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3 NFL Draft prospects the Browns should avoid

By Rucker Haringey

PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 18: Head coach Kevin Stefanski of the Cleveland Browns looks on during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on October 18, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 18: Head coach Kevin Stefanski of the Cleveland Browns looks on during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on October 18, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
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Ohio State Buckeyes running back Trey Sermon (8) can’t come up with the catch against Clemson Tigers cornerback Derion Kendrick (1) and safety Joseph Charleston (18) in the fourth quarter during the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans on Friday, Jan. 1, 2021.College Football Playoff Ohio State Faces Clemson In Sugar Bowl
Ohio State Buckeyes running back Trey Sermon (8) can’t come up with the catch against Clemson Tigers cornerback Derion Kendrick (1) and safety Joseph Charleston (18) in the fourth quarter during the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans on Friday, Jan. 1, 2021.College Football Playoff Ohio State Faces Clemson In Sugar Bowl /

The Browns need to find an immediate impact starter at No. 23 in the 2021 NFL Draft. If they select any of these three players they’ve made a big mistake.

Kevin Stefanski’s first season in charge of the Browns can only be categorized as a massive success. The first-year head coach piloted Cleveland to a playoff berth that ended the NFL’s longest postseason drought. He will have his sights set on even bigger prizes in 2021.

If the Browns are going to continue their ascension into next season and beyond, they need to enjoy a productive NFL Draft. A big part of that equation will be finding an impact player with their first round selection. Cleveland is used to picking much higher than the No. 23 spot they enjoy in this year’s event, but it’s still imperative for them to get the selection right.

The Browns have to get things right in terms of both their talent evaluation and extracting maximum value from their draft slot. If Cleveland ends up with any of the three following players; they’ve failed.

3. Derion Kendrick, CB, Clemson

The Browns may look to strengthen their secondary at No. 23. Terrance Mitchell, Kevin Johnson, Andrew Sendejo, and Karl Joseph could all leave via free agency. At the very least, Cleveland needs to add some depth to the group at some point in this year’s draft.

Kendrick has a chance to be a first round cornerback, but 23 is just too high for a player that failed to really play at a high level against elite opposition. He really struggled in Clemson’s loss to Ohio State to end his collegiate career. Kendrick should grow into a decent NFL starter in time, but he lacks the upside to go this high in the draft.

As such, the Browns need to avoid reaching for a cornerback if they can’t get good value. Remember, both Denzel Ward and Greedy Williams will be back next season. Cleveland needs to focus on value at other positions if an elite corner doesn’t fall into their laps.

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