The Cleveland Browns brought in a ton of new players in 2022, but here are four that will be one-and-done in Cleveland.
After making the playoffs in 2020, the Cleveland Browns have had back-to-back years of disappointment. 2021 was the year of Baker Mayfield. He suffered an injury early and was extremely inconsistent all year. Even after exercising his fifth-year option, Andrew Berry traded him away for next to nothing in return and gave up six picks for Deshaun Watson.
2022 was then obviously the year of Watson. He was suspended the first 11 games of the season and then came back and didn’t exactly knock the doors down after not playing for nearly two full seasons. It’s not time to give up on him yet, but Berry certainly needs to get this roster in ship shape for the 2023 season where a lot will be on the line.
With significant roster turnover, each year will bring a new batch of free agents. Here are four Browns that joined the team in 2022 and likely won’t get another shot to play for the organization.
Cleveland Browns one and done No. 4: Chase Winovich
When Andrew Berry traded Mack Wilson to the New England Patriots for Chase Winovich, I thought it was a brilliant move. Wilson needed a fresh start, and Winovich was playing out of position at linebacker in New England. At the time Winovich was slated to be the third defensive end on this roster, but those plans never panned out.
For starters, injuries plagued Winovich all season. And just when he would get healthy and be active, it felt like he would get injured again. Winovich would end up only playing in eight games for the Browns in 2022 and he had very little impact on the field when he did suit up.
The biggest reason the Browns will move on from Winovich is Alex Wright, the rookie from 2022 who played very well at times. Wright wasn’t a fantastic pass rusher, but he held the line of scrimmage well and was an excellent run defender.
Berry will certainly need to add some depth at defensive end this offseason, but Winovich will go down as a major strikeout.
Cleveland Browns one and done No. 3: Taven Bryan
No one was surprised when the Cleveland Browns signed Taven Bryan this offseason. Berry has a fascination with former first-round picks that don’t live up to expectations and signing them to one-year deals.
Bryan who was infamous for being a horrible run defender lived up to expectations in Cleveland and was a major liability on the interior line in running situations. So many times, he would be a step behind the play in the back, inches away from a tackle for loss, but then the running back would go for 20 yards untouched because of the gaping hole left from undisciplined play.
Bryan is a pass-rushing specialist and is athletic enough that he could almost transition to defensive end if he wanted to put the work in. However, his work ethic is another question mark. There were a lot of plays in 2022 where it felt like the effort of the entire Browns defense was lackluster, and Bryan was a major part of that.
It’s hard to be upset at Berry as Bryan was a very low-risk move, but it was also signing a guy who played a ton of snaps that was a below-average player. I know the analytics want an athletic defensive tackle who can rush the passer, but the Browns must find someone who can clog up gaps and stop the run.
Cleveland Browns one and done No. 2: Jacoby Brissett
One of the more surprising moves last offseason was when the Cleveland Browns cut Case Keenum and brought in Jacoby Brissett. Keenum was a Kevin Stefanski disciple and had a ton of success with him while they were in Minnesota together.
It turns out that Berry and Stefanski were right. There is no doubt that Brissett is a backup journeyman in the NFL, but he played extremely well during his time in Cleveland. I would argue that in some of those close games at the beginning of the year that they lost, he was the only reason they ever had a chance to win.
I don’t see Brissett ever being an elite NFL starter, but he played well enough that he is going to get a nice contract from a team that has a rookie quarterback and needs a mentor. The 49ers with Trey Lance or even the Jets with Zach Wilson makes a ton of sense as well. And, if those guys get hurt (which seems to happen a lot), Brissett gives you a chance to win any game he starts.
It was always going to be a one-and-done with Brissett in Cleveland, but after he played so well, it will be sad to see him go. I don’t think anyone in their right mind would say they want to see Brissett start over Watson, but he earned the respect of all Browns fans.
Cleveland Browns one and done No. 1: Ethan Pocic
When starting center Nick Harris went down on one of the first snaps of the 2022 preseason, many thought Cleveland’s offensive line would take a huge hit. After moving on from J.C. Tretter, there was already a ton of pressure on Harris, and losing him for the season seemed like something the unit wouldn’t overcome.
Instead, Ethan Pocic stepped in and should have been a Pro Bowler with the level he played at in 2022. Pocic is an athletic lineman that fits perfectly in the Browns scheme, and he even held up well in pass protection where those smaller guys can sometimes get eaten up.
I would love to see Pocic come back, but I don’t see Berry willing to spend that much money on a depth player. Even though someone on the Browns line always ends up getting hurt, Pocic played so well in 2022 that he will be a starter in the NFL in 2023.
With Pocic’s size, center may be the best fit for him. Some guys have the ability to move to guard if needed, but I’m not sure Pocic has that type of flexibility as Harris does. Great for Pocic for playing well and earning his next contract, but unfortunately, he played well enough that he won’t be back in Cleveland.
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