With The First Pick
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Cleveland Browns focus on defense in this 2023 NFL Mock Draft

By Brandon Croce

Dec 3, 2022; Arlington, TX, USA; Kansas State Wildcats defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah (91) in action during the game between the TCU Horned Frogs and the Kansas State Wildcats at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2022; Arlington, TX, USA; Kansas State Wildcats defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah (91) in action during the game between the TCU Horned Frogs and the Kansas State Wildcats at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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2023 NFL Mock Draft
Sirvocea Dennis (Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports) /

SirVocea Dennis. 108. player. 866. . LB. Panthers

The linebacker position was another weakness for this Browns’ defense for most of the season. This is not due to a lack of talent but more so due to the team seeing a number of players miss time due to injuries.

It began at the end of September when Anthony Walker was placed on injured reserve with a quadriceps injury. Then the following month it was Jacob Phillips who was placed on injured reserve with a pectoral injury and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah went on injured reserve with a foot injury in December. In addition to that, Sione Takitaki suffered a torn ACL that is likely going to force him to miss some time next season.

The Browns tried to manage all these injuries and traded for former All-Pro linebacker Deion Jones. However, he didn’t have the same impact he did with the Falcons and will be a free agent this offseason.

That is why a player like Sirvocea Dennis out of Pittsburgh makes perfect sense as the next pick in this 2023 NFL mock draft. He has been the starter for most of the past three seasons and in total had 231 tackles, 36 tackles for a loss, and 15 sacks during that stretch.

Dennis should be able to come in and compete for a starting job as a rookie and the improvements on the defensive line in this 2023 NFL mock draft could make his job a little easier.

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