ESPN rates Cleveland Browns offseason as the best in the league

The Cleveland Browns were regularly in the headlines during the offseason and ESPN thinks it was the best offseason in the NFL.

The Cleveland Browns will be the most hyped team during the 2019 season, and it will be for good reason. With the talent the team has built up, they are in great position to break their 16-year playoff drought.

General manager John Dorsey quickly used the assets given to him last offseason to rapidly add talent, and it turned into Cleveland’s best season since 2014. But Dorsey took it a step further this offseason and practically went all in on the next two or three seasons.

Dorsey saw the opportunity in front of him with the team having a franchise quarterback on a rookie deal as well as a top pass rusher on a rookie deal. So Dorsey used that cap space to plug the remaining holes on the roster.

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And the way Dorsey and the rest of the Browns front office approached this offseason received national praise. ESPN graded every team’s offseason and gave the Browns the only elite grade for their offseason.

"The Browns placed a priority on surrounding budding franchise quarterback Baker Mayfield with more weapons, connecting on the blockbuster trade for All-Pro wideout Odell Beckham Jr. from the New York Giants. GM John Dorsey also took a chance by signing running back Kareem Hunt, who could make a significant impact down the stretch after he serves an eight-game suspension. They also wanted to provide their defensive cornerstone, end Myles Garrett, with additional help up front. – Jake Trotter, ESPN"

With the Browns needing help on the defensive line, Cleveland added Sheldon Richardson and Olivier Vernon. Not only can they both perform at a high level, but they will also help create more opportunities for Myles Garrett and Larry Ogunjobi.

The Browns were also able to capitalize during the 2019 NFL Draft, drafting Greedy Williams, who was arguably the top cornerback available in the class. And Cleveland did so without a first-round selection and their first selection being in the middle of the second round.

But the obvious move that took Cleveland’s offseason over the top was trading for Odell Beckham Jr. while not giving up too much value in return. The Browns had to give up the 17th overall selection in the 2019 NFL Draft, but was still able to land a first-round talent without it.

Trotter believes the biggest question mark is if Freddie Kitchens will be able to handle the expectations surrounding the team as a first-time head coach. And not only are there a lot of expectations, but Cleveland also has a lot of big personalities in the locker room that Kitchens will have to keep in check.

The Browns offseason being graded as the best in the league will add just another expectation to Cleveland this season. The upcoming season will be the most important season for Cleveland since the team returned in 1999, and it is a question of if the talent on paper will result into wins for the Browns.