After trading down from the second overall pick to No. 8 overall, the Cleveland Browns entire draft landscape changes big time. In this, it makes sense to rehash the team needs/mock draft piece we ran for this team back in March.
While the needs remain relatively the same, some even more intense following the departures of Travis Benjamin, Mitchell Schwartz and Tashaun Gipson in free agency, Cleveland has more assets to address them.
Here is a look at the Browns original team needs with a brand NEW seven-round mock. As with all the mocks we've run thus far throughout the draft season, we pick for the Browns while the FanSpeak mock draft simulator picks for the league's 31 other teams.
Team Needs
1. Quarterback
However much some things change, others remain the same. Even after adding Robert Griffin III in free agency and moving down from the second spot, quarterback remains an obvious need for Hue Jackson in his first season as the team's head coach. It's just not going to be Jared Goff or Carson Wentz at this point.
2. Wide Receiver
Cleveland may be willing to let Josh Gordon back into the mix after a year-plus suspension. Though, we have absolutely no idea when Gordon will be reinstated by the NFL. We also don't know if Gordon will remain clean once he returns from the suspension.
The top receiver from this past season, Travis Benjamin (68 receptions, 966 yards) is now on the Chargers. This leaves a whole heck of a lot of nothing.
3. Safety
Much like Benjamin, Tashaun Gipson has moved on in free agency. In addition to this, it's the Browns released veteran strong safety Donte Whitner. Needless to say, there's going to be a need here, potentially at both free and strong safety.
4. Offensive Tackle
Now that Mitchell Schwartz has departed in free agency, Cleveland will potentially need to find a replacement at right tackle. The good news here is that Joe Thomas is firmly implanted in as the starting left tackle, meaning Cleveland can look solely at right tackle later in the draft.
5. Defensive End
This is primarily going to be from a pass-rushing standpoint. Cleveland will continue to run a 3-4 with Ray Horton as the team's new defensive coordinator. However, the team simply needs to find an upgrade over Joe Hughes. The idea will be to give the team someone that can both stop the run and rush the passer. It's a hard get in the draft, bbut something this new front office will have to do at some point during the offseason.
| Round | Player | Position | School |
| 1 | Ronnie Stanley | Offensive Tackle | Notre Dame |
| 2 | Paxton Lynch | Quarterback | Memphis |
| 3 | Braxton Miller | Wide Receiver | Ohio State |
| 3 | T.J. Green | Safety | Clemson |
| 4 | S'ua Cravens | Linebacker/Safety | USC |
| 4 | Sheldon Day | Defensive Tackle | Notre Dame |
| 4 | Cyrus Jones | Cornerback | Alabama |
| 5 | Hassan Ridgeway | Defensive Line | Texas |
| 5 | Austin Blythe | Center | Iowa |
| 5 | Josh Forrest | Linebacker | Kentucky |
| 6 | Glenn Gronkowski | Fullback/Tight End | Kansas State |
| 7 | Daniel Lasco | Running Back | California |