Ranking positions in need of upgrade
CLEVELAND — The Browns had a strong finish to the 2018 season, and that has expectations high for 2019. But assuming the players on the current roster will just naturally improve this offseason is a mistake.
So let’s talk upgrades. There are a number of positions the Browns need to address, either through free agency, trades or the draft. Here’s a list:
8. QUARTERBACK Tyrod Taylor is a free agent and it is unlikely his entire career focus has changed since Week 3 of the season. Assuming Taylor signs elsewhere, that leaves Drew Stanton, who should remain in his mentor role and knows all about the offense Freddie Kitchens runs.
So who is Baker Mayfield’s backup? Sticking a late-round rookie into that role doesn’t sound appealing, so the Browns have to look at a trade, or free agents, where the pickings are slim. (Matt Cassel, anyone?).
7. DEFENSIVE BACK The secondary had a good year in 2018. They were fourth in yards/attempt (7.0) and interceptions (17) and gave up the third fewest TDs (21). Also, rookie Denzel Ward had a Pro Bowl season.
Now the team must make decisions on free agents E.J. Gaines (unrestricted) and Briean Boddy-Calhoun (restricted). With new defensive coordinator Steve Wilks known to play more zone than Gregg Williams, the secondary could see some new players who excel at that style of play.
6. KICKER
The Browns had to fix place-kicking issues on the fly, signing rookie Greg Joseph two weeks into the season. He connected on 17-of-20 field goals and 25-of29 extra points. But those averages left him far behind the NFL leaders, and GM John Dorsey has to wonder if Joseph can be counted on to make big kicks with the playoffs on the line. Expect a kicking competition in training camp.
5. LINEBACKER
Wilks surely wants to fix the run defense, and that could mean new faces at linebacker.
Joe Schobert, who is entering the final season of his rookie contract, was a Pro Bowler in 2017 and probably isn’t going anywhere. Christian Kirksey is coming off an injury-filled season. He also has a contract that won’t entice many trade partners and would cost the Browns $10.6 million if they cut him.
That leaves Jamie Collins, who would cost the Browns a minimal cap hit if they release him in 2019. Collins led the team in tackles and tackles for loss. But he drew criticism during the season for what seemed like lethargic play.
4. LEFT TACKLE
It’s hard to imagine the Browns rolling with Greg Robinson at left tackle going into the 2019 season. Even though Mayfield was sacked just five times over the final eight games with Robinson guarding his blind side, much of that had to do with Kitchens’ scheme and Mayfield’s growth.
While the Browns could certainly resign Robinson (he’s an unrestricted free agent), expect more competition for the left tackle spot than just Robinson and Desmond Harrison, who both failed to crack the top 60 of PFF’s offensive tackle grades for 2018.
Whatever happens, expect a better plan for the position in 2019 than you saw in 2018. 3. WIDE RECEIVER Mayfield stood up for his receivers during the season, but Dorsey won’t go through the offseason without getting his franchise quarterback some more receiving talent.
Even with the development of Antonio Callaway, Rashard Higgins and David Njoku, the Browns are in need of another consistent target to go with Jarvis Landry.
2. DEFENSIVE TACKLE Sharing blame with the linebackers for the Browns poor run defense were the defensive tackles. Larry Ogunjobi and Trevon Coley were graded at 92nd and 118th overall among interior defenders by PFF in 2018. Browns opponents averaged 4.7 yards per carry, scored 20 rushing touchdowns and averaged 135.2 yards rushing per game. Those numbers put the Browns rush defense near the bottom.
1. DEFENSIVE END/ EDGE RUSHER
You can debate the decision to draft Ward instead of defensive end Bradley Chubb in 2018. Ward is headed to the Pro Bowl, which counts in Dorsey’s favor.
But the Browns got little help pressuring the quarterback outside of Pro Bowler Myles Garrett (13.5 sacks).