2021 NFL Draft grades: Cleveland Browns win the weekend

Cleveland Browns draft grade: B-

There were a lot of people that were saying wide receiver should be in play for the Cleveland Browns even in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. While I’m glad the team addressed a couple of needs on defense first, I’m still not completely sold on this selection.

To me, it has more to do with the position than the player, while there are some question marks with the prospect as well. I totally understand that a front office has to always be thinking of the future, and that is likely why they made a move like this, but I still would have rather seen the team go elsewhere with this pick.

Anthony Schwartz from Auburn is fast. Really fast. Like, national track sprinter fast. Sprinkling some of that speed into the Cleveland Browns offense will undoubtedly make the squad even more dynamic.

With his speed, Schwartz is a guy that really excels with the ball in his hands. He is often used on screens and end-arounds, allowing him to get the ball quickly and run right through the defense. He also uses his speed well deep down the field, allowing the Browns to take the top off of opposing defenses.

While Schwartz is a dynamic athlete, he isn’t an overly polished route runner or catcher of the football. He certainly is capable of making some tough catches but needs to be more consistent on those intermediate routes.

In a league that is constantly looking for the next Tyreek Hill, I can totally understand the infatuation with the speed of Anthony Schwartz. His tape is incredibly fun to watch and he should be able to find some sort of role on the offense early in his career.

For me, I would have gone with someone like Oklahoma edge rusher Ronnie Perkins to provide depth and future upside for the defensive line and the pass rush. Even at the wide receiver position, I might have preferred guys like Amon-Ra St. Brown from USC of Oklahoma State’s Tylan Wallace who are more developed and polished receivers who bring some other things to the table.

I’m not mad at the pick of Anthony Schwartz, though I would have likely gone in a different direction. I trust the front office and the coaching staff that the Cleveland Browns have in place, so they must have a plan to utilize such a player. Hopefully, it is to have him make an impact in 2021 and not just as a future replacement option for another athletic receiver like Odell Beckham Jr.