This is the Gridiron Review’s grading and breakdown series of every team’s offseason. This article is the offseason in review of the Cleveland Browns
Players Retained:
Offense: Chris Hubbard, OL
Defense: Sheldon Day, DL; Jadeveon Clowney, DE; Anthony Walker Jr., LB; Ronnie Harrison, S
Specials: Chase McLaughlin, K
Losses:
Offense: Andy Janovich, FB; Jarvis Landry, WR; Rashard Higgins, WR; Austin Hooper, TE; J.C. Tretter, C
Defense: Malik Jackson, DL; Malik McDowell, DL; Takk McKinley, DE; Malcolm Smith, LB; M.J. Stewart, CB/S
Free Agent Pick-ups:
Offense: Jacoby Brissett, QB; Joshua Dobbs, QB; Javon Wims, WR; Jakeem Grant, WR/KR; Ethan Pocic, OL;
Defense:Taven Bryan, DL; Stephen Weatherly, DE; Isaac Rochell, DE;
Specials: Corey Bojorquez, P
Trades(If Applicable):
- Acquired WR Amari Cooper and 2022 6th round pick from Dallas Cowboys in exchange for 2022 5th and 6th round picks
- Acquired DE Chase Winovich from New England Patriots in exchange for LB Mack Wilson
- Acquired QB Deshaun Watson and 2022 4th round pick from Houston Texans in exchange for 2022-2024 1st, 2023 3rd, and 2024 4th round picks
- Acquired 2022 7th round pick from Buffalo Bills in exchange for QB, Case Keenum
Draft Class:
- Round 3, Pick No. 68: Martin Emerson, CB, Mississippi State
- Round 3, Pick No. 78: Alex Wright, EDGE, UAB
- Round 3, Pick No. 99: David Bell, WR, Purdue
- Round 4, Pick No. 108: Perrion Winfrey, DT, Oklahoma
- Round 4, Pick No. 124: Cade York, K, LSU
- Round 5, Pick No, 156: Jerome Ford, RB, Cincinnati
- Round 6, Pick No. 202: Mike Woods, WR, Oklahoma
- Round 7, Pick No. 223: Isaiah Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma
- Round 7, Pick No. 246: Dawson Deaton, C, Texas Tech
Our Offseason Grade: High Risk, High Reward
Record Prediction(Division Rank): 8-9(3rd)
Summary:
Offensively, the Browns are going to be looking at a new look offense. It starts at QB with their blockbuster trade for Deshaun Watson. We imagine that Watson will face some kind of league punishment, but from a playing aspect Watson should be a major upgrade for Cleveland once he is eligible to play. Our bigger issue with the move is the fully guaranteed contract they signed him to. The QB room as a whole is going to be brand new. The big question still for the Browns is where will Baker end up? The other major change will be a WR. The Browns released an aggravated Jarvis Landry and later replaced him with Cowboys WR Amari Cooper, who was a steal for a 5th round pick. The Browns also added David Bell from Purdue in the draft who we really like in the 3rd round. The Browns also released TE Austin Hooper and extended David Njoku on a very pricey contract for a player that has only shown up in bursts. The Browns also parted ways with Center J.C. Tretter and replaced him in free agency with Ethan Pocic from Seattle.
On the defensive side, the line should be stronger than it has been. They lost a couple pieces, but quickly replaced them with guys we think upgrade the room. The major additions are primarily at defensive end. They brought back Clowney which is an okay signing, but they added major depth with guys like Winovich from the Patriots and Alex Wright from UAB in the third round. In terms of the tackle spots they added guys like Taven Bryan from Jacksonville and Perrion Winfrey from Oklahoma in the fourth round, which we think will be a gem. They should have a great rotation up front. The linebackers are still iffy especially with the loss of veteran Malcolm Smith and trading away Mack Wilson. The secondary should still be in good shape as all they lost was M.J. Stewart, but were able to retain Ronnie Harrison and add Martin Emerson from Mississippi State in the third round. Barring injuries to guys like Delpit and Johnson at safety, the Browns secondary could make a case for best in the league.
Overall, we think it was a pretty strong offseason for the Browns with the potential to be phenomenal or yet another Cleveland Browns offseason depending on Watson’s legal issues and how he plays after his speculated suspension. He has not taken a snap in over a year now. His contract along with the Njoku extension could be awful if things do not go the right way for them, but for now Cleveland looks better in the long run, even if the results may not show this season. We predict the Browns will be at 8-9, again, with a speculated Watson suspension, but also have to play a strong Bengals and Ravens team twice a year, along with some other teams that are a part of the bloodbath in the AFC. They could come out better than 8-9 or worse depending on how many games Watson plays, but it’s hard to tell at this point.