Cleveland Browns avoid first round WR in 7-round 2022 NFL Mock Draft

Round 1, Pick 13: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah

In my latest full first round 2022 NFL Mock Draft I had the Cleveland Browns goes with Nakobe Dean. I like Dean a bit more than Devin Lloyd in Cleveland, but for the sake of sharing my take on a different player I have the Browns mix it up here. Both Dean and Lloyd would make great additions to Cleveland’s defense, but first we need to talk about wasn’t picked rather than what was.

I know there’s an outcry for the Browns to go with a wide receiver in the first round, but it’s simply not necessary. Yes, Cleveland needs wide receivers, but not in the first round. This is a deep wide receiver class and the Browns will have plenty of draft capital. They will easily be able to move up in the second round for a first round talent that falls and/or take multiple wide receivers later in the draft.

Now, back to the actual pick. The Browns are set to lose both Anthony Walker Jr. and Malcolm Smith to free agency, two players who started on the defense this past year. That will leave just Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah who, while great as a rookie, will need help at the linebacker position. He can’t do it by himself.

At Utah, Lloyd did just about everything as a linebacker. He totaled 111 tackles during the 2021 season and 91 in 2019. Over the last three seasons he totaled 43 tackles for loss and 15.5 sacks  for the Utes. He added four interceptions to his stat line in 2021, including taking two to the house, while defending six passes.

Lloyd has shown that he can tackle, rush, run stop and drop into coverage. If Cleveland needs an anchor to the middle of the defense to compliment Owusu-Koramoah, Lloyd would a nice choice.