While everyone is giving draft grades from the NFL 2024 Draft, grade the Cleveland Browns not on what they did (okay a little on what they did) but on what they gained. The emancipation of the Cleveland Browns from Deshaun Watson’s contract is what should be celebrated.
What the Cleveland Browns Gave Up
The last time the Cleveland Browns had a selection in the first round was 2021. The Houston Texans, in what in retrospect can be called the steal of the century, received the Browns, 2022, 2023, and 2024 first-round picks in the drafts.
- In the 2022, NFL Draft the Texans picked CB, Derek Stingley as the third overall pick. They then selected OG Kenyon Green with the 15th overall pick.
- In the 2023 NFL Draft, the Texans picked QB, CJ Stroud with the second overall pick. Then the Texans traded 12th and 33rd picks in 2023, and a 2024 first-round and third-round pick to draft OLB Will Anderson with the third pick of the 2023 draft.
- Due to the Anderson pick the Texans did not have a pick in the first round in the 2024 draft.
Cleveland v Houston
Last season the Texans had offensive rookie of the year in quarterback Stroud and defensive rookie of the year in Anderson.
Watson played six games after injuring his shoulder. For the second year in a row, Watson finished the season only playing six games.
Both teams made it to post-season play. Ironically, the Browns played the Texans in the Wild Card round. The Texans won 45-14.
Cleveland Browns 2024 Draft
The Browns’ first pick in the draft was round two with the 54th pick. Their picks went as follows:
- Round 2, 54: DT, Michael Hall Jr., Ohio State
- Round 3, 85: G, Zak Zinter, Michigan
- Round 5, 156: WR, Jamari Thrash, Louisville
- Round 6, 206: LB, Nathaniel Watson, Mississippi State
- Round 7, 227: CB, Myles Harden, South Dakota
- Round 7, 243: DT, Jowon Briggs, Cincinnati
When you are shackled with no draft capital and no cap space, drafting in the middle of the second round, you draft for the future and upside. That is what the Browns did.
Hall, Defensive Tackle
Hall was not overly productive in his time at Ohio State. In his three years at Ohio State, he finished with 45 tackles and six sacks. Hall has an upside. He ranked third with an athleticism score of 86 among defensive tackles at the 2024 NFL Combine.
Zinter, Guard
Not only do the Browns have two Pro Bowl Guards in Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller but Zinter is recovering from a broken tibia and fibula he suffered in the game against Ohio State.
Thrash, Wide Receiver
Thrash played three years at Georgia State and his last year at Louisville.
| Receptions | Receiving Yards | Touchdowns | Rushing Attempts | Rushing Yards | |
| Georgia State (3 years) | 104 | 1,752 | 12 | 3 | 10 |
| Louisville | 63 | 858 | 6 | 1 | 12 |
Watson, Linebacker
Could be the “steal” of the draft. In his six seasons at Mississippi State, Watson collected 377 tackles, 35 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, two interceptions, five passes defended, and 21 sacks.
Watson led the SEC last season in tackles with 137.
Last season was a finalist for the Butkus Award. The Butkus Award I given to the top linebacker in the nation.
Harden, Cornerback
In 2023, Haden had 46 tackles, one fumble recovery, one interception and two passes defended.
Briggs, Defensive Tackle
Briggs played two seasons at Virginia and three seasons in Cincinnati. In 2023 he had 27 tackles, six tackles for loss, and two sacks.
Grading the Browns 2024 Draft Haul
When grading the draft picks, it is all about value. Did the picks serve a need? Did the team get the best player available? Good grades are seldom given to teams that: a) did not have a first-round pick; and b) draft for the future.
The Browns slide into both categories. Hall has potential and his style of play will fit into Jim Schwartz’s scheme. But it is unlikely that he is a Day 1 starter.
Zinter is recovering from a major leg injury. He is sitting behind two Pro Bowl guards. When Zinter is fully recovered he will add depth to the position.
Thrash is the player here. He has the potential to start Day 1. He might not start as a receiver but will likely see a lot of time on special teams. While that isn’t fantasy grade A, it is good for the Cleveland Browns.
So, handcuffed as they were by the Watson contract, the Browns scored a solid C grade for the 2024 NFL Draft. Let’s wait and see what they do in the 2025 NFL Draft when they don’t have one hand tied behind their back.
Emancipation of Cleveland Browns
The Browns will have their first-round pick back in 2025. The Browns will also have Nick Chubb, Amari Cooper, and Elijah Moore pending free agency in 2025. Some would say that emancipation will happen just in the nick of time.
What Browns 2024 NFL Draft Pick are you most excited about? Let me know @gladysLtyler on the platform formerly known as Twitter!
