The Cleveland Browns’ front office erased any doubts that winning would not be a priority in 2020 with a trio of free agent signings on the first day.
With Paul DePodesta and Andrew Berry running things, there were people who felt they would be involved in accumulating assets for a run in 2021, rather than getting to the playoffs next season.
But signing a two starters in TE Austin Hooper and RT Jack Conklin, along with an experienced backup QB who can play if there is an injury in Case Keenum, signals a “go for it” mentality.
The first thought for many is tight end is not the primary need for the Browns, but a right tackle certainly is, and at some point they needed a quarterback.
Hooper and Conklin do continue this front office’s history of signing players coming off their first contracts. Hooper won’t turn 26 years old until November, and has increased his number of receptions, yardage, and touchdowns in every season (4 total years) of his career.
He made the Pro Bowl in each of the last two years.
When Baker Mayfield was at Oklahoma, one of his favorite targets in the red zone, was TE Mark Andrews, now with Baltimore. Andrews caught 22 touchdown throws in Mayfield’s three years with the Sooners.
So, a reliable tight end is important to this quarterback.
We also do not think this means David Njoku’s days are numbered in Cleveland. Remember, Kevin Stefanski used a lot of two tight end sets as offensive coordinator in Minnesota.
Conklin figures to start at right tackle and he will be 26 by the time the regular season starts. He has to be an upgrade over Chris Hubbard, who figures to be released soon.
And his contract is front loaded, meaning he will make less with the team has to reach new deals with both former overall first round picks in Myles Garrett and Baker Mayfield.
Both players are “plug and play” guys, and both are young enough to fit in with the young core of talent the Browns have put together the past five years.
Keenum just turned 32 years old, but is the insurance policy/mentor for Mayfield. He has started 62 games in the NFL, going 27-35 in those starts, and has opened the season as the starter his past three seasons in the NFL.
This approach differs from the past couple of off-seasons where John Dorsey signed players close to 30 on shorter deals. They didn’t go for the big ticket items.
Prior to Dorsey’s arrival, the Browns went for J.C. Tretter and Kevin Zeitler. You’d have to say that was a more successful approach.
The Browns still have holes at left tackle and on the defensive side of the football, most notably at linebacker and safety as well as depth on the line.
We may still see some lesser free agents to address the depth, and of course, there still is a little thing called the NFL Draft to fill some more of the holes.
Right now, we would guess Berry and his crew would look for the left tackle in the first round of the draft, with the rest of the selection process being devoted to the defensive side of the football.
It doesn’t matter if you win the off-season. But signing solid young players who should be able to start right away? Have to say it is difficult to complain about that.
MW
Cleveland Sports Perspective 