The Cleveland Browns fell well short of expectations set for the 2021 season. Some people thought they were going to be a dark horse Super Bowl contender, but it was their AFC North rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals, that ascended to the heights people thought the Browns would be at.
Cleveland didn’t even make the postseason, as they finished the season with a record of 8-9. It was certainly disappointing, but they will look to upgrade the necessary spots on the roster and come back in 2022 ready to take that next step.
A lot of attention will be given to the offense this offseason. Cleveland has to figure out if Baker Mayfield is their long-term answer at the quarterback position as he enters his fifth year in the NFL.
Upgrading the wide receiver position has been something many people have discussed them doing. The Odell Beckham Jr. trade did not pan out as hoped, as he was eventually released during the season.
As a result, plenty of mock drafts has the Browns adding an explosive wide receiver to the mix with the No. 13 overall pick in the NFL Draft. It makes sense as they need to evaluate Mayfield. If he cannot get the job done with an upgraded supporting cast and excellent run game, they will have to look elsewhere for an answer at quarterback.
However, one NFL analyst believes the Browns will go in a different direction with their first-round pick. Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com believes Cleveland will look to bolster their defense with Georgia EDGE defender, Travon Walker.
Walker is someone that will likely start moving up draft boards throughout the pre-draft process. He has been called one of the most underrated prospects in this year’s draft class, sometimes getting lost in the shuffle of a loaded Georgia defense that could have three first-round picks this year.
His size, athleticism and versatility jump off the screen when watching tape. He will be a fast riser as long as he tests well and teams will fall in love with his potential. Some mock drafts don’t even have him being selected in the first round, while others have him near the end of the first round.
Jeremiah is getting ahead of the curve, predicting he will go 13th to the Browns come draft time. It would be a pretty meteoric rise, but there are always players that move up and down based on their testing at the combine, which Walker has a chance to dominate.
This season with the Bulldogs, Walker compiled 33 total tackles, 7.5 for loss, with six sacks, two passes defended and one fumble recovery in 13 games.
