CLEVELAND — Editor's note: the video in the player above is from a previous story.
Two weeks removed from Super Bowl 56, and draft season in the NFL is officially underway. This week, the league will hold its annual NFL Draft Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana, giving teams -- including the Cleveland Browns -- their first extended in-person look at several of the draft's top prospects.
As far as the Browns -- who lay claim to the No. 13 pick in this year's draft -- are concerned, this week could go a long way toward shaping what will be a pivotal offseason for Cleveland. With that in mind, let's take a look at everything you need to know about the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine from the Browns' perspective.
Team needs
Wide receiver
As the Browns embark on their 2022 offseason, their top priority will be overhauling a passing game that lacked much punch during the 2021 campaign. And while Cleveland needs to get more from its quarterback play -- more on that later -- it's also clear the Browns need to upgrade their wide receivers in the weeks and months ahead.
After losing Odell Beckham Jr. last season and Jarvis Landry's future in Cleveland in question, Donovan Peoples-Jones and Anthony Schwartz are the only wide receivers set to return for the Browns next season. At this point, wide receiver seems to be the likeliest position for Cleveland to use its first-round pick on.
Potential first-round picks: Garrett Wilson (Ohio State), Treylon Burks (Arkansas), Chris Olave (Ohio State), Drake London (USC), Jameson Williams (Alabama)
Defensive end
Jadeveon Clowney and Takkarist McKinley are both set to hit free agency, with the latter having suffered a torn ACL in the second half of last season. One way or another, Cleveland needs to find a pass-rusher to help take advantage of the attention that Myles Garrett commands.
While it's certainly possible the Browns could re-sign Clowney, it wouldn't be a surprise to see them also use an early pick on a pass-rusher. And if Cleveland doesn't re-sign the No. 1 pick of the 2014 draft or find a suitable replacement in free agency, drafting a defensive end in the first round would certainly be in play.
Potential first-round picks: David Ojabo (Michigan), Travon Walker (Georgia), George Karlaftis (Purdue), Jermaine Johnson (Florida State)
Defensive tackle
After taking a number of swings at the defensive tackle position last offseason, the Browns failed to find a long-term solution. Veteran Malik Jackson is set to hit free agency, while Malik McDowell's promising 2021 campaign may be negated by his off-field troubles.
In Jordan Elliott and Tommy Togiai, Cleveland has a pair of promising youngsters, although neither possesses significant experience in the NFL. While it hasn't been this front office's M.O., using an early-round pick on a defensive tackle could give Cleveland a core player at the position that it has lacked in recent years.
Potential first-round picks: DeMarvin Leal (Texas A&M), Jordan Davis (Georgia), Devonte Wyatt (Georgia), Perrion Winfrey (Oklahoma)
Quarterback
Publicly, the Browns have remained committed to Baker Mayfield as their starting quarterback. But most also suspect that Cleveland is also privately considering its alternatives after the Oklahoma product's disappointing, injury-plagued, 2021 season.
That could include in the draft, where a signal-caller has yet to emerge as the clear top prospect in this year's class. But while the 2022 quarterbacks aren't considered as strong as previous years' classes, that could just make it easier for the Browns to target their preferred passer.
Potential first-round picks: Malik Willis (Liberty), Kenny Pickett (Pittsburgh), Desmond Ridder (Cincinnati), Sam Howell (North Carolina)
Offensive tackle
Last week, the Browns restructured the final year of Jack Conklin's contract, keeping him in Cleveland for the 2022 season. But with the 2020 All-Pro right tackle still recovering from a ruptured patellar tendon, his status for the upcoming campaign remains in question.
As a result, the Browns will likely spend the coming weeks considering insurance policies should Conklin ultimately be unable to play in 2022. Jedrick Wills Jr.'s experience playing on both sides of the line also gives Cleveland some flexibility when it comes to considering left tackles and right tackles alike.
Potential first-round picks: Ikem Ekwonu (North Carolina State), Evan Neal (Alabama), Charles Cross (Mississippi State), Trevor Pennings (Northern Iowa), Daniel Faalele (Minnesota)