The Cleveland Browns were not scheduled to make a selection in the 2022 NFL Draft until pick 44. Cleveland then decided to trade back to acquire more picks giving them more shots at filling some needs on both sides of the ball.
Martin Emerson
Waiting until the fourth selection in the third round, Cleveland selected cornerback Martin Emerson out of Mississippi State. Emerson joins a defensive backfield that features Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome, and Greedy Williams. With crucial pass defense is in the modern NFL, adding another defensive back to the mix will give the Browns defense their best chance to slow them down.
As far as big picture is concerned, Ward signed a five-year extension not too long ago and Newsome just finished his rookie season. That brings the focus to Williams who has dealt with injuries early on in his career. It’s possible that longevity concerns exist and instead of offering Williams a large deal that they are beginning their own succession plan that will help control costs in a crucial position group.
Alex Wright
The Browns decided to address one of their positions of need with their own third round selection. UAB’s Alex Wright was the pick at 78th overall which will help bolster their defensive line.
Myles Garrett is entrenched on one side of the line with consistent production being all-but guaranteed. Last season the opposite side of the line featured Jadeveon Clowney. A reunion with Clowney is still possible, but it is worth noting that Cleveland traded for New England’s Chase Winovich and just selected Wright in the draft. While neither move particularly precludes the Browns from bringing back Clowney, they are ensuring they are not left with their hands in their pockets should he sign elsewhere.
David Bell
At some point the Cleveland Browns are going to draft a wide receiver. At 99th overall David Bell was that wide receiver. Bell joins Amari Cooper as the top two receivers on the Browns roster with Donovan Peoples-Jones and Anthony Schwartz playing roles of some sort.
Bell does not possess top end speed and is most likely to end up being the number two receiver in Cleveland long term. The problem on the short term is that the team still lacks a true number one receiver.
