Cleveland’s fourth-round pick was pretty good as a rookie.
NFL: Preseason Cleveland Browns at Philadelphia EaglesEric Hartline-
USA TODAY SportsThe Cleveland Browns didn’t select a player until the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
The trades of QB Deshaun Watson and WR Elijah Moore have GM Andrew Berry opting again for 2022, later than almost any other team in the league.
That year Berry drafted CB Martin Emerson with the first pick and it paid off.The Browns first pick in the 2023 NFL Draft was WR Cedric Tillman.
Tillman played most of the team’s snaps, especially after Donovan Peoples-Jones was traded, but fourth-round pick OL Dawand Jones had the biggest impact and played the most snaps.
Jones filled in for the injured Jack Conklin on the right side of the offensive line in Week 1 and played 712 snaps for Cleveland before going out with a year-ending injury.
On Tuesday, the Ohio State Buckeye offensive tackle earned his first NFL honor as a member of the All-Rookie team.
The players mentioned above are perfect examples of how talent can be found anywhere.
Several first-round picks brought success to the team, including fourth-rounder Jones, fifth-rounder Puka Naqua and undrafted junior Ivan Pace.
Next up for Berry and Jones is on the Browns’ offensive line. Conklin, Jones and Jedrick Wills are returning from injury and are all under contract through the 2024 season.
Now, Jones can bounce back and celebrate his first professional honor.g
