Who should Browns take on Day 3 of NFL draft 2024? Here are players to watch

BEREA — The Cleveland Browns finally got a chance to make a pick, two of them, in the NFL draft Friday after having no picks in the first round on Thursday.

The Browns picked Ohio State defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. in the second round at pick No. 54, then took Michigan guard Zak Zinter in the third round at pick No. 85. However, they still have four more picks over the fifth, sixth and seventh rounds they're scheduled to make during Saturday's final day of the draft.

The following are the best available players heading into the final day of the draft based on the Beacon Journal's top 300 big board .

NFL draft best available players Round 4

The Browns don't have a fourth-round pick entering Day 3. If they do trade back into the round, or stay at where they are now, don't be surprised to see them target offensive skill players.

Jaden Hicks, S, Washington State

Hicks had two interceptions, six passes defensed, one forced fumble, 2.5 sacks and six tackles for loss last season for the Huskies.

Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon

Led the Ducks with 1,383 yards and 14 touchdowns on 81 catches last season.

T.J. Tampa, CB, Iowa State

Emerged over the last two seasons to make three interceptions and 22 passes defensed for the Cyclones.

Ja'Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas

Sanders had 99 career catches for 1,295 yards and seven TDs.

Brandon Coleman, OT, TCU

Another versatile lineman having played both left tackle and left guard for the Horned Frogs.

Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina

After losing his job at Oklahoma to Caleb Williams, Rattler transferred to South Carolina in 2022 and revitalized his career with the Gamecocks.

Brandon Dorlus, DT, Oregon

Three-year full-time starter with 12 career sacks for the Ducks.

Austin Booker, edge rusher, Kansas

After two years at Minnesota, Booker transferred to Kansas this season and had eight sacks and 12 tackles for loss.

Cade Stover, TE, Ohio State

Former Ohio high school Mr. Football had 82 career catches for 1,058 yards and 10 TDs in his Buckeyes career.

Theo Johnson, TE, Penn State

Johnson's seven receiving touchdowns last season led the Nittany Lions

Malik Mustapha, S. Wake Forest

Started at Richmond before transferring to Wake Forest after his freshman season and eventually growing into a team captain by his senior season.

Jared Wiley, TE, TCU

After struggling to get targets over three seasons at Texas, Wiley moved to TCU in 2022, where his career took off. He had 71 catches for 765 yards in two seasons in Fort Worth.

Mekhi Wingo, DT, LSU

Following his freshman year at Missouri, Wingo transferred to LSU, where he started 20 of the 24 games in which he appeared. He had 7.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss in two years for the Bayou Bengals.

Jaylen Wright, RB, Tennessee

Wright had his first 1,000-yard rushing season in three years in Knoxville in his final one, rushing for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns on 137 carries.

Devontez Walker, WR, North Carolina

Former Kent State wide receiver who fought with the NCAA to gain his eligibility once he transferred to Chapel Hill. He managed to get eligible for the final eight games, catching 41 passes for 699 yards and seven TDs.

Audric Estime, RB, Notre Dame

Estime led the Fighting Irish in rushing each of the last two seasons, including a career-best 1,341 yards and 18 TDs last season.

D.J. James, CB, Auburn

James had three interceptions in two seasons playing for Auburn. He spent his first three college seasons at Oregon.

Malik Washington, WR, Virginia

Washington is coming off his best season by far, catching 110 passes for 1,426 yards and nine TDs.

Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, S, Texas Tech

Taylor-Demerson led the Red Raiders in interceptions each of his final three seasons, finishing with 10 for his career.

Christian Mahogany, OG, Boston College

Mahogany missed the entire 2022 season with a knee injury, but returned to his old All-ACC form this past season.

Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin

Allen's final season in Madison somehow was his worst, as he finished with "only" 984 rushing yards. For his Badger career, he ran for 3,494 yards and 35 TDs.

Michael Pratt, QB, Tulane

Pratt rewrote the Green Wave record books, including all-time passing yards and passing touchdowns, while also helping Tulane achieve multiple double-digit win seasons.

Tommy Eichenberg, LB, Ohio State

St. Ignatius High School product had 200 combined tackles over his final two seasons.

Brenden Rice, WR, USC

Son of Jerry Rice, the younger Rice spent two seasons at Colorado before spending his final two years at USC. Most of his 111 catches and 1,821 receiving yards came while playing his final two seasons.

Tanor Bortolini, C, Wisconsin

Bortolini played mostly guard during his Badgers career until his final year, when he was moved back to center.

Browns NFL draft needs

The Browns have five positions of need, in order, defensive tackle, wide receiver, offensive line, tight end and linebacker.

Friday's Rounds 2 and 3 saw them take care of a defensive tackle and offensive lineman. Depending on how things shake out before they finally get on the board, there's a variety of directions they could go, including back to those position groups.

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

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