Browns: 3 Sheldon Richardson replacements in 2021 NFL Draft
By Cory Kinnan
![Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson (98) sacks Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) during the first half of an NFL football game at FirstEnergy Stadium, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020, in Cleveland, Ohio. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal]Browns 23](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2F4170f2df29a96fc5db59cafe512878d07c7fc57e74af930bdf57493fa32db207.jpg "Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson (98) sacks Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) during the first half of an NFL football game at FirstEnergy Stadium, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020, in Cleveland, Ohio. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal]Browns 23")
Day-one target: Christian Barmore, Alabama
If the Browns want the best defensive tackle in the 2021 NFL Draft, there is no doubt who that is as Alabama’s Christian Barmore stands in a class by himself. This is one of the weakest classes of interior defensive linemen in recent years, and as a result, the Browns may even have to trade up to get Barmore (which seems highly unlikely that a heavily analytical front office would do).
Regardless, Barmore put together a spectacular three-game stretch against the Florida Gators, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and Ohio State Buckeyes in order to solidify himself as the top tackle in the class. On the season, Barmore finished with a box score of eight sacks and nearly 10 tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
At his pro day, Barmore went on to test in the top 18th percent of defensive tackles historically. Measuring in at 6-foot-4 and 310 pounds, Barmore ran a 4.98 40 yard dash, with explosive get ups as well. While his agility drills could have been more convincing, Barmore is almost certainly going to be the first one off the board. Will he fall to the Browns at 26? Will they take him if he does? This writer has his doubts, but you never know.