Assessing Cleveland Browns defensive-heavy 2021 NFL Draft needs

3. Cornerback

Yet another position that was addressed already this offseason, cornerback is still a big question mark for the Cleveland Browns heading into the 2021 NFL Draft. Even with the addition of Troy Hill from the Los Angeles Rams, injury questions plague the potential upside for this unit.

Denzel Ward has shown flashes of All-Pro potential, when on the field. The issue? He has not played a full 16 game season so far in his career, missing 11 games over his three-year career to this point. Greedy Williams? The potential is there but he has played just 12 games in two years, missing the entire 2020 season.

Hill, an Ohio native, started all 16 games for LA last season, earning him a two-year deal with his hometown Cleveland Browns. So if all pans out well, the Browns could be in really good shape. But after losing the likes of Terrence Mitchell and Kevin Johnson to free agency, Cleveland needs to add some more possible contributors in the 2021 NFL Draft.

4. Wide Receiver

We finally hop over to the offensive side of the ball! It is clear that the majority of the help that the Cleveland Browns need is on defense. Rolling out the same exact offensive unit from a year ago, with an improved defense, could maintain the team’s success in 2021.

However, Andrew Berry and the Browns front office always have to be looking ahead. Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr. aren’t getting any younger and are due a lot of money in the coming years. While I don’t think the team moves on from either very soon, thinking a few years in advance helps great organizations stay great (something that the Cleveland Browns revolving front offices never really had a chance to do).

Like last season, the 2021 NFL Draft is loaded with solid receiving prospects from top to bottom. Cleveland hopes they found a steal late last year in Donovan Peoples-Jones, but with the uncertain long-term futures of Landry, Beckham and Rashard Higgins who signed a cheap one-year deal to remain with the team, they could look to add an impactful piece for the future rather early in the 2021 NFL Draft.