One player for Cleveland Browns to steal from every team in the AFC North
By Greg Newland
Geno Atkins – Defensive Tackle
This is another tough, strategic decision because the Cincinnati Bengals roster is by far the weakest in the division. The easy play would be rookie quarterback Joe Burrow, who was the first overall pick in the 2019 draft. However, I have faith in Baker Mayfield and am willing to make a pick that can get the Brown over the hump immediately.
Defensive tackle Geno Atkins may seem like a strange pick because of his age. Atkins has been in the league for nine seasons and will be 32 years of age for this upcoming season. However, Atkins has played in 16 games for eight of his nine seasons with the Bengals and is their second best-proven player behind A.J. Green.
The Browns have upgraded at defensive tackle with the addition of Andrew Billings this offseason, but you can never have enough defensive lineman. Atkins has had nine plus sacks in five seasons with the Bengals and is a dominant run stuffer. Not only can he clog up the middle, but Atkins is also athletic enough to move side to help defend the outside run as well.
Atkins maybe 32, but with the Browns, he wouldn’t need to play every single snap. Billings and Sheldon Richardson would predominantly play on rushing downs with Larry Ogunjobi and Atkins in to rush the quarterback on passing downs. The big boys up front get tired quickly, and having everyone stay fresh would be a huge benefit to the Browns.