Kosar expresses optimism about team’s direction

Former QB says draft picks, recent hire bode well.

Despite a winless CLEVELAND — season that produced a parade of shame, former Cleveland Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar is optimistic when it comes to the future of the Browns.

And that future starts in the upcoming draft in which the Browns have four of the first 35 picks (No. 1, 4, 33 and 35).

“Having those picks and the growth of some of our younger guys leads me to see light at the end of the tunnel,” Kosar said prior to Wednesday’s 18th Greater Cleveland Sports Awards at the Cleveland Renaissance Hotel.

And Kosar especially sees the light because of the Browns’ recent hire of Alonzo Highsmith as vice president of player personnel. Highsmith was an executive with the Green Bay Packers from 2012-17. Kosar and Highsmith were teammates at the University of Miami.

“Alonzo has done a phenomenal job throughout his career,” Kosar said. “This is going to be a telling year here because of all of the cap space and the top picks we have in the draft.”

The Browns have many possible choices when it comes to the draft. Will they choose the best player in Penn State running back Saquon Barkley or the best defensive player in Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick?

The quarterback position remains in focus with several possible picks in USC’s Sam Darnold, UCLA’s Josh Rosen or Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield. But Kosar pauses when it comes to picking a QB early.

“It depends on how their meetings (with the top quarterbacks) go and which free agent quarterbacks are available,” Kosar said. “Who you sign in free agency sometimes has an impact on which guys you draft. There’s more than a handful of quarterbacks worthy to pick in the first or second round. Many teams like depth at the QB position, and the Browns have enough picks to add one.”

OC update: A noted offensive coordinator became available Wednesday when the Pittsburgh Steelers parted with Todd Haley. He’ll probably receive interest from the Browns with coach Hue Jackson searching for an offensive coordinator and evaluating whether he’ll hire one.

Haley, 50, served as Steelers offensive coordinator for the past six seasons. He went 19-26 as the coach of the Kansas City Chiefs from 2009-11. He also was the offensive coordinator of the Arizona Cardinals from 2007-08.

Jackson interviewed ex-New York Giants coach Ben McAdoo on Tuesday and Houston Texans quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan on Jan. 10 for the offensive coordinator job.

Jackson has said he would be open to relinquishing his play-calling duties if he could land the right offensive coordinator.