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2022 NFL Mock Draft: Jets Defense Rebuilt In 3-Round Projection

By Christopher Thomas

BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 18: Derek Stingley Jr. #7 of the LSU Tigers warms up prior to a game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Tiger Stadium on September 18, 2021 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 18: Derek Stingley Jr. #7 of the LSU Tigers warms up prior to a game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Tiger Stadium on September 18, 2021 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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2022 NFL Mock Draft, DeMarvin Leal. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
2022 NFL Mock Draft, DeMarvin Leal. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

15. Cleveland Browns: DeMarvin Leal, Defensive Lineman, Texas A&M

The Cleveland Browns have been viewed as a fringe playoff team after looking like a potential Super Bowl contender earlier this season. They have one of the most complete rosters in the entire league. However, Cleveland has dealt with major injuries across their roster to multiple key contributors including quarterback Baker Mayfield.

This past offseason Cleveland focused on solidifying their defense to compete with the hire power offenses in the AFC. One of the best additions they made this offseason was signing Jadeveon Clowney to a one-year, $8 million deal. The duo of Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney have terrorized quarterbacks all season.

A popular selection for Cleveland to take in mock drafts is one of the top wide receivers in this year’s class. Taking a wide receiver could make sense after the team let go of Odell Beckham Jr. On top of that, there is the possibility Jarvis Landry will not on the team next season. But that is not where they go in the first round of this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. The wide receiver position isn’t a primary focus for the Browns offense under Kevin Stefanski. So why would the draft one in the first round? This season the defensive end position opposite Myles Garrett became a vital part of this team’s success and there is a possibility Cleveland loses Clowney this offseason.

If Clowney was to leave Cleveland, the Browns could replace him or his presence with defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal from Texas A&M. What makes Leal so impressive as a prospect is not only how talented he is but his versatility. Leal can play anywhere across a defensive line in any scheme. In recent years there have been a few players versatile to play multiple positions across offensive lines including Stephon Tuitt, Arik Armstead, Solomon Thomas, and Marlon Davidson. Tuitt and Armstead have had more success than Thomas and Davidson because their coaching staff figured out where to line them up and how to use their versatility as an advantage rather than playing the player at one position whether they play well there or not. Leal as high if not a higher upside than all of them.

Leal’s versatility could allow him to fill the need left by Jadeveon Clowney or Malik Jackson. If either or both leave Cleveland in free agency the Browns need to make sure that they replace him with a pass rusher that could make it easier for Myles Garrett to get to the quarterback. Cleveland’s defensive line will be headlined with the best two pass rushers to come out of Texas A&M in the last couple of seasons.

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