NFL Team Previews: Cleveland Browns
The Browns definitely seem to value quantity of players, as numerous draft day trades by the new "executive of player personnel" Sashi Brown got them the most picks of any team. Usually having this many picks and trades means a squad is rebuilding, and that is clearly the case for Cleveland as they hope to close the gap on the rest of the AFC North within the next few seasons. Bringing in Hue Jackson, the former Bengal offensive coordinator is a start, but it will need to get a lot more help than a solid coach.
DRAFT RECAP: 14 picks. Five of them are at wide receiver. What do you think the Browns thought their need was? The group of wide receivers is led by Corey Coleman, the first round pick out of Baylor. I think not taking a different receiver may have been a mistake by the Browns, but this was a deep receiving class and he led the nation with 20 touchdowns last year. The Browns went on next to select DE Emmanuel Ogbah from Oklahoma State and DE Carl Nassib from Penn State, and both should get some good looks to play right away. The other two guys that stood out to me in the Browns' draft was selecting OLB Joe Schobert from Wisconsin. This guy rose up out of nowhere for the Badgers during his career and ended up having the biggest single person defensive impact on the team since JJ Watt. Not saying he is JJ Watt, but he could be a sleeper to start this season. The last pick I'll mention, which I found questionable was taking QB Cody Kessler from USC. I don't get why you take him, especially in the third round, when you probably could just wait a year and get Deshaun Watson from Clemson or Brad Kaaya from Miami. He strikes me at best a backup.
FREE AGENCY: The Browns brought in ILB Demario Davis from the Jets, who I think is the free agent who will have the biggest impact on the Browns. Yes, that's right. Not QB Robert Griffin III. I hope I'm wrong for his sake and the Browns' sake, but signing him to a $15 million deal for two seasons is not worth it for a washed up player who lost his job the last two seasons. Not only that, but you have Josh McCown to bridge the gap, and wasted a third rounder on Kessler if Griffin starts until the future QB shows up. The Browns also signed FS Rahim Moore from Houston, and G Alvin Bailey from Seattle.
PLAYERS LOST: Johnny Manziel. Two members of the line are gone in C Alex Mack and RT Mitchell Schwartz. Both safeties are gone too, as Tashaun Gipson went to the Jaguars and Donte Whitner remains in free agency. The Browns also let WR Travis Benjamin go to the San Diego Chargers, and chose not to resign Dwayne Bowe and Brian Hartline. ILB's Craig Robertson and Karlos Dansby went elsewhere too, and CB Johnson Bademosi went to the Detroit Lions. Also, DE Desmond Bryant might miss the season with an injury. In other words, the Browns are clearly prioritizing young players over veterans, which is the key to rebuilding. They are on the right track to building a foundation for future success.
STRONGEST POSITION: I think it's cornerback, if Joe Haden is healthy. Him, former Packer Tramon Williams, and backups K'Waun Williams and Jamar Taylor form a nice little underrated cornerback grouping. A healthy Joe Haden is one of the best corners in the NFL, and Tramon Williams had a lot of success with the Packers.
WEAKEST POSITION: I could go a lot of places here. For one, you have quarterback. Running back is not very good either. And just because you draft a lot of wide receivers, it doesn't mean any will turn out or mean the Browns now have 5 good receivers and Andrew Hawkins. The whole front seven is not that strong, and the rest of the offensive line outside of future Hall of Famer Joe Thomas is not that good. Take your pick.
FIVE MOST IMPORTANT PLAYERS TO THE BROWNS SUCCESS: LT Joe Thomas, TE Gary Barnidge, QB Robert Griffin III/Josh McCown, ILB Demario Davis, CB Joe Haden. Joe Thomas is what makes this offensive line massively better no matter who else is on it. He is the best LT in the NFL. Last season, TE Gary Barnidge came out of nowhere to catch for 1043 yards and 9 TD, and he is important to opening up opportunities for the young receivers. Obviously, whoever wins the QB battle is important to the success of the offense, as Joe Haden is important to the Browns' secondary and entire defense. ILB Demario Davis is a veteran who was brought in to lead the young linebackers and build a foundation.
PREDICTION: I think the Browns will win a couple of games, but not much more than that. If I were them, I would hope for the number 1 pick, and have access to Deshaun Watson. Until then, this will be another miserable season for the Browns, and will go no better than 6-10, but more likely at 2-14.
