The Cleveland Browns underwent several changes in the past calendar year. At the top of the list, the Browns traded multiple first-round picks to the Houston Texans for Deshaun Watson.
However, the star quarterback missed the first 11 games of the year with a suspension. When he returned, Watson struggled.
In the six games he played this season, the star quarterback had 1,102 passing yards and seven touchdowns compared to five interceptions. Cleveland heads into the offseason without a first-round pick and questions on both sides of the ball.
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What Draft Picks Do The Cleveland Browns Own?
With Houston owning Cleveland’s first-round pick this year and next year, the Browns won’t make a pick until the second round.
Overall, the team has eight draft picks this year. They have all of their own draft picks after the first round. The Browns also have a fourth-round pick from the Minnesota Vikings and a fifth-round pick from the Los Angeles Rams.
Who Could The Cleveland Browns Target In The 2022 NFL Draft?
Cleveland has needs on both sides of the ball. On offense, the wide receiver position needs some help. Amari Cooper is one of the best in the NFL. Meanwhile, Donovan Peoples-Jones had a solid 2022 season, totaling 61 receptions and 839 receiving yards, both career-highs.
Over the past two years, the Browns have spent two third-round picks on wide receivers. In 2021 they drafted Anthony Schwartz. The former Auburn receiver has 14 receptions and one receiving touchdown in 25 career games. Last year Cleveland drafted David Bell. He had only 24 receptions for 214 receiving yards and no touchdowns in 16 games as a rookie.
While the team still has high hopes for both players, Peoples-Jones is entering the final year of his rookie deal. Furthermore, the Browns need to find a consistent receiver opposite of Cooper.
One potential draft target is North Carolina’s Josh Downs. The Tar Heel star had 195 receptions for 2,364 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns over the past two years. Furthermore, he averaged 12.3 yards per reception in his college career. Downs can make game-changing plays on all three levels of the field.
Pairing Downs with Cooper and Peoples-Jones would give Watson an explosive trio of wide receivers for next season.
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