The NFL Draft is in the rear-view mirror, but the Cleveland Browns roster is far from set. Here are three players they could still consider adding for 2018.
So far in the 2018 NFL offseason, the Cleveland Browns have been one of the most active teams in the entire league. They’ve made some huge moves in adding quarterback Tyrod Taylor, running back Carlos Hyde, receiver Jarvis Landry and safety Damarious Randall.
They also shipped off quarterback DeShone Kizer and nose tackle Danny Shelton. The moves however may not be done. The Browns still have players on the roster who are on the bubble and creating competition for those players will be key in getting the team back to the level of playing well on the field.
Here is a look at a few guys who could be brought in as potential replacements, or maybe guys to provide competition to push some to improve.
Mike Nugent, PK
Let’s get one thing out of the way. I went to Arizona State and no one wanted Zane Gonzalez to be the man more than me. However, he struggled as a rookie going 15-of-20, which was just 75 percent accuracy on his kicks.
He’s still going to be just 23-years old when the season begins, so it’s not time to panic. It could be time to bring in competition though.
Veteran Mike Nugent is sitting there needing work and he was solid in 2017 for the Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys. Nugent was 11-of-13 on kicks with a long of 55-yards. At 36-years of age he may not have many years left, but he could push Gonzales, or replace him if the youngster doesn’t improve heading into 2018.
J.J. Wilcox, SS
The man at strong safety is Jabrill Peppers. Or at least we hope so. The Browns previous regime drafted him at No. 25 overall in the first round after he split time as a linebacker and safety for the Michigan Wolverines.
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Coming into the NFL, there was a question about where he would play as he spent most his time at linebacker. Peppers even ran drills with that positional group during the NFL Scouting Combine.
Cleveland drafted him with the intention of playing him at safety, but they didn’t put him at the best spot. Peppers was sent deep as a centerfield type of safety, despite him having the traits of an in-the-box strong safety. They hope to get him into a better role in 2018 thanks to the addition of Damrious Randall, which should have a strong impact on his career.
The key word here is should. Peppers is still an unknown as a safety close to the line of scrimmage, so maybe the Browns could benefit from brining in some help. J.J. Wilcox could provide that help.
A former third-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys, Wilcox started last season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before being sent to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He’s a hard-hitting safety that can also come up with some big interceptions. He may take a bad angle from time-to-time, but he would be a beast on special teams at worst. At best, he could push Peppers.
NaVorro Bowman, MLB
The Cleveland Browns really aren’t weak at all when it comes to the linebacker position. Jamie Collins, Joe Schobert and Christian Kirksey are all solid players. Rookie Genard Avery was added in the draft and he has some immense potential. Don’t be surprised if the Memphis alum ends up taking over a starting spot one day.
As good as they are in this spot, standing pat is never the best idea. The Browns would be smart to keep adding talent and there’s an incredibly talented player sitting on the market now.
NaVorro Bowman was a complete stud for the San Francisco 49ers ever since then drafted him back in 2010. Then they foolishly cut him in 2017 in favor of the walking disaster Reuben Foster. All Bowman did was go across town to join the Oakland Raiders and post 89 tackles, 1.5 sacks and two picks in 10 games.
How Bowman is still available is beyond me. He’ll be 30 befofe the season begins, but he showed no signs whatsoever of slowing down in 2017, despite having to change teams after five games.
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For the Browns he could be a complete steal in between Collins and Kirksey, and while Schobert is a solid player, he would be truly pushed from the addition of such a veteran — not to mention the way it could help Avery become a better player.