Bengals and Browns find steals on Day 2

Just like that, two nights of the NFL Draft have come and gone. But not before both the Bengals and Browns took some more players and improved their teams in various ways.

Here’s a look at what each team did on Day 2.

Bengals draft along the lines

In a somewhat surprising move, the Bengals decided to trade out of the 38th overall spot with the Patriots, acquiring their 46th pick as well as picks 122 and 139. Cincy then addressed their offensive line need with Clemson OT Jackson Carman, although some experts were caught off guard.

Carman stands at a big 6-foot-5, starting 27 games at left tackle for the Tigers in college. However, he projects as more of a run blocker than a pass blocker and is graded by most experts as a third-round guy. Even with the acquisition of a couple of Day 3 picks, some may wonder if Cincy was better off staying at 38 and selecting Oklahoma State’s Teven Jenkins or Notre Dame’s Liam Eichenberg, each of whom could’ve been first-round selections.

While Carman fills a need but might be a reach, Cincinnati’s third-round pick of Texas Edge Joseph Ossai checked both boxes. Ossai was productive for the Longhorns, racking up ten sacks and 29.5 tackles for loss in the last two years. Taken at pick number 69, Ossai could’ve gone much sooner in the draft, giving the Bengals their first steal of the draft and a guy who could be an instant playmaker in their front seven.

The Bengals will now become one of the more active teams on the draft’s final day. In addition to their own five picks, they have two fourth-rounders from the Patriots, giving them seven total selections to address some more areas of need.

Browns hit draft homer with JOK

It’s a good feeling when the draft works out much better than you were expecting, and that’s exactly what’s happening with the Browns. After taking Greg Newsome in the second round, Cleveland slid up seven spots to pick number 52, selecting Notre Dame LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.

As many already know, Owusu-Koramoah was a possible selection for the Browns in the first round of the draft. So acquiring him in the latter half of the second round, even if it meant trading the 89th pick to do so, was worth it for the Browns. In JOK, they’re getting an explosive playmaker who excels in coverage and will be an impact player in Cleveland’s revamped defense.

Even after trading one of their third-round picks, the Browns still had pick number 92 in their pocket. There, they selected the intriguing Auburn WR Anthony Schwartz. Schwartz is a guy known for his speed, actually earning more rushing touchdowns than receiving touchdowns. He is a person who gives Cleveland a new element on offense if they can develop him properly.

The Browns have a chance to add more quality players early on Saturday. Cleveland has three fourth-round picks, including two of the top-eight selections. They then have three more picks to close out their draft, one in each of the remaining rounds.