Dawgpoundsouth

As I wait for the NFL Combine (Feb. 24 – March 3) I’m going to continue to put out mock drafts. These drafts help me with learning the value of these players based on experts’ draft boards. After the combine, I’ll start paying attention to the player’s ages and their Relative Athletic Score (RAS). Both these factors help to more accurately predict the Browns draft. I’ll also not have any trades because it’s too early in the process. Here Goes.

Round One, Pick 2, Abdule Carter, DE, Penn St.

Round Two, Pick 33, Aireontae Ersey, OT, Minnisota.

Round Three, Pick 67, Darius Alexander, DL, Toledo.

Round Three, Pick 94, Andrew Mukuba, S, Texas.

Round Four, Pick 103, Will Howard, QB, Ohio State.

Round Five, Pick 165, Devin Neal, RB, Kansas.

Round Six, Pick 181, Oronde Gadsden, II, TE, Syracuse.

Round Six, Pick 194, Mello Dotson, CB, Kansas,

Round Six, Pick 202, Jordan James, RB, Oregon.

Round Six, Pick 216, Nick Nash, WR, San Jose St.

Round Six, Pick 217, Garrett Dellinger, IOL, LSU.

Round Six, Pick 257, Shemar James, LB, Florida.

I still feel the Browns will completely redo the quarterback room by signing a veteran starter, a veteran backup and a draft pick. In this draft I went with Will Howard. He’s nowhere near being a starter in the NFL in 2025, however he can develop into at least a solid backup and maybe a decent starter. With the top three picks, I addressed both the offensive and defensive lines. Running back, tight end and safety are draft needs and this a great draft to address those needs. It seems like Browns GM Andrew Berry always drafts a wide receiver and a cornerback. It’s the state of the current NFL. I also expect him to trade for a wide receiver. Finally I decided to add a linebacker because of the uncertainty of JOK’s health. Let me know what you think. Stay safe and Go Browns.

Now That the Super Bowl is over, it’s time to fix the Browns and make them a contender for 2025. The first two questions that need to be resolved are what to do about Myles Garrett and finding a franchise quarterback. I’ve expressed my opinion on both subjects, but now that it’s officially the off-season, I’ll reiterate my thoughts.

First, if the Browns trade Myles Garrett it will destroy the team’s salary cap for the next two years. I doesn’t matter what the local and national media says. It doesn’t matter what former player and current Hall of Famer Joe Thomas says. It really doesn’t matter what Myles Garrett says. Facts are facts, trading Garrett will devastate the Browns roster and spending ability for the next couple of years. Salary cap expert Jack Duffin (http://@JackDuffin) estimates a trade would reduce the Browns spending power in 2025 by over $60 million. Because of this lack of funds Jack Conklin and Wyatt Teller would have to be cut, Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome would have to be traded, and Nick Chubb couldn’t be resigned. This is the business reality because the NFL is a business. Always has been, always will be.

You could blame the current situation on the decision to trade for Deshaun Watson. At the time the Browns were desperate for a franchise quarterback and no I’m not going to use revisionist history to relitigate the Baker Mayfield situation. He forced his own exit due to immaturity and thinking he was more important than the team. By the way, Garrett was for the Watson trade and getting rid of Baker. In 2022, the free agent market for quarterbacks was bad, (Marcus Mariota, Teddy Bridgewater, Mitch Trubisky) and the draft class was just as bad, (Kenny Pickett, Malik Willis). The Browns swung for the fences, as a group, they felt they had to. Now in 2025, they have a plan to get out from under the thumb of the Watson contract. He won’t play another down for the Browns and will be off the roster by the start of the league year in 2027. A Myles Garrett trade would force the Browns to extend him again and keep him on the roster. No thank you.

Speaking of the quarterback situation, this draft class is not great. The top two players have faults and right now, aren’t worth the value of the number two overall pick. You don’t take a quarterback that high just for the sake of taking a quarterback. Mitch Trubisky, Trey Lance, Josh Rosen and Justin Fields come to mind. You have to find the right one. Everyone is praising the Eagles front office while criticizing Andrew Berry for modeling the Browns team building strategy after the Eagles. Remember, the Eagles drafted Jalen Hurts the year after drafting Carson Wentz. There’s a ton of luck involved when drafting a QB. If neither Ward nor Sanders are that guy, then don’t set the franchise back again. Not drafting either isn’t over thinking the situation, drafting one when you shouldn’t is over thinking the situation.

A Myles Garrett trade would force the Browns into drafting a quarterback at two. They wouldn’t have the funds to sign a veteran quarterback and draft a developmental player later in the draft. The last and only time Andrew Berry was forced to draft a position in the draft resulted in Jedrick Wills. Joe Thomas loved that pick. Garrett recently said on ESPN that he agreed with the Browns future plans but still wanted to be traded and would do “whatever it takes” to make it happen He can’t do anything; this is a load of crap. There’s nothing he nor his agents can do to help the Browns facilitate a trade, because of the last extension he willingly signed. The only way to move forward successfully, is to make Garrett the highest paid defensive player in the league with a $200 million contract and focus on the plan. A rebuild is not in the team’s best interests. Stay safe and Go Browns.

Shocking news this morning, star defensive end Myles Garrett asked to be traded. This comes a week after Browns GM Andrew Berry told Cleveland Media Garrett was not on the trading block. Did this come as a shock to the Browns? No. According to Dianna Russinihttp://@DRussini “While Myles Garrett’s public trade request is the story of the week already, it wasn’t a surprise to the Cleveland Browns—they’ve known about this request for some time.” So when Berry made those comments, the team already knew of the request.

Garrett has two years remaining on his contract. In 2025 his salary is $19,796,125 and in 2026 it’s $25 million. If the team trades him prior to June 1, which would be the ideal situation to go through free agency and the draft, his dead money would be $36.2 million and the team would have to eat $16.5 million of his remaining contract. This isn’t going to happen. The Browns need all the cap savings they can find to navigate the next two years of the Deshaun Watson contract. As I mentioned earlier, the Browns knew about this for a while. I’ve heard Garrett approached the Browns with his request and the Browns said no, that’s why the public statement by Garrett with Berry’s own words in the statement.

Right now, it’s a public fight and Garrett has no leverage. I remember tight end David Njoku wanting a trade and ended up signing a contract extension. Like I said, Garrett has no leverage in this situation, due to Garrett having two years left on his contract. Also, the Browns are adamant about not trading Garrett. The team could franchise him in 2025 at $72 million. A hold out does no one any good, especially Garrett. I’m inclined to think this is a contract negotiation, similar to Njoku. Garrett wants to be the highest paid defensive player in the league. I understand his frustration, as do all Browns fans, but I can’t see a trade happening because of the financials. Stay safe and Go Browns.

As many of you know, I usually don’t like to do mock drafts until after the league year begins. That’s because Browns GM Andrew Berry and the front office addresses holes on the roster via trades and free agency. Also, the situation with Deshaun Watson, his new injury and any insurance involved make take months to settle. But this year is different because the Browns finally have a first-round pick, the number two overall. The depth of this draft is best in running back, tight end, defensive line and offensive line. However, in the first-round there isn’t a generational talent. The Browns currently have nine picks with the possibility of adding two conditional picks at the end of the sixth round. Berry is known for moving around in the draft and many have speculated Cleveland might trade down out of the second pick. If they do, it’ll be a team that will covet one of the two top quarterbacks in this draft, Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders. Those teams potentially are the Giants at three, the Raiders at six and the Jets at seven. I really can’t see the Browns dropping any further. This will include the players Pro Football Focus ranking.

Round 1, pick 2. Abdule Carter, DE, Penn State, PFF rank #2.

Round 2, pick 33. Josh Conerly, OT, Oregon, PFF rank #27.

Round 3, pick 67. Jaxson Dart, QB, Miss, PFF rank #202.

Rouns 3, pick 94. Mason Taylor, TE, LSU, PFF rank #117.

Round 4, pick 102. Davin Neal, RB, Kansas, PFF rank #88.

Round 5, pick 164. Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State, PFF rank #115.

Round 6, pick 180. Nazir Stackhouse, DT, Georgia, PFF rank #254.

Round 6, pick 193. Jonnah Monheim, IOL, USC, not ranked.

Round 6, pick 201. Jordan James, RB, Oregon, PFF rank #152.

Round 6, pick 215. Jordan Hancock, S, Ohio State, PFF rank #216.

Round 6, pick 216. De’Rickey Wright, S, Vanderbilt, PFF rank #242.

I’m going to assume the Browns will sign two free agent quarterbacks, one as a bridge, one as a backup and add a draft pick to the QB room. Picking Carter at number two makes sense. Picking a quarterback at number two, just to say you picked a quarterback at two doesn’t. Besides, Pro Football Focus has Ward ranked number seventeen and Sanders ranked 43rd. I’m fully convinced because of the depth of this running back draft class; the Browns will pick two. Cleveland will need a safety, and I decided to draft Hancock and Wright. Hancock is listed as a cornerback on some draft boards, but safety is his better position. Let me know what you think. Stay safe and Go Browns.

The evaluations of draft eligible players begin next week with the East West Shrine Bowl and the Senior Bowl. The Browns will be represented at both games. Nemo Washington will be the tight ends coach at the Shrine game and Bubba Ventrone and Jacques Cesaire will be at the Senior Bowl. Ventrone will be the head coach of the American team and Cesaire will be the defensive coordinator of the National team. The importance of these games are how the players practice with NFL coaches and the opportunity for coaches and front office people to interview the players. Browns GM Andrew Berry always goes to the Senior Bowl, and I expect head coach Kevin Stefanski to be there as well. Below I’ve provided links to both games.

The Shrine game has already announced their roster. Since Browns fans are interested in the draftable quarterbacks, there are a few on the two rosters. The most notable name is Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders at the Shrine game. Quarterbacks invited to play at the Senior Bowl are Kyle McCord and Kurtis Rouke. Personally, I think the 2025 starter for the Browns will be a free agent signee, but the Browns front office will do their due diligence and interview potential players. University Pro Days would be the next opportunity for interviews and workouts, as well as the NFL Combine. Private team workouts should follow. It will be interesting to see which players the Browns talk to and starting next week social media will let us know.

Here are the links: https://www.seniorbowl.com/, https://shrinebowl.com/roster/ The strongest positions is this year’s draft are, running back, tight end, defensive line and offensive line. I would not be surprised if the Browns drafted two running backs. It’s a position of need. Stay safe and Go Browns.

The Browns off-season has officially started. So here are some important dates to remember.

January 30th East-West Shrine game and February 1st the Senior Bowl. The games don’t matter but the opportunity to watch players practice under NFL coaches’ instructions is far more valuable. Also, the interview process starts with these games.

February 18th. Starting at 4:00pm EST, teams can designate Franchise and Transition players. The Browns will probably not anyone on this list, but there might be a certain wide receiver from Cincinnati making this list.

February 24 – March 3. The NFL Combine in Indianapolis. Players invited will be tested, weighed and measured. The two most important parts of this period is player interviews and secret deals made between agents and teams. This is the unofficial start to free agency or the illegal tampering period.

March 4. The deadline to Franchise and Transition players. Must be completed by 4:00pm EST.

March 10 – 12. Starting at noon EST and ending at 4:00pm EST on March 12, teams can start negotiating contracts with unrestricted free agents. This is the legal tampering period.

March 12. The 2025 league begins at 4:00pm EST. Free agents can officially sign their new contracts. Trades become official and 2024 contracts expire.

March 30 – April 2. League meetings in Palm Beach FL.

April 7. Teams who have hired a new head coach can begin off-season workouts.

April 16. Deadline to test and workout draft-eligible players at the team’s training facility.

April 18. Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets.

April 21. Teams with returning head coaches can begin off-season workouts.

April 23. Deadline for teams to exercise right of first refusal on restricted free agents who signed offer sheets. Deadline to test and workout draft-eligible players at any location.

April 24- 26. The NFL Draft.

Stay safe and Go Browns.

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The “Merchants Of Doom” i.e. the Cleveland media didn’t take long to start criticizing Browns GM Andrew Berry after his press availability. I listened and was encouraged. First the big news, quarterback Deshaun Watson has had a setback in his rehab. This tells me he’s not going to be a factor in the QB room in 2025. He’ll be placed on the PUP list when training camp starts then moved to injured reserve at the start of the season. Then http://@Jason_OTC posted on twitter “The #Browns have $44.3M of Watson’s 2025 salary insured for injury so there is some major financial relief available if he cannot play due to the Achilles injury suffered this year.” More good news, the Browns can recoup money owed to Watson. Berry also said the QB room will be different, and Watson’s injury has no impact on the 2025 QB room.

It sounded like Myles Garrett isn’t going anywhere, and Nick Chubb might not be back. Some think differently on Chubb, but it’s a business and he’s not the same player. You need a durable player to have a successful run game. Hopefully I’m wrong and Chubb comes back better than ever. Berry shed some light into the team’s draft process. He again said the Browns look at all positions like they’re an expansion team and the evaluations begin a year and a half ahead of time. Speaking of the draft, I’m of the mind that the Browns would like to trade down and collect assets. Let some other team overdraft one of these quarterbacks. The Lions did it and got four starters, RB Jahmyr Gibbs, LB Jack Campbell, TE Sam LaPorta and DB Brian Branch. That’s a nice haul and that’s why they’re a Super Bowl contender.

The Browns draft picks are, round one, pick 2, round two, pick 33, round three, pick 67 & 93, round four, pick 103, round five, pick 166, round six pick 178, 191 & 205. Two more compensatory picks will be added for Joe Flacco and Jordan Elliott, probably at the end of the sixth round.

The other injury news, DT Michael Hall has a torn MCL and is expected to have surgery next week. He’ll be ready for the 2025 season. As for the game Saturday night, an interception to a 355 lb. defensive tackle is the perfect metaphor for the 2024 Browns season.

Finally, don’t let the “Merchants Of Doom” tell you the Browns have no cap space to sign players, because it’s a load of crap. They’ll have money to spend and will again outspend other NFL teams by $50 million with upfront cash. They’re currently over the expected 2025 salary cap of 272.5 million by $21.4 million but are under the 2024 cap of 255.4 million by 41.5 million. The team will roll the 2024 overage into next year giving them around $20 million under the cap. Add to that the unearned bonus and incentive money from players and the Browns could add another seven to ten million. They’re fine, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Stay safe and Go Browns.

Thank God. I had little hope the Browns would win yesterday, mainly because Miami’s playoff hopes improved with the Broncos and Colts loses prior to the game. I was encouraged to see some players still trying, but I have a feeling Saturday’s game in Baltimore will show how many Browns players have vacation plans. I feel it’s doing to be 95% of the team. As for the game itself, it’s Saturday at 3:25 CST and the Ravens are 17.5-to-18-point favorites. They’ll probably have that spread by the end of the first quarter. I’m a pull the band aid of kind of guy, so getting this game out of the way early in the weekend is fine by me.

If you are expecting the Browns to fire the GM and the head coach, sorry, it’s not going to happen. Andrew Berry and Kevin Stefanski will be back in 2025. Will some assistant coaches get fired? Maybe, but that’ll be Kevin Stefanski’s decision. Yes, he makes those calls and always has. The end of the season press conference will be must see TV. Not for the information, but because I expect the Cleveland media to make fools of themselves once again.

Currently the Browns are drafting third behind New England and Tennessee. The Patriots host the Bills, and the Titans host the Texans. I expect backups for New England, Buffalo and Houston. Hopefully the Browns will play QB Bailey Zappe against the Ravens. Why not, let’s see what the kid can do. I do expect a completely new quarterback room for the Browns in 2025. A veteran, a young veteran and a draft pick. Jameis Winston could be back, but I doubt it. You’ll hear a ton a rumbling about Kirk Cousins signing with the Browns after he’s released. It does make sense. Forget about Aaron Rogers, not a Stefanski type a guy and he’s too much of a headache. He benched himself yesterday against the Bills. No thank you. The third pick is an interesting pick. If the Browns keep it, I would be more inclined to take DE Abdul Carter from Penn State. If you’re picking that high, you have to select an impact player and no QB in this draft is an impact player. Most people want Cam Ward, but he quit on his team at halftime of their Bowl game. I don’t want a quitter. If you’re thinking about a trade down, the 49ers traded their first-round pick recently to Chicago and received the Bears first, a second and a fourth.

Finally, next year’s Browns opponents are all set except one. Tonight’s game between the Lions and the 49ers could determine the last one. Right now, it’s Home: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Pittsburg, Buffalo, Miami, Green Bay, Minnesota, Tennessee, and San Fransico if they lose tonight. Away: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Pittsburg, New England, New York Jets, Chicago, Detroit and Las Vagas. The Browns will have nine home games and could possibly play a game overseas. They’re due. I hope everyone has a Happy New Year. Stay safe and Go Browns.

Well, that was embarrassing. The streak continues for the Steelers, 21 straight games lost by the Browns in Pittsburg and Cleveland hasn’t swept them since 1988. I was actually feeling good after the first quarter, then the football gods decided they’ve seen enough. The strategy of deferring the kickoff looked like the right move. You score before halftime, then get the second half kick and score again. The “double dip” was set up perfectly. Then the Browns pro bowl kicker continued to miss field goals he made last year. I know everyone wants to cut him, but you can’t do that because he just signed a new contract and has guaranteed money this year and next year. This team can’t afford the dead money hit.

Will the Browns continue to start Winston? I don’t know, but it sounds like Kevin Stefanski is thinking about starting DTR versus the Chiefs. Why not. This team has to figure out what their quarterback room is going look like in 2025. The Browns have to find their franchise QB for 2025 and beyond. Do you use your first-round pick on a quarterback? I personally don’t like any of the top QBs in the 2025 NFL draft. Right now, I believe the Browns are drafting eighth. That won’t get you a starter in 2025. I’m not certain Jameis Winston is the answer to be a bridge QB. The Browns have four games to map out their future QB room.

As for Deshaun Watson, he’ll be gone day one of the league year in 2026. The Browns can designate him a June 1st cut and spread his cap hit over 2026 and 2027. What to do in 2025? I’m hearing the front office is working several scenarios. First, I doubt he’ll be ready for training camp or the season opener. My best guess he’ll start the season on the PUP list or IR. Will the Haslam’s decide to just cut bait and pay the price in 2025? They’ve talked about it. Could the team tell Watson to stay away from the team in 2025? It’s been discussed. All I know, Andrew Berry and Kevin Stefanski as of now, will be back in 2025.

The Browns have to get younger on the offensive and the defensive lines. Have to. Use free agency and the draft to fix the two most important position groups on the team. Find the quarterback, fix those two position groups and fix the not so special teams. Finally, as I write this, Stefanski announced Winston will start versus Kansas City. I hope we get good Jameis and not bad Jameis. Stay safe and Go Browns.

I know the Browns lost, but you can’t say they aren’t fun to watch. I had low expectations going into this game because of the history. Lifetime, Cleveland was 4-14 in Denver. The Broncos have an explosive offense and a dominating defense. But, after watching what happened Thursday night against the Steelers, you kind of hoped the Browns would pull off a miracle and they almost did.

Bottom line, if the Browns could’ve run the ball, then Jameis Winston would’ve thrown the ball less. A healthy Nick Chubb makes the Browns offensive line look better than they actually are. I’m glad they took Chubb out of the game; Jerome Ford was more effective. Nick Chubb won’t be the same Nick Chubb until next year and yes, the Browns are going to resign him. But the mission for GM Andrew Berry and the front office is to rebuild a younger offensive line and yes, Berry will be back next year.

Winston is Flacco, but he cares more when he loses a game because of a pick six. Flacco never seemed too upset when he threw a touchdown to the other team, Winston does. He’s built different. Is Winston the answer next year? Hell no. He’s a backup quarterback with the potential to be a bridge QB. That’s it. If the team can stabilize the offensive line and get back to running the ball like they used to, then that would be the perfect solution. Fans wouldn’t get the full Jamies Winston experience. Jerry Jeudy is a number one WR and Elijah Moore should be resigned. Micheal Woods looked like a natural on the field last night and looked like he belonged. Moving forward he might be another late round gem by Andrew Berry.

The defense played well at times but still gave up the big play too often. The communication in the secondary was again the culprit. Some fans want to fire a defensive coach or two, but the communication was bad under Joe Woods as well, so maybe it’s not the coaches but the players. I have no idea what happened to Martin Emerson but it’s plan to see, he’s got problems. This defense is so much better with JOK. I’ve heard he will be back; however, the timeline is still uncertain. After finding the right kicker, the Browns are back to having a kicker problem. I’m not advocating for a change, but some voodoo needs to be performed. Hopefully next year, the Browns will find a punt returner.

I know there are fans you hate the players celebrating after good plays and use this as an excuse to call for the head coach to be fired. DC Jim Schwartz encourages his players to do it and for them to have fun. Personally, if it’s good enough for a coach who knows more about coaching then the complainers, then it’s good enough for me. I’m still laughing at Jeudy’s backward fall into the endzone. Finally, have you noticed the penalties aren’t really killing the Browns anymore. Nice job Kevin. Stay safe and Go Browns.