Offensive tackle Dawand Jones led all rookies of the Cleveland Browns from the 2023 NFL draft. How did the class as a whole grade out?
Leading up to the 2023 NFL draft, general manager Andrew Berry traded the second-round pick of the Browns as part of a package to get Elijah Moore from the New York Jets. Berry would double down to fix the wide receiver room, taking Cedric Tillman with the team’s first selection in the third round.
It wasn’t a great start for Tillman as a rookie though the position overall was improved from 2022. The team got significant production out of multiple day three picks as well as an undrafted free agent that helped the team make the playoff push this season.
There were also a few players that didn’t play enough to show if they can be NFL players long term though not seeing the field could point in one direction after all the injuries the team had this year. Here is how I grade this past year’s draft classes rookie seasons in Cleveland.
WR Cedric Tillman
Grade: C-
The Browns top pick didn’t see much playing time early but when he did he was wildly inconsistent. He struggled to expand his route tree and appeared to run the wrong route on more than one occasion. After the trade of Donovan Peoples-Jones there was more opportunity and Tillman just wasn’t able to take advantage of it.
However, the grade isn’t lower because I feel like there were still some major flashes for the young player. He has to continue to improve but his combination of size, athleticism, and strong hands could help him develop into a solid pass catcher for the Browns.
DT Siaki Ika
Grade: D
I didn’t like this draft pick from the beginning and Ika didn’t show anything to make me change my mind. Despite injuries to the position he struggled to force the team into playing him and when he did play it was completely uninspiring and made no major impact as a rookie.
RT Dawand Jones
Grade: A
Right tackle Dawand Jones didn’t often look like a rookie this year and seemed to be the steal of the draft. He stepped in right away and though he needs work as a run blocker it is hard to argue he isn’t already a borderline elite pass protector.
Jones had some injury issues that ended his season early but he matched up more than once against T.J. Watt and showed he could handle the league’s best pass rushers. It will be interesting to see what the Browns do with Jack Conklin and Jones next year but it was a great start to the former Buckeye’s NFL career.
DE Isaiah McGuire
Grade: C
The other fourth-round pick didn’t see too much of the field with all the talent the Browns had at the position. He did at times find the field and showed flashes of a solid rotational rusher. McGuire struggled some against the run but showed good explosion off the line of scrimmage paired with good athleticism that could see him develop into a contributing pass rusher on this team.
QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson
Grade: C
Cleveland likely didn’t expect to play Dorian Thompson-Robinson as much this year as they did with injuries plaguing Deshaun Watson. Things didn’t start great for the rookie at quarterback though he showed growth and potential as he got more playing time this year.
Thompson-Robinson has a great arm to push the ball down the field though his deep ball accuracy needs some improvement. Mix that arm with great athleticism Thompson-Robinson should be a solid backup for years to come in Cleveland.
CB Cameron Mitchell
Grade: B
The Browns got good play from just about every cornerback they put on the field this year. Cameron Mitchell showed versatility both in the slot and on the outside and outplayed his draft position this year though he missed time with injury.
Mitchell looks like the future slot corner for the Browns on a cheap rookie contract for several more years. He is an above-average athlete who has a high football IQ and room to improve heading into year two with the Browns.
C Luke Wypler
Grade: C
Another player who didn’t see much playing time (57 snaps) in 2023 but wasn’t a liability when he was on the field. Many people, myself included, thought that Wypler was just a center and couldn’t play guard but he showed potential at the position as a rookie. It will be interesting to see if the team keeps Nick Harris but if they don’t the team should feel comfortable with Wypler backing up Ethan Pocic.
S Ronnie Hickman Jr.
Grade: A
Ronnie Hickman Jr. might have had the best rookie year of any Browns player not named Dawand Jones after going undrafted out of Ohio State. Hickman was tremendous in coverage playing deep free safety despite struggling in that role at Ohio State.
He has no problem playing downhill and physical in run defense on top of that and gave Jim Schwartz another weapon in his arsenal. Hickman will force the team to play him next year and seems like a home run of a signing for Andrew Berry.
