Three years in, still questions for Browns 2020 draft class
BEREA — You never forget your first.
It’s hard to forget Andrew Berry’s first draft as Browns general manager. For one thing, it may have been the most unique draft in the history of the NFL thanks to the COVID pandemic forcing the entire event to go virtual.
Beyond that, it was unforgettable because it was the first opportunity to see what the entirely new — at the time — pairing of Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanski would do to put its stamp on the roster. In the moment, what happened drew mostly positive reviews.
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Three years later, the six players who comprised the 2020 draft class for the Browns are among the most recognizable names on the roster, as would be expected from a collection of players who will be in their fourth season in 2023. However, for some, the bloom has come off the rose, so to speak, with the benefit of years of NFL experience.
As we continue to grade Berry’s moves as general manager, it’s time to assess his first draft class now that it’s coming up on a contract year for virtually all of them. The one potential exception, though, is where the assessment will begin.
Round 1, pick 10: Jedrick Wills Jr., offensive tackle
This was a very good offensive tackle draft, especially at the top of the first round. With now-Hall of Famer Joe Thomas having been out of the league for two seasons, the Browns always were expected to target tackle. By the time they were on the clock, the big three remaining were Wills out of Alabama, Mekhi Becton out of Louisville and Tristan Wirfs out of Iowa. Berry chose Wills, who had played right tackle as the blind-side blocker for Tua Tagovailoa with the Crimson Tide. The first part of Wills’ transition to the NFL was a transition to left tackle, a position he had never played prior to making the league. After a solid rookie season starting for an 11-win playoff team, injuries hampered him throughout his second season. Wills didn’t miss a game in his third season, which was a mixed bag of results for him. However, the Browns actually believe it was his best season of the three, which is important for Wills’ immediate and long-term future. The team has until May 1 to pick up his fifth-year option — which would keep him on the roster through 2024 — and contemplate the very real possibility of a long-term extension.
Grade: B-minus
Round 2, pick 44: Grant Delpit, safety
Meet the enigma of the draft class, maybe even more than Wills. Delpit never got a rookie season in the truest sense due to an Achilles tear in training camp that cost him the entire 2020 season. That essentially made the 2021 season the LSU product’s “rookie” season. Delpit played in 15 games that year, starting seven, while showing signs of growth as the season went along. However, his 2022 season was a rocky one, especially over the first half. Delpit was often seen, rightly or wrongly, as one of biggest culprits in the Browns’ early season struggles with coverage breakdowns. Still, there was no doubt there was a definite improvement as the season went into its latter stages. Delpit had a two-interception game in Week 17 at Washington, and finished the season with four picks and 10 passes defensed. He also had 105 total tackles, including 72 solo stops. The way Delpit finished this past season, coupled with the arrival of new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, puts a lot of onus on him as he heads into the final year of his rookie deal.
Grade: C-plus
Round 3, pick 88: Jordan Elliott, defensive tackle
The defensive tackle out of Missouri remains one of the big mysteries of the draft class. It’s not that Elliott hasn’t played a lot, because he’s played in 49 out of possible 50 regular-season games over his first three years, including starting all 17 in 2022. The mystery for Elliott is that, despite all of that playing time, it remains a case of, to quote the nickname of his college’s home state, “Show me.” The Browns expected to see a step forward out of Elliott in 2022. In fact, he was one of those most mentioned by his coaches and teammates during training camp as a breakout player for the season. Instead, Elliott was part of arguably the most underachieving position group on the Browns. He did record two sacks and five tackles for loss, but was also regularly beaten at the point of attack as opposing offenses ran at will on the Browns. Can Schwartz, whose scheme plays to defensive linemen’s strengths, unlock Elliott in a contract season? We’ll see.
Grade: D-plus
Round 3, pick 97: Jacob Phillips, linebacker
If this was grading a player on their personality, it would be an “A.” No one questions whether or not Phillips is a nice guy. The problem for the LSU…
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