Five off-season fixes: Cleveland Browns
With Super Bowl LI over, it’s time to turn our attention to the off-season. In this series, I’ll take a look at each of the teams who finished at the bottom of their division and prescribe five off-season fixes that should get them back in the mix next season. It’s the turn of the AFC North’s Cleveland Browns.
Once again, the Browns are the worst team in the NFL. After experiencing a major talent drain over the past few years, Cleveland finished 1–15 this season and also have the worst roster in the league, with glaring holes at virtually every position. If there’s a silver lining for the Browns, it is that they seem to have found a great coach in Hue Jackson, who has brought about a major culture change. Here are the five off-season fixes that could help Cleveland improve this year:
- Find a quarterback
Year in, year out, the Browns seem to have the same old issue; quarterback. Since returning to the NFL in 1999, Cleveland has had 26 different starting quarterbacks. Currently, they have Robert Griffin III, and Cody Kessler on the roster, having recently released veteran Josh McCown. RG3 should be released, and the Browns should try and pursue New England’s Jimmy Garoppolo, offering one of their two first rounders in exchange. If that doesn’t work, then Cleveland should not draft a quarterback in the first round. This is arguably a weak draft for quarterbacks with no sure-fire first overall pick, and the Browns have too many holes across the roster. Kessler is serviceable enough until a better quarterback class comes along, particularly if Cleveland can draft a workhorse running back.
2. Find playmakers in the draft
With four selections in the first two rounds (barring any trades), the Browns are in a perfect position to find several young playmaking starters. They shouldn’t use any of those picks on a quarterback, instead addressing multiple needs by finding some studs capable of starting straight away. Targeting either LSU’s Leonard Fournette or Florida State’s Dalvin Cook would allow Jackson to install a run-first offense until he can find a franchise quarterback. A defensive star like Texas A&M’s defensive end Myles Garrett would allow Gregg Williams’ defense to get after the star quarterbacks in the AFC North, while finding playmakers at cornerback and safety should also be a priority.
3. Target high profile free agents
Aside from receiver Terrelle Pryor, the Browns do not have any must-keep free agents. They also have $106,636372 in cap space (per Sportrac); the most in the league. Cleveland should use as much of it as possible to find some veteran stars and playmakers. Pursuing players like Kansas City safety Eric Berry, Washington receiver Pierre Garcon, Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore and Cincinnati offensive linemen Andrew Whitworth and Kevin Zeitler (who worked with Jackson on the Bengals and could be surplus with young players waiting in the wings) would give Cleveland some much needed locker room experience and leadership and good play out on the field.
4. Re-sign Terrelle Pryor
Pryor was one of 2016’s biggest surprises. After transitioning from quarterback to receiver in just one year, Pryor burst onto the scene with 77 catches for 1007 yards and four touchdowns. Pairing Pryor with young talent Corey Coleman and perhaps a veteran free agent receiver would give the Browns a strong base to work with on offense. He is Cleveland’s only must-keep free agent.
5. Be patient!
Owner Jimmy Haslam is notoriously impatient with head coaches. Since Haslam bought the team in 2012, the Browns have had three head coaches. With Jackson, they have found an inspiring motivator and skilled offensive mind. Jackson must be allowed more time to turn the Browns around after inheriting the most talent-deprived roster in the league. Jackson has an opportunity this off-season to find several playmakers through both the draft and free agency, and should be allowed a few years of leeway to grow and develop young players.
