New Browns Mock Draft Expert Roundup for 1st-Round Picks

The Cleveland Browns are one of the teams with two first-round picks after the Jaguars went all-out to draft Travis Hunter last year. That gives a franchise in desperate need of talent extra resources to construct its roster.

Ahead of the first round of the draft on April 23, here's a look at what experts are projecting the Browns to do with the No. 6 and No. 24 picks:

Expert: B/R NFL Scouting Department (3/31)

Selection (No. 6 & 24): WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State & OT Caleb Lomu, Utah

Carnell Tate

The Browns have a choice to make once they're on the clock with the sixth overall pick, because the team has glaring needs at left tackle and wide receiver. Fortunately, the organization owns a pair of first-round selections to address both. 

What general manager Andrew Berry has to ask himself is which situation stacks more favorably for the team? 

In this case, B/R leans toward the addition of the class' top wide receiver. Cleveland already rebuilt the majority of its front five this offseason but has yet to add an adequate target for whoever starts at quarterback.

"Carnell Tate is a technically refined target to immediately contribute as the Z-receiver in an offense," B/R scout Damian Parson said. "He adds a great blend of perimeter size, detailed route running and springy athleticism, allowing him to high-point contested catches downfield thanks to outstanding field awareness."

Caleb Lomu

As stated, the Browns had a clear plan that began at wide receiver—Carnell Tate in this case—and led to the selection of a left tackle prospect with their second first-round pick.

Cleveland has fielded a playoff-caliber defense for multiple years now. The fact that Myles Garrett won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year after setting a single-season sack record and Cleveland still won only five games shows how important it is in today's NFL to field a competent offense.

Since the organization seems (inexplicably) content with what it currently has at quarterback for the upcoming season, all Andrew Berry can do is select Utah's Caleb Lomu here and complete the offensive line's offseason overhaul.

"Cleveland grabbed one of the last viable blindside protectors remaining in the class," B/R scout Brandon Thorn said. "Lomu may not be ready to start on Day 1—Dawand Jones may be given one more shot in the meantime—but he has the movement skills and pass protection ability to compete with most opponents as he gains play-strength over his first couple of seasons. This selection addresses a glaring need, while adding a high-side upside player at a premium spot." 

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Expert: Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN (3/17)

Selections (No. 6 & 24): OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia & WR Makai Lemon, USC

Expert: Field Yates, ESPN (3/24)

Selections (No. 6 & 24): WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State & OT Caleb Lomu, Utah

Expert: Matt Miller, ESPN (3/30)

Selections (No. 6 & 24): WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State & CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina

Expert: Lance Zierlein, NFL.com (3/31)

Selections (No. 6 & 24): OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia & Edge T.J. Parker, Clemson

Expert: Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com (3/17)

Selections (No. 6 & 24): WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State & OT Caleb Lomu, Utah

Expert: Dane Brugler, The Athletic (3/4)

Selections (No. 6 & 24): OT Spencer Fano, Utah & WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

Expert: Danny Kelly, The Ringer (3/4)

Selections (No. 6 & 24): OT Spencer Fano, Utah & WR Makai Lemon, USC

Summary

This will likely be an offense-heavy draft to start for the Browns, especially with head coach Todd Monken needing to address several personnel concerns. Quarterback isn't an ideal option at either pick, so targeting a pass-catcher and an offensive tackle are sensible moves for where they are at.