After drafting Garrett with the first pick the Browns will most likely turn to the quarterback position next. With three picks in the first 33 and 11 total they’ll have the ammo necessary to move up and guarantee themselves one of the top QBs on their board if they so choose.
After years of inferior management and instability on the sidelines it appears the Browns have hired some solid people to run their organization. Now it’s up to G.M. Sashi Brown to prove he’s the right man for the job and find some good players.
Key additions
C J.C. Tretter
OG Kevin Zeitler
QB Brock Osweiler
WR Kenny Britt
Key subtractions
CB Tramon Williams
DT Stephen Paea
FS Jordan Poyer
OG Alvin Bailey
OT Austin Pasztor
QB Robert Griffin III
QB Josh McCown
WR Andrew Hawkins
WR Terrelle Pryor
Priority needs (Offense)
QB…Coach Hue Jackson’s belief in Cody Kessler as a potential starter will determine whether the Browns will use either of their first-round picks on a signal-caller. If he has strong doubts then by all means they need to draft one early.
TE…Gary Barnridge was a pleasant surprise in 2015 and became Josh McCown’s favorite target. But he dropped off a bit last season and will be 32 in September. OJ. Howard makes tons of sense at 12.
WR…With four of last year’s draft picks still part of the depth chart including first-round pick Corey Coleman, the decision to add a veteran in Kenny Britt was a smart one. I don’t see this as a first-round need, but the offense could still use some playmakers like Curtis Samuel and Chris Godwin or even smart consistent receivers like Zay Jones or Cooper Kupp.
Priority needs (Defense)
DE…After drafting Emmanuel Ogbah (2nd-round) and Carl Nassib (3rd-round) early last year, the Browns can use at least more quality rotation player here.
OLB…If the Browns are going to get serious about pressuring the quarterback they’ll need a premier player at this spot. That’s why drafting Myles Garrett first overall makes all the more sense.
DB…The Browns need at least two impact players back here and possibly three with Jordan Poyer moving on. They’ll be looking to add another starting corner and possibly two safeties.
Final analysis
The most important decision Sashi Brown faces is finding a franchise quarterback. No matter what Hue Jackson thinks of Cody Kessler, the Browns will almost certainly add another one early in the draft. And while the rest of the roster needs more quality depth, it’s the difference-makers that ultimately turn franchises around and the Browns can use as many of those as they can find. After drafting Garrett with the first pick the Browns will most likely turn to the quarterback position next. With three picks in the first 33 and 11 total they’ll have the ammo necessary to move up and guarantee themselves one of the top QBs on their board if they so choose.
Top first-round options (1st pick)
OLB Myles Garrett
QB Mitch Trubisky
Top first-round options (12th pick)
CB Marlon Humphrey
CB Tre’Davious White
FS Malik Hooker
LB Reuben Foster
LB Haason Reddick
QB Deshaun Watson
RB Christian McCaffrey
SS Jabrill Peppers
TE O.J. Howard
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