Hot Takes, Predictions for Browns Rookies After 2024 NFL Draft
The Cleveland Browns were one of the least active teams during the 2024 NFL draft.
The Browns only made two picks in the first four rounds. They dipped into the Big Ten talent pool with both of those selections with Ohio State's Michael Hall Jr. and Michigan's Zak Zinter.
Cleveland drafted for depth on the offensive and defensive interior with those choices, so its rookie class may not be as impactful as others across the AFC North.
The Browns only made one selection at the offensive skill positions in Jamari Thrash in the fifth round. He could be the most noticeable rookie in 2024 if he takes advantage of the wide receiver depth situation beneath Amari Cooper and Jerry Jeudy.
Jamari Thrash Has Best Chance to Make Significant Impact in 2024
1 of 3
Jamari Thrash comes into a situation he could take full advantage of in Cleveland.
Cooper and Jeudy are the clear No. 1 and No. 2 wide receivers on the depth chart, but it could be an open competition after that.
Elijah Moore did not do the best with his opportunity as the No. 2 guy in 2023, which led to the Jeudy trade with the Denver Broncos.
David Bell displayed flashes of excellence last season, but he was not consistent enough as a No. 3 option to come into training camp as the favorite to win that role.
Thrash produced back-to-back 60-catch seasons at Georgia State and Louisville. He recorded at least 800 yards in each of those two campaigns.
He also had a nose for the end zone with 13 touchdowns in 2022 and 2023.
Thrash can make an impact as a scoring threat and an across-the-middle target inside the Cleveland offense and that may render Moore and Bell useless inside the Browns passing game.
Michael Hall Jr. Takes Time to Thrive on Interior
2 of 3
Michael Hall Jr. may have to wait his turn to get into the starting lineup.
The second-round selection should enter training camp behind Dalvin Tomlinson and Shelby Harris on the depth chart.
Hall must outperform the pair of veteran defensive tackles in order to get on the field on a consistent basis.
He may be limited to specific situations at the start of the 2024 season if he can't get past one of those two players in training camp.
Hall did not have overly impressive numbers at Ohio State last season. He had two tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks, but if he makes an impact right away, it may be outside the stat sheet in disrupting opposing rushing attacks.
Zak Zinter's Impact Won't Be Felt Until 2025
3 of 3
The Browns' third-round pick suffered a break of the tibia and fibula toward the end of Michigan's regular season.
Zak Zinter should be healthy to compete for snaps in 2024, but he may more of a prospect for the future for the Browns.
Cleveland already has its starting five offensive linemen in place with Jedrick Wills Jr., Joel Bitonio, Ethan Pocic, Wyatt Teller and Jack Conklin.
Of course, Zinter could play in the case of an injury in 2024. The Browns dealt with plenty of shakeups because of injuries in 2023.
If everyone is healthy, Zinter could wait his turn to play significant snaps until 2025. Wills is scheduled to become a free agent in 2025, and if more injuries happen in 2024, the Browns might be inclined to move on from other offensive linemen.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
