WFNY 2020 NFL Mock Draft Roundup 1.0: While We’re Waiting

Well, it’s back. From now until the NFL Draft in late April, many (if not all) Wednesdays will be known as NFL Mock Draft Wednesday, at least here on WFNY every Hump Day morning. To start, Cody Suek and I will switch on and off every Wednesday. He will do his own seven-round mock draft, predicting who the Cleveland Browns will select with each of their picks. I, on the other hand, will do mock draft roundups, allowing WFNY to be a one-stop-shop for some of the most well known mock drafts on the internet. My roundups will just focus on the first round and sometimes the second round, though.

If you haven’t yet, check out Cody’s latest mock draft from last Wednesday.

The NFL Draft is 99 days away, but it will be here before we know it. Obviously, plenty can (and will) change following the NFL Scouting Combine and Pro Days, with teams and analysts making much clearer predictions simply due to the players standing out (or not standing out).

Even with the inevitable changes ahead, let’s take a look at the direction some mock drafts have the Browns going with the No. 10 pick in the first round. In case you don’t see some big-name analysts’ mocks, it’s due to them not have an updated one in the past week or so.

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler: OT Andrew Thomas, Georgia

Part of the reason for Baker Mayfield’s sophomore struggles stemmed from his lack of confidence in the Browns’ protection, specifically outside at offensive tackle. Thomas needs to eliminate some bad habits and stay off the ground, but he has shock absorbers for hands and gets the job done with his lower body, projecting as a starter early in his career.

With Brugler also having second-round picks, he has the Browns going with FS Ashtyn Davis (Cal) at No. 41.

SB Nation’s Dan Kadar: S Grant Delpit, LSU

Questions about Baker Mayfield might be creeping up after his disappointing second season, but even for the Browns this would be too soon to push him out for Tagovailoa. The Browns showed this season that they badly need a versatile, difference-making safety. When he’s healthy, Delpit can be that player.

For The Win’s Henry McKenna: OT Andrew Thomas, Georgia

If Thomas lasts to this point in the draft, the Browns will have their draft card ready as soon as they go on the clock. Put them down for an SEC left tackle, who is 6-foot-5, 320 pounds and is likely to impress at the combine in Indianapolis. Baker Mayfield will breathe a sigh of relief. If Thomas is gone, Iowa tackle Tristan Wirfs is another excellent option.

The Big Lead’s Ryan Phillips: OT Jedrick Wills, Alabama

Cleveland’s top need is at offensive tackle and they find a good one here. Wills is a big, strong tackle at 6-foot-5, 320 pounds. He’s athletic and a bull in the run game. He could fit at either tackle spot or even guard if needed. That versatility will be key moving forward as much of Cleveland’s draft should be focused on adding linemen.

Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer: OT Andrew Thomas, Georgia

The Browns have an amazing set of skill players around Baker Mayfield, but their pass protection was the reason they were slow to find their explosiveness early in 2019. That will change with run-tilted and offensive-minded new coach Kevin Stefanski. Thomas matches great size (6-5, 320 pounds) with good hands and footwork. Stefanski also will love what Thomas can do to open holes for the running game.

Draftwire’s Luke Easterling: OT Jedrick Wills, Alabama

There’s no denying the amount of talent this offense has at the skill positions, but it’ll be all for naught if the Browns don’t improve their offensive line in a big way this offseason. Wills has been a fast riser throughout this season, and could easily be off the board by this pick. If he’s not, he’d be the perfect blend of need and value for Cleveland.

CBS’ Ryan Wilson: DL Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina

The Browns finally have their coach in Kevin Stefanski, whose job now entails getting this talented group to play like a team. Making his job easier: Landing the best pass-rushing defensive tackle in the country; Kinlaw thought about coming out last year but returned to South Carolina where he had a stellar season.

Fantasy Pros’ Bobby Sylvester: OT Austin Jackson, USC

Although the record doesn’t do much to show it, this is a very complete roster with the exception of the offensive line. The run continues as the Browns draft Jackson, the post-combine riser and interview darling.

Drafttek: OT Jedrick Wills, Alabama

I doubt many had the Browns picking in the top 10 when the season started, but Cleveland is back in familiar territory. While many factors led to this disappointment, the Browns have returned to their usual ways of cleaning house at the drop of a hat. However, there is no doubting that the OL was a major source of their struggles on the field, which is why I have Wills being selected here. Outside of Joe Burrow, no one has done more to help their stock this year than the powerful Alabama tackle.

CBS’ Chris Trapasso: S Grant Delpit, LSU

Damarious Randall, Eric Murray, and Juston Burris are set to hit free agency, so the safety spot could be pretty barren in Cleveland heading into the draft. Delpit has some tackling issues but is a huge safety prospect with plus athleticism.

Walter Football’s Walter Cherepinsky: OT Austin Jackson, USC

Perhaps the Browns will think twice about entering the season with Greg Robinson as their left tackle. They desperately need help on the offensive line. Austin Jackson is a terrific athlete with quick feet and superb agility.

To make it easier on you here are all of the players that were predicted to go to the Browns (and how many times they were):

• OT Andrew Thomas, Georgia: 3
• OT Jedrick Wills, Alabama: 3
• OT Austin Jackson, USC: 2
• S Grant Delpit, LSU: 2
• DL Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina: 1

What say you, Browns fans? Do you have a certain position(s) that you want the Browns to focus on early in the draft, specifically in the first round? Do you have a can’t-miss guy(s) that if they drop to No. 10, you want Cleveland to take and it would be considered a steal? Which position do you think they should focus on? If you had a perfect plan for the draft, specifically the first round, what would it consist of?

With that said, if there is a certain mock draft(s) that you feel as though we should include in these, please let us know. The more mock drafts and predictions, the better.