Cleveland Browns haven’t had a first-round draft pick in the last two NFL Drafts but they’ve still found a way to find good talent.

The Deshaun Watson trade keeps Cleveland without a first-round pick for three straight cycles, with the last one approaching in April.

The two College Football Playoff games present the Browns with an opportunity to scout potential fits against good competition. There are players from Alabama, Texas, and Washington that I’ve found to be attractive for Cleveland.

Michigan is the lone team left off and they have potential fits but I wanted to keep this list to five players. The obvious first-round talents aren’t going to be talked about.

Browns’ GM Andrew Berry has found talent after the first round in past years, perhaps he finds another hidden gem in 2024. 

Byron Murphy II (DL, Texas)

I think it would be smart for the Browns to continue to invest in the trenches because that’s where games are won Murphy fits the mold of an impactful 3-tech that can get after the quarterback. As a true junior, Murphy has five sacks and eight tackles for a loss for Texas. At 6-foot-4 and 297 pounds, Murphy is strong out of his stance and his initial punch is a problem for opposing teams. I see Murphy as a second-round or third-round player.

Chris Braswell (EDGE, Alabama)

You hear a lot about Dallas Turner, but the Crimson Tide have another really solid pass rusher. Braswell is going to be a second-round pick at worst and he may not be there when Cleveland picks later in the round. College production is very important and Braswell stepped up and produced in his senior season with eight sacks. Braswell may be a player teams trust to be a drop-back linebacker, but I prefer him with his hand in the first in a 4-3. The Bama prospect is an athletic freak that can move with strength. A pretty easy evaluation, though his aggressiveness can sometimes hurt him.

Roger Rosengarten (OT, Washington)

Some are lower on Rosengarten but he is a player I would be comfortable selecting at the end of day two. The Washington tackle is 6-foot-6, 300 pounds, and can move. Tackles that can move work well with what the Browns want to do and bringing in more competition would be smart. Jedrick Wills Jr. hasn’t shown he deserves a second contract and Jack Conklin is aging. Dawand Jones is going to be a tackle for the future for Cleveland. Immediately off tape, Rosengarten is a better prospect in pass protection and that makes sense playing at Washington.

Xavier Worthy (WR, Texas)

Worthy has been super productive since the moment he stepped on campus. This is a very good wide-receiver class that is going to push some players back that would be a first-round pick in other years and Worthy could be one. Amari Cooper has one season left on his contract and the Browns don’t have another big difference-maker at the position as of right now. Worthy is an explosive player anytime the ball is in his hands. He can beat the opponent consistently in the mid to deep game. He’s going to be a good pro after three seasons at Texas.

T’Vondre Sweat (DT, Texas)

Another player that may go in the first round but could slide into the second for the Browns to pounce on. Cleveland drafted a big body in Siaki Ika last season, though Sweat is more pro-ready and a better talent. Sweat takes up space and can move opposing guards either way using strong hands. As a senior, Sweat has 42 tackles, eight tackles for a loss, and two sacks. 

Browns likely playoff opponent loses a Pro Bowler at the worst time possible

That is an unfortunate loss for a likely playoff team.