Draft thoughts (Rounds 2 & 3)

Disappointing  and puzzling doesn't begin to describe what it felt like watching the Browns' participation in the 2022 National Football League college draft Friday evening. 

After a slumber-like opening round Thursday night, during which the Browns were mere spectators, most of the team's fans eagerly looked forward to finally dipping into the talent pool in rounds two and three.

Major needs heading into the evening were wide receiver and defensive line. Plenty of solid possibilities in both areas lurked at pick 44. And that's when the evening began to resonate with disappointment and the beginning of what turned out to be a gigantic head-scratching four and a half hours.

Shortly before pick 44 arrived, General Manager Andrew Berry apparently saw something he didn't like and shipped the pick to the Houston Texans for a third- and two fourth-rounders, pushing their initial selection for the evening to the third round.

(The Texans immediately grabbed Alabama wideout John Metchie III, who would have looked nice in a Browns uniform. He's got a little Jarvis Landry in his game.)

So what in the name of Ray Farmer, John Dorsey, Phil Savage and Sashi Brown was going on? Browns fans waited for this moment for several months and now they had to wait one more round? Having no first-round picks for three straight years elevates the importance of second-rounders.

Okay, time to calm down. There were still a few nice receivers and defensive linemen left on the board at the top of the third round. Gotta think Berry knows what he's doing, right?

So where does he head with the fourth pick in round three? The one area most of us probably had at the bottom of the "need" list. The secondary. Most notably cornerback, where the roster is nicely stacked. Go figure.

I guess Berry really meant it when he said you can never have enough cornerbacks on your team. The selection of Martin Emerson from Mississippi State at 9:40 p.m. sure brought home that notion in a big way. Yep, I said Martin Who, too, when the card was read. 

In moving out of the second round, Berry took a pass on receivers Alec Pierce, George Pickens (Pittsburgh got him) and Skyy Moore, and defensive linemen David Ojabo (Baltimore got him), Josh Pascal, Sam Williams, Drake Jackson and Nik Bonitto.

On a team that needs more bodies in the wide receivers room, an offensive line that isn't nearly as good anymore as some believe and a defensive line that needs another quarterback disturber and run stuffer, Berry takes a cornerback!

Not sure who Emerson is going to play with at the position, now well manned by Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome II, Greedy Williams, Troy Hill and A.J. Green. Who is he going to share reps with? Right now, looks like his best position will be special teams.

Berry labeled Emerson "an excellent prospect at a premium position." He's got size at 6-2, 200 pounds. One draft service said Emerson "has kick cover ability and should contribute early on special teams." If Berry was looking to improve that aspect of the game, bingo. Somehow, I don't think that's the case.

His other two picks, edge rusher Alex Wright from Alabama-Birmingham and Purdue wide receiver David Bell, are a little more familiar to most fans of the lottery.

Wright, a bit of a reach for this round, has length at 6-5, but is more of a run stopper than pass rusher. His large wingspan produced numerous batted down passes at the line of scrimmage in college. That's asbout it. Bottom line: The Browns need Jadeveon Clowney to return.

Bell is easily the most talented of this troika. He was extremely productive at Minnesota, catching 93 passes last season for 1,286 yards, but only six touchdowns. He is not a red-zone guy. And don't count on him stretching the field. As Yoda would say, "Fast he is not."

His consistency as a reliable possession receiver who runs precise routes and has no problem catching the football plays well into head coach Kevin Stefanski's philosophy of moving the chains. The solid 6-1, 212-pounder should have no problem locking down the slot receiver job and become a frequent third-down target.

At first blush, the answer to whether these three picks have strengthened the roster is a resounding NO for the first two. Berry, of course, would not agree. "I feel good about the boys we acquired today," he said. What else would you expect him to say? 

In Saturday's four-round extravaganza windup, the Browns own three picks in the fourth round, including three of the first 13 selections, a sixth-rounder and a pair of seventh-rounders. Expect a tight end and placekicker in there somewhere. Also look for some more dealing by Berry.

Still out there are defensive tackles Perrion Winfrey and Neil Farrell Jr., tight end Isaiah Likely, wide receivers Justyn Ross and Calvin Austin III and safety Smoke Monday because I think that's a great name.

Time to grade the draft thus far.

Thursday night: Incomplete.

Friday night: D+ (because I don't think Emerson and Wright will ever be significant contributors. Bell elevates the grade.)