CLEVELAND Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Every year following the draft, Browns fans get excited about the impact the newest class of players will have immediately.
This year, fans will have to temper their enthusiasm.
Executive vice president of football operations Andrew Berry’s goal this year was to deepen the roster with young players across the board and he did just that with his nine selections made between the third and seventh rounds.
Here’s a look at where we think each of the nine picks fit on the roster.
Round 3, No. 68: Martin Emerson – CB, Mississippi State
The Browns appeared to be set in the secondary at corner so pardon our surprise when the first pick of their class of 2022 happened to be another cornerback. Following Saturday’s trade of veteran slot corner Troy Hill back to the Los Angeles Rams where he had previously spent six seasons, the door opens for Emerson to earn regular reps in nickel and dime packages.
Position depth chart: Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome II, Greedy Williams, AJ Green, Martin Emerson, Nathan Meadors, Herb Miller
Round 3, No. 78: Alex Wright – DE, UAB
Wright will have an opportunity to compete for meaningful rotational snaps this season with Cleveland thin at the position assuming that they don’t re-sign Jadeveon Clowney to play opposite of All-Pro Myles Garrett.
Position depth chart: Garrett, Chase Winovich, Stephen Weatherly, Alex Wright, Curtis Weaver, Isaac Rochell, Isiah Thomas
Round 3, No. 99: David Bell – WR, Purdue
Bosting some of the best hands in college football for Purdue, Bell is going to get snaps with no clear-cut No. 2 receiver behind Amari Cooper. The Browns have drafted four receivers in three years including Bell and Michael Woods II over the weekend.
Position depth chart: Amari Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Anthony Schwartz, David Bell, Jakeem Grant Ja’Marcus Bradley, Michael Woods II, Javon Wims
Round 4, No. 108: Perrion Winfrey – DT, Oklahoma
A ball of energy, Winfrey will get a chance to earn a starting job or meaningful rotational snaps in the middle of the defensive line where the Browns are thin and inexperienced.
Position depth chart: Jordan Elliott, Sheldon Day, Perrion Winfrey, Tommy Togiai, Bryan Taven
Round 4, No. 124: Cade York – K, LSU
The Browns didn’t draft York in the fourth round to cut him.
He will likely have the greatest impact of this year’s class. It’s his job after the team cut last year’s kicker Chase McLaughlin and Chris Blewitt, who was added to the practice squad late in the season, Monday afternoon.
Position depth chart: Cade York
Round 5, No. 156: Jerome Ford – RB, Cincinnati
To say the running back room was crowded before Ford’s arrival is an understatement. Now it’s overflowing. Ford likely will make the team which means one or two familiar faces will go – likely via a trade during or after training camp.
Position depth chart: Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, D’Ernest Johnson, Demetric Felton, Jerome Ford, John Kelly, Tre Harbison
Round 6, No. 202: Michael Woods II – WR, Oklahoma
Woods is the fourth receiver taken in the last three years in a draft by the Browns. He’ll have an opportunity to earn a back end roster spot during training camp.
Position depth chart: Amari Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Anthony Schwartz, David Bell, Jakeem Grant Ja’Marcus Bradley, Michael Woods II, Javon Wims
Round 7, No. 223: Isaiah Thomas – DE, Oklahoma
Thomas starts out at the back of the line with an uphill climb to earn a roster spot. GMs tend to not want to cut their draft picks but barring a strong offseason and camp or injuries, as of now, the practice squad to begin the season seems realistic.
Position depth chart: Myles Garrett, Chase Winovich, Stephen Weatherly, Alex Wright, Curtis Weaver, Isaac Rochell, Isaiah Thomas
Round 7, No. 246: Dawson Deaton – C, Texas Tech
You can never have too many centers. Deaton becomes the third player at the position, and he’ll likely be competing for a backup interior offensive line job on the final 53 or spot on the practice squad unless the Browns cut Harris or Pocic at the end of camp.
Position depth chart: Nick Harris, Ethan Pocic, Dawson Deaton
