Browns news keeps trickling in at a slow pace right now, so I thought I would provide an update in between preparing tax returns. So far in free agency, the Browns have traded for WR Amari Cooper, DE Chase Winovich and QB Deshaun Watson. They have signed DT Taven Bryan, KR/WR Jakeem Grant, C Ethan Pocic, QB Jacoby Brissett, P Cory Bojorquez, TE Hayden Hurst and QB Josh Dobbs. The team has resigned LB Anthony Walker, OT Chris Hubbard, K Chase McLaughlin and S Ronnie Harrison. Positions still needing to be filled in free agency are DE, DT and WR. The two defensive line positions should be filled by Jadaveon Clowney and maybe Sheldon Day or Akiem Hicks prior to off-season workouts beginning on April 18. Last year Clowney and Day waited until April 14 to sign. As for wide receiver, who knows. I believe the sticking point with Jarvis Landry is money. He wants more than the Browns are offering. The other WR mentioned with the Browns is Will Fuller. He’s younger than Landry but has an injury history.
On the Baker Mayfield front, the Browns are in no hurry to trade him, and they have time on their side. First let me reiterate, the Browns are not going to release him. There are $18.8 million reasons not to release him. The team isn’t going to carry that much dead money on their cap for one player. That’s not how this front office works. With the signing of third string quarterback Josh Dobbs, Mayfield isn’t going on the roster when training camp starts. Some fans and media have speculated Mayfield will remain on the roster to start if Watson is suspended. Not. Going. To. Happen. Besides owner Jimmy Haslem already said goodbye to him. When the man who signs the checks wishes you well in the future, you’re gone. The reason the Browns can be patient is because they have the new CBA working for them. Yes, Mayfield’s contract is guaranteed, but there are provisions in the CBA that can void those guarantees. As Jason Fitzgerald said in an article for https://overthecap.com/, “While I do not have the particulars of Mayfield’s contract language, standard blanket language would generally void guarantees include refusing to practice and suspension for conduct detrimental. Many often have clauses related to being publicly critical of a team that can void a guarantee. In addition, Mayfield can rack up hefty fines were he to not show up to camp this year- $40,000 per day missed and $1.048 million for every preseason game missed.”
Mayfield recently taped a podcast that will air this week and I hope he was very careful in what he said about the Browns. The Browns have the cap space ($20 million) to keep him on the roster a while longer. Like I said, there’s no hurry. As for Watson, two of the civil suits have been expanded which means they won’t be heard until 2023. With the NFL Commissioner saying Watson won’t be put on the exempt list because of no criminal charges being brought, the new speculation is Watson won’t be suspended in 2022. The NFL will wait until all civil cases run their course before issuing a suspension if any. Watson and his lawyer are adamant in saying they aren’t going to settle any suit.
As for the NFL draft, the Browns have picks 44, 78, 99, 118, 202, 223 and 246. Currently the Browns have visits scheduled with UCLA TE Greg Dulich, Tulsa OT Tyler Smith, Arkansas WR Treyon Burks, North Dakota WR Christian Watson and Oregon WR Trevon Bradford. Burks and Watson are interesting because they might be first round picks. Could GM Andrew Berry be considering trading back in the first round or is trying to convince other teams he’s thinking about it? He might have a certain player he’s looking at to draft at 44 and trying force other teams in drafting Burks or Watson. I do know the Browns are very interested in Burks. Maybe they’re hoping for a draft day fall. Bradford is considered a UDFA signing, but it never hurts to show off the facilities in Berea to convince a player you want to sign after the draft.
Finally, as I write this, it’s being reported that former Buckey’s QB Dwayne Haskins was hit by a car this morning in south Florida and killed. RIP to a Buckeye legend. Everyone stay say and Go Browns.