The 2024 NFL College Football Draft was held in Detroit, Michigan on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. It was a record-breaking crowd of over 700,000 fans attending. That broke the previous record of 600,000 fans, for the 2019 NFL Draft in Nashville, Tennessee.
The Browns did not have a pick in the 1st Round, because of the ill-fated Deshaun Watson trade. So, us Browns fans had to wait until Friday night to see which players would be joining our playoff roster.
With their 1st pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Browns selected, Michael Hall Jr, a defensive tackle from THE Ohio State.
This was a popular pick among my fellow Browns and Buckeyes fans. I can understand how exciting it is to keep a homegrown product home. He played high school ball and college ball, right here in The Great State of Ohio.
I however, am not a fan of this pick.
While he would show “flashes” every 5th game or so, he was never consistent. He has no pass rushing arsenal of moves, While Hall is quick at the snap of the ball, he would often come off the ball, playing too high. Allowing himself to be out leveraged and taken out of the play. That speed at the snap, did cause him to be double teamed often, allowing others to make a play on the ball. He’s undersized at just over 6’2″ and 290 lbs.
I give this pick a C+.
With their 3rd Round pick, the Browns decided to mend some fences and selected, Zac Zinter, offensive guard, Michigan.
Most people remember Zinter because of the gruesome broken leg, suffered in the 3rd quarter of last season’s Ohio State-Michigan Game.
His medical checked out and everyone has said that he WILL be ready in time for
FYI….It was Hall Jr, who fell into Zinter’s leg.
Zinter is a leader and team captain. He’s a mauler in the run game who drives or throws defenders into the ground. He gets the 2nd level quickly and nullifies linebackers. While he is a bit stiff, he uses his length and strength, as well as quick feet, to anchor himself in pass protection. His teammates love him, and he plays hard every single snap.
I LOVE this pick.
Love, love, love, big love.
With RG Wyatt Teller and his $11,610,300 million dollar cap hit for this season, on the trade block, Zinter could be getting starting reps sooner than most fans think.
I give this pick an A.
The Browns started the final day of the draft, not picking until the 5th Round.
Cleveland ended up drafting, Jamari Thrash, a wide receiver out of Louisville.
I was a big fan of Jamari Thrash, back when he was playing at Georgia State. Where he had over 1,100 yards and 7 touchdowns. He was a grad transfer to Louisville, where he kept up that production.
Thrash is fast and he is quick. He reaches top speed quickly on go and drag routes. He’s runs good routes, snapping off breaks at the top, instead of rounding them off. He makes the first defender miss and picks up yards through contact, even though he is a bit undersized at 180 lbs.
I LOVE this pick.
I think by the end of this season, he’ll supplant current Browns WR Elijah Moore in the slot.
I give this pick an A.
With their pick in the 6th Round, they selected, Nathaniel Watson, a linebacker from Mississippi State.
Waston led the SEC in total tackles and tied for the league lead in sacks. He is a tackling machine. Watson has a nose for the football. He is great fighting off blocks with his hands and takes good angles to the ball carrier. He has no problem attacking the lane defending the run and blitzing the quarterback.
He is on the lighter side when it comes to weight, so when an offensive lineman is able to work through Watson’s hands, he gets completely wiped out of the play. He also struggles in coverage. He isn’t able to flip his hips and run with tight ends on seam routes, often stumbling on his backpedal.
He’s going to come in and make a difference from Day 1 on special teams, and adds quality depth to a linebacker room that needs it.
I give this pick a B.
With their first pick of the 7th Round, the Browns selected, Myles Harden, a cornerback out of South Dakota.
Harden is a stout, physical cornerback who can play man to man as well as zone coverage. He has the strength and hands to knock the receiver off his route at the snap. He’s tough against the run and willing to stick his nose in, to make the tackle or hang on long enough for help to arrive. He has a knack for punching the football out, as he had 4 forced fumbles.
He is on the smaller size and gives up yards to bigger wideouts. He isn’t the fastest or quickest player either. You also have to consider his level of competition at South Dakota. Will he be able to stand up to the best of the best.
I give this pick a C.
With their final pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns selected, Jowon Briggs, a defensive tackle from the University of Cincinnati.
Briggs is on the smaller side but is uses it to his advantage by staying low. He is as strong as a bull. He uses his whole body when fighting from his legs to his core. He is extremely good with his hands. He doesn’t let offensive lineman get ahold of him. He has a relentless motor, and keeps playing not matter what.
He might be strong, but his smaller size does allow him to be washed out, when lineman do get ahold of him. His relentless motor is a plus, but that’s because he often would end up out of position. He doesn’t always stay in his gap.
I give this pick a C.
Overall, the Browns did a good job of getting solid depth pieces in this draft.
This is a good roster, that led the Cleveland to the playoffs last season.
They did take a few players, that I wouldn’t have.
I thought there were better players on the board, but GM Andrew Berry has been able to find good players outside of the first round.
My final grade for this draft class is a solid B.
by Sean McKenzie
I am your man for Cleveland Browns news, here, at WeLikeSportz.
Follow me on X (Twitter) at….. JoeAmerican6771 and OhioMan1776.
Photos courtesy of…..wallpapercave, clevelandbrowns.com, and X.
Stats and information courtesy of…..NFL and ESPN.
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