The Browns entered the offseason knowing they would have to wait a while for their first pick in the 2023 draft.
Now, after trading their second-round pick to the Jets for WR Elijah Moore and the 74th overall pick, they'll wait a little longer.
The Browns don't have their first-round pick (traded to the Texans in the Deshaun Watson deal) or their second-round pick in 2023 and will wait until the third round to be on the clock. Trading those picks for talent was an acceptable exchange for a team that needs to win now, but the Browns will still need to find players who can contribute and provide depth — at minimum — in the draft.
They currently have eight picks to do so, and we're checking out who draft analysts are predicting will land with them with the first of those picks at No. 74 overall.
The pick: S Jordan Battle, Alabama
The analysis: McGuinness notes that Battle produced PFF grades over 80.0 in each of the last three seasons. He had six interceptions in four seasons in Tuscaloosa.
Check out which players draft analysts are mocking to the Browns with their first pick at No. 74 overall
Montana State Bobcats linebacker Troy Andersen (15) tackles South Dakota State tight end Tucker Kraft (85) for a loss during the second half of an NCAA college football game in the semifinals of the FCS playoffs, Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Bozeman, Mont. Montana State won 31-17. (AP Photo/Tommy Martino)
Ohio State football defensive end Zach Harrison runs a drill at the school's NFL Pro Day in Columbus, Ohio, Wednesday, March 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)
Devon Achane talks to the press after running drills during Texas A&M football pro day Tuesday, March 28, 2023, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
SMU wide receiver Rashee Rice runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Defensive back Brandon Joseph participates in Notre Dame's NFL football Pro Day in South Bend, Ind., Friday, March 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Texas A&M running back Devon Achane runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
SMU wide receiver Rashee Rice stands on the field during an NFL Pro Day in Dallas, Wednesday, March 22, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Former Alabama defensive back Jordan Battle works in position drills at Alabama's NFL pro day, Thursday, March 23, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
South Dakota State tight end Tucker Kraft runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Notre Dame defensive back Brandon Joseph runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Wisconsin defensive lineman Keeanu Benton runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
South Dakota State tight end Tucker Kraft runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
SMU wide receiver Rashee Rice (11) scores a touchdown in front of TCU safety T.J. Carter (7) during the second half of an NCAA football game in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
South Dakota State tight end Tucker Kraft runs the 40-yard dashl at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Alabama defensive back Jordan Battle runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Texas A&M running back Devon Achane (6) picks up a first down on a run against Mississippi during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Wisconsin defensive lineman Keeanu Benton runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Ohio State defensive lineman Zach Harrison speaks during a news conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 1, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Alabama team captains defensive back Jordan Battle (9), linebacker Will Anderson Jr. (31), and quarterback Bryce Young (9) walk out for the coin toss during the first half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National defensive lineman Keeanu Benton of Wisconsin (95) during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Ohio State defensive end Zach Harrison (9) pass rushes during an NCAA college football game against Penn State, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Texas A&M running back Devon Achane (6) runs against LSU during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
SMU wide receiver Rashee Rice looks to run after catching a pass during the first half of an NCAA college game against TCU on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, in Dallas, Texas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)
Alabama defensive back Jordan Battle (9) runs a play against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Texas A&M running back Devon Achane (6) crosses the goal line for a touchdown against Florida during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Alabama defensive back Jordan Battle (9) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Notre Dame safety Brandon Joseph (16) plays against Marshall during the second half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. Marshall defeated Notre Dame 26-21. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Notre Dame safety Brandon Joseph lines up during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against Ohio State, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State won 21-10. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Wisconsin nose tackle Keeanu Benton plays during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Ohio State defensive lineman Zach Harrison plays against Arkansas State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
South Dakota State tight end Tucker Kraft (85) makes a catch in the second half of an NCAA college football game in the semifinals of the FCS playoffs, Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Bozeman, Mont. Montana State won 31-17. Tommy Martino)
Notre Dame safety Brandon Joseph (16) plays against Marshall during the second half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. Marshall defeated Notre Dame 26-21. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
SMU offensive lineman Beau Morris (78) lifts wide receiver Rashee Rice (11) in celebration after Rice scored a touchdown during the second half of the team's NCAA college football game against Navy, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
Wisconsin's Keeanu Benton warms up before an NCAA college football game against Illinois State Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
The pick: EDGE Zach Harrison, Ohio State
The analysis: Harrison, a top performer at the combine, totaled 24 tackles for a loss and 11 sacks in four seasons with the Buckeyes.
The pick: RB Devon Achane, Texas A&M
The analysis: Valentino believes Achane has "tremendous downhill speed" and would become another key playmaker in the Browns' offense.
The pick: DT Keeanu Benton, Wisconsin
The analysis: Benton was a player commonly mocked to the Browns when they still had their second-round pick. He had 10 tackles for a loss and 4.5 sacks last season.
The pick: TE Tucker Kraft, South Dakota State
The analysis: Kraft had 27 catches for 348 yards and three touchdowns last season with the South Dakota State Jackrabbits, an FCS school, and is considered a top player among a highly graded tight end class.
The pick: S Brandon Joseph, Notre Dame
The analysis: Joseph totaled 10 interceptions in his last three seasons, including six with Northwestern in 2020 before he transferred to the Fighting Irish for 2022. Cherepinsky called him a "turnover machine."
The pick: WR Rashee Rice, SMU
The analysis: Rice broke out last year with the Mustangs and totaled 1,355 yards and 10 touchdowns. He clocked in at 4.51 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the combine.
