Cleveland Browns: 7-Round 2021 mock draft after free agency

With Myles Garrett and potentially Kwity Paye on the outside, the Cleveland Browns need an interior rusher and run-stopper to clog the inside lanes of the defensive line.

Defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike is the perfect fit for Cleveland’s 4-3 scheme. At 6-3 and 290 pounds, Onwuzurike puts his length to good use, as he displays great lateral athleticism to plug running lanes. In addition to his run-defense, Onwuzurike brings a strong bull-rush that allows him to bulldoze through offensive linemen and collapse the pocket.

While he isn’t the typical pass-rushing DT, the former-Huskie does have the toughness and physicality to play every down. He’ll replace, if not upgrade, the void left by Larry Ogunjobi and, if he adds a few pounds, may become a mainstay anchor of the interior defensive linemen.

Some may argue the hit-or-miss play of the Cleveland Browns’ linebackers was the biggest issue of the season. Regardless of what the GM Andrew Berry decides to do, he’s going to have to solve the issues at linebacker at some point.

If the Browns somehow find a player of Pete Werner’s pedigree in the third round, they without question need to pick him up. Initially designated as a SAM linebacker, Werner shifted to an every-down linebacker that played at a consistent level throughout his tenure with the Buckeyes.

His size allows him to immediately aid in covering opposing tight ends, a flaw the Browns showed in their Divisional Round game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Werner could also make the adjustment to middle linebacker, where he could lead less-developed players like Mack Wilson and Sione Takitaki while plugging running lanes and covering the ball carrier.

We know that the Cleveland Browns are set at the safety position after their free agency moves, but the jury might still be out on their cornerback depth.

After Cleveland’s injury-laden 2020 season, the need for cornerback depth cannot be overstated. The franchise knows what it has in Denzel Ward and newly-acquired Troy Hill, but the team has yet to see if former first-rounder Greedy Williams is going to pan out.

Paulson Adebo is a great addition to the Browns secondary, bringing height and athleticism to the defensive backs group. Paulson displayed both impressive football IQ and off-ball zone skills in his four years with the Cardinals. While he could use a bit more work, it is unlikely the Browns would need him as an every-down starter, so his unpolished skills shouldn’t be a deterrent for defensive coordinator and former DBs coach Joe Woods.