Cleveland Browns: Andrew Berry receiving high praise among peers

Dorsey’s failure to prioritize depth

If anyone were watching the Browns a year ago, it would be blatantly obvious where their weaknesses were, and that would be in the trenches both offensively and defensively. While former general manager John Dorsey added the likes of Olivier Vernon and Sheldon Richardson to the defensive line, he neglected to field a formidable rotation.

When Vernon, Richardson, Larry Ogunjobi, or Myles Garrett had to come off the field, the Browns would be forced to shuffle in the likes of Chad Thomas (cut and unsigned), Bryan Cox Jr. (on the practice squad of the Buffalo Bills), Devaroe Lawrence (cut and unsigned), and Daniel Ekuale (on Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad). For how often defensive linemen rotate in and out, this lack of talent behind the big four crushed the Browns a year ago.

Offensively, Dorsey traded away Pro Bowl right guard Kevin Zeitler to the New York Giants, drafting Austin Corbett as his replacement. Corbett never saw a starting rep for the Browns in regular season action and was traded for a day-three pick just a year after he was selected in the second round. Dorsey then trotted out Greg Robinson, Eric Kush, and Chris Hubbard as three of his starting offensive linemen a year ago.

Dorsey does, however, get credit for trading for Wyatt Teller last season, who happens to be playing at an extraordinarily high level for the Browns right now. Overall, however, Dorsey was more concerned with adding firepower and superstar appeal than prioritizing what wins football games, and it cost him his job.