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The Cleveland Browns perfect offseason checklist

By Riley McCormick

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - DECEMBER 06: Wyatt Teller #77 and Jack Conklin #78 of the Cleveland Browns plays against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on December 06, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - DECEMBER 06: Wyatt Teller #77 and Jack Conklin #78 of the Cleveland Browns plays against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on December 06, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Browns offseason
Cleveland Browns offseason. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

2. Trade for Stephon Gilmore or Marshon Lattimore

Terrance Mitchell’s availability on the field has probably earned him a nice payday more than his ability on the field. It would be nice to have Mitchell back as a reserve but he is not who you want chasing down Tyreek Hill and Stefon Diggs every Sunday. Of course, there’s also Denzel Ward who is a shutdown corner, when he’s on the field that is.

Unfortunately, he has yet to play a full 16 game season in three years in the league. The Browns should definitely pick up his fifth-year option but they can’t wait around hoping their best corner will play every Sunday. Stephon Gilmore would be a huge upgrade opposite Ward and would come at a reasonable price. The Browns have an extra third-round pick, and Gilmore would be more than worth that price.

Another more expensive option would be Marshon Lattimore from the New Orleans Saints. The 3-time Pro Bowler has been outstanding in his first four years in the league and would be incredible on the other side of Ward. If the Saints take on any kind of substantial quarterback contract, their cap situation could go from proverbial salary cap hell to purgatory. They could be looking to offload some money and get younger with draft picks so Lattimore could be obtainable.

Browns fans sometimes freak out when talking about giving up draft picks. If anything, these fans should know that if you don’t select good players, your draft picks don’t mean anything. Sometimes the known commodity is the best commodity.

Look to examples of the Rams and the Eagles, they have made some mistakes but they had a talented roster, loaded up, and took their shot. Sustained success in the NFL is extremely hard. The Patriots are the outlier and shouldn’t be used as an example. When you have the talent, you have to take your shot — and right now, the Browns have the talent.

Andrew Berry and Kevin Stefanski have shown early that they are more than competent at making good personnel decisions but they can’t be expected to make all these second and third-rounders into starters every single time. The Browns think they hit on Greedy Williams and Grant Delpit but really have no idea because they can’t get on the field. They need players that can play right now.

Fans may not like this but if you can extend Lattimore, you’re not relying on Denzel Ward to be the No. 1 corner and if he continues to be nagged by injuries, they can move on from him after his rookie contract.

You don’t buy home insurance because you want your hose to burn down. You buy it for when a GE jet engine falls into your living room. Is it going to happen? Probably not. Could it happen? I mean, it could. Cleveland needs to go out and get some Marshon Lattimore insurance.

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