Dawgpoundsouth

As the team heads into the dead period, let’s look at a few key things. I’m of the belief; Browns GM Andrew Berry still has some roster building to do. I’ve heard the team is concerned about depth at defensive end, cornerback and linebacker, so let’s see where the team is salary cap wise. According to Over The Cap, the Browns are currently a little over $16 million under the cap. Plenty of room to sign some veterans to take care of the depth on the defense.

The quarterback competition will extend to the start of training camp, which will happen in late July. Head coach Todd Monken had hoped someone would step up and claim the job. No one has. I’ve been told Deshaun Watson and Sheduer Sanders are tied as of now. I’ve also been told if the season started today, Watson would start. I don’t like this, but Monken is trying to win games, so it makes sense to go with the veteran, again if the season started today. Thank God it doesn’t. If you’re a Sanders fan, this is good news. Watson, a ten-year veteran, hasn’t been able to distance himself from two second year players. Sanders has shown some improvement but still has the same bad habits from last year when pressured. Watson is the media darling right now and I have no idea why. I’ve been told by someone who was at the OTA’s and minicamp, Watson has thrown the most “turnover worthy” passes. In other words, go back and watch what he did in 2024 before getting hurt. These two- and three-day sessions don’t really tell anyone anything. The true test will come in training camp when the team practices four or five days in pads and the offense is going up against defensive starters.

Local and national media types are still pimping trading Denzel Ward. It isn’t going to happen. First of all, the team is worried about the current cornerback depth, so why create more roster problems. Second, there isn’t a team in the league who is a cornerback away from the Super Bowl. Finally, in order to trade Ward, the Browns would have to get back the Jared Verse of cornerbacks included in the trade. What team is going to do that?

When Todd Monken was hired, I said on a podcast that he remined me of another head coach, Bruce Arians. Arians didn’t get his first NFL head coaching job until he was 61. He had been a very successful quarterback coach, wide receiver coach and offensive coordinator in the league. In 2013 he was hired by the Arizona Cardinals. Prior to his hiring, the Cardinals were 5-11. Under Arians, they finish 10-6 after starting 3-4. In 2014, the Cardinals finished 11-5. They started 9-1 that year, but injuries to starting QB Carson Palmer (6-0 as a starter) and backup Drew Stanton (5-3 as a starter) caused the team to finish second to the Seahawks in the division. In 2015 after a 3-0 start, the Cardinals finished 13-3. The key to these first three years for Arians was having the starting QB he wanted. A couple of months after hiring Arians, Arizona traded for Palmer.

If there’s a moral to this story, I’m going to let Todd Monken find is Carson Palmer. He didn’t wait till he was 60 years old to get his first NFL head coaching job to tank for the next mystery draft pick at quarterback. Stay safe and Go Browns.

As the Browns gear up for the final minicamp tomorrow (mandatory), the media has gone from the Myles Garrett trade back to who the hell is going to be the starting QB for the team. Two weeks ago, everyone was reporting it would be Deshaun Watson. Last week it was going to be Shedeur Sanders. Two weeks ago, Watson looked good. Last week he didn’t. Sanders is making strides, but, according to head coach Todd Monken, he’s still retreating in the pocket and throwing off his back foot.

Previously, Monken had said he’d have a starter named by the time training camp started in July. Not so fast my friend. Last Wednesday he said, “In a perfect world, you’d love to have your starting quarterback, right?” Monken said after OTA practice No. 8 on June 3. “And you’d love to have your O-line set. I’m not sure we’ll be there, I’m just not. I think both quarterbacks have played well enough where we haven’t really been in pads. We haven’t played any games yet. Haven’t really got to that point yet.” He admitted the competition is close, “Every day I kind of lean one way or the other with quarterbacks,” he said. “But we still got to get to that point…and then quarterback, who’s going to start for us. But I’m fired up by the quarterbacks. I just tell you, we got two starting level quarterbacks. We really do.” The statement about having two starting level quarterbacks could be seen two ways. One, they’re both advancing or two, neither one has separated themselves from the other.

I maintain Watson will not take another meaningful snap for the Browns. So that leaves Sanders as the starter, but if he’s going dispel the fears of many fans, he needs to separate himself this week. Yesterday I decided to watch games from last year (Sanders) and from 2024 (Watson). My only conclusion is how either of these guys can be in the conversation for starting. Fans of both will maintain neither QB had the benefit of a good offensive line and offensive weapons. Some will point out the failures in play calling by former head coach Kevin Stefanski. All those factors are true, but the majority of the failures by both land on the shoulders of both.

I’m not anti-Sanders, but I am anti-Watson. I’m a tear the band-aid type of person, so the quicker this team gets rid of Watson (start of the league year in 2027) the happier I’ll be. If Sanders can show the head coach, he can be a viable starter in the NFL, then that’s the best thing for the team. He’ll have a better offensive line, better receivers and an actual running game. Monken is supposed to be a coach who gets the best out of any QB and can fix an offense which quite frankly was offensive to watch. If Sanders can win the job, the Browns won’t have to search for their savior in the 2027 draft. If he can’t, the Browns might be searching for a veteran QB at the end of training camp. Stay safe and Go Browns.

As I settled in at my desk yesterday, I intended to write an article about how the Browns were not going to trade all world defensive end Myles Garrett. It was June first and the media were writing articles about how it was now easier to trade Garrett. The redo of his contract made all this possible. My reasoning was the Browns didn’t draft a replacement, and they were already a veteran DE short in the position room. As I wrote in last week’s blog, they needed one more veteran to go with Garrett. Then to add to all this, I was told the reports that the Browns had talked to the Rams & Eagles were false. Then about 11:00am central, I got word the Browns had talked to the Rams and were still talking. Stop the presses. If this guy tells me something was up, then something was up.

I know a lot of Browns fans are upset, but let’s stick to facts. Prior to signing his new contract, Garrett wanted out of Cleveland. The Browns didn’t respond to the trade demands; they instead may him the highest paid DE in the league. Then the team redid his contract making a salary cap friendly trade possible, but only after June 1. I personally thought 2027 would be the time to trade Garrett. Give him one year under a new coaching staff and see what happens. The main reason this trade happened was the Browns wanted a strong, up and coming player in return. The Rams did not want to give up Jared Verse He’s a two-time pro bowler and the 2024 rookie defensive player of the year. He’s only been in the league for two years but is top five in pressures and number two in run stop win rate. He’s 25 years old and is still on his rookie contract. He’s from Dayton Ohio and coming out of college said he would love playing for the Browns.

Without Verse, this trade does not happen. He’s worth a first round pick because he was a first round pick. As a matter of fact, he was the Rams first round pick after not having a first round pick for nine years. The deal also includes the Rams first round pick in 2027, their second-round pick in 2028 and their third-round pick in 2029. The Browns now have eleven picks in 2027. Eleven. The there is no secret that Jimmy Halam loves Arch Manning. Besides Manning, the quarterback draft in 2027 is very special. If all the QB’s play up to their expectations, Cleveland will have the capital to find the right guy. If Sanders or Gabriel balls out and produces a winning season and a playoff berth, then the 2027 draft becomes gravy.

Now the speculation is Denzel Ward will be the next one out the door. Another team will have to offer a comparable player like Verse. Elite cover corners, like left tackles and quarterbacks, don’t grow on trees, so I doubt Ward will be dealt. The next big move by the Browns should be the signing of a good veteran defensive end like Joey Bosa, Cameron Jordan, Jihad Ward or Preston Smith. After that, the team needs to work on a contract extension for Grant Delpit.

The fans who hate GM Andrew Berry will hate this deal. They claim a football “nerd” can’t be a GM. I hate to tell you this, but that’s who runs teams in the league. Smart people. This was a haul for the Browns this year (Verse) and a haul for the future. The Rams get the best defensive player in the league because their playoff window is closing fast and they are in a win this year mode mostly because they have a 38-year-old QB without a competent back up. I hate losing Garrett, but this trade was necessary for the Browns future both for the roster and the salary cap. In business if both sides of a transaction feel they didn’t get a good deal, it’s always a good deal. Stay safe and Go Browns.

If you read my last blog, I guessed at a way too early 53-man roster. While the talent on the 2026 Browns roster has improved, there’s still some work to be done. In 2025, Cleveland played the most rookie players in the league. That’s great for future development, but to succeed in this league you need veteran players. There are a view position groups that could use a free agent signing, defensive end, tight end, running back, safety and cornerback. All these groups are important, but one stands out, defensive end. In the off-season the Browns attempted to add veteran A J Epenesa, however he the signing fell through because Epenesa failed his physical. Currently the Browns defensive end position group consists of Myles Garrett, Alex Wright, Isaiah McGuire and three promising UDFA, Logan Fano, Khordae Sydnor and Tyreak Sapp. Fano and Sydnor have guaranteed money in their contracts, so they’ll at least make the practice squad. But the room still needs a veteran. Here are some options.

Forget about Joey Bosa and Cameron Jordan, they’re more than likely going to a contender. Jihad Ward, Titans, Preston Smith, Commanders, Denico Autry, Texans, Kyle Van Noy, Ravens, Leonard Floyd, Falcons and Hassan Riddick, Buccaneers could help the Browns pass rush. Ward is 32 years old who had over a ten percent pressure rate last year. Smith’s last two years haven’t quite as good as his previous years but still would be an excellent rotational player. Autry is also an older player but is very consistent week to week, which is what you need in a rotational player. Van Noy has been a thorn is the Browns side for years. Last year was a down year for him, but he’s still one of the best pure pass rushers still on the market. Floyd provides pressure every passing down. Riddick is another pressure monster, who could add value to the room.

Van Noy, Floyd and Riddick are lighter than the Browns usually like their defensive ends to be because of the importance of playing the run. Epenesa could provide nice pressure, play the run and was very good on special teams. As I wrote in my last blog, the Browns would have to keep five defensive ends, with one of them being a UDFA, most likely Fano for special teams play. If I had my choice, I would go after Ward. He looks like he would be a good one-year option. Stay safe and Go Browns.

When Browns owner Jimmy Haslam fired Kevin Stefanski, he was asked what his expectations were for the upcoming season. Haslam said to give the team 120 days and then we’ll know. Well, it’s been over 120 days, and, in my opinion, it’s been a very successful offseason. Since news is slow, I thought I’d do a way too early roster prediction.

Quarterbacks (3). Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson, Taylen Green.

Running Backs (3). Quinshon Judkins, Dylan Sampson, Michael Burton.

Wide Receivers (6). Jerry Jeudy, KC Concepcion, Denzel Boston, Isaiah Bond, Malachi Corley, Cedric Tillman.

Tight Ends (3). Harold Fannin, Jack Stoll, Joe Royer.

Offensive Tackles (4). Spencer Fano, Tytus Howard, Austin Barber, Dawand Jones.

Offensive Guards (4). Elgton Jenkins, Zion Johnson, Teven Jenkins, KT Leveston.

Centers (2). Parker Brailsford, Luke Wypler.

Defensive Ends (5). Myles Garrett, Alex Wright, Isaiah McGuire, Logan Fano, Free Agent.

Defensive Tackles (5). Mason Graham, Maliek Collins, Michael Hall, Jr., Kalia Davis, Adin Huntington.

Linebackers (5). Carson Schwesinger, Quincy Williams, Winston Reid, Justin Jefferson, Easton Mascarenas-Arnold.

Cornerbacks (5). Denzel Ward, Tyson Campbell, Tre Avery, D’Angelo Ross, Michael Coats, Jr.

Safeties (5). Grant Delpit, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Ronnie Hickman, Daniel Thomas, Donovan McMillon.

Special Teams (3). Andre Szmyt, Cory Bojorquez, Rex Sunahara.

I could easily see the Browns signing veteran players, especially at tight end, defensive end, running back and safety. Also, the Browns could go with four defensive tackles and keep six defensive ends, both Huntington and Wright can play DT. Finally, the quarterback position isn’t set. The team could go with two quarterbacks and add another running back. Stay safe and Go Browns.

Rookie minicamp just concluded and as always there’s plenty of optimism about the 2026 Browns draft class. Out of ten draft picks, it appears the Browns have found at least five starters, LT Spencer Fano, WR K.C. Concepion, WR Denzel Boston, S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren and C Parker Brailsford. If the team can get any quality contributions out of four of the other five, (not counting QB Taylen Green) that’s a good draft class. Over the years, Browns GM Andrew Berry has been able to find very good players after the draft. Last year the Browns signed four undrafted rookie free agents who made significant contributions, DT Adin Huntington, WR Isaiah Bond, WR Gage Larvadain and S Donovan McMillon. This year is no different. Here are three to watch.

Micheal Coats, CB, West Virginia. Coats is a very athletic player who could play both safety and corner. He’s a physical player who has the size and speed to play in the slot. Coats ran a 4.4 40. In 2025 while playing for Nevada, he led the team in pass break ups (13) and interceptions (4). IN his final year at West Viginia, he again led the team in pass break ups (7).

Logan Fano, DE, Utah. Brother of first round pick Spencer Fano. In 2025 Fano had a pass rush win rate of 15.6 percent. In passing situations that number jumped to 25.5 percent. He’s torn his ACL twice, which may explain why he wasn’t drafted. But I can see why the Browns are rolling the dice on Fano, his 21.6 percent pressure rate in true passing situations is too good to ignore.

T.J. Harden, RB, SMU. Harden had pretty ordinary production as a running back, but in 2024 and 2025 while at UCLA, he was very productive as a receiver. In 2025 he was second on the team with 368 receiving yards which was 12.6 percent of the team’s total. Browns head coach Todd Monken was very vocal about the team adding a FB and the Browns did sign 12-year veteran Michael Burton, but if Harden can handle the blocking assignments, he could be the prefect west coast style FB.

Others to watch: Safety Zion Washington, DE Tyreek Sapp, DE Khordea Snyder, WR Aaron Anderson and WR Kole Wilson.

Finally, it’s NFL schedule announcement week with the full schedule being announced on Thursday night May 14. As the week progresses, the games overseas will be announced leading up to Thursday. You can follow me (http://@ctownthug) or follow who I’ll be reposting, Ozzy (http://@OzzyNFL) or NFL Nerd (http://@NerdingonNFL). Both are excellent follows for schedule leaks. Stay safe and Go Browns.

Now that the Browns have concluded one of their best drafts, I thought I would review where the team stands as of today.

First the draft. I hope everyone gets a chance to watch “The Pick Is In” an ESPN documentary about the 2026 draft, with the Browns featured prominently. The inside look at the Browns draft room is amazing. All I can say is calm, cool & collected. I’m so glad the Browns didn’t take the Cowboy’s low offer. Great job Andrew.

Salary cap. According to “Over The Cap” the Browns are currently around $23.5 million under the cap. Over the weekend it was reported the Browns were redoing the contract of OT Dawand Jones. Basically, the team moved his “Proven Performance Escalators” to upfront cash. These escalators are money Jones could earn, but instead he gets the money now. This does two things, better cap situation for the Browns and no consequences if Jones is cut. I expect the Browns to do the same thing for two other players, DE Isaiah McGuire and WR Cedric Tillman. All three of these players have under preformed or have been injury prone. All three are in the last year of their contracts and replacements were found in the draft or UDFA signings.

Off-season dates. Rookie training camp May 8-10, OTA’s May 19-21, June 2-5, Mandatory minicamp June 9-11. After that it’s Training camp in July.

2026 opponents. Just a reminder the official NFL schedule comes out this month. Usually, it’s the second or third week in May. The Browns will host Baltimore, Cincinnati, Pittsburg, Houston, Indianapolis, Atlanta, Carolina and Las Vegas. The Browns travel to Baltimore, Cincinnati, Pittsburg, Jacksonville, New Orleans, Tampa, Nashville, New York Giants and Jets. The Saints are playing in Paris this year and the rumor is it will be October 25, week seven. Could the league send the Browns overseas in back-to-back years? Yes, they could.

Stay safe and Go Browns.

So far, so good. Browns GM Andrew Berry was charged with fixing the worst offense in the league, mission accomplished, so far. The worst two position groups were the offensive line and the wide receivers. Though free agency and the draft, the offensive line looks much better, Last year because of age and injuries, the Browns were attempting to fix the problem with anyone they could find. It didn’t work. Now every starting position is covered and so are the backups, except backup center. I have faith Berry will solve this problem prior to training camp.

After Jerry Jeudy, the wide receiver room was lacking but still had some potential. I think both Isaiah Bond and Malachi Corley can develop into valuable offensive weapons. All I know, Cedric Tillman needs to stay healthy to make this team. As with the OL, the wide receivers will need reps to establish continuity so the offense can work. Todd Monken, Travis Switzer, Mike Bajakain and George Warhop will need the time and space to develop talent and personnel groups to get this offense ready for week one. Let’s not confuse the issue with QB reps. Speaking of the quarterbacks, no matter who’s the starter, there are no more excuses. With these two position groups and the running back room with the addition of a fullback, this offense has the potential to make the jump into the top fifteen in league offenses. That’s enough, with this defense, to make great strides in the win column.

My only concerns are tight end and edge. The Browns still need a number two tight end and a number four edge rusher. Time for the after-draft bargain bin. Finally, the local media and fans are convinced everyone’s favorite bogeyman Paul Depodesta held back Berry in previous drafts. Then explain to me how the team had a great draft last year with DePodesta in the war room. He helped manufacture the trade down in 2025 that netted the team Mason Graham, Quinshon Judkins, Dylan Sampson and K.C. Conception. That trade down last year set the tone for this year’s draft getting four starters in the first four picks. Let the off-season continue. Stay safe and Go Browns.

Finally, the 2026 NFL Draft is tomorrow, and it took forever to get here. It’s been a journey of absurd and, frankly, some of the worst takes I’ve ever heard. The one thing I’m grateful for is I haven’t heard the phrase “generational talent” once. Thank God. My mock draft is based on different elements. I’m going to take into consideration the league’s age guardrails and player’s Relative Athletic Scores (RAS). I’ll also consider any knowledge of draftees that I’ve read and heard. There will be no trades. Here goes:

Rd. 1, Pick 6. Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State. This is so simple. Terrible offense, draft a weapon who can help terrible offense. Tate is an excellent route runner with great hands. His biggest fault is he was the number two buckeye wide receiver behind Jeremiah Smith. Every WR in college right know would be number two to Smith.

Rd 1, Pick 24. Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State. Iheanachor (pronounced E-hon-ah-chore) came to football late but has improved every year. He’s a raw talent. His quickness, agility and strength make him a unique talent. He has the highest ceiling of any OT in the draft and can be the long-term solution at the position.

Rd. 2, Pick 39. D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana. The Browns are in need of a reliable slot cornerback, and Ponds can be the solution to this problem. I know he’s small, 5’9″, 180 lbs., but he gave really good wide receivers problems, just ask Jeremiah Smith and Denzel Boston. Elite cover skills and he has return abilities.

Rd. 3, Pick 70. Jalon Kilgore, S, South Carolina. Versatile safety who can play both free safety and strong safety. Because of his coverage skills, he can also be a team’s nickel corner. At South Carolina, they created a position for him. Can read the opposing QB and is a force at the point of attack in the run game.

Rd. 4, Pick 107. Jalen Farmer, IOL, Kentucky. Started two years a right guard. A better run blocker than pass blocker. He drive blocks very well and finishes with leverage. Works well in space. Needs to improve his footwork.

Rd. 5, Pick 146. Jack Endries, TE, Texas. Started every game in his three years at Texas. He’s a quarterback friendly pass catcher. A consistent ball-winner in tight coverage and tough on man coverage.

Rd. 5, Pick 149. Jimmy Rolder, LB, Michigan. Plays with good awareness and change of direction. He finishes tackles with technique and consistency. Great against the run. Hard to believe he was a one-year starter with his instincts.

Rd. 6, Pick 206. Parker Brailsford, C, Alabama. Elite quickness to keep defenders occupied. Very active and engaged with a commitment to blocking schemes. Great hands and footwork.

Round 7, Pick 248. Lorenzo Styles, CB, Ohio State. He’s made good improvements with his transition from wide receiver to cornerback. Smooth in short zone coverage and plays with good leverage. Has very good cover talent is special teams.

Everyone stay safe, enjoy the draft and Go Browns.

Finally, the 2026 NFL draft is only eight days away. On the one hand it seems very close and on the other hand it seems very far away. Especially considering the nonsense the local and national media puts out on a daily basis. Today, I’m writing to clear up some of the noise.

We all know the Browns have to improve the offense, especially the offensive tackle and wide receiver positions. As of today, the Browns have four tackles rated similar for the first round. Some have speculated the Browns are considering drafting Kadyn Proctor with the sixth pick, however some in the front office have concerns about his agility and footwork, while others feel he is better suited for offensive guard. The two names I hear for OT are Calib Lomu and Markiel Bell. Lomu is rated as a first round pick (but not at pick 6) and Bell is rated a day three prospect. Another OT who interests the Browns is Max Iheanachor, another developmental prospect.

As for wide receivers at pick six, the Browns are interested in Carnell Tate and Makai Lemon. Some in the building believe Tate might be gone by pick 6. Other WR’s who interest the Brown later in the draft are K.C. Concepcion (later in the first round) and Ted Hurst (later in the draft). There are a few defensive wildcards for the Browns. At defensive end, R. Mason Thomas and David Bailey. The biggest wildcard is Caleb Downs, who is a very tempting player at pick 6. I’m fully convinced the Browns will address the DE/LB position either in the draft, free agency or the trade market prior to OTA’s. I’m also convinced the team will draft a safety and a cornerback next week. The Browns believe the safety market in the draft is the best option.

Lately, the media and others on social media have been pushing the trade down theory with the Cowboys and the Eagles being the primary partners. Dallas has a history of making bad trades which benefit the team they’re trading with, so if the Browns can steal picks from Dallas, that’s fine with me. However, there’s no way Cowboy owner Jerry Jones could keep this kind of deal secret, he loves to hear his name in the media. As for the Eagles, Browns GM Andrew Berry always touches base with the Eagles before the draft only because he used to work for them. There’s no Myles Garrett or A.J. Brown trade in the works. As I’ve said, if Garrett is traded before June 1, there’s a $41millon dead cap hit. Now after June 1, the dead cap hit is only $15million but why burden a new head coach with the responsibility of fixing both the offense and the defense in the same year.

There’ll be plenty more speculation and craziness in the next eight days, so stay safe and Go Browns.