Getting draftier

The Thinking Man's Guide to What Browns General Manager Andrew Berry Will Do in the First Round of the National Football League Draft and Beyond . . . 

Just kidding because there is no way -- absolute or otherwise -- to crawl into that man's thought processes and determine how he will eventually act as he launches the final stages of revitalizing this erstwhile woebegone franchise. 

The guess is the ebb and flow of the first dozen selections in the opening round a week from tonight down by the Cleveland Lakefront will dictate his strategy as the lottery unfolds. Right now -- and probably right up until Roger Goodell starts the big event -- he is pondering at least a couple of dozen names for round one.

The draft board undoubtedly will be massaged a few times between now and then, but not on top. All that remains is determining strategy in order to place himself in the best position to get the player he wants.

Drafting 26th -- and that's not chiseled because there is room for movement in either direction -- is foreign to the Browns, the reward of the franchise's best season since reentering the NFL in 1999. Even so, there is plenty of first-round talent to land a starter.

It gives Berry, no stranger to maneuvering up and down the order. the opportunity to move up grab a player he covets. Chances of one of his top choices dropping into his lap if he stands still are slim. He is too low at 26 for that to happen unless, of course, his talent evaluation is so radically different than his fellow general managers.

He also has draft capital -- two third-rounders and two fourth-rounders could be used as bargaining chips -- with which to barter. If he chooses to go that route and move up, there are players on both sides of the football who will help, although defense commands a higher priority.

So will the first selection be for need? Or for the best player available? I come from the BPA school, especially if you want to build a strong roster top to bottom. Get the best regardless of position. That's how you build winning teams.

As for the names on Berry's list for round one, a majority perform on defense.

Need a cornerback? Of course. The Browns, it appears, cannot have enough of them. Seven reside on the current roster. Why not add Greg Newsome II or Asante Samuel Jr. to the list? One will be there.

Edge rusher? Yeah, I know Jadeveon Clowney and Takkarist McKinley are now on board. But let's face it. That's not enough help for Myles Garrett. How about Jaelan Phillips or Greggory Rousseau? They'll be there, too.

Thinking linebacker? Yeah, me, too. That's where I'd like to see Berry go. I really like Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, but he'll probably be gone unless Berry trades up. But big Zaven Collins and Jamin Davis, who has zoomed up the board in the last few weeks, have a chance to drop to the Browns. 

Berry could stun -- he is quite capable -- and grab a wide receiver in the opening round. Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr. might not be around much longer and drafting for the future is not out of the question even that high.

Don't even think about Jaylen Waddle, Devonta Smith or Ja'Marr Chase, though. They'll be gone real early. But Rashid Bateman and Kadarius Toney won't and should be available.

And don't think for a minute he won't try to fortify the offensive line in one of the lower rounds. Age is creeping up on a couple of members of that unit. Remember the names Jalen Mayfield, Jackson Carman and Quinn Meinerz.

The chances are good Berry will emerge with seven players -- he doesn't need all nine for this formidable roster -- and a couple of future high-round picks next year. Always have to be thinking ahead.