Cleveland Browns depth chart projection following the 2024 NFL draft
The Cleveland Browns weren't looking for starters when they entered the 2024 NFL draft. One look at their depth chart going into the draft showed how much of their roster was holdovers from last year's 11-6 AFC wild card team.
So it was all about finding the right pieces to plug into the biggest holes behind those at the top of the depth chart, That's what the Browns set out to do, despite not having a first-round draft pick for the third consecutive year.
Cleveland Browns depth chart
The Browns finished the draft by using all six draft picks they entered the weekend possessing. They selected Ohio State defensive lineman Michael Hall Jr., Michigan guard Zak Zinter, Louisville wide receiver Jamari Thrash, Mississippi State linebacker Nathaniel Watson, South Dakota cornerback Myles Harden and Cincinnati defensive tackle Jowon Briggs.
Browns draft grades: How did the Cleveland Browns do in the 2024 NFL draft?
Offense
Quarterbacks
Deshaun Watson (returning from shoulder surgery)
Jameis Winston
Tyler Huntley
Dorian Thompson-Robinson
Running backs
Nick Chubb (returning from knee surgery)
Jerome Ford
Nyheim Hines
D'Onta Foreman
Pierre Strong Jr.
John Kelly Jr.
Wide receivers
Amari Cooper
Jerry Jeudy
Elijah Moore
Cedric Tillman
David Bell
Jamari Thrash (2024 draft pick)
James Proche Jr.
Michael Woods
Left tackle
Jedrick Wills Jr.
Hakeem Adeniji
Germain Ifedi
Left guard
Joel Bitonio
Michael Dunn
Center
Ethan Pocic
Luke Wypler
Right guard
Wyatt Teller
Michael Dunn
Zak Zinter (2024 draft pick)
Right tackle
Jack Conklin (recovering from knee surgery)
Dawand Jones (recovering from knee surgery)
James Hudson III
Tight ends
David Njoku
Jordan Akins
Giovanni Ricci
Defense
Defensive end
Myles Garrett
Alex Wright
Isaiah McGuire
Defensive tackle
Dalvin Tomlinson
Quinton Jefferson
Siaki Ika
Jowon Briggs (2024 draft pick)
Defensive tackle
Maurice Hurst II
Shelby Harris
Michael Hall Jr. (2024 draft pick)
Defensive end
Za'Darius Smith
Ogbo Okoronkwo
Sam Kamara
Outside linebacker
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
Mohamoud Diabate
Linebackers
Jordan Hicks
Tony Fields II
Devin Bush Jr.
Nathaniel Watson (2024 draft pick)
Cornerbacks
Denzel Ward AND Greg Newsome II
Martin Emerson Jr.
Cameron Mitchell
Kalief Hailassie
Myles Harden (2024 draft pick)
Justin Hardee (special teamer)
Tony Brown II (special teamer)
Safeties
Grant Delpit AND Juan Thornhill
Rodney McLeod
Ronnie Hickman
D'Anthony Bell
Browns needs
The Browns went into the draft with obvious needs at defensive tackle, wide receiver, tight end, offensive line and linebacker. They were able to address four of the five, but remain in the market to find another tight end to go behind the Pro Bowler Njoku. General manager Andrew Berry has been known to strike a big deal after the draft before, so that's something to keep an eye on going into May.
Browns NFL Draft picks 2024
Round 2, Pick 54: Michael Hall Jr., DT, Ohio State
Round 3, Pick 85: Zak Zinter, OG, Michigan
Round 5, Pick 156: Jamari Thrash, WR, Louisville
Round 6, Pick 206: Nathaniel Watson, LB, Mississippi State
Round 7, Pick 227: Myles Harden, CB, South Dakota
Round 7, Pick 243: Jowon Briggs, DT, Cincinnati
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
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns draft 2024: Depth chart projection following NFL draft