Browns hold all the Cards to the Future
How about the Cleveland Browns, who look like they are not only on track to win a game, which they didn’t do last year, but possibly become the most improved team in the league.
They started trading for young wide receiver Jarvis Landry of the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who will have an immediate impact on the team. They also traded for several other key players, have over $83 million in cap room and hold the first and fourth pick in NFL draft. The Browns have the power to do virtually whatever they want now that they have major appeal for their young players to resign and free agents coming in hoping to make a playoff push.
The Browns could continue the trade route and trade both first round picks for a package containing New York Giants receiver Odell Beckham, who will team up with his friend and former LSU teammate Jarvis Landry. Although this fake trade seems amazing, the Browns are a team that has won four games in the past three years. The Browns are in the middle of culture change right now, and fans should look for them to get rid of anyone currently on the roster over 30 within the next year. They will do their best to keep troubled receiver Josh Gordon in check, as he is an amazing star, but can’t stay out of trouble. They should go after defensive players to pair along with last years pick Myles Garrett such as Trumaine Johnson, who has now played a playoff game and has connections with defensive coordinator Greg Williams whom he played under for three years.
Aside from maxing one or two players, the team will need a few veterans to help establish a winning culture because the Browns haven’t had a winning record since 2007. Tyrod Taylor barely got to the playoffs with the Buffalo Bills last year where he was about average. So in a draft full of quarterbacks, it is likely they will select one at pick four to play backup until Taylor’s contract is over. As for the first overall pick this year, the Browns have a decent quarterback, a great receiver duo, but no clear number one running back. So only time will tell, but it would be crazy for them not to grab Penn State star Saquon Barkley, who is being seen as the best running back in the draft since Todd Gurley, who also said he should picked number one.
With all of this in mind, only one thing is certain, for the first time in a long time, the Cleveland Browns are heading in the right direction.
Jake is a third-year reporter for The Advocate staff. He loves fried chicken, football and shoes.