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2020 NFL Draft: What will the Cleveland Browns do at No. 10?

Entering the 2020 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns lay claim to the No. 10 overall pick.

While the sports world is currently on hold, football will take center stage on Thursday with the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, this year's draft will be held virtually instead of in-person in Las Vegas, where it had originally been scheduled to take place.

Despite the unique circumstances, the intrigue for this year's draft remains high -- if not higher than usual -- for most teams. That includes in Cleveland, where the Browns lay claim to the No. 10 overall pick.

How will the first round play out and how will Andrew Berry handle his first draft as Browns general manager? We'll find out on Thursday night.

Until then, here's everything you need to know from the Browns' perspective about the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. 

Game info, how to watch on TV:

Date: April 23, 2020

Time: 8:00 p.m. ET

Location: Virtual

TV channel: ABC, ESPN and NFL Network

Live Stream: ESPN Watch, NFL Mobile

Radio:  ESPN Radio, Westwood One, SiriusXM NFL Radio

Key storylines

Offensive line or bust?

Given their glaring hole at left tackle, it shouldn't come as a surprise that most mock drafts have projected that the Browns will take an offensive tackle with the No. 10 overall pick.

And fortunately for Cleveland, it also happens to be one of the deepest positions in this year's draft.

Should the Browns draft an offensive lineman with their first-round pick, their decision will be dependant on who's available. But between Alabama's Jedrick Wills Jr., Georgia's Andrew Thomas, Iowa's Tristan Wirfs and Louisville's Mekhi Becton, Cleveland should have the chance to draft a franchise left tackle. The possibility also exists that the Browns could trade down and acquire more assets, before targeting a less-heralded offensive tackle such as Boise State's Ezra Cleveland or Houston's Josh Jones.

What route will Cleveland take? In some ways, the Browns will only have so much say in who they'll be able to take. But whichever offensive tackle they wind up with will have consequences for their success both long-term and short-term.

Wild card?

While most have pegged the Browns to take an offensive tackle, Berry has warned that may not necessarily be the case. Rather, the first-year general manager has insisted that the team will prioritize talent over filling a specific need.

“Our outlook with the draft has really been to scout and evaluate as if you have an expansion roster," Berry said in a conference call with reporters on Monday. "That is really the case every year. We do not really go into a fall or spring and just say, ‘Hey, look, we are just going to hone in on these specific positions.’ 

"The draft is more about maximizing the amount of talent and the long-term talent on your team as opposed to filling needs. Very few rookies come in and hit the ground running and play at a Pro Bowl-caliber level in their first year."

In theory, Berry's strategy means the Browns would have a difficult decision on their hands should a top tier prospect like Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons or Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah unexpectedly slide in the draft. And it could also potentially bring other prospects such as Oklahoma wide receiver CeeDee Lamb into play.

Prediction

A Simmons slide could make things interesting, but I'm not counting on it happening. And while a run on offensive tackles could throw a wrench in the Browns' plans, I still think there will be enough attractive options on the board at No. 10 to warrant making a pick.

Ideally, I think Cleveland would grab Wirfs, who possesses maybe the highest ceiling, but also a safe enough floor. Assuming he's gone, however, the Browns will feel good enough selecting Andrew Thomas, who is perhaps the most NFL-ready left tackle in this year's draft.

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RELATED: Andrew Berry: Browns' philosophy is to draft for talent, not need



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