Dawgpoundsouth

It’s finally here Browns fans, the NFL draft. I guess because the team hasn’t had a first round pick in the last three years, it seemed like this week would never get here. But it’s here at last. These last three days will be filled with probably the dumbest Cleveland takes you’ll read. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk started us off yesterday with a rumor that some team will trade up to number two to pick QB Shedeur Sanders. In the article, Florio dismisses the rumor as “nutty” and says, “he’ll believe it when he sees it.” This way if it happens (and it won’t) he can say he had it first and if it doesn’t happen (it won’t) he can say he knew it was silly. That didn’t prevent ESPN Cleveland from reposting the story and asking for opinions thus providing more ad revenue for their twitter account.

By Thursday, you’ll see plenty of articles on social media proclaiming they know what the Browns are going to do with the number two pick. Or how the Browns are planning to trade back from number two. Or the team’s plans to trade back into the first round to get their quarterback. All this information will come from league sources or inside sources or team sources inside Berea. None of this is true. This front office does not leak, ever. As I always say, “the voices inside your head are nor reliable sources.” At this point the Cleveland front office has their draft board set and it’s probably been set since the Combine. Do they know for sure who they’re going to select? Nope. It’s pretty much a guarantee the Titans are going to take QB Cam Ward. They overpaid to strengthen the offensive line, and they were never connected to any of the free agent quarterbacks wandering the league landscape. Last year the Tennessee head coach Brian Callahan threw Titans starting QB Will Levin under the bus so many times, he still has tire marks on his butt.

In my opinion, after the Titans draft Ward, the Browns will have their choice of wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter or defensive end Abdul Carter. They’ll take as much of the clock necessary to listen to trade offers, they started to formulate at the Combine. But in the end, these two players are the best in the draft. One can change the direction of an NFL offense (no, Hunter will not play both ways) and the other can change the direction of an NFL defense. I’ve let it be known I’m for the Browns drafting Carter, but ether player will be fine by me. Both are great value at number two.

As for the rest of the first round, the media is pimping the notion the Browns will have to trade back into the first round to get their quarterback of the future. Not really. The only teams who might be interested in drafting a quarterback in the first round are New Orleans and Pittsburg. According to national reporter Benjamin Allbright, the Saints aren’t picking a QB at nine and there are reports out of Pittsburg that the Steelers won’t be taking a QB at 21 unless it’s Sanders. The Browns can afford to wait till the first pick in the second round to pick their QB of the future. Why waste draft capital when you don’t need to. Besides, this front office (Andrew Berry) in the last five years have shown no inclination to trade back into the first round. Have they asked other teams about it, sure. Have they asked the Titans about trading to number one even though it’s never happened in the history of the NFL draft, sure. It’s called due diligence. Could the Browns pass on a quarterback with the number 33 pick, sure. What happens on day two is determined by what happens on day one. So buckle up Browns fans, it’s going to be a long three days. Stay safe and Go Browns.

A week from Thursday, the NFL draft will begin, and the Browns will finally have a first-round draft pick. Since the season ended, the media and draft experts have been all over the board for the Browns. On Friday Cleveland brought back quarterback Joe Flacco, so the need to overdraft a QB at number two is no longer an option. The only exception would be if the Titans pass on Miami’s Cam Ward, and they aren’t passing on him. They’re in desperate need of a QB and taking the best quarterback in an average quarterback draft is right on point for them. The very first pick by a new GM leaves a mark forever, just ask Andrew Berry and Jedrick Wills.

Now it seems the consensus for the Browns with the first pick is WR/CB Travis Hunter. I’m a little apprehensive about Hunter due to his desire to play both ways in the league, which isn’t going to happen, his injury history, (missed fourteen games when he was at Jackson St.) and his size (six foot, 188 pounds). I still want the Browns to draft defensive end Adbul Carter. I know Browns fans are clamoring for more offense, but Carter and Garrett is too good to be true. Besides I watched what the Eagles defensive line did to Patrick Mahomes, and I want that for the Browns.

Just to get your minds on draftable players, here’s a list of players who the Browns have visited with in Berea, as of today.

Shedeur Sanders, QB, Travis Hunter, WR/DB, Abdul Carter, DE, Cam Ward, QB, Will Campbell, OT, Tez Johnson, WR, Tyler Shough, QB, Nick Martin, LB, Harold Fannin, TE, Isaiah Bond, WR, Deone Walker, DT, Quinshon Judkins, RB, Nic Scourton, DE, Mason Graham, DT, Elijah Arroyo, TE, Jalon Walker, LB/E, Jaxson Dart, QB, Jalen Milroe, QB, Omarr Norman-Lott, DT, Bhayshal Tuten, RB, Terrence Ferguson, TE, Jordan Hancock, DB, Cam Skattebo, RB and Tetairoa, McMillan, WR.

That’s twenty-six, they have thirty to use and might not use all of them, but that’s a lot of players on offense. Stay safe and GO Browns.

Everyone hears what they want to hear. Last week, defensive end Myles Garrett again made a comment on the quarterback plans of the Cleveland Browns. Previously, in an interview with Browns play-by-play man Andrew Siciliano, Myles hinted he knew who the Browns quarterback was going to be this year. Here’s the clip, https://x.com/Browns/status/1900653247032856737. Does Garrett really know who the quarterback is going to be? Or does he know what the planned intentions are. At this point, the Browns have no idea who they are going to draft at number two overall because the Titans haven’t drafted yet. That’s how this all works. Titans pick, then Browns pick, simple. The Cleveland media, who have completely let down Browns fans while also destroying their creditability, (a two for one deal), are currently throwing whatever they can at the wall. What’s disturbing is people believe them. Again, the Browns have no idea who they’re taking with the second pick overall. So why do you think Myles Garrett has the definite answer on who the quarterback is going to be in 2025?

Here’s the quote that’s getting all the run this past week: “Any team that’s going to go far needs a quarterback and one that’s young, can learn and is willing to be patient with the process.” Of course, all the have to draft a quarterback at number two people screamed, they’re taking a quarterback at number two. Read the last part of that quote, “can learn and is willing to be patient with the process.” Willing to be patient. If an NFL team is drafting a quarterback that high up in the draft, the quarterback better start day one. Willing to be patient with the process. Patience tells me a rookie quarterback who’s going to sit on the bench and learn. Who’s he going to learn from? A veteran quarterback.

I’m not going to push away the Kirk Cousin rumors. I know he was outside Cleveland this past week, but the Browns front office was elsewhere and they’re too smart to tamper. He was there visiting friends and one of his friends just happens to be the right tackle of the Cleveland Browns Jack Conklin. This is still not tampering. I would dismiss all this, but the rumor of Cousins going to the Browns will not go away. It makes sense for Cousins to wait until draft weekend to choose his next team. Wait to see who they draft and if it’s the right situation to wave his no-trade clause. He doesn’t want the same situation he had in Atlanta, waiting to be replaced by a rookie during the year. “Can learn and is willing to be patient with the process.” The Browns can sell Cousins on starting for a year and letting the rookie quarterback (who isn’t the second pick overall) sit and learn. Cousins builds towards one last big contract (something he’s very good at) and the Browns get the process they desire. Simple.

Finally, this front office stresses best value with any draft pick. They let the draft come to them. They’ve been preparing for this draft for a year and a half. They spent the entire month of January in Berea from 7:00am to 7:00pm running every draft scenario known to man. They are ready. But until Tennessee decides what to do at number one, the second pick will is still unknown. Stay safe and Go Browns.

I can’t believe we’re about thirty days away from the NFL draft and we have some of the dumbest arguments going on between Browns fans on the social media. I know the Browns need a quarterback and I know Browns fans are great at pretzel logic on wanting a quarterback. But this draft isn’t it. Don’t get me wrong, if Cam Ward is available at the number two pick, the Browns will draft him, but any other QB at two is a reach. A drastic reach. In 2017 everyone said, “you have to draft a quarterback.” with the number one overall pick. The draft experts said Mitch Trubisky was the next franchise quarterback, while Myles Garrett was the best player in the draft. Tough choice, Garrett or Trubisky. I’m glad the Browns didn’t overdraft a QB.

They did try and trade back up to get some guy named Mahomes, but the Chiefs beat them to it. As I recall, there were three quarterbacks considered as first round talents. Trubisky, Mahomes and someone named Watson. The draft experts didn’t like Mahomes because he played in the Big Twelve Conference. No defense, every offense lines up in the shotgun, NFL quarterbacks have to be under center so they can turn their backs to the defense. Deshaun Watson wasn’t considered to be NFL ready because he was a “running quarterback.” Maybe he should tryout as a wide receiver. Cleveland did have a great first round draft that year. After Garrett, they drafted safety Jabrill Peppers at pick 25 and tight end David Njoku at pick 29. Bottom line, the Browns knew Trubisky wasn’t the answer at number one, went with the most talented player, tried to get back in the first round to get Mahomes and then filled out their first round with two great players. Now, before you say the name DeShone Kiser, I know he was taken in the second round on the recommendation of head coach Hue Jackson, (Mr. 1-31). Consider the source. The QB whisperer, except no one can hear you when you whisper.

Move to 2025. The Browns need a quarterback, but this draft is a bad quarterback draft. So let’s overdraft an average quarterback. Sheduer Sanders is not a top five pick. He’s not even a top ten pick. He’s a mid-twenty pick. The Browns will not overdraft a player. You don’t draft an average player in the top ten, just to draft a quarterback. Browns fans need to not listen to so called experts who are presenting opinions as analysis. The Browns front office does not leak any information. They are high on quarterback Cam Ward and defensive end Adbul Carter. No one knows what the clown show in Nashville is going to do with the first pick. If the Titans, or whoever picks number one doesn’t take Can Ward, he’ll be a Brown. If Ward is gone the Browns will take Adbul Carter at number two. And finally, no, the Browns aren’t going to trade up to number one to take Ward. They’re in win now mode, so why take a QB who’s going to sit on the bench in 2025? Stay safe, ignore the stupid and Go Browns.

Over the course of this year, the Cleveland media and some in the national media have reached the point absurdity. It started with the season ending news conferences by Browns GM Andrew Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanski. As is the annual tradition, neither said anything the media wanted to hear, because they never say anything. Surprise. The Myles Garrett drama was really simple to figure out, he wasn’t going to be traded because of the potential destroying of the team’s salary cap. When media members don’t or don’t want to understand one of the most important parts of the league, they say stupid things. Every team in the NFL functions under the same financial limitations. Some teams take advantage of every benefit in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and some don’t. Since Berry and his staff have been running the Browns, the team has used what is allowed to continue to maintain salary cap stability. They Spend more than $50 million more on the roster than any other team. You call them nerds all you want, but this is how the NFL works.

Some of the imaginary trade proposals by imaginary league GMs bordered on insanity. Some moved closer to stupidity. Garrett didn’t help himself by going on a media campaign to push his case, which proved he had no leverage. Stefanski, Berry and team owner Jimmy Haslam held their ground and insisted Garrett wasn’t going anywhere. When Garrett’s side leaked the news that the owner wouldn’t meet with the player, the Cleveland media made ass’s out themselves by claiming it was a “bad look” for the Browns. No, a team owner should never involve themselves in the daily business of the team. That’s why you hire general managers. A NFL owner should only smile and wave to the fans and sign the checks. That’s it.

Leaking the Haslam news was the last desperate attempt to force something prior to free agency beginning that was never going to happen, a trade. Two days later, Garrett signs the extension he and the team were working on prior to the season ending. Great, now everyone is happy, right? Nope. The media tried to push the narrative the contract makes him easier to trade. Or he’ll be gone in a couple of years. Or the team still sucks, so what’s the difference. Or they should’ve traded him anyway. Immediately after the news last Sunday, local media members started complaining Garrett hadn’t issued a statement yet. Well guys, the start of free agency was the next day, Monday, and the team was a little busy.

On Friday, the media finally got its chance. A Myles Garrett news conference. Of course, the focus quickly turns to the decor his agent set up, toy dinosaurs and cupcakes. Here we go. It’s the team’s fault; they’re an unserious franchise. Or maybe the agent used the decorations because that’s what their client wanted? The man just made the agency a crap load of money, he gets whatever he wants. Of course, he was late, when is comes to players, these things never start on time. Prior to the news conference, reporter Jason Lloyd reported Garrett was always late to team meetings and skips mandatory team events. Wrong. After Garrett signed, Lloyd concluded Haslam was a bad owner because the way he solves problems is by throwing money at them. See my above-mentioned description of what a team owner should do. Someone in the Browns office peed in Lloyd’s cereal, because he’s been on an anti-Browns binge for a while now. The question-and-answer period really didn’t provide any earth-shattering news because after it was over, the media was still talking about the toy dinosaurs and the cupcakes.

The real news came later that afternoon when Garrett appeared on Andrew Siciliano’s podcast and confirmed he knows who the next Browns quarterback is going to be, and he agrees with the plan. Here’s the link, https://x.com/Browns/status/1900653247032856737. Now, before you go off the deep end and get your hopes up for certain players, in my opinion this confirms what I’ve been saying, the Browns gave Garrett a general idea on what the plan is moving forward. They probably gave him a list of names and assured him the QB problem was going to be solved soon. The Browns don’t have a trade with Tennessee, they don’t know who they are drafting, or they don’t have a secret deal with Russell Wilson or Kirk Cousins. They have a plan, and they have options. If there was trade for the number one pick, the Titan’s would’ve leaked it already. The Browns will know who they are drafting after the first pick is chosen. Wilson is going to take his time to decide, as he should. By the way, the Wilson visit went well, he impressed with the team and their openness. The Cousin’s situation will be determined on Monday when he’s due a $10 million bonus. Stay tuned.

Just a reminder to choose who you believe very carefully. The Cleveland media right now is at their worst and it won’t get any better anytime soon. Stay safe and Go Browns.

While I wait for the final Relative Athletic Scores (RAS) from the combine, I thought I might entertain myself with another mock draft. Again, there are no trades because I’m not convinced the Browns will trade the pick. I seriously doubt they’re going to trade up to number one and I’ve heard they’re high on Cam Ward and Abdul Carter. One will be there at two. Besides, I’m fully convinced they’re going to sign not one but two veteran quarterbacks. Finally, Browns GM Andrew Berry said the team has eleven draft picks not twelve like everyone originally thought, so until I see the official draft pick chart, I’m going with twelve.

Round 1, Pick 2, Cam Ward, QB, Miami.

Round 2, Pick 33, Mic Scourton, E, Texas A & M.

Round 3, Pick 67, Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State.

Round 3, Pick 94, Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa St.

Round 4, Pick 103, Ozzy Trapilo, OT, Boston College.

Round 5, Pick 165, Malachi Moore, S, Alabama.

Round 6, Pick 181, Tommi Hill, CB, Nebraska.

Round 6, Pick 194, C.J. West, DT, Indiana.

Round 6, Pick 202, Michell Evans, TE, Notre Dame.

Round 6, Pick 216, Jack Kiser, LB, Notre Dame.

Round 6, Pick 217, Phil Mafah, RB, Clemson.

Round 6, Pick 257, Jake Majors, IOL, Texas.

This pretty much covers all the bases. I’m still convinced they take two running backs, and I know they interviewed Mafah at the combine. Nic Scourton is the second or third best edge in this draft. Taking a linebacker was a luxury, If JOK isn’t healthy, I think we’ll see them sign a free agent. I jumped on wide receiver Jayden Higgins because he was a clear winner at the combine. Finally I was surprised to see DT C.J. West in the sixth round, the kid is a load and would defiantly help the Browns against the run. Let me know how you feel. Stay safe and Go Browns.

The NFL Combine starts Monday February 24th when NFL coaches, general managers, reporters and draftniks converge on Indianapolis. You’ll hear about 40 times, cone drills, vertical jumps, bench presses, height, weight, hand size and the all-important Relative Athletic Score (RAS). There’ll be reporting on which players talked to the Browns. What you won’t hear is which agents of free agent players talked to the Browns (I’ll let you know if I hear anything). The NFL Network will push the false narrative that the Browns are on the verge of trading defensive end Myles Garrett to every team in the NFL and possibly a couple of NBA teams. Of course, they’ll skip the part where if they do trade Garrett, the Browns will be in cap hell for two years. Why try and explain something you don’t understand when the voices in your head tell you it doesn’t matter. Biased media will try and convince you Cleveland is in a complete rebuilding mode (they’re not), and they love Shedeur Sanders (they like Cam Ward more, not at number two, as of right now). You’ll hear the phrase “generational talent” more times than potential trade partners for Garrett. The Tennessee Titans will try and convince everyone they don’t need a quarterback and some team should trade for the number one overall pick. I’ve seen Will Levis play, they need a quarterback. Now some will say so do the Browns, but this an average (and that’s being polite) quarterback draft, so why waste draft capital on an average QB, you can find one of those in rounds three through six.

Here’s the schedule for this week:

Tuesday, February 25, 1:00pm EST, Browns GM Andrew Berry addresses the media.

Wednesday, February 26, 1:00pm EST, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski addresses the media.

Thursday, February 27, defensive linemen and linebackers.

Friday, February 28, defensive backs and tight ends.

Saturday, March 1, quarterbacks, wide receivers and running backs.

Sunday, March 2, offensive linemen.

You can watch the combine on NFL+, https://www.nfl.com/plus/.

A list of the 329 invitees can be found here, https://www.nfl.com/news/full-list-of-prospects-invited-to-2025-nfl-scouting-combine.

You can view players results here, https://www.nfl.com/combine/tracker/live-results/.

For specific Browns related news follow, http://@SparkScouting, http://@CaochWilson66, http://@StainbrookNFL, http://@NoahWeiskopf, http://@dpbrugler, http://@MoveTheSticks, http://@PFF_Jordan just to name a few. For what the Titans might be up to follow http://@PaulKuharskyNFL. For salary cap news follow http://@JackDuffin and http://@Jason_OTC.

As always, if any Browns news becomes available, I’ll post it on twitter account (yes, I know it’s called X, but that’s just stupid) http://@ctownthug. Stay safe and Go Browns.

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.