The NFL Draft is one week away, and this has to be the quietest draft I’ve ever seen. I can understand Browns fans not talking about it due to the lack of a first-round pick, but it’s still an important draft. It’s true the Browns are better at this point this year than they were last year when it comes to talent, but this draft will fill holes on the roster for the future. Good teams play for the playoffs every year and draft for the future.
The biggest news this week was the Denzel Ward extension. If you look at the contract, GM Andrew Berry while extending Ward, saved about $5 million on the 2022 salary cap. Ninja GM. The Browns are currently around $27 million under the cap. Quite a few Browns fans are worried the Browns will end up in cap hell after all the money the team spent this year. Nope. I do expect the Browns to restructure QB Deshaun Watson’s deal a couple of times before it expires. Just remember the 2023 salary cap will go up to around $220 million due to the new television deal. More money, more money, more money. The five most important positions on an NFL team are QB, WR, LT, Edge and CB. The Browns have all four locked up with Watson, Cooper, Wills, Garrett and Ward.
Other signings this week were, DT Sheldon Day, DE Stephen Weatherly, WR Ja’Marcus Bradley, OG Michael Dunn, WR Javon Wims and DE Issac Rochell. Day, Bradley and Dunn were on the roster last year and the rest are veteran backups. Weatherly and Rochell were not signed to replace Jadeveon Clowney, I still expect Clowney to resign with the Browns. But if I’m Curtis Weaver, I’d be worried. Time to show your talent more consistently young man. These types of moves allow Andrew Berry to let the draft come to him and draft for talent not need.
The first voluntary workouts started this week, and I was glad to see Watson, Brissett, Dobbs, Cooper and Winovich show up. Have you noticed the Browns quarterback room is taller? Watson is 6’2″, Brissett is 6’4″ and Dobbs is 6’3″. My only knock-on Baker Mayfield was he was short. Speaking of Mayfield, after he was on the “Dog Package” podcast, Seattle signed QB Gino Smith. However according to the experts, both Seattle and Carolina are the favorites to land him. Is Mayfield better then Drew Lock or Sam Darnold? Yes. Carolina is interesting because their first draft pick is number six and then they wait till pick 137 (fourth round) for their second pick. While many mock drafts have them taking a QB at six, I think their greater need is edge because of the loss of Hasson Riddick in free agency. Mayfield would be the perfect bridge till the 2023 draft where the draftable quarterbacks will be far superior. As for Seattle, they have the draft capital to make a trade. It will come down to how much of Mayfield’s salary the Browns will pay to trade him. My guess would be $8 to $10 million for one of Seattle’s 2022 fifth round picks or a conditional 2023 pick from Carolina.
As I mentioned earlier, the NFL Draft is one week away. I expect a wide receiver at pick number 44. Followed in no peculiar order by defensive line, offensive line, cornerback and possibly linebacker. I don’t expect a quarterback or a running back to be drafted. A kicker is possible, but I expect an UDFA to be signed after the draft. Andrew Berry loves him some rookie UDFAs. I’ve done three mock drafts for https://clesportstalk.com/ and this weekend I’ll complete my final mock. Be sure to look for it. It’s starting to feel like football season again. Players in the building in Berea, NFL Draft next week and then the schedule comes out. Everyone stay safe and Go Browns.