Cleveland Browns 2022 NFL Draft Grades: Grading Every Browns Draft Pick

The Browns wrapped up an eventful, yet somehow underwhelming, NFL Draft on Saturday. 

When you have a roster as talented as Cleveland's, paired with no first-round selection for three consecutive drafts, it's hard to get as excited about the NFL Draft. Yet still, the Browns selected a few impact players worth noting.

Here are my early Browns 2022 NFL Draft Grades.

Round 3, Pick 68: Emerson Martin CB Mississippi State

The Grade: C+

This selection came as a flat out surprise for some people, but it shouldn't have.

When Browns GM Andrew Berry elected to trade down from No. 44 overall, it was apparent they were going to draft Best Player Available. With Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome as projected starters, and Greedy Williams as CB3, this was a surprising pick.

However, the Browns traded away Troy Hill to the Los Angeles Rams for a 5th round selection in 2023. Hill would've been a free agent after this season, regardless.

While this wasn't a splash selection, the Browns are always forward thinking, and cornerback is a pivotal position in a division with Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Chase Claypool.

Round 3, Pick 78: Alex Wright EDGE UAB

The Grade: A-

This selection hasn't gotten enough buzz, in my opinion.

Wright fits all of the guardrails that Berry and this Browns front office follow. He's tall, athletic, and just 21 years old. His best years are likely in front of him.

While this is NOT a Jadeveon Clowney replacement, he's a very young project that can be molded into an impactful, rotational playmaker opposite Myles Garrett for years to come.

Round 3, Pick 99: David Bell WR Purdue

The Grade: B

It felt like the entire galaxy was salivating for the Browns to draft a receiver in Round 2, so the David Bell selection was a big sigh of relief.

Remember, the Browns acquired this No. 99 selection as compensation for the Vikings hiring Kwesi Adofo-Mensah as their GM. It was virtually a free selection.

This is a selection that should make Browns fans feel more confident in Deshaun Watson's receiving room, which previously only included Amari Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones, and Anthony Schwartz. This was an important selection.

Still, look for the Browns to improve at wideout, potentially by adding a veteran like Jarvis Landry, Will Fuller, or DeSean Jackson. While this was an important pick, Bell is just 21 years old and doesn't possess blazing speed or much YAC ability.

Round 4, Pick 108: Perrion Winfrey DL Oklahoma

The Grade: A

It feels cliche to be this excited about a fourth round selection. Everyone has seen his Instagram Live and his media availability. This guy is going to be a fan favorite.

But he is genuinely a great selection.

Going in, no prospect had a wider projected draft range than Winfrey. Some outlets had him with a late first round projection, while some had him in the 60s of Round 2. The consensus is, there's no reason he should have lasted until Round 4.

Obviously, after losing Malik McDowell and Malik Jackson this offseason, the Browns needed bodies on the interior of their defensive line. Winfrey provides that and more. He should be an impact player for the Browns in 2022 and beyond.

Round 4, Pick 124: Cade York K LSU

The Grade: A-

The Browns lost Phil Dawson in 2013 and haven't had a kicker since. They've wandered the special teams desert for nearly a decade. They've tried drafting guys like Zane Gonzalez. They've tried signing projects like Greg Joseph.

Here's to hoping Cade York takes a page from Winfrey's press conference, saying "It's over with now," and improving one of the worst special teams units in 2021.

Seriously, York was the best kicker in this draft. The Browns had draft picks to burn. Kickers matter. We saw the impact of Evan McPherson. Why the hell not?

Round 5, Pick 156: Jerome Ford RB Cincinnati

The Grade: B

I was not even slightly surprised when the Browns drafted a running back this weekend. That's what their forward-thinking approach tells them to do, especially with Kareem Hunt and D'Ernest Johnson on the last year of their deals.

This selection might mark the end of Hunt's time in Cleveland, if a desperate team offered the Browns something like a third-round pick, they might have a hard time saying no. Something has to give in a crowded RB room. Nick Chubb ain't moving. So that leaves an odd man out of either Hunt, Johnson, or Demetric Felton.

Round 6, Pick 202: Michael Woods WR Oklahoma

The Grade: C

In late rounds of the NFL Draft, teams basically take fliers on players that they'd like as UDFAs. Perfect example here.

Woods showed some deep ball flashes during his time at OU, but he's a sixth-round pick for a reason. This is no Peoples-Jones slide. Uphill battle to make the team, but a potential practice squad candidate.

Round 7, Pick 223: Isaiah Thomas EDGE Oklahoma

The Grade: B-

Thomas is a 7th round pick that has the potential to make the team. 

When watching Winfrey's Oklahoma tape, you continually see No. 95 bending the edge. That's Thomas.

This is a selection that could add some pressure to free agents Taven Bryant and Isaac Rochell. Even more so, just an insurance policy if Clowney doesn't elect to come back to Cleveland.

Round 7, Pick 246: Dawson Deaton C Texas Tech

The Grade: C

Again, won't see me crying here. Just a dart thrown. The Browns released JC Tretter with Nick Harris as the heir apparent. Ethan Pocic will likely serve as the backup.

It's good to have iOL depth, even if it comes in form of a practice squad stash like this.