Cleveland Browns: 7-Round 2020 mock draft to build under Stefanski
The Cleveland Browns have their head coach in Kevin Stefanski but they need to keep building around him and the 2020 NFL Draft gives them the opportunity.
Last offseason, the Cleveland Browns narrowed their head coaching search down to two candidates: Freddie Kitchens and Kevin Stefanski. Then-general manager John Dorsey got his way and the former was hired. But after an immensely disappointing 2019 season, both Kitchens and Dorsey were shown the door. And now the one-year Vikings offensive coordinator will take the reins.
Hiring Stefanski, a move that Paul DePodesta has been in favor of since the 2019 offseason, was met with a mixed reaction from analysts and fans alike. On one hand, he did turn the Vikings offense around in a big way. But on the other, his hiring came one day after Minnesota’s offense was stifled completely by the 49ers in the NFC Divisional Round.
The simple fact of the matter, though, is that change on the sidelines was necessary. It was clear for much of the season that Kitchens lacked the discipline or flexibility to be a head coach in the NFL. Thus, giving Stefanski the job to try and establish a culture of accountability and focus was the right mood.
While all of that may be the biggest move the Browns could possibly make this offseason, their roster is still not complete. The most glaring issue remains on the offensive line, a group that was rag-dolled and maligned for the majority of the 2019 campaign. That should be their focus in both the 2020 NFL Draft and in free agency.
Beyond that, Cleveland also needs to address safety and the depth at cornerback, trying to shore up a secondary that’s talented but incomplete. The depth issues persist on the defensive line and perhaps at both linebacker and tight end. And armed with the No. 10 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, in addition to three other top-100 selections, the Browns can address some of those needs in a big way.
How will the Browns address all of this? Let’s explore some options as we go through a seven-round mock draft for Cleveland. (Note: This mock draft was simulated using The Draft Network’s mock draft machine.)