Round 5, Pick 163: Jaelon Darden, WR, North Texas
With Wallace filling the vertical threat need, the Browns still need to add one more dynamic to their offense, something they attempted to do with JoJo Natson early in the year.
Darden is a slight 5-9 174 pounds, but he’s scored 31 touchdowns over his last 21 games and averaged 16.1 yards per reception in 2020. He’s lightning-fast and can turn any touch into a long score. Whether he’s running routes from the slot or taking jet sweeps, Darden would be a legitimate threat when on the field, and would open up the Browns running game even more. He’d fill the role of gadget player, but he could be much more than that.
Round 6, Pick 206: Joey Blount, S, Virginia
A team can never have too many versatile defensive backs. Blount has logged significant snaps at free safety, in the box, and in the slot. He was also a key special teams contributor for the Cavaliers, a skill that is always helpful. Cleveland’s DB room is weak and shallow, so Blount would have a solid chance at making the roster, something that not every sixth-round pick of a playoff team can say.
Round 7, Pick 250: Myles Jones, CB, Texas A&M
The last time the Browns took a Myles from A&M, things worked out pretty well.
Jones stands 6-4 185 pounds. There aren’t many cornerbacks that tall. His athleticism at that size could be concerning, and without a Scouting Combine, the general public likely won’t get an answer to that question. But Jones had a solid 2020 even if the ball production isn’t there, and could move to safety if CB doesn’t work out. At this point in the draft, you take chances on uncoachable traits, and elite size certainly qualifies.
With this class, the Browns would have done plenty to give themselves a solid defense for 2021, and the offense can finally take off with the additions of Wallace and Darden. Add in a good free agency class that improves depth and adds another starter or two in the secondary and on the defensive line, and Cleveland would be primed for a serious playoff run next season.