Cleveland Browns 7-round 2020 NFL mock draft: Filling the gaps

The Cleveland Browns have consistently struggled to stop the run over the last few years. According to Football Outsider’s DVOA, they were the third-worst rush defense in the entire NFL last season. The Browns must work to improve this weakness and adding a guy like Missouri defensive tackle Jordan Elliott would undoubtedly help.

Larry Ogunjobi and Sheldon Richardson are both very good NFL defensive tackles, but both players are one-gap penetrating interior rushers who shine at attacking the quarterback. The Browns could really use a rock-solid defensive tackle who shines against the run and Elliott certainly fits the bill.

Elliott is a big, long and strong defensive lineman who holds his own in two-gap situations extremely well. He understands leverage well and does a great job of holding his own at the point of attack. Elliott can pin his ears back and create some pressure as a one-gap penetrator, but it is his ability to plug up running lanes in the middle of the field that really stands out. Elliott is exactly what the Cleveland Browns need on the interior defensive line.

Due to the Duke Johnson trade with the Houston Texans, the Browns have an extra third-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. With that extra selection, they continue to build the offensive line by adding LSU center Lloyd Cushenberry III to the mix.

Adding a center may seem odd with J.C. Tretter already on the roster but Cushenberry should be able to handle a switch to offensive guard and he would provide quality depth at the center position. Cushenberry is an athletic offensive lineman who does a great job of climbing to the second level. He would be an ideal fit for their zone scheme and could legitimately make a push for a starting job as a rookie.