A look at some of the Browns’ top 30 visits by NFL draft prospects
Updated: Apr. 07, 2023, 3:40 p.m.|Published: Apr. 07, 2023, 5:00 a.m.
The top wide receivers in the NFL Draft 2023
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By Mary Kay Cabot, cleveland.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Browns are in the midst of their top 30 visits at team headquarters in Berea, in which 30 non-local draft prospects can interview with club officials and undergo physical exams, but no on-field workouts are permitted.
The Browns are also allowed to bring in local players from Northeast Ohio who don’t count against their 30 visits.
The official visits for NFL teams begins on March 7 and will conclude on April 19.
So far, the Browns have hosted at least 11 prospects, according to various reports. They are Clemson LB Trenton Simpson, Ohio State OT Dawand Jones, Florida DL Gervon Dexter, Bowling Green DL Karl Brooks, Houston WR Tank Dell, Houston QB Clayton Tune, Fresno State QB Jake Haener, Tennessee WR Jalin Hyatt, Penn State C Juice Scruggs, and UCLA QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
Here’s a look at five of their top 30 visits, which can be targeted for any of their picks in Rounds 3-7:
1. WR Jaylin Hyatt — Tennessee
Ht: 6-0
Wt: 176
40 time: 4.4
After waiting his turn his first two years, Hyatt started 12 games as a junior in 2022, leading the Vols with 67 catches, ranking fifth in the nation with 1,267 yards, and catching 15 TD passes to tie for second in the FBS.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein writes that “Hyatt’s gliding gait disguises explosive acceleration that can lead to easy separation on deep throws. However, he does display inconsistency on contested catches comes. Hyatt is ordinary getting in and out of intermediate breaks and might be best with a limited route tree full of slants, crossers and a series of field-stretching patterns. Hyatt is an instantly credible WR2 with the ability to make a huge impact, but production could be erratic due to the limitations of his game.”
The site cites his “boom or bust potential” and has a second-round grade on him.
33rd Team writes that “Hyatt is a very dynamic and explosive playmaker who can win in so many different ways. He can beat you underneath for five yards, run a curl route for 15 yards, or run by you for 75 yards over the top. He is a natural receiver and plays the position well, he is more than just the best athlete on the field. Hyatt has very good instincts to read his defender, finding success both inside and outside. He is an ideal Z receiver in the NFL who will make an impact quickly on Sundays.”
The site has him ranked 13th on its Big Board and compares him to the Eagles DeVonta Smith, the No. 10 overall pick in 2021.
The Browns have a well-stocked receiver room, but are always looking for more weapons for Deshaun Watson.
2. LB Trenton Simpson — Clemson
Ht: 6-2
Wt: 235
40 time: 4.43
Zierlein writes that Simpson is a “chiseled weakside linebacker with rare speed for the position to run down the action in all directions. Simpson played inside in 2022 but displayed average play recognition and a lack of patience that saw him get caught in traffic near the line. He can play run-and-hit football with his speed when playing outside.
“He needs to cut back the arm tackles and pursue with better angles to the ball. He’s a premium athlete capable of squeezing routes from zone and attacking the pocket as a blitzer. Simpson isn’t quite game-ready yet, but players with his traits and range eventually find the field.”
The site projects him as an eventual average starter.
33rd Team has him ranked 30th on its big board, and compares him to Isaiah Simmons.
“He’s quick to cover when playing zones with more than enough speed to blanket skill players into the flats or up the seam,” 33rd Team writes. “Simpson adds an element as a rusher, showing a knack to get home with his length and use of hands. Overall, Simpson’s a do-it-all linebacker with versatility to wear multiple hats on defense and wreak havoc.”
The Browns have plenty of good linebackers, but most of them are coming off of serious injuries in 2022, including Sione Takitaki (torn ACL), Jacob Phillips (torn pec), Anthony Walker Jr. (torn quad) and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (mid-foot sprain).
3. QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson — UCLA
Ht: 6-2
Wt: 203
40 time: 4.56
The Browns have Joshua Dobbs and Kellen Mond backing up Deshaun Watson, but they’re always looking for good, developmental talent at the position.
Pro Football Focus has Thompson-Robinson ranked No. 7 at his position, and 163rd on its big board.
“DTR was as electric and fun to watch as any player in college football,” PFF writes in its draft guide. “He improved each and every year, specifically as a passer, and so did his team’s final record. In 2022, Thompson-Robinson recorded 3,159 passing yards and 27 touchdowns with a 77.4% adjusted completion percentage. And we can’t forget how explosive he is as a runner, gaining 741 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground.”
PFF also noted that he tied Josh Allen for the fastest throw at the NFL Scouting Combine in the past decade at 62 mph.
Zierlein was less enthusiastic.
“Five-year starter with below-average size, above-average mobility and a recent history of improvement at the position,” he wrote. “Thompson-Robinson played in a favorable scheme for quarterbacks, but he also improved as a field-reader over time. While he can extend plays and create opportunities for himself outside of the pocket, he’s at his best when he’s throwing on time and utilizing possession throws as his base. He has lapses in vision and judgment against zone and when pressured, so he must cut down on ill-advised throws. Thompson-Robinson has the potential to find a home as a QB3 with a QB2 ceiling.”
4. DT Gervon Dexter Sr. — Florida
Ht. 6-6
Wt: 310
40 time: 4.88
The Browns have a lot of bodies in their defensive tackle room, but no clearcut starter opposite Dalvin Tomlinson. Dexter would be more of a developmental players who could try to work his way into the rotation.
Pro Football Focus ranks him as the No. 10 interior defender in his class, but needs to see much more to buy in.
“Dexter’s pure physical ability isn’t too dissimilar to say a Javon Kinlaw who was a top-15 pick in 2020,” PFF wrote. “Not a lot of dudes are that tall, carry weight that easily, and can move that adeptly. It’s a great starting point for a defensive lineman.”
The problem with Dexter, PFF notes, is that his athleticism hasn’t translated to production.
“If someone can tap into those traits, he should thrive in the NFL,” PFF wrote, adding that he “was a complete non-factor on his 2022 tape.”
NFL.com, on the other hand, believes Dexter has what it takes to be an above average backup, but maybe not in a 4-3 defense.
“Dexter is frequently slow off snap, which tends to have a domino effect on both his hands and positioning in a negative way,” Zierlein writers. “His size and traits help him make plays even after being blocked early in the rep, but he’ll need to improve his hand usage as a pro. He’s a limited pass rusher with below average quickness and rush skill but can get there eventually if the play extends. Dexter’s physical profile might be hard for teams to ignore, and he could become a more consistent performer in a 3-4 defense.”
33rd Team also believes Dexter needs some excellent pro coaching.
“Awareness and vision is inconsistent to locate ball carriers, causing late shedding of blockers,” the said wrote. “Dexter can roll for a big man, displaying range to cover ground, but motor holds him back, running hot and cold. Overall, Dexter’s size, length, strength and power are reasons to buy in with high upside for your defense.”
5. WR Tank Dell — Houston
Ht: 5-10
Wt: 165
40 time: 4.49
Small but mighty, Dell is ranked No. 6 in his receiver class by PFF, and No. 44 on its big board.
After transferring to Houston, “he proceeded to lead the team in catches in all three seasons with the Cougars,” PFF writes. “As one of the most productive receivers in the nation, Dell has back-to-back seasons with 1,300-plus yards and recorded 29 touchdown catches over the past two years. His size might scare some teams off, but he was certainly productive enough in college.”
As for his role, “Dell is the receiver teams will be sending in motion at the snap with regularity to make opposing defenses account for his speed and dynamism. Then, teams will want him to get vertical as much as possible.”
Dell is the kind of dynamic receiver who would pair well with Watson. Fast, twitchy, explosive, a nose for the end zone.
“Dell is a short receiver with big-play ability due to elite top-end speed and good quickness,” writes 33rd Team. “He can stretch the field and stress defensive backs. He does a good job of tracking the ball in the air and contorting his body to get in position. He shows good quickness off the line of scrimmage and the ability to stem at the top of his route. Dell also shows a good ability to run-after-the-catch, often turning short passes into big gains.”
But Dell must work on both his strength and hands, having dropped 20 of his 22 drops in his final two seasons.
“Overall, his film shows an explosive home run No. 2 or No. 3 option for a team looking to improve their ability to stretch the field,” 33rd Team wrote. “Due to his lack of size and build, it’s hard to see him ever being a true No. 1 but he’ll produce in the right situation.”
https://www.cleveland.com/browns/20...0-visits-by-college-draft-prospects.html
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