The New Look Browns
The Browns finished last year with a historically terrible record of 0-16. In the 2016 season, they escaped the same record by scraping a win against the Los Angeles Chargers, finishing their season at 1-15. The year before that, the Browns had a relatively impressive record of 3-13. Although this three year period has seemed like an atrocious era of losing, it can be currently viewed as a elongated reloading period.
This offseason, the Browns have become one of the most exciting fans due to their progressive and active trades and signings. The first major movie began with former Dolphins Wide Receiver Jarvis Landry. Landry is a 3 time bowler (2015, 2016, 2017) and led the NFL this past season with 112 receptions, his strongest statistic. Landry filled the hole of WR Terrelle Pryor left the team to sign with the Washington Redskins for the 2017 season. Landry is also complemented by WR Josh Gordon. Gordon re-appeared out of his absence from football this season and proved he hasn’t lost a step. The Browns now have a dual threat with Landry and Gordon both at wideout. Both wide receivers as a duo have the hands, speed, skill, and experience at the position to lead their team to hopefully a record above .500.
Although Landry is arguably the best Brown on the team, the Browns later filled the massive hole at Quarterback. For years, the Browns have commonly drafted young stud quarterbacks such as Johnny Manziel, Robert Griffin III, and Deshone Kizer. However, despite their drafts of heisman quarterbacks, they have still not found a sustainable, reliable quarterback. The Browns slightly upgraded from their common method by signing Tyrod Taylor. Taylor has been inconsistent in past years and is easily one of the most unreliable and riskier Quarterbacks in the game. However, Taylor is an athletic, young quarterback which matches their overall team; the average age on the Browns is 24.6 years and there is only one player who is above the age of 30.
After letting go of Isiah Crowell, the Browns signed unrestricted free agent Carlos Hyde from the 49ers. Hyde has been known for injury prone seasons, but surprisingly had a healthy year this past season. Hyde will add a similar running style to Isiah Crowell, an agile running back with tremendous speed in the open field. With the addition of Hyde, the Browns have puzzled analysts whether they will take Saquon Barkley with their 1st or 4th overall draft pick. Barkley’s outstanding college tapes and combine performance has placed him the top running back prospect in the past 5 years, over Ezekiel Elliott, Leonard Fournette, and Christian McCaffrey. Even with Hyde and Johnson Jr. in the backfield, it seems that drafting Barkley is an opportunity that any team cannot miss.
The new draft class has a wide depth of prospects at the quarterback class, including Josh Allen from University of Wyoming, Josh Rosen from University of California Los Angeles, Lamar Jackson from University of Louisville, Baker Mayfield from Oklahoma University, and Sam Darnold from University of Southern California. Despite the depth of talent in the quarterback position, it doesn’t seem like the Browns are going to be drafting one. The Browns recently signed backup Arizona Cardinals Quarterback Drew Stanton. Stanton will be expected to backup Tyrod Taylor, the projected starter for Week 1. The Browns now have four quarterbacks on their roster, the two other being Cody Kessler and Kevin Hogan. Although it is likely the Browns cut Kessler or Hogan, it is more unlikely that the Browns will draft a quarterback with their first round picks. If the Browns don’t take a quarterback in their first round pair of picks, then what actions will they take?
Currently, the Giants have requested offers a first round draft pick for Odell Beckham Jr.. Beckham Jr. was out last season with two ankle injuries, one in the preseason and the season ending injury in Week 5 versus the Chargers. While it may seem enticing, the Browns do not need another stud wide receiver due to their already elite wide receiving core. Additionally, OBJ would most likely ask for a greater annual salary from his current 8.45 million per year. The Browns would not sign a one year deal, which are traditionally done for teams who are looking to make a run at the Super Bowl. With all of the new signings, the Browns have improved, but are not one of these teams.
If the Browns were to draft, someone in the first round, they would most likely balance their powerful offensive offseason moves with a strong defensive pick, that being NC State Defensive End Bradley Chubb. Last year, the Browns drafted the combine phenom Myles Garrett. This move would be similar to their upgrade with wide receiver. The Browns’ defensive line would have a dual threat on the defensive ends and also greater depth for more rotation. When Garrett and Chubb are in, they would not be exhausted from their in game reps.