CLEVELAND — Editor's note: the video in the player above is from a previous story.
The Cleveland Browns' path to the 2022 NFL Draft is taking them south, as this week marks the annual Reese's Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.
While the actual All-Star game -- which consists of the top seniors and early-graduating draft-eligible juniors -- won't be played until Saturday, the week leading up to the game is significant, as it gives NFL teams their first extended look at several of the draft's top prospects.
That includes the Browns, who lay claim to the No. 13 overall pick in this year's draft after amassing a disappointing 8-9 record this past season. With a core consisting of multiple Pro Bowl and All-Pro players, Cleveland remains in the midst of its contention window, but will likely need to supplement its roster through the draft in order to make a return to the postseason in 2022.
With that in mind, let's take a look at five position groups the Browns front office could find itself focusing on during its time in Mobile.
Wide receiver
When it comes to Cleveland's offseason needs, wide receiver stands out as a clear priority. Last season, no Browns wide receiver caught more than 52 passes or amassed more than 597 yards or three touchdowns -- paltry numbers in today's modern era of passing.
Of course, some of that had to do with Cleveland's quarterback play -- more on that later -- but regardless of who's throwing passes for the Browns, it's clear they could stand to upgrade at receiver. What's more is that Cleveland's most reliable wideout, Jarvis Landry, appears to be a likely salary cap casualty in the weeks ahead.
At this point, most mock drafts project the Browns to use their first-round pick on a wide receiver. And while many of this year's top receiver prospects aren't in Mobile, the week will give Cleveland a chance to consider its options beyond the first round.
Defensive tackle
The Browns entered the offseason with a glaring need at defensive tackle -- and that was before Malik McDowell's high-profile arrest last month. Should Cleveland opt not to re-sign McDowell or Malik Jackson, it would need to replace both of the starting defensive tackles in last season's starting lineup.
While the top defensive tackles in this year's class aren't in Mobile, the reality is that Cleveland is more likely to select a player at the position later in the draft. This week will give the Browns an extended look at a number of intriguing prospects at the position, including Alabama's Phidarian Mathis, Oklahoma's Perrion Winfrey, Connecticut's Travis Jones and Ohio State's Haskell Garrett.
Defensive end
While Myles Garrett turned in another All-Pro season in 2021, he also had plenty of help. Former No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney seemed to revive his career in Cleveland with nine sacks in 14 games, while Takkarist McKinley flashed the type of talent that made him a first-round pick in 2017.
But with Clowney set to hit free agency and McKinley having suffered a torn Achilles, the Browns find themselves in need of help at defensive end. Much like wide receiver and defensive tackle, the top edge defenders in this year's class aren't in Mobile. But getting a longer look at prospects such as Houston's Logan Hall, Cincinnati's Myjai Sanders, San Diego State's Cameron Thomas and South Carolina's Kingsley Enagbare could prove value for Cleveland.
Quarterback
To this point in the offseason, the Browns have remained publicly committed to Baker Mayfield, but that won't stop them from considering their options elsewhere. That could ring especially true depending on how this year's quarterback class takes shape.
Unlike the other positions, most of the top-signal callers in this year's class are taking part in this year's Senior Bowl. And while this isn't considered an especially strong quarterback class, this week will give prospects such as Pittsburgh's Kenny Pickett, Nevada's Carson Strong, Cincinnati's Desmond Ridder, North Carolina's Sam Howell and Liberty's Malik Willis the opportunity to change that perception.
Tight end
It's no secret that Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski is a fan of tight ends. And with David Njoku set to hit free agency and Austin Hooper projecting as a potential cap casualty, Harrison Bryant could be the only player with significant playing time at the position to return to Cleveland in 2022.
Much like quarterback, this isn't considered a strong tight end class, but several of the top prospects at the position are in Mobile this week. That group includes Colorado State's Trey McBride, Coastal Carolina's Isaiah Likely and Wisconsin's Jake Ferguson, each of whom could be fits in Stefanski's tight end-heavy scheme.