The Athletic has around-the-clock coverage of the NFL Draft. Follow our NFL Draft Round 4-7 live blog and round 2-3 winners and losers, round 2 grades and best available players.
The Cleveland Browns currently own eight picks in the 2023 NFL Draft but none in either of the first two rounds. The Browns’ first selection will come in the third round at No. 74 overall.
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Browns’ draft picks
| Round | Pick | Overall | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
3 | 11 | 74 | From Jets |
3 | 35 | 98 | Compensatory |
4 | 9 | 111 | |
4 | 24 | 126 | From Vikings |
5 | 6 | 140 | From Rams |
5 | 8 | 142 | |
6 | 13 | 190 | |
7 | 12 | 229 |
Full draft order
Every pick in the seven-round NFL Draft.
NFL Draft details
• Round 1: April 27, 8 p.m. ET
• Rounds 2-3: April 28, 7 p.m. ET
• Rounds 4-7: April 29, Noon ET
All rounds will be televised on ESPN/ABC and NFL Network and in Spanish on ESPN Deportes.
The Athletic’s NFL Draft guide and big board
About the Browns
• Head coach: Kevin Stefanksi (fourth season)
• General manager: Andrew Berry
• Last year’s record: 7-10
The Browns had a busy March because they had glaring weaknesses on a defense that’s also making a coordinator change to veteran Jim Schwartz. One of the things the Browns learned during a roller-coaster 2022 is their roster isn’t as good as they thought it was last spring, when they traded six picks including three first-rounders for quarterback Deshaun Watson. For the Browns to get back to the playoffs in a loaded AFC, they need much better out of Watson than they got in his six games last year, but also a much more sound defensive effort. Dalvin Tomlinson got big money on the first day of free agency because last year’s Browns probably had the league’s worst defensive tackle group. Last week, speedy wide receiver Elijah Moore was added in a trade and should have a significant role in a more open offense with Watson fully eligible and now acclimated to his team.
GO DEEPER
Why the Browns felt they had to trade for Elijah Moore and what it means for the WR corps
Browns’ key position needs
Defensive line/linebacker: Before the additions of Moore and free agent Marquise Goodwin, wide receiver was arguably the team’s top draft need. Now, the Browns will still probably add a wide receiver but figure to start the draft focused on the defensive line or potentially a linebacker. They figure to explore their draft options at running back, safety and on the offensive line, too.
Defensive depth: Mostly, the Browns are drafting for defensive depth and for the future. All 11 regular offensive starters are back, and over the first three days of free agency, the Browns added Tomlinson at defensive tackle, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo at edge and Juan Thornhill at safety. The Browns also re-signed linebackers Sione Takitaki and Anthony Walker Jr., both of whom hit free agency while recovering from major injury. If healthy, Walker will likely open the season at middle linebacker.
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Offensive skill players: Between later rounds of free agency and the draft, the Browns will add at least two more defensive linemen, at least one more linebacker, and a safety. They’ll add to the offensive skill group, too. Nick Chubb is the lead running back for now, but there’s no guarantee Chubb will be with the Browns past the upcoming season. Jerome Ford, who played mostly special teams as a rookie, is in line to open the season as the No. 2 back behind Chubb.
Future draft assets: The Browns have eight picks in this year’s draft, starting at No. 74 in the third round. General manager Andrew Berry is always looking for a good trade, and chances are he looks to push at least one of those eight picks to the future. The Browns don’t have a first-round pick until 2025. Though, in each of his previous three drafts, Berry has made a trade that involved acquiring a pick for the following year’s draft.
GM Andrew Berry has been very active in the draft-day trade market during his Cleveland tenure. (Michael Hickey / Getty Images)Browns draft analysis
Browns 2023 NFL Draft big board 3.0: Possible targets, logical fits and key prospects to watch
Browns NFL Draft targets: Using ‘The Beast’ and past trends to identify 6 potential fits
Browns Big Board 2.0: Updated positions of need and top potential targets
Browns 2023 mock draft 2.0: Defensive line depth early, high-upside playmakers on Day 3
The Athletic’s most recent mock draft
April 24: Browns 2023 mock draft 3.0: Expert picks, whether I agree and who I would select
Zac Jackson suggests the Browns should take Missouri edge Isaiah McGuire with the No. 74 overall pick.
April 17: The Athletic NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler’s 7-round mock draft
Brugler has the Browns taking Florida defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. with the No. 74 overall pick.
Browns’ last five top picks
2018 — QB Baker Mayfield (No. 1 overall): Mayfield had two good seasons and two bad ones. He was the face of the team’s re-birth, but the Browns chose Watson last year over giving Mayfield a new contract. Mayfield is now on his third team in nine months after signing a one-year deal with the Bucs.
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2019 — CB Greedy Williams (second round): Williams struggled to stay healthy and never played much past his rookie season. The Browns’ new regime drafted over him twice, and Williams recently signed a one-year deal to be a backup with the Eagles.
2020 — OT Jedrick Wills Jr. (No. 10 overall): A college right tackle for the left-handed Tua Tagovailoa, Wills made an immediate transition to the left side with the Browns and appears to be in the long-term plans there. The Browns have until May to pick up Wills’ fully-guaranteed 2024 fifth-year option, and all indications are that they will. Both Berry and Stefanski say Wills just had his best season, but it remains to be seen if he’s a top-tier left tackle.
2021 — CB Greg Newsome Jr. (No. 27 overall): Newsome is talented, and in his rookie season he looked like he was on his way to becoming a star. But Newsome moved to the slot last year and wasn’t as good as he was as a rookie. He doesn’t have an interception in two NFL seasons, but he’s still a gifted young player at a premium position.
2022 — CB Martin Emerson Jr. (third round): We need to see more from Emerson before jumping to any conclusions, but he’s at least a keeper and appears to have some star qualities. Emerson is fearless in man-to-man coverage, and the Browns plan to continue to use him against some of the AFC’s best outside receivers.
(Top photo of Isaiah McGuire: Scott Winters / Getty Images)
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