Cleveland Browns: Getting some love for offseason moves

Bleacher Report recently ranked the 25 best offseason moves and the Cleveland Browns had two of their high profile pick ups get some attention

This offseason has been eventful to say the least for the Cleveland Browns. New general manager John Dorsey has gone out of his way to put his stamp on this franchise in an effort to get them out of the cellar in the AFC North.

Moves made by the fearless general manager have been analyzed to the point of exhaustion this entire offseason, with arguments surfacing on either side of the coin in regards to the effectiveness of each move.

There are surely those who believe Dorsey has this this team headed in the right direction, and that seems to be the case with Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report who recently released his 25 best moves of the offseason.

In this piece, Gagnon twice compliments moves made by Cleveland. The very first of the 25 moves highlighted is probably the most controversial of Dorsey’s decisions as the Bleacher Report writer is complimentary of the team selecting Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield at No. 1 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft.

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"“The Browns could have selected a more physically intriguing quarterback in combine superstar Josh Allen, but Allen completed just 56.2 percent of his passes at Wy-freakin’-oming. And even USC product Sam Darnold will enter the league with questions about his tendency to turn the ball over. Meanwhile, the accurate Mayfield threw just 30 interceptions over the course of four years as a starter in the Big 12, including just six in his senior campaign.” — Gagnon, Bleacher Report"

What’s pointed out here is that Mayfield was the safest best. The one question he has was his height and while at Oklahoma he overcame that. As for the other options, they have yet to prove they can overcome their shortfalls. This move should be applauded as the height factor is grossly overstated.

The other move praised was the trade to pick up receiver Jarvis Landry in exchange for a fourth and seventh-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Landry had minimal yards-per-reception, but still led the NFL with 112 catches in 2017.

There’s arguments to be made about his 8.8 yards per catch, but the fact is he’s much better than any option they had last season. He gives starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor a trusted pair of hands to go to, and will do the same when they’re ready to turn the keys over to Mayfield.

Next: Veterans whose roster spot is in question

While none of us knows for sure how this all turns out, no one can deny the Browns have made some solid moves this offseason. It’s nice to see more than one of them getting some love.