CINCINNATI CLEVELAND BENGALS BROWNS
Round 1 (No. 18 overall) — Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia: Mims’ 87-inch wingspan and 6-8, 340pound frame help him block out the sun. It might not take Mims long to displace veteran Trent Brown this year.
Round 2 (49) — Kris Jenkins, DT, Michigan: One of the leaders of the Wolverines’ championship season, the son of the former NFL star of the same name gets a chance to spotlight his own in Cincy. With B.J. Hill and Joseph Ossai, pretty good rotation forming here.
Round 3 (80) — Jermaine Burton, WR, Alabama: Cincinnati brings in a pass catcher with Tee Higgins demanding a trade and Tyler Boyd no longer on the roster.
Round 3 (97, compensatory selection) — McKinnley Jackson, DT, Texas A&M: Cincinnati continues to build its interior depth, and Jackson finished last season on a high note.
Round 4 (115) — Erick All, TE, Iowa: Based on numbers and tape alone, All is a solid tight end in a top-heavy class. He is a better blocker than most prospects and led the Hawkeyes in receiving in 2023. But he suffered season-ending injuries in 2023 and 2022.
Round 5 (149) — Josh Newton, CB, TCU: Cincinnati continues its recent history of defensive back investment with Newton. A five-year starter for the Horned Frogs, Newton projects well in zone schemes that will cover up for his lack of long speed.
Round 6 (194) — Tanner McLachlin, TE, Arizona: McLachlan offers good ball skills at the catch point and enough athleticism to develop.
Round 6 (214, compensatory selection) — Cedric Johnson, DE, Ole Miss: At 6-3, 260 pounds he has elite athleticism and solid sack production (19 in 46 games). He’s a high-reward rusher who could work in on sub packages.
Round 7 (224, from Cardinals through Texans) — Daijahn Anthony, S, Ole Miss: He likely will move to nickel at the NFL level where his aggression, physicality, and ball skills could keep him on the roster.
Round 7 (237) — Matt Lee, C, Miami (Fla.): His technique is good enough to keep up as a backup on the interior, especially with his elite pass protection.
Round 2 (No. 54 overall) — Michael Hall Jr., DT, Ohio State: They’re finally on the board after paying off their Deshaun Watson debt. And Cleveland adds a plus athlete who could capture his potential on an elite defense featuring 2023 Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett. Hall’s 6-3, 290-pound frame and quickness could make him a terror in defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz’s scheme.
Round 3 (85) — Zak Zinter, G, Michigan: The run on Wolverines continues, though he’s probably here for depth behind Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller ... at least for now as Zinter recover from his broken leg.
Round 5 (156, from Eagles through Cardinals) — Jamari Thrash, WR, Louisville: Thrash is a deep threat and has shown consistency in running the whole route tree. His clean release will be challenged against tougher defenders in the NFL but he can at least carve out a role on special teams with his speed. Considering the Browns’ diverse talents at wide receiver already, and the other prospects on the board, this feels like a reach.
Round 6 (206, from Ravens) — Nathaniel Watson, LB, Mississippi State: Cleveland continues to add pieces on defense late in the draft with the athletic Watson. In 2023, he led the SEC in sacks (10.0) and tackles (137). His instincts leave something to be desired but his quick reactions, speed, and tackling will make him a special teams standout or a high-end backup at linebacker.
Round 7 (227, from Titans) — Myles Harden, CB, South Dakota: Harden joins a talented defensive back group in Cleveland and should offer nickel versatility early on. He’s aggressive and competitive and that shines through with his tackling prowess. His fluid movement skills could see spot time at safety as well as cornerback for the Browns.
Round 7 (243) — Jowon Briggs, DT, Cincinnati: Cleveland keeps Briggs in Ohio by taking him at No. 243 overall. The 6-foot-1, 313-pound Briggs gets off the ball quickly with the power to make a difference early on. He needs to work on his rush plan and lacks ideal length.