First-Round Picks the Browns Should Target in the 2020 NFL Draft

The Cleveland Browns came into the 2019 season with plenty of hype and were considered playoff contenders by many NFL analysts. Unfortunately, the season quickly went off the rails, and the Browns now find themselves sitting at 6-8, having been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.

The front office has done a remarkable job accumulating top-level talent, but it hasn't translated into success quite yet. Cleveland likely needs a lot to go right in order to become legitimate contenders next season, but the Browns do have some clear holes that they can hopefully address in the draft.

With that in mind, here are three prospects the Browns should target in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

3. Tyler Biadasz, C, Wisconsin

Tyler Biadasz prepares to snap the ball against Ohio State. / Joe Robbins/Getty Images

The Browns have several areas along the offensive line that need to be upgraded – especially left tackle. The elite blindside protectors will likely be off the board before Cleveland is on the clock though (currently projected to pick No. 15), but Tyler Biadasz could be an excellent consolation prize. He won the 2019 Rimington Trophy, awarded to the nation's best center, and he looks like an NFL-ready prospect. With Nick Chubb leading the way, the Browns have begun to build an identity as a power-run team, and the 6-foot-3 Wisconsin product could take that to the next level.

2. Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson

Isaiah Simmons celebrates after the play. / Grant Halverson/Getty Images

The Browns' defense has really struggled to stop the run this season, checking in as the fifth-worst run defense in Football Outsiders' DVOA metric. Isaiah Simmons would instantly give Cleveland's linebacker corps a boost against the run, but he's also one of the most versatile players in the draft. Simmons won the 2019 Butkus Award, given to the nation's best linebacker, and he's an athletic freak with rare sideline-to-sideline speed, allowing him to excel defending the run and pass. Pairing the converted safety with linebackers like Christian Kirksey and Joe Schobert could instantly improve this Cleveland defense.

1. Grant Delpit, S, LSU

Grant Delpit readies himself for a play against Northwestern. / Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images

Safety isn't the most pressing need, but if Grant Delpit falls into the Browns' lap, they should snatch him up without hesitation – especially with Damarious Randall's contract set to expire at the end of the season. A true centerfielder who is excellent in run support and has proven to be dynamic when blitzing, Delpit is arguably the most complete safety in the draft. Adding Delpit to a secondary that already features talent like Denzel Ward and Greedy Williams could give Cleveland one of the best young secondaries in the NFL.

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Mike Esposito is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Mike Esposito also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username espo6891. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.