The Cleveland Browns have holes to fill on the roster. Here are five positions to fix along with options in free agency and the draft to patch those holes.
It’s not going out on a limb to say the Cleveland Browns have several roster holes to fill this offseason.
Coming off a 3-13 season with an offensive lead by a gutsy, but aging quarterback, and an offense that statistically was one of the worst in the league, the new front office and coaching staff have a lot of work ahead of them if they want to make sure the team’s latest rebuilding effort is the last one for a while.
The good news is that the Browns have all of their draft picks – including the No. 2 and No. 32 overall selections – to go along with around $35 million in estimated cap space, assets that if used properly can help jumpstart the Browns back into respectability.
With draft picks in hand and cash in their pockets, here are five areas that Browns need to get fixed for the start of the 2016 season, along with options in both free agency and the draft to fill those holes.
Next: Wide Receiver
The Browns have some talented players in their wide receiver corps, and a lot of speed, but lack a go-to guy at the position. Their depth chart is filled with second and third receivers that have specific skillsets, but that cannot demand the attention that top level receivers do.
In addition, there is a lot of overlap at the position as they have many small, quick receivers, such as Travis Benjamin, Taylor Gabriel and Andrew Hawkins.
Related: Cleveland Browns: 10 players to look at in free agency
Benjamin was close to 1,000 yards last year and is an excellent deep threat, but like the rest of the roster does not win in multiple ways. Head coach Hue Jackson said shortly after being hired that in the NFL you need a “dominant vertical threat to have a good offensive team”. Josh Gordon fits that description and may be back this year, but he has proven so far that he is as unreliable as he is talented.
Free Agent Options
While the Browns should look at signing Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Marvin Jones in free agency, Alshon Jeffery of the Chicago Bears is the only proven No. 1 wide receiver on the market. At 6-foot-3 he has the size and physicality that the Browns are missing at wide receiver, and has shown time and again in Chicago that he can dominate at the catch point. Jeffery would add a dynamic that is sorely missing from the Browns wide receiver corps.
Draft Options
In the draft, the Browns could look to draft Mississippi’s Laquon Treadwell early. Much like Jeffery, Treadwell is a big (6-foot-3, 216-pound) physical wide receiver that attacks the football. In addition, given the opportunity he punishes defensive backs as a blocker.
Later in the draft the Browns could stay in Mississippi and pick up Mike Thomas from Southern Miss. He is smaller (6-foo-1, 200 pounds) than Jeffery and Treadwell, but he is a threat in the intermediate field, an area the Browns lack a receiver capable of consistently exploiting. Thomas also displays excellent body control and concentration, allowing him to make many spectacular catches.
Next: Defensive End
The defensive end group did not give the Browns what they had hoped for in 2015. Desmond Bryant led the team in sacks with six, but the rest of the defensive line group only managed six combined sacks. The defensive line also did not manage to create much push aside from Bryant and struggled stopping the run.
In addition, although very talented, Bryant has struggled with injuries in his time as a Brown and the team has struggled without him. Bryant is the only thing close to a difference maker that the Browns currently have at defensive end. Jamie Meder is solid, but Randy Starks is 32 years old and had one sack last year, while Xavier Cooper was disappointing as a rookie.
Free Agent Options
Denver Broncos’ not-so-underrated-anymore Malik Jackson will be looking to cash in on a postseason in the limelight. The Broncos have already resigned Derek Wolfe and are about to pay Von Miller a very large sum of money. Jackson would be a great signing for the Browns – or any team – and would add a disruptive presence on the defensive line. He can rush from inside or on the edge and also plays the run well. He would be worth the contract the Browns would have to pay him.
Related: Cleveland Browns draft profile: Joey Bosa
Draft Options
Ohio State superstar Joey Bosa would add power and athleticism to the Browns’ defensive front. A hand-in-the-dirt power rusher, he also plays the run extremely well. He could be a disruptive presence along the line for the Browns.
Less well-known is Northwestern defensive and Shrine Game standout Dean Lowry. Lowry is a very big and powerful presence who can rock blockers when he keeps his pads down.
Next: Quarterback
Perennially an issue, the Browns will almost definitely address the quarterback position this offseason. They have struggled to find consistently competent play at quarterback since they returned in 1999, having and cycled through 24 different starters. If Hue Jackson is to succeed as the Browns’ head coach, he will have to find a quarterback he can rely on.
Josh McCown has played better than could have been expected of him, but he is 37 and has a penchant for putting himself in harm’s way. He will likely be the Browns’ starter for next season, but is just as likely to miss some time. Austin Davis is a capable backup, but not Cleveland’s future at the position. Johnny Manziel may not even be in the NFL next year, nevermind Cleveland.
Free Agent Options
Free agency is a pretty difficult place to find a quality quarterback. The incidences of a decent quarterback being available are few and far between, and often due to extenuating circumstances.
Chase Daniel of the Kansas City Chiefs may be ready to take a shot at a starting job, and probably offers the most interesting option of current free agents after spending the past six seasons backing up Drew Brees in New Orleans and Alex Smith with the Chiefs.
Once he is released, the Browns could also look at Robert Griffin III. He could be a good match with Hue Jackson and was a unique talent in Washington when healthy.
Related: Cleveland Browns draft profile: Jared Goff
Draft Options
The draft is a much more likely option to find Cleveland’s quarterback of the future and the Browns are well placed to do so.
Much of the talk has been about Cal’s Jared Goff and North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz, but Paxton Lynch of Memphis is as interesting a prospect. Remarkably tall, he moves well for his size and presents a threat as a runner. He is generally accurate and throws well on the run. He is somewhat reminiscent of Blake Bortles as a prospect.
Later in the draft, North Carolina State’s Jacoby Brissett has great tools. He is very big with a strong arm and able mobility. He has a very good understanding of touch on throws, but needs to tighten up his accuracy and generally needs to speed everything up.
Next: Edge Rushers
Another position group that disappointed for the Browns in 2015 were the edge rushers as they failed to provide the Browns with any consistent pressure. Although much of this issue may have been down to the scheme and playcalling, the Browns have struggled just as much to find an elite pass rusher as they have to find a quarterback.
Since 1999, the Browns have only had three players register double-digit sacks in a single season: Jamir Miller in 2001, Kamerion Wimbley in 2006 and Paul Kruger in 2014.
Following his big year in 2014, Kruger had 2.5 sacks in 2015. Whether or not he has been underused and incorrectly utilized, Barkevious Mingo is yet to live up to the potential of being the No. 6 overall selection in the 2013 NFL Draft.
Nate Orchard made a few nice plays as a rookie, but mostly struggled along with the rest of the group. Armonty Bryant was second on the team with 5.5 sacks, but was recently indicted on felony drug possession charges, leaving his future in doubt.
Free Agent Options
Two pass rushers that may interest the Browns are Olivier Vernon and Bruce Irvin. Vernon had a relative breakout this year in the absence of Cameron Wake for the Miami Dolphins and will be looking for a payday. He may get it in Miami since they have recently freed up cap space through a number of moves. Irvin has said he is willing to take a hometown discount to stay with Seattle but it would be surprising if he did not test the market. The Seahawks declined to pick up the fifth-year option on his rookie contract at $7.8m, so they may value him at less than that number.
Related: Cleveland Browns 2015 Roster Analysis: Linebackers
Draft Options
Former Buckeye Noah Spence has been generating a lot of interest following impressing at the Senior Bowl. The Eastern Kentucky pass rusher could be an early option if character issues check out. He displays speed, body control and hand use as a rusher and should be an early impact player.
A cheaper version could be Maryland’s Yannick Ngakoue. He is not very strong against the run, but can be a disruptive rusher when he uses his hands consistently and has the ability and athleticism to bend the edge.
Next: Tight End
Gary Barnidge was the breakout star in 2015 for the Browns as he led the team in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns. It was a remarkable year for Barnidge, who had spent all of his career up to that point as a backup tight end. The Browns smartly signed him to a good contract this offseason. However, behind Barnidge there isn’t very much to see.
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The backup tight ends offered little in the pass game or as blockers. Jim Dray only caught six passes and E.J. Bibbs struggled to see the field. Rob Housler was waived mid-season. In addition, Barnidge will turn 31 shortly after the start of the 2016 season, so the Browns need some talent and youth at the position.
Free Agent Options
Dwayne Allen from the Indianapolis Colts would be a good addition for the Browns in free agency. Overshadowed somewhat by Coby Fleener, Allen is a much more rounded player. In Indianapolis, where he played under new Browns offensive assistant Pep Hamilton, Allen was relied upon as a blocker, something the Browns’ tight ends did not do very well in 2015. As a receiver, he caught eight touchdown passes in 2014, making Allen a good No. 2 alongside Barnidge.
Draft Options
Ohio State’s Nick Vannett is a great prospect. He was somewhat underused as a receiver at Ohio State, partly because of his excellence as a blocker, but has prototypical size and moves fluidly. He could be a day one contributor for the Browns.
Western Kentucky tight end Tyler Higbee has a lot of potential later in the draft. A former wide receiver, he still demonstrates natural ability as a receiver and at 6-foot-6 is a big target. He needs a lot of work as a blocker, often struggling with leverage, but isn’t averse to it and can overpower smaller players.