Browns cap space available and what would you do

[tom cody]

Go BPA at 1, draft their QB at 4, sign some good free agents in free agency especially at WR for their new QB to throw to.

[Crickett]

So, I'm going to break this down into three scenarios.  Two scenarios if the team can sign Kirk Cousins and one if they can't. 

Before I divert into the three scenarios, I would say regardless of what happens at QB, I would resign Terrelle Pryor.  Pryor signed a one year prove it deal in Washington and didn't prove it.  He had a breakout year in Cleveland, but regressed after leaving.  But he didn't regress nearly as much as the Browns receiver corps did without him.  Returning to where he had his individual success and to a franchise that needs a wide receiver arguably worse than any team in the league sounds like a recipe for success for all parties involved. 

I would also take a shot at signing Trumaine Johnson assuming he is not franchised, but there's no guarantee you will be able to get him.  He may sign with the Rams long term before free agency even begins.  Either way, the Browns should address their secondary through the draft and through free agency.  If not Johnson, then possibly Kyle Fuller or Prince Amukamura or Morris Claiborne or Brent Grimes or Malcolm Butler.  But someone.  If you plan to draft Fitzpatrick and use him as a free safety, possibly more than just someone. 

 

So with these scenarios, I am assuming that the Giants are either drafting a QB #2 or trading down with another team that intends to draft a QB at #2.  Either way, a quarterback is getting selected #2.  I am also assuming that the Colts are not drafting a QB #3 or trading down with another team that intends to draft a QB at #3.  Either way, a quarterback is not getting selected #3.

 

Scenario #1: You don't sign Kirk Cousins at all.  You draft whichever quarterback you think it best #1 overall.  Either Josh Rosen or Sam Darnold.  Somewhere Mel Kiper Jr. is ranting about how Josh Allen should have gone #1.  If it's Rosen, you give him the ultimatum that he can play in an offense with Josh Gordon, Terrelle Pryor, Corey Coleman, David Njoku, Duke Johnson, a second or third round wide receiver and either Saquon Barkley or whichever running back they draft in the second round having missed on Barkley.  Or he could sit out a year in which case, he faces the possibility that the Browns have the #1 pick again in the subsequent year.  In the second and third round, you address defensive back/running back and wide receiver.  Even with the return of Terrelle Pryor and David Njoku entering his second season, Corey Coleman cannot be trusted to stay healthy and Josh Gordon should not be trusted to stay off the suspension list.   If you get Saquon Barkley at #4, you draft a cornerback/free safety and a wide receiver in the second round.  If you get Minkah Fitzpatrick at #4, you draft a running back and wide receiver in the second round to further build the offense around your rookie quarterback.  If you decide Bradley Chubb is just too good to pass on at #4, you draft a defensive back and wide receiver in the second round and a running back in the top of the third. It might also help to try to sign a veteran quarterback to a short term "overpaying" contract if you need help to reach the salary floor.  Browns fans might not be particularly happy to see Josh McCown return, but someone like Teddy Bridgewater or Sam Bradford could be options.  DeShone Kizer becomes the third string "developmental" quarterback and Cody Kessler is outright cut.  Or you have Kizer and Kessler compete for that third string job and the loser is outright cut.  Maybe signed to the practice squad?  Would that be permitted?   I don't know off hand.

 

Scenario #2: You sign Kirk Cousins and trade down from #1 with a team drafting in the top six.  So you have Kirk Cousins and it's time to go get a haul again.  This time you don't need to worry about fans screaming that you have passed on a franchise quarterback for the third consecutive year, because this time you've put that zillion dollars of free agent money to work signing one.  The question is, which team do you trade down with.  You could trade down with the Broncos, the Jets, the Cardinals and the Bills.  You've decided you need quality over quantity.  You've been going with quantity for two years straight and despite praise each year, it resulted in a zero win season.  So, you have either the #4 and #5 pick or the #4 and #6 pick and lets say some future picks to simplify things.  I may be mistaken here, but I am assuming that if Denver doesn't trade up and they don't sign Kirk Cousins themselves, that they are going to draft a QB #5 overall.  So in either situation, you are left with two out of the top three non quarterback prospects to choose from.  It's just an issue of who will Indianapolis select.  You absolutely need to address the secondary, but it's very possible Minkah Fitzpatrick will be the #3 pick.  Whichever you miss on between running back or defensive back in the top six, you need to address that in the second or third round as well as wide receiver or offensive line.  To me, Bradley Chubb going #3 is the best case scenario for the Browns.  If the Browns do not draft Chubb, they don't really need to address defensive line help day two. They already have a lot of young defensive line talent.  The only reason to draft Chubb at all is because you think the combination of him and Garrett would give you a Jacksonville like pass rush.  If they luck out and get both Minkah Fitzpatrick and Saquon Barkley in the first round, the next biggest need I see for the Browns is offensive tackle.  Right tackle is still a weakness for the Browns and there is a question how long future first ballot hall of famer Joe Thomas will stick around. 

 

Scenario #3: You sign Kirk Cousins and trade down from #1 with the Buffalo Bills.  The Browns get #21, #22 and I assume more although the rest may be future picks.  As with the earlier scenarios, you have your choice at #4 of Minkah Fitzpatrick, Bradley Chubb or Saquon Barkley.  In this scenario, you have the same issue with the Colts, but with an easier solution.  Now you have two mid to late first round picks and two second round picks to address your secondary and your offensive skill position talent.  With this many picks, you can start addressing the future of your offensive line.  Everything I said in scenario two about which player the Browns select at #4 still applies here.  If they miss on Barkley, draft a running back in the second round.  If they miss on Fitzpatrick, draft a defensive back the first round.  If they miss on both in favor of Chubb, in this scenario you can draft a defensive back in the first round AND a running back in the second. 

 

In all three scenarios, a lot of cap room will continue to get pushed into the future.  Signing a quarterback, even one as expensive as Kirk Cousins, one or two cornerbacks and Terrelle Pryor is not going to eat up $110 million in cap room.   But despite having a winless season, how much do the Browns really need from a personnel perspective?  Oh, they desperately need a quarterback, a running back to upgrade over Isiah Crowell, wide receiver help, a ton of secondary help and offensive tackle help.  With five (or six in scenario three) picks in the top #65, you can easily address some of these needs in free agency and the rest through the draft.  They don't need TE help, they don't need interior line help and most importantly, they don't need front seven defensive help at all in my opinion.  If they draft Chubb, it's more for BPA or the promise of potentially having a top three defensive line.  It's not a need. 

 

In all scenarios, I suggest that the Browns will draft a WR in the second round.  That's still an option as is waiting until #65, but I would expect that if the Browns wanted to, they could afford to sign a second wide receiver in free agency.  The reason I didn't in these scenarios is while Corey Coleman has not been able to stay healthy, I don't think the Browns should close the book on him entirely.  Keenan Allen wasn't able to stay healthy until he was.  Drafting a wide receiver in the second or early third round leaves the possibility for Coleman to continue contributing.  But imo, handing out sizeable contracts to two wide receivers pretty much shuts the door on Coleman entirely. 

 

Edit: When I wrote this, I forgot Cleveland still has Philadelphia's second round pick from the Carson Wentz trade. 

[tonyto36]

The Browns should sign guys [obviously], but they need to stay away from signing a bunch of vets like Landry who are likely to get paid, fat, and check out.  If I'm giving a big contract, I'm going to want to know they're a high character guy who won't give up being in Cleveland - like Malcolm Butler.  But more so I'd just protect myself by not going over 3 years for most players as a starting point.   Browns have some good pieces, but their holes are so ridiculously bad that it just squashes everything and makes everyone look worse.   I'd be more interested in signing those mid tier guys of 3 years 12 mill or 2 years 6 mill - guys playing for a second contract and can at least bridge those holes a little bit while you work on drafting the long term replacements.

Signing a bunch of the high profile names is just a terrible mistake.  Having cap space is good, but spending it all on names and having a bunch of dead weight in two years is not a good long term solution.   Even the Jags- where pretty much all their signings ended up working out and they drafted overall pretty well, are still a largely mediocre team.   And that's the realistic best case scenario.    Compare it to the Colts who hamstrung themselves with bandaids and old names - and they even had an elite QB to go with it.

[BleedTheClock]

2 hours ago, stl4life07 said:

Sammy Watkins isn’t leaving LA. Why would a smart GM/HC in Snead/McVay give up a 2nd round pick only to let the player walk in FA? The Rams will either franchise tag Watkins or sign him to a long term deal. Plus Watkins loves LA, he wants to be on the Rams because he stated already that he wants to be a part of a winning team. So all the talk about Watkins leaving is silly to me. He isn’t going anywhere.

As for Cleveland, I’d try to lure Cousins or trade for Smith. Then I’d use the top picks on Chubb and Barkley. I wouldn’t be opposed to bringing back Pryor. He was good under Hue Jackson both in Oakland and Cleveland.

A few good and bad things about your post.

1. Agree. Watkins is not leaving LA. He's one of the least likely guys in the entire class to have a new team in 2018.

2. I'd love to get Cousins. I'd be lukewarm on Alex Smith. I don't like Bradley Chubb, especially considering we have two under 24 stud DE's already.

3. Terrelle Pryor looks done to me. He might be a halfway decent depth signing, but we need a guy that can play in the slot and run crisp routes. Pryor isn't that.

[MKnight82]

The Browns should look to absorb bad contracts from teams that need cap space (and be compensated in more draft picks), like they did with the Brock Osweiler trade.  

[pwny]

13 hours ago, Money said:

DE Dion Jordan - 5 years, $50,000,000

I........ 

 

no

[3rivers]

5 hours ago, MWil23 said:

See above for OL. As for their DL, they have Garrett and Ogbah at DE, so they have 2 bookend types. They also have a nice trio with Shelton, Ogunjobi, and Brantley at the DT spot. The Browns were actually towards the top of the NFL in rush defense.

I absolutely would focus on the skill positions. They're set for the most part on the OL and DL.

 

The bold really helps,  and draft picks can add depth but aren't required as immediate starters.

What if they can get another Shelton inside, would that help? If not, then they could focus more on the offence . Money has a good idea for the secondary with the Cavs, good nickname already in place , now get the players to make it happen I guess if they are allowed. 

Everyone is saying QB for #1 pick, but why not Barkley?  You know the colts won't draft a QB, so there should be a QB there at 3 or 4, so get Barkley and be set at RB/flex, since Barkley is a receiver at times too. Why pass on a generational talent that Barkley is and risk on a QB when it has shown the team hasn't evaluated QB as good as they should.  Especially if Allen could be there at around pick 7?  Kizer would be QB 3 then. 

UFA / trade QB Alex Smith etc

UFA TE for the QB

#1 overall Barkley - why sign Bell  when you get Barkley for about 1/5 the price and no drama , suspensions  wear and tear etc. 

5 hours ago, Raves said:

@MWil23 So they should give a 4th for Alex Smith, Sign Le'Veon Bell and Jarvis Landry for offense, make a run at Malcolm Butler at CB, trade back from #1 to #5/6 and draft Fitzpatrick/James?

Don't forget  TE Jimmy Graham , think Kelce in KC . With a good OL, Smith + TE and Barkley, this will help the Offence . Of course they will also add a WR in UFA and then why not draft one. 

The reason I started this thread is that the Browns have many options and it makes for quite a variation of view. The proven Vet QB to win now is required because if the top pick rookie fails etc, it really will bring the team down. 

Would you draft another WR if the team has Gordon, Graham and Landry? 

If they don't do anything about the team this year, then it shows the ownership doesn't want to spend . How does a team have $110M in cap space yet want to win? 

[3rivers]

5 hours ago, vikingsrule said:

I'd probably make a run at a cheaper QB with something to prove like Bridgewater or Bradford. Let that player start for a year and move on to whichever rookie QB is drafted first overall.

i would then focus free agent dollars on building up the trenches. I'm not sure what the Browns OL and DL needs are but focus there.

Fill in Rbs, LBs and DBs in the draft.

Teddy playing in this weather?, Bradford has knee history , so I would say no. A.Smith would be the QB since he isn't wanted anymore and Cousins could be franchised. 

I was with the same thought about the trenches, but some here say that is good, which makes it even easier to rebuild this team. I thought another DE to bookend with Garrett and  for depth . Signing a proven vet QB and TE really starts to get things going.  The 2018 offseason for the Browns has many options.

[everlong]

Trade for Alex Smith.

Draft Barkley first overall. He's the BPA and I don't think he gets past Indy if he's available.

At 4th overall, take Darnold if he's available. If Darnold is not available, take Rosen. If both are gone, trade down and go for Lamar Jackson in the middle of the round.

[3rivers]

45 minutes ago, everlong said:

Trade for Alex Smith.

Draft Barkley first overall. He's the BPA and I don't think he gets past Indy if he's available.

At 4th overall, take Darnold if he's available. If Darnold is not available, take Rosen. If both are gone, trade down and go for Lamar Jackson in the middle of the round.

Ok,thats a start I agree with, and the rest?

[stl4life07]

3 hours ago, BleedTheClock said:

A few good and bad things about your post.

1. Agree. Watkins is not leaving LA. He's one of the least likely guys in the entire class to have a new team in 2018.

2. I'd love to get Cousins. I'd be lukewarm on Alex Smith. I don't like Bradley Chubb, especially considering we have two under 24 stud DE's already.

3. Terrelle Pryor looks done to me. He might be a halfway decent depth signing, but we need a guy that can play in the slot and run crisp routes. Pryor isn't that.

Yeah you right about Chubb. I was just thinking BPA. Plus it’s never a bad thing to have too many great pass rushers. Chubb and Garrett are game changers. 

I think Smith is a safe option. I’d much prefer them getting Cousins are drafting Darnold, Rosen, or Allen. 

Also I mentioned Pryor just because how much Hue got out him. I think getting back with Hue can help his career out a lot and he could be cheap. 

[jrry32]

Let's be real here, the guys with great options are likely not going to pick the Browns unless they really overpay. Take Kirk Cousins for example. Why would he choose the Browns?

I'm not trying to be mean. I actually think this off-season could be a turning point for the Browns. But they're going to have to use that incredible amount of money to overpay some guys to join and build through the draft. That includes drafting a QB in the first round.

[EaglesPeteC]

Id look to trade a couple picks for guys that have big contracts but are slightly under performing and might get cut or dealt. Randall Cobb, Vinny Curry, Alex Smith etc

[DawgX]

2 hours ago, everlong said:

Trade for Alex Smith.

Draft Barkley first overall. He's the BPA and I don't think he gets past Indy if he's available.

At 4th overall, take Darnold if he's available. If Darnold is not available, take Rosen. If both are gone, trade down and go for Lamar Jackson in the middle of the round.

I wouldn't take the risk of passing on Darnold or Rosen. You might be right that one of them would be available, but it's a big risk. And I have zero interest in Lamar Jackson.

Anyway, the Browns have a lot of options. They definitely need to sign at least one DB. Someone like T. Johnson would make a lot of sense as he has a connection to Gregg Williams. Even if they sign a top CB, they could use another DB. McCourty was solid this year, but isn't exactly a long-term answer. Jamar Taylor is average at best. BBC is a good nickel back and seems like the only good long-term option the Browns have at CB. They drafted Howard Wilson last year but he was injured, so he's very much an unknown.

Besides CB and FS, we don't necessarily need more starters on defense. Our LBs are set, although we could use some depth. We could also use another pass rush specialist at DE.

Offensively, we obviously need a QB. I doubt Cousins signs here, but it'd be interesting if he did. If not, trading for Alex Smith would make a lot of sense. Although I'm not sure if he's a good fit for Hue's offense. If not him, I could see the Browns trying to acquire AJ McCarron. I'd be all for this depending on the price and as long as he's used as a stopgap. I'd probably let Crowell walk unless he's willing to resign for a team-friendly deal, but I get the sense that he wants out of Cleveland. I'd like to sign a receiver since Coleman is inconsistent and who knows what will happen with Gordon. Bringing back Pryor would be interesting as he obviously had a lot of success here. I think he may have felt like Sashi Brown didn't value him and that's one reason he left, but Sashi is obviously gone now and there's been rumors that he's interested in returning. I wouldn't give him a ton of money as he's only had one good season, though.

If we do sign Cousins, then I'd likely either take Barkley at #1 or trade the pick to the highest bidder. However, since I find it unlikely that Cousins does come to Cleveland, I'd take Darnold or Rosen at #1. If Barkley is there at #4, take him. If he's gone, then I either trade down or draft Fitzpatrick.

[squire12]

1 hour ago, EaglesPeteC said:

Id look to trade a couple picks for guys that have big contracts but are slightly under performing and might get cut or dealt. Randall Cobb, Vinny Curry, Alex Smith etc

I agree with this.  Would Philly deal Foles to CLE for a pick?  If so, how high would the pick need to be.  

As much as CLE has plenty of picks to continue to add young talent, at some point SOON, they need to get some marks in the W column and start to build some results.