel position. His ability to play all over the defensive backfield reminds you of Grant Delpit’s versatility and how Jim Schwartz uses him in Cleveland. Smith is a bigger and more physical brand of defensive back he is a violent tackler who loves to bring the big hits in the run game.
Round 6, Pick 178: Javion Cohen, G, Miami (FL)
Javion Cohen is a solid pass protector in the interior who has only allowed one sack over his three-year college career. His hand placement and technique need work in the run game but he plays with good strength and mobility and could develop into a decent depth piece under Bill Callahan in Cleveland.
Round 6, Pick 192: Ray Davis, RB, Kentucky
One of the best things about Ray Davis’ game is his ability to finish runs and get extra yardage by always falling forward. He lacks true breakaway speed but he is talented with the ball in his hands in the open field. Davis has soft and reliable hands and plays with a mean streak that makes him a solid pass protector in blitz situations.
Round 7, Pick 220: Tatum Bethune, LB, Florida State
Tatum Bethune is a solid player in both areas of the game but might be better as a coverage linebacker than in-run support. He has quick feet and changes direction well and excels more in zone coverage than man coverage. He has a good combination of size and athleticism that could develop into a quality NFL player.
