In this article I am going to be evaluating and grading the Browns draft classes of 2020-2022. I am not going to grade on how good of a player is drafted, I am going to grade based on what I would expect with that pick. So, if the pick was about what you would expect for that pick, they would get a C for example. Keep in mind lots of draft picks don’t work out at all, even 1st round picks.

2020 draft class:

1st round pick, Jedrick Wills: In the 1st round of the draft, you would hope to get a great player. While the Browns could have drafted other players like Tristan Wirfs, you can’t call a player that started on a team for his entire rookie contract and got his 5th year option picked up a bust.

Grade: C-

2nd round pick, Grant Delpit: Grant Delpit was an excellent pick. Last season he got a pro bowl and will likely get an all pro in the future. Andrew Berry gets a pro bowl level player in each draft. That’s not easy to do.

Grade: A+

3rd round pick, Jordan Elliot: While Jordan Elliot was not fit for a starting role in his first couple years, I still think he is a solid pick. He played well under Jim Schwartz, then got picked up on a 2 year contract on one of the first days of free agency. Not every 3rd round pick can be a pro bowler like Martin Emerson.

Grade: B-

3rd round pick, Jacob Philips: Jacob Philips showed some flashes, but ended up being a bust. You would hope to get more out of a 3rd round pick

Grade: D-

4th round pick, Harrison Bryant: Harrison Bryant consistently had a role on the Browns for 4 years. While he wasn’t good enough for the Browns to bring back, he was good enough to get signed in free agency on the first day. I would say that’s impressive for a 4th round pick.

Grade: B

5th round pick, Nick Harris: Don’t forget that the Browns planned to start Nick Harris, and to make him the center of the future after cutting JC Tretter. Even after his injury, he had a nice role as a fullback.

Grade: B

6th round pick, DPJ: DPJ started for several seasons, and made lots of plays for the Browns. That is excellent for a 6th round pick.

Grade: A-

Overall grade 2020 grade: B

2021 draft class:

Greg Newsome, 1st round pick: The Browns got a good player in Greg Newsome. Can’t complain with that pick. You can argue that he’s a pro bowl level player as well.

Grade: B

JOK, 2nd round pick: JOK is a potential all pro level player. Excellent pick. He has been vital to the defense’s success.

Grade: A+

Anthony Schwartz, 3rd round pick: Anthony Schwartz was a bust. I don’t like wasting a 3rd round pick on someone with no football talent. I would rather get someone who is a little less fast that is a good football player. The worst part about this pick is that Amon Ra St Brown was available.

Grade: F

James Hudson, 4th round: James Hudson is about what you expect out of the 4th round.

Grade: C

Tommy Togai, 4th round pick: Tommy Togai was terrible. I won’t give the trade an F just because it’s a day 3 pick.

Grade: D-

Tony Fields, 5th round pick: pretty solid for a 5th pick. Tony Fields has been a rotational player for the Browns.

Grade: C+

Richard Lecounte, 5th round pick: Lecounte didn’t really see the field much.

Grade: D+

Demetric Felton, 6th round pick: Felton showed some flashes, but ultimately did not work out. Won’t give him a bad grade, even though he couldn’t finish his rookie contract, just because he’s a 6th round pick.

Grade: C

2021 draft overall grade: C-, After the 1st 2 rounds, the draft was not good. Out of the 6 players that were drafted outside the top 2, only 2 are still on the team. I don’t have high expectations for late rounds picks, but I want them to at least last their rookie contract.

2022 draft:

Martin Emerson, 3rd round pick: Excellent pick. Emerson is a pro bowl/All Pro level player in the 3rd round.

Grade: A+

Alex Wright, 3rd round pick: I think Alex Wright is a very good rotational edge. Also good for a 3rd round pick

Grade: B+

David Bell, 3rd round pick: David Bell showed flashes, but hasn’t had much opportunity. While he was a small and slow prospect, he was a prospect who could be clutch at getting open, and coming down with the ball for short yardage, like Jarvis Laundry. I could see him having a rotational role this season, which could become more prominent if Amari Cooper, and or Elijah Moore are not extended.

Grade: B-

Perrion Winfrey, 4th round pick: Showed flashes, and could have worked out if not for Behavorial issues. It was worth a try though.

Grade: D+

Cade York, 4th round pick: I don’t think a team who is in win now should be stuck with a developmental kicker. It would be better to pick UDFA’s up, cut them if they cost you games, until you find the right guy.

Grade: D-

Jerome Ford, 5th round pick: Yes, he doesn’t work well as the lead back, but I think he can be a good RB2/pass catching back. I think this was a good draft pick

Grade: B+

Mike Woods, 6th round pick: Mike Woods tore his ACL last offseason, I think it’s too early to judge him.

Grade: C+

Isaiah Thomas, 7th round pick: Isaiah Thomas became a practice squad player quickly. This was due to the fact that the Browns brought in lots of other DE’s. Not really his fault.

Grade: C+

Dawson Deaton, 7th round pick: Dawson Deaton didn’t even get a chance. Had a season ending injury his rookie year.

Grade: C

Overall 2022 draft grade: C+

In Conclusion, Andrew Berry is an above average drafter. He finds a pro bowl level player in every draft, and also gets contributors in the late rounds. Some of these players can still breakout, C+ isn’t a final grade on Andrew Berry’s drafting.

photo credit: “Andrew Barry” by Erik Drost is licensed under CC BY 2.0