The Cleveland Browns have a lot of holes on offense and defense they have to fill. It should come as a surprise to no one as they finished 3-14 last season and virtually skipped free agency.
The Browns big move was trading for former first-round pick Kenny Pickett, who can run the Browns much maligned offense until a rookie can settle in and take over the position.
However, a quarterback can wait until after the first round. They do not need to spent the second pick of the draft on a quarterback unless for some reason, the Tennessee Titans pass on taking Miami’s Cam Ward. Then, they rush to the podium with the draft card.
Instead, the Browns should not complicate matters. They need to draft the best defensive player on the board and take Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter.
Carter would pair as a nice bookend to Myles Garrett as they attempt to put more pressure on the quarterback. The Browns would have a fierce defensive front. Carter would also free up Garrett from double and triple teams as they have another force to be reckoned with.
The temptation to take an offensive player, like quarterback Shedeur Sanders or his Colorado teammate Travis Hunter, might loom large.
Indeed, Hunter vs. Carter might be the No. 1 debate in this draft.
However, Carter would be the best player on the board and fill a need Cleveland needs. Garrett needs help on the defensive line.
The Browns do not need to invest the second pick with a wide receiver as they, as of now, do not have a superior starting quarterback to feed him the ball. Nor do they have a WR1 that could help spread the field. Hunter would be double teamed every play.
They need to go and get Carter in the first round, and perhaps try to trade back into the first round and take a quarterback like Sanders who should be available in the latter portion of the first round. They can orchestrate a trade to get back in to the first and select either Sanders or Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart.