Cleveland Browns: Skipping Pro Days is not a major problem
Hue Jackson and Sashi Brown have been absent from some quarterback Pro Days, but it doesn’t mean the Cleveland Browns are ignoring these prospects.
The lack of a successful team has caused Cleveland Browns fans to put a lot of emphasis in offseason events, most notably the NFL Draft. But the events leading up to the Draft are also placed under a microscope.
The top prospects are currently taking part in their Pro Days, which are inherently set up to make the players look great in front of scouts. They can set up their workouts to shine and raise their draft stocks.
But after the NFL Combine, it isn’t necessary for coaches and executives to attend the Pro Days, considering private workouts can be held with the players.
The Browns did not attend Deshaun Watson’s Pro Day, and decided to skip Mitchell Trubisky’s today. But fear not Browns fans, this isn’t just a Browns thing.
#Browns Hue Jackson isn't the only one. I just heard ESPN say that no #NFL head coaches are at Mitch Trubisky's Pro Day at NC today
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) March 21, 2017
While some Browns fans may freak out and declare this front office to be inept, a private workout is far more valuable than watching a scripted workout at a player’s home facility. The private workout allows Hue Jackson to work directly with the prospect, and get to know him on a personal level.
Sources: Hue Jackson is skipping Pro Days to purposefully upset Browns Twitter.
— Ken Carman (@KenCarman) March 21, 2017
Jackson knows enough about the quarterback position to where he can use game tape, along with a private workout, to decide if a player is capable of leading an NFL offense. You can’t find out if a player can read a defense by watching a scripted workout.
The Browns also have scouts in attendance at these events, so it is not like the team is completely absent. It is a scout’s job to evaluate talent, meaning the top members of the front office don’t have to go individually see every player every time he works out.
Next: Grading the free agency moves
Pro Days are great for players from smaller schools looking to get noticed, but no major prospect is going to sway a team’s opinion based on this one day. It is hard to trust the Browns based on how the past has gone, but we must give this new group a chance before assuming they are fools.