Four potential second-round draft targets if Browns address defense
Draft season has arrived for the NFL. More specifically, the combine season arrived for the league, with the scouting event coming up next week in Indianapolis.
That means conversations about prospects and their potential team fits in the league. That includes the Browns, who have seven picks in April’s draft, although their first isn’t slated until the second round, No. 54 overall.
With the Combine starting Tuesday, NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah spoke Thursday afternoon on a Zoom call with reporters around the country. He was asked during the call specifically about the Browns’ potential prospects for that pick at No. 54.
“The second-round groupings, so if we’re looking at the Cleveland Browns, you’re looking at some (defensive) tackles, maybe some linebackers,” Jeremiah said.
Jeremiah mentioned four players in particular: Florida State defensive tackle Braden Fiske, LSU defensive tackle Maason Smith, Michigan linebacker Junior Colson and North Carolina
State linebacker Payton Wilson. Here’s a look at those four players and what Jeremiah had to say about each of them:
Braden Fiske, DT, Florida State
Fiske started his career playing in the Mid-american Conference at Western Michigan from 2019-22 before finishing at Florida State last season. The 6-foot5, 297-pound Fiske tied a career high with six sacks to go with 43 solo tackles for the Seminoles.
“Braden Fisk is one that I really, really like from Florida State,” Jeremiah said. “Transferred out of the MAC. He’s a really, really good player. He’s going to test like a freak, too. He’ll test well at the combine, but real quick, shoots, gaps, effort, chase. He can play every position. He finds the ball. He’s got really good instincts. Not real long, but a good player. Had a great week at the Senior Bowl, so he’s one in that mix.”
Maason Smith, DT, Louisiana State
Smith missed all of his sophomore season in 2022 with the Tigers after sustaining
a knee injury in the first half of the season opener against Florida State. As a freshman, he was seen as one of the latest stars among the LSU defensive linemen with four sacks. The 6-foot-6, 310-pound Smith struggled a bit in his return to the game last season after the injury, but did
have 2.5 sacks.
“You look at an intriguing guy with Maason Smith from LSU, who doesn’t have a ton of production, but he’s 6-6, 310 pounds,” Jeremiah said. “Really good as a freshman, or really good his first year. Was coming off an ACL injury last year. Didn’t quite see the same
player, but has some quickness, has some traits. Just get him fully healthy. I think there’s kind of an upside play there with a guy like that.”
Junior Colson, LB, Michigan
Colson was one of the defensive leaders for the national champion Wolverines. He was credited with 95 total tackles last season, including 44 solo stops.
“He’s just real instinctive, plays downhill, can cover tight ends,” Jeremiah said. “He was hurt, he was beat up a lot this year, but played through it at Michigan.
“Knd of shows you the toughness and the leadership that you want there from that particular position.”
Payton Wilson, LB, N.C. State
Wilson, at 6-foot-4, 238 pounds, played five seasons for the Wolfpack thanks to the COVID waiver year. Twice in those five seasons Wilson was credited with more than 100 tackles, including 138 last season. He also had six sacks, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and three interceptions.
“Kind of reminds me of Kiko Alonzo coming out of college,” Jeremiah said. “Wrestling background. Has had some injuries, but really, really instinctive.
“Ton of speed, ton of range, just a really good player.”