5 Looming decisions for Cleveland Browns ahead of 2019 season
By Randy Gurzi
There are a lot of positives ahead of the Cleveland Browns 2019 season, but there are also some looming decisions like these five that must be figured out soon.
This coming season, the Cleveland Browns finally feel like a team that can make some noise. They have their franchise quarterback in place after years of searching as they’ve turned it over to Baker Mayfield.
In year one, he set the NFL record for the most touchdown passes by a rookie despite only having 13 starts. Now with more experience, he looks prepared to take the next step. Helping in that regard will be the new weapons around him as well.
Cleveland added a big name in Odell Beckham, Jr. at wide receiver as well as a former NFL rushing champion in Kareem Hunt this offseason. Although Hunt is suspended for the first eight games, the offense has the potential to be dangerous this year, especially down the stretch when he returns.
What could help them improve even more as a team is the fact that their defense can also take a step forward. They weren’t great in 2018, but they did show flashes — especially when it came to forcing turnovers.
This season, they aim to become one of the better units in the AFC. To help in that goal, general manager John Dorsey made a big trade in sending guard Kevin Zeitler to the New York Giants in exchange for defensive end Olivier Vernon. He also added some defensive tackle help in free agency, landing Sheldon Richardson.
As if that wasn’t enough reason to get excited, Dorsey then focused the majority of their draft picks on the defensive side as well. Cornerback Greedy Williams was their prized selection but they also stocked up on linebackers with Sione Takitaki and Mack Wilson.
With all that being said, hopes are at an all-time high in ‘The Land’. Even so, there will be some important decisions to make between now and the start of the 2019 regular season. Here, we look at five of those which are looming overhead.