Browns post-Super Bowl mock draft: Another receiver name pops up in the 2nd round for Cleveland, but is that really the direction they’ll go?

BEREA, Ohio — It’s a trend that seems destined to continue over the next two months.

Ahead of the 2024 NFL draft, in just about every mock draft you read, expect the Browns to be slotted with a receiver with their second-round, 55th ovreall pick

In initial mock drafts, two names popped up for the Browns: Texas receiver Xavier Worthy and Washington receiver Ja’Lynn Polk.

A third name entered that group on Monday in Pro Football Focus’ first post-Super Bowl mock draft: Michigan receiver Roman Wilson.

Wilson was a key contributor throughout Michigan’s national title run last season, playing primarily in the slot (206 snaps vs. 94 out wide). He caught 48 of 67 targets in 2023, ending the year with a career-high 789 yards. Maybe most impressive were his 16.4 yards per catch.

At this early stage of draft prep, it’s understandable why most mock drafts and analysts will slot a wide receiver to the Browns.

Outside of Amari Cooper’s Pro Bowl output of 1,250 yards and five touchdowns in 2023, the Browns didn’t really have another consistent receiver in the pass game. Tight end David Njoku was their next-most reliable target with six touchdowns and 882 yards. It’s clearly a position of need.

Even so, what I would caution fans to remember? Browns GM Andrew Berry rarely operates out of any position of need as far ass the draft is concerned.

Really, the only time this front office has gone with an obvious position of need was their first draft in 2020: They needed a tackle, and took Jedrick Wills Jr. at No. 10 overall.

In recent years, however — especially post-Deshaun Watson trade — Berry has refused to be backed into a needs-based corner as the Browns are without a first roundere.

So could they take a receiver at No. 55 in 2024? Maybe, but I think it’s much more likely that Berry takes control of the situation like we have seen him do the last couple of years.

In 2022, he traded a fifth-round pick to the Cowboys who were ready to move on from Cooper. In addition to making the Pro Bowl this year, he’s had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in Cleveland, and continues to be one of Berry’s best acquisitions.

In 2023, the Browns GM did something similar. Knowing they needed to add to the receiver room, they sent their second-round pick to the Jets in exchange for the speedy Elijah Moore. While Moore finished the year with 640 yards and two touchdowns, it’s arguable that his production took a dip with Watson out for the year after fracturing his glenoid bone in his shoulder.

Moves like this allow the Browns to chase something else when they are on the clock come draft day: Best available player.

There’s no better example of this than in 2022. After trading for Cooper and Deshaun Watson, the Browns still traded down out of the second round and in the third round, found real value in Martin Emerson Jr. Even as a rookie, Emerson shined early as an outside corner in a room that was already strong for the Browns. Because of that move, the Cleveland DBs have become even better the last two years.

In 2023, they still took a receiver with their first pick, but they didn’t have to over-rely on Cedric Tillman as a rookie, letting him find his footing.

Big picture, the best-available strategy is the Browns’ best chance while they continue to be without a first-round pick, their final year without one due to the Watson trade.

Knowing the chances of hitting on real, long-term starter-caliber contributors dwindles significantly in the third round and beyond, drafting for need just makes less sense. You’ll be less likely to find the guy who can contribute right away, like Emerson, if you’re too worried about one specific position as a front office. Knowing how Berry operates, at this stage I would guess it’s much more likely that we see him address the team’s pass-catching needs via trade or free agency before the draft even begins.

Would Wilson, or Polk or Worthy be fine additions to the roster? Probably. But knowing where this Browns roster stands now, if they can get a more proven veteran and not worry about getting a rookie up to speed in a larger role quickly, that seems more favorable.

So right now, while everyone may be thinking receiver with the No. 55 overall pick in 2024, you’d be better off expecting the unexpected.