With little needs going into the NFL draft, the Cleveland Browns can concentrate on acquiring the best players available. Hitting on the correct individual might offer a select few talented position groups a clear advantage.
Since general manager Andrew Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanski took over in Cleveland, the Browns have not only prepared themselves to contend year after year, but have also looked to the future.
Stefanski mentioned the Browns’ reasonably full roster during the NFL Combine when discussing their offensive tackles, a position group that has just two tackle slots and three guys of starting level.
“That’s a great problem to have,” Stefanski remarked during the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.Cleveland has prioritized keeping some of its own important players this offseason.
They’ve succeeded in doing so by re-signing players such as punter Corey Bojorquez, safety Rodney McLeod, offensive lineman Michael Dunn on reserve, and defensive linemen Za’Darius Smith, Shelby Harris, and Maurice Hurst. In addition, they brought in outside free agents Jordan Hicks, a linebacker, defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson, and running backs Nyheim Hines and D’Onta Foreman. Their largest action was a deal in which they acquired wide receiver Jerry Jeudy from the Denver Broncos in return for picks in the fifth and sixth rounds. They also signed a lucrative extension after the transaction.Now, the Browns might focus on one of their very few roster needs as they get ready for the NFL Draft in Detroit at the end of the month.
However, they’ve given themselves the flexibility to concentrate on quality and select the finest player available because of the manner they’ve assembled their roster. That might take what could be a strong position group and give them an overwhelming edge for certain position groups.
Dalvin Tomlinson was a free agent when he signed a four-year, $57 million contract with the Browns last year. The majority of Cleveland’s defensive linemen, excluding Tomlinson, are older guys with one-year contracts.
At the moment, Tomlinson, Shelby Harris, Quinton Jefferson, Maurice Hurst Jr., Siaki Ika, Chris Williams, and Jayden Peevy make up the Browns interior defensive line.
The Browns could delve further into the position while the rookie could pick up knowledge from a room full of seasoned players if they added a rookie who could step in and have an immediate effect.
Who are some Cleveland-based names that make sense?
The Browns are considering Ohio State defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. because he seems like a good fit. At his Pro Day in Columbus, Hall informed TheOBR that he had a top-30 meeting with the Browns set for April 2.
In addition to Hall, there’s Ruke Orhorhoro of Clemson, Mekhi Wingo of LSU, Kris Jenkins of Michigan, and Texas’s T’Vondre Sweat.
In one way or another, the Browns, under defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, have a great chance to solidify their interior line and build upon a formidable defensive line for years to come.
