Cleveland Browns: 3 under the radar areas of need
By Greg Newland
Cleveland Browns Position of Weakness No. 3 – Kicker
Once again, the Cleveland Browns just struggle to find consistent kicking. The worst part is, it’s punting and placekicking, they can’t seem to get either right.
Jamie Gillan came to the team in 2019 and really shined as a rookie. He had great accuracy when trying to pin people deep, and had an absolute boot for a let. Then for whatever reason, it all went away. He was giving up fair catches at the 17-yard line and was only getting under 45 yards per kick when the Browns need to flip the field.
He was released before the end of the year and replaced by Dustin Colquitt who is 39, and out of a contract. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of punters sitting on their couches right now, but the Browns need a good one. You don’t realize how important the position is until you have a guy that struggles.
Place kicking wasn’t any better. Chase McLaughlin started out the season on fire but then struggled to end the year. Not only was he missing field goals, but fans were holding their breath for every single extra point as well.
I hate to see the Browns waste a draft pick on a kicker when they have so many other needs, but I think it’s almost a necessity for the 2022 season. There’s a reason that McLaughlin played for five teams in two years before coming to the Browns.