Cleveland Browns fans: Just let it go

If you are a Cleveland Browns fan who is feeling insecure about the team, we have four words of advice for you: Just let it go.

The past 12 months have been exceedingly rough on fans of the Cleveland Browns.

First came yet another regime change, then yet another trade down in the first round of the NFL Draft, then a season filled with more quarterback changes, uninformed opinions about the team’s rookie draft picks, the fitting of quarterback Carson Wentz for a Hall of Fame jacket about four games, and a season-long flirtation with becoming just the second team in league history to go 0-16.

Even though the Browns have put the 2016 season in the rearview mirror, the hits keep on coming in the form of some of the top draft-eligible players appearing in videos “pleading” with the Browns to not select them.

The latest is courtesy of Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson, who was in Texas earlier this week to pick up his second consecutive Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award. The previous year Watson had joked that if he was a repeat winner then the Dallas Cowboys should draft him.

During his acceptance speech, Watson jokingly called on the Cowboys to fulfill their end of the “bargain.”

“I like being back in Fort Worth Texas. I told you I would be back here. I told coach (Jason) Garrett if I’m back here, you have to draft me,” Watson said, according to The Star-Telegram. “I know there are a lot of Dallas Cowboys fans. Tony Romo is healthy. Dak (Prescott), I’m a huge fan. Love that man. Had the privilege to get to know him this year. He’s been successful. I did my part, you have to do your part.”

Watson was clearly having fun at the event, but his comments – especially coming on the heels of a similar video from Texas A&M’s Myles Garrett – still raised the hackles of some of the more sensitive folks among Browns Nation.

Watson took to Twitter as the story gained legs in an attempt to set the record straight:

While no one likes to be the butt of a joke, it is time for fans to get over it and start focusing on what the Browns are trying build.

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There is zero chance that executive vice president of football operations Sashi Brown and head coach Hue Jackson will use these videos in their evaluation process when it comes to setting the Browns draft board. And if they don’t care, then why should Browns fans?

While the past year has been rough, there have also been enough high moments to give fans hope.

Despite what you may have heard, the 2016 rookie draft class is actually not all that bad. Wide receiver Corey Coleman showed promise despite missing six games with a broken hand, defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah led the team with 5.5 sacks, and guard Spencer Drango was the second-highest graded rookie guard, according to Pro Football Focus.

The team also exorcised itself of the likes of Johnny Manziel and Justin Gilbert and are filling the roster with players that they can count on – both on and off the field.

The Browns are loaded with cap space and draft picks, and are trying their best to rebuild this franchise into one that does things the smart way. There is no guarantee that it will all work out, of course, as making the plan is always easier than executing the plan.

Next: Browns: Some big-name QBs may be available

The situation is not perfect by any stretch, but the Browns are getting along in the process of turning the mess around.

As for all the other outside noise? Just let it go.

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