Cleveland Browns 2023 draft: Grading the process for picks as much as the players

BEREA — Grading a draft class within hours of the NFL Draft's conclusion is a fool's errand. It's like walking into the first day of school and being handed your report card.

Yet, here we are, putting together a report card on the Browns' 2023 draft class. They used seven of the eight picks they had available, finally trading away their seventh-round pick to the Baltimore Ravens for a sixth-rounder next year.

So if draft grades this soon after a draft are very much premature, what's the purpose of their exercise? Fair question.

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The grades that follow aren't meant to judge what the player may or may not in the NFL. We don't know that for certain yet, no matter what all of the "experts" want to tell you when they judge any player picked by any team.

Instead, let's focus on the process that led to the pick, which led to the player. The best laid plans can go awry for a variety of reasons, but that doesn't mean the planning was proper.

Time to start handing out grades that are sure to age poorly.

Third round

No. 74: Cedric Tillman, WR, Tennessee

The Browns wanted to add to the receiving corps. It was clear a receiver was going to be among their early picks. You can say you preferred some of the other receivers who remained on the board by the time they took Tillman, but positionally it made sense. Add in the size factor, which was a reason why they picked the 6-foot-3 former Volunteer, and it makes more sense. The biggest questions are about adjusting from a Tennessee offense that essentially kept him on one side of the field and how the ankle he surgically repaired during last season — but did return from — has recovered.

Grade: A-minus

Browns pick Cedric Tillman: Cleveland Browns select Tennessee WR Cedric Tillman with No. 74 pick of 2023 NFL Draft

No. 98: Siaki Ika, DT, Baylor

Another pick at another position the Browns were linked throughout the pre-draft process. Another one where the quibble over the actual player compared to who else was on the board is fair, but hard to completely knock them over. What drops this down a bit grade-wise are the concerns coming in about the specific player and one specific aspect of that player. There was a significant difference between what he weighed at the NFL Combine in early March and his increased weight at his late-March Pro Day. Ika himself acknowledged the weight concerns during his Saturday introductory news conference. That's definitely something to monitor going forward.

Grade: B-minus

Browns draft Siaki Ika: Cleveland Browns select Baylor tackle Siaki Ika with No. 98 pick in 2023 NFL Draft

Fourth round

No. 111: Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State

Buckeyes fans who have been clamoring for the Browns to at least acknowledge the football factory in Columbus on draft day certainly should be happy (more on that in a bit). The Browns certainly went big with their first fourth-round pick. Browns executives literally were comparing the 6-foot-8 and 374-pound Jones to Goliath and a "human orca" on Saturday. Much like James Hudson III two years ago, Jones has time to develop a bit as a backup tackle, in theory. There's definitely development to be done as well, including with a motor that faced some criticism. If Jones can't develop under Bill Callahan, the best offensive line coach in the NFL, then that's on him.

Grade: B-minus

Browns draft Dawand Jones: Cleveland Browns select Ohio State OT Dawand Jones with No. 111 pick of 2023 NFL Draft

No. 126: Isaiah McGuire, DE, Missouri

GM Andrew Berry told you he was going to add to the defensive end spot. And he did so with McGuire, a player who some thought could go a round earlier. The 6-foot-4, 268-pound former Tiger still needs some fine-tuning on the pass-rush abilities he's bringing to the table, but he'll have some time as well behind the four ends the Browns already have on the roster. The Browns raved about his run-stopping abilities, which is a plus. Could they have addressed this position a round earlier with a different player? Sure. McGuire neither seems like a reach nor a risk at this spot, though.

Grade: B-plus

Browns pick Isaiah McGuire: Cleveland Browns select Isaiah McGuire with No. 126 pick in 2023 NFL Draft

Fifth round

No. 140: Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB, UCLA

Let's talk through this pick. Thompson-Robinson was clearly a favorite of the Browns throughout the process. They never seemed to avoid that connection. They say they're not trying to do something similar to the Ravens, who have built their quarterback depth chart to a certain specification or mold. Yet, you can see similarities between styles of Deshaun Watson and Thompson-Robinson, the latter of whom left UCLA as both the school's all-time passing and quarterback rushing leader. The Browns have three other quarterbacks on the roster in Watson, Josh Dobbs and Kellen Mond. Watson and Mond both are signed past this year, although Mond could be the odd man out when it comes to the upcoming season. There's certainly an argument to be made for the pick. There's also one to be made that helping out a linebacking corps that's still thin and essentially all recovering from injuries might have worked here — or at the other fifth-round spot — better.

Grade: C-plus

Browns pick Dorian Thompson-Robinson: Cleveland Browns pick UCLA QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson with pick 140 in fifth round

No. 142: Cameron Mitchell, CB, Northwestern

This is another one where, on the surface, it doesn't necessarily seem to fit completely. The Browns have three very good cornerbacks on the roster in Denzel Ward, Mitchell's former teammate Greg Newsome II and last year's third-round pick, Martin Emerson Jr. However, depth isn't a bad thing, especially since both Ward and Newsome have missed time in the past. Also, Mitchell is someone Berry has already said is going to be one of the favorites of new special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone. Finally, there were draft analysts who had a third-round grade on Mitchell, so that's quality value there in the fifth.

Grade: B

Browns pick Cameron Mitchell: Cleveland Browns select Cameron Mitchell with No. 142 pick in 2023 NFL Draft

Sixth round

No. 190: Luke Wypler, C, Ohio State

Two Buckeyes in one draft? It's like its the 1950s or '60s again. In all seriousness, though, getting the two-year starter from Ohio State at this point is strong value. There were some draft analysts who saw Wypler going a round or even two earlier than this. So why the fall? Most likely because Wypler is almost exclusively a center. In the NFL these days, positional versatility, especially on the offensive line, is huge. The fact the Browns don't necessarily envision Wypler being able to play guard, even in a backup role, limits the ceiling a bit.

Grade: B

Browns pick Luke Wypler: Cleveland Browns select Ohio State center Luke Wypler with No. 190 pick in 2023 NFL Draft

Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on Twitter at @ceasterlingABJ.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Browns 2023 draft grades: Process as much as players