In the 2023 NFL Draft, how many picks did the Cleveland Browns have after acquiring Deshaun Watson during the 2022 offseason? While the Browns still had some picks available, the pressure was on Kevin Stefanski and Andrew Berry to make the most of them.
Want to see how the Browns graded out during the 2023 NFL Draft? Then come check out our full Cleveland Browns draft grades. You can also see the entire 2023 NFL Draft results.
Cleveland Browns Draft Picks by Round in 2023
- Round 3, Pick 73 (from NYG via LAR, via HOU)
Cedric Tillman, WR, Tennessee - Round 3, Pick 98*
Siaki Ika, DT, Baylor - Round 4, Pick 111
Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State - Round 4, Pick 126 (from MIN)
Isaiah McGuire, EDGE, Missouri - Round 5, Pick 140 (from LAR)
Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB, UCLA - Round 5, Pick 142
Cameron Mitchell, CB, Northwestern - Round 6, Pick 190
Luke Wypler, C, Ohio State
*compensatory selection
How Many Draft Picks Did the Browns Have Entering the 2023 NFL Draft?
In the 2023 NFL Draft, the Browns had eight total picks at their disposal, but their first selection didn’t come until the middle of the third round. Cleveland had two picks each in Rounds 3, 4, and 5 and one pick each in Rounds 6 and 7 to complete their draft.
Not having a first-round pick due to the trade that landed quarterback Deshaun Watson from the Houston Texans in the 2022 offseason was a significant price.
On top of missing out in the first round, the Browns also lost their original top-50 pick, which they traded to the New York Jets for receiver Elijah Moore, only compounded this situation. In 2021, Moore recorded 538 yards and five touchdowns.
Moore’s presence strengthens the Browns’ receiving corps alongside Amari Cooper. In the trade, Cleveland also received a third-round pick (74th overall), in addition to the third-rounder they gained as compensation for the Minnesota Vikings’ hiring of former Browns executive Kwesi Adofo-Mensah as general manager. The good news is that Watson and Moore have excelled thus far throughout training camp and could be much bigger impacts than most draft picks.
Cleveland’s extra picks in Rounds 4 and 5 were added in April 2022. A trade down with Minnesota netted Cleveland their extra fourth-rounder, while a deal to send Troy Hill back to the Los Angeles Rams gave the Browns their second fifth-round pick.
Who Did the Browns Draft in 2023?
The Browns made a smart move in the draft by selecting players who not only provided excellent value but also addressed their most pressing roster needs. The team’s two third-round picks, Tillman and Ika, have the potential to play important roles as rookies in 2023.
Tillman, standing at 6’3″, possesses a large frame and can excel in catching passes on the sidelines for Watson. He proved to be a fantastic playmaker in 2021, but an ankle injury limited him to only six games in 2022. Despite not being as explosive as he was the previous season, he has the potential to become a starting receiver in the future if the Browns decide not to resign Donovan Peoples-Jones.
Ika is a massive nose tackle who was frequently predicted to be selected by the Browns due to their lack of depth in the interior. His presence on the team will help to draw blockers away from talented pass rushers such as Myles Garrett, Za’Darius Smith, and Dalvin Tomlinson.
The rest of Cleveland’s draft may not have much impact until future seasons, but good players were added. Isaiah McGuire and Cameron Mitchell join loaded positions but offer great athleticism and experience to units that can never have enough able bodies. With any luck, both can be at least rotational contributors in the coming years.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones and center Luke Wypler also appear to be critical pieces for the future. Jones was often viewed as a top-40 prospect before the draft and should fill the right tackle spot nicely in 2024 after Jack Conklin’s contract expires. Wypler has a tougher road to playing since the Browns have two quality centers on the roster, but he was a terrific value in the sixth round.
Fifth-round quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson also has great backup potential. The athletic dual-threat will challenge Josh Dobbs immediately to make the final 53 roster. Though his accuracy needs some work, Thompson-Robinson earned valuable experience in a system similar to what we expect Cleveland to deploy in 2023.
